NANOWRIMO

I am so excited to be participating in NANOWRIMO this year! I will have a wonderful story to deliver to everyone at the end of the month! It's not a Shay and Thais story but I believe within the confines of the rules of NANOWRIMO it will be a good one!

Divine Inspiration

As a writer, I feel inspiration can come from anywhere. Music, television, reading, the people around you. However, I feel that along those lines you can have divine inspiration for your characters by watching the way people respond to others. I have been having a mental block with one of my latest characters. He's moody, hateful, psychotic, yet madly in love with my lead character. For months I have been trying to figure him out, figure out where his story is headed and wouldn't you know... spawned from a fan-fiction I wrote based off of the character Damon Salvatore... I figured out exactly what I want for this character.

Lately I have been watching MARATHONS (self-induced thanks to Netflix) of Vampire Diaries and in doing so I have fallen for Damon. There is something so essentially GOOD about his character. Yes, he's a raving lunatic but if you pay close attention, it's not hard to see why. Everyone betrays him, he's cut off from everyone he loves (in some form or fashion), he constantly seeks approval but nearly always falls short, and when he befriends someone... let's just say it's more out of necessity than an actual need to reach out.

Damon was raped of his innocence and left to his own devices. He was fueled by hatred and love (which of course is a fine line). His passion is played out in every move he makes and he stops at nothing to ensure he gets what he wants... unless it hurts someone he cares about. He is fearless, not because he is arrogant but because he never chose the life he has been given. He has a hunger for life but is afraid to take advantage of the opportunities that would TRULY allow him to live.

I will stop here for fear of giving too much away but I will also say... Mr. Somerhalder, you are one BEAUTIFUL man!

The Little Witch

The emerald orb lifted from her tiny hands, casting shimmery shadows about her room. Her black hair fell forward curtaining her face like it usually does. Her black gaze rested steadily on the startling glow. Her element is water. The orb should be blue not an emerald green. As the orb begins to pulse under her scrutiny, the shadows along the wall begin their swaying dance.

            She is mumbling now… “green… why… this is not right… talk to mother…”

            The shadows respond to her voice. With every broken syllable the shadows inch their way closer to the small child holding the green light. A claw-like shape wraps itself around her slender throat. She is too distracted and does not notice. The walls around the girl are caving in, giving, as the shadows peel themselves away at her beckoning call. Her thick lips begin to quiver, “Oh, I will never get this right.”

            Encased in a swirling shade of blackness, the small girl is blotted out in the night. Her voice, no longer heard. She is dead… to the world. Her dark secret surrounds her. Her tiny ball of light no longer seen.

            “Thais!” the voice snaps her back into reality.

            The spell is broken, her light dies. She feels surrounded by a suffocating presence. Strangely, she is not afraid. She unknowingly pulls the darkness into her being, drawing on its infinite power. No longer feeling suffocated she notices just how dark her room is without her emerald light and walks out of her room.

            “Thais!” her mom shouts again, almost frantic this time.

            Thais turns down the hall and nearly collides with her mother. “Thais, where have you been? You had me so worried.” Her mom simply stands in front of her, emotion erased from her face, expecting an answer.

            “In my room, practicing my spells like you asked me to.” She sees that her mother thinks she is feeding her a load of bull and she crosses her arms in front of her. “Seriously, you didn’t even come into my room and you say you’ve been looking for me. Please.” Thais turns on her heel and heads back to her room. As she slams the door she sees her mother. At first Thais thought she looked confused but the more she thought about it the more she realized when her mom saw into her room she paled and almost looked frightened.

Shay Lynn's Past

As my mind drifted and the waves of sleep washed over my overworked mind I went back to a place I had almost forgotten, my stone palace overlooking the vast expanse of green and blue of Thebes. Cadmus, my dragon warrior, stood by my side. My children surrounded my feet. All save one, "Where is my dear Illyrius?"

