A to Z Challenge 2013 - R is for Restless

I'm posting snippets from a story for this year's Challenge.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

R IS FOR RESTLESS

Breathe deep. Focus your energy. Fenn's voice was low and hypnotic.

Danielle sat cross-legged on the floor of her living room with her eyes closed. Meditation helped after a work-out. Usually if she didn't, she remained restless for hours afterward. Perspiration dried on her flesh and called forth rows of goosebumps.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Fenn continued. You are one of the Fearless. Nothing shakes your core. You are strong. You are a warrior.

A fighter she was. After killing her first monster, nothing terrified her. She wished she could pass some of that onto Libby. Poor kid. And Erik. It was hard to be a parent in today's world.

Okay, maybe she was a little afraid of losing him. They'd just started to get to know each other. It could be something great. Danielle could see herself making a life with him and helping him raise Libby. Maybe another baby . . .

Her eyes snapped open. What was she thinking? She and Erik weren't even officially a couple yet. It was ridiculous to even think beyond the next time she saw him. How did she suddenly become one of those silly girls planning a wedding with a guy she'd only kissed?

In other news: Today is my little guy's 3rd birthday! We'll be having a picnic at the park if the weather cooperates. Happy birthday to the best boy in the world!

Thanks to everyone who has been complimenting the photos with my A- Z this year. He had fun checking out the Monopoly game, and wanted the hotels and houses to be cars zooming around the track.

A to Z Challenge - R is for Reflex

This is part of an ongoing story throughout the Challenge.

If you're just joining me now, please start with A is for Abby.

R IS FOR REFLEX

Abby's hands glowed and the swords slid out. She gripped the slim hilts, trying to ignore the nervous perspiration. She and Demetrius moved to stand back-to-back with one another. Instinctive reflex.

Who turned out the lights? Tawa squawked from the other room.

"I guess I'm not getting any dinner." His humor didn't hide the tension in his voice.

"I think that's the least of your worries." Abby listened for something, anything, but the house itself didn't even creak. "Too bad you didn't bring your club. Anything else you could use as a weapon here?"

"Ah, but I did bring it." Demetrius reached into his pants' pocket. She glanced over her shoulder and gasped as he withdrew his enormous weapon. It was like watching a cartoon. It wasn't physically possible. Her mouth opened and shut wordlessly.

"Bet you're wondering what else is in my pants." He smirked, clearly enjoying her reaction. She elbowed him. "Magical weapon. It can be a twig or a trunk depending on your needs."

"I'm not going to say anything." There was no way Abby could do without thinking about what else was in his pants. Focus. She needed to focus. "Burrows was expecting us to do something. We search one room at a time."

"Main floor first," Demetrius said. "Then--"

Staircase! Tawa shouted. Something's coming down the stairs!

Abby and Demetrius raced from the TV room. She managed to catch sight of what looked like a black magic carpet hovering beside the bannister before it pounced on the fae. It wrapped itself around him and his club like an inky cocoon. He twisted and fell, rolling on the floor.

The thing was smothering him, and Abby couldn't wildly stab it without hitting Demetrius too. "Hold still!" It was like trying to tell a cat in a bath to stop fighting. He was a fighter. He couldn't stop himself.

Let him fight it. Go after Burrows. She's the real threat here. Tawa barked.

"No. Dammit." Abby cursed. She tried to shallowly slice at the monster, and though it squealed, it didn't release its hostage. Her heart hammered in her chest. She refused to let him die. She stepped on either side of Demetrius and trapped him between her legs. She raised her right sword and brought it down through the most bulky part of the cocoon.

The monster wailed and let go of Demetrius. He gulped in a huge breath. It shuddered before flopping down to lay motionless between her legs.

Demetrius stared at her and then at her blade still embedded in his club. "You could have hit me."

"There's nothing about you that big." Abby yanked her sword free and stepped away. She scooped up her backpack, hitching it over her shoulders.

"That you know of." Demetrius picked himself up. "You should have listened to Tawa. If Burrows gets away--"

"No." Abby replied too quickly. The thought of leaving him behind to die tore at her soul. She cleared her throat and motioned to the stairs. "Besides, she's not going to leave. All monsters want to fight. And you deserve better than death by blanket."

Demetrius grabbed on of the backpack's straps and pulled her to him. He kissed her. Nothing gentle about it. Teeth clinked as his tongue rolled around hers. Her world spun and went out of focus. When he pulled back an inch, all she could see was him.

"You saved my life again. If I had two lives to pledge to you, you would have them." His eyes bore into hers. "Honor or not, you already have me. Blood for blood, breath for breath, heart for heart."

Abby didn't have time to respond before he let her go, turned, and marched up the stairs. It wouldn't have mattered. His words left her more breathless than the kiss.