Title: Creatures of Fire
Author: J.B. Brooklin
Series: Sariel Baldwin Series
Published: February 17, 2013
Cover
Artist: J.B. Brooklin (Cover copyrights: Ring of Fire © dvarg #34150031
– Fotolia.com, the dancer © Alexander
Yakovlev #34413982)
She is a half demon, oblivious to her true nature.
He is a demon set out to avenge murder.
Together they are hunted by the one person she thought
she could trust.
Separate they may be able to save each others lives.
“Creatures of Fire” a tale about power, ambition,
responsibility and trust.
New York – Paris – Dschinnanya (the world of the
demons)
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Excerpt
“Wow!” Sariel stopped, hearing the door close at her
back. Today the city of Dschinnanya was not deserted but crowded with demons
and other creatures. And that was not the only thing that had changed; the
inside of Abu Ayub’s house should have prepared her for what she saw but
somehow it was different to see it.
Yesterday’s town had transformed into an Arabian city with packed mud replacing
the cobbled streets and Moorish buildings in place of the old town houses.
The demons populating
the streets were mostly dressed in burnouses. The women covered their heads,
and some even wore veils to hide their faces. And then there were a number of
beings Sariel could not identify. Some looked like Ioni, and some totally
different. All of them could be mistaken for humans but on closer inspection
the different skin and set of eyes, as well as their unusual hair coloring,
gave them away as some kind of prenatural being. The most beautiful ones, at
least in Sariel’s opinion, were the tall, slender creatures with hair like spun
silver. Morroks. The name was
whispered in her head. That’s what we are
called.
With a start Sariel
looked around. It was disconcerting that almost everyone, except for herself,
was able to read thoughts. But this time it was even more eerie. This time a
voice was talking in her head.
Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I am about to go crazy.
Morroks are half-fairy, half-elves. And you are not
crazy, the
voice told her.
Someone was making fun
of her, but Sariel didn’t see the joke. Instead, panic began to rise in her
chest. How was she supposed to survive in a world where everyone could enter
her head? Without her being able to put a stop to it?
“I am sorry, that was
very rude of me.” One of the so-called Morroks
bowed in front of her. When he straightened, Sariel looked into the face of a
man, so beautiful he could have been an angel. The long silver hair fell in
waves down his back. A dark blue burnous set off eyes that were sky blue.
“You are new to
Dschinnanya and I couldn’t resist answering the question that was so clearly
written on your face. Don’t worry; I cannot read your thoughts, but I can put
them into your head.” He smiled.
“That is not very
reassuring,” Sariel said. “How did you know that I am new here?” she added.
“Oh, everybody knows
about you and the reason you came. As soon as someone crosses the border to
Dschinnanya, the ruling demons are alerted. Coupled with their ability to read
thoughts there is not much you can keep a secret here. But please, I must ask
your forgiveness. I entered your mind without permission and I have not even
introduced myself.” He bowed again and put his right hand over his heart. “My
name is Jazni.”
“Nice to meet you,
Jazni. I am Sariel, but you probably already know that.”
“Sariel! What a
beautiful name.” He smiled again, transforming his face into such an ethereal
beauty that it was hard to look at him. Sariel felt herself blushing. I have to stop that, she thought. It was
embarrassing and she wasn’t a little girl anymore.
“Considering that you
are new to Dschinnanya, may I offer you my assistance?” Jazni asked.
“That is very kind of
you. But no, I’d rather...there is a lot I have to do.” With a face that was
practically burning, she turned to Tamiro, who had settled at her feet. “Come
on,” she said to the panther, as if a wild animal would obey her bidding. To
her surprise Tamiro stood up, stretched, and began to lead the way, just as he
had done yesterday.
“I see you already have
a guide,” Jazni murmured, looking thoughtful at the panther. “How very
interesting.” With that he melted into the crowd.
“Damn. I need to know
more,” Sariel grumbled while trying to follow Tamiro without losing him between
the many creatures. They were all heading in one direction, sweeping her and
Tamiro with them. In the distance Sariel could see a bazaar. So that is where everyone is going.
Stalls heaped with fruits and vegetables, vendors selling everything from pots
and pans to clothes and fabrics were lining the street.
Startled looks were
thrown her way, whispers accompanied them, and Sariel started to feel uneasy.
The demons parted when they saw Tamiro, clearly wary of the large, wild cat.
But as soon as they spotted her, the expression changed to something menacing;
hostile even. Everyone appeared to know why she was here and what she had done
to bring one of them into an abominable situation. If not for Tamiro, they
might have expressed their hostility in a more violent fashion.
“It’s a good thing that
they are afraid of you,” she told Tamiro, wondering why Jazni hadn’t shown any
fear of the animal. I am not afraid,
Jazni’s voice said in her head.
“Damn.” This time Sariel
spoke her thought out aloud. She stopped and looked around but could detect no
sign of the Morrok. Certainly she
would see his tall figure if he was here somewhere?
Thoughts know no distance. As soon as you think my
name, I can hear what you are thinking.
“Great—another mind
reader.” Sariel grimaced. No problem,
she thought, I will simply not think
about Jazni, I will ... Laughter rang through her head.
Author Bio
J.B. Brooklin is a German author. Having lived abroad
for several years in the US (Oregon, California, Florida, New Jersey), Spain
and the Seychelles the writer recently returned to her home country and started
writing mystery and fantasy novels.
When she is not writing, her husband, twins and her
cat are keeping her busy.
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