            The scene should have been beautiful but I remembered the day clearly. It was the day my family was destroyed. "Illyrius?", I called and called for him but could not find him. I searched his chambers but found nothing. As I was making my way to the staircase I heard screaming. I rounded the corner and found the door leading into the kitchen welded shut. How could that be? I grabbed the handle thinking my goddess powers should have allowed me to rip the door from it's hinges. Nothing happened. I stood on the tips of my toes trying to get a better look at the scene in front of me. O GOD! My family! They were burning. There was still no sign of Illyrius but everyone else I loved was standing amidst the flames.

            Maniacal laughter sounded behind me and I turned to face the woman behind me. "Asmodeus? Why are you laughing?” It was then I noticed the boy standing beside her with a wild grin plastered onto his face. "Illyrius?" I questioned, not because I didn't recognize my son but because he should have been weeping. Not plainly excited by what was taking place.

            "Dear, sweet, Harmonia, Goddess of harmony and concord. How blind you have been the last few years. How could you have not noticed that you bring bad luck and misfortune everywhere you go? How could you have not noticed the madness residing inside your child?" I looked at the woman I had always thought of as a loving aunt and then at my child, who, now that I thought about it, did have a mean streak a mile wide.

            "I don't understand. What are you talking about?" I could still hear the screams of my other children and the pounding of fists returned my attention to the door behind me.

            "Help me, Harmonia, Please." Cadmus's eyes locked on the boy behind me. "Illyrius you evil little shit. How could you have done this?" I turned to face my child and saw the humor in his eyes.

            "I like fire Mommy." was all he said to me.

            "Asmodeus, Athena, please help us." I reached for my child and she pulled him back.

            "Help you? Honey, I caused this. I caused the chaos you have been living with these past years. Your husband’s defeats? I caused those, too. Well you did actually but with a little push from me." She looked down at my beloved serpent necklace. "You've been wearing my hex around your neck since the day you were married, my sweet niece."

            I reached for the necklace I had adored since that day. My fingers running over the gold serpents, encrusted with rubies and emeralds. "What do you mean? I am confused? Why would you hex me and my family?" My confusion was understandable; being the goddess of concord I didn't understand deception and betrayal.

            "You tiresome little angel. You are just so sweet and innocent. You have no idea why I would hate you? How about the fact that you should have never been born? How about the fact that your mother has made my brother look like a fool?"

            Then the dream shifted. I was no longer in my beautiful castle but in the ground. My mind still working even though my body was at rest. I could feel the cold, cruel smile spread across my face even though my body couldn't move. The time I had been waiting centuries for had come. Harmonia was to be reawakened but it would not be Harmonia but a shade of the once innocent goddess. I could feel the pull of the necromancer's magic. I knew once my dull heart started beating I would exact my vengeance. Athena, I would make her pay. I would torture and burn her family the same way she did mine. I could still picture it in my head. My husband screaming for me to save him but I could do nothing. I was unpracticed in defensive magic. I had never needed to use it before. Why would the goddess of harmony need to defend herself? Why would she need magic to harm others? Those would be the first I would seek out answers to. Maybe seek out a black arts witch. Maybe the necro would hold the answers I was searching for. I would have to drain her to find out.

            As the magic escalated I could feel my body answering the call, could feel my body repairing itself. The good thing about being a arch demon, I could be called back with no tie to the one who made me. If she were to live I would still feel a slight compulsion but would not have to obey. But that was not something I would have to worry about.

            My body began to rise from the grave. I was called up until my body was hovering just above the dirt, still flat on my back. As the incantation stopped my body was lowered onto solid ground and the small woman approached me. I lay silent and still not wanting to give away my intentions.

            "Harmonia, how we have needed your guidance. The wars have become endless in your absence." she held out her hand as if to help me up, I took it. "I know upon awakening you need to slake your needs. I have brought all you require." Upon standing I looked around and saw two young males. Both looked to be in their twenties and also seemed very excited. Both men were naked and hard. I took in the sight just long enough to realize I didn't care. I was still going to kill the necro.

            "Thomas, Henry, come." she held her hands out for the men to take. To me she said "They have donated blood and sex to vampires before. They know what their purpose is here tonight." It took me a second to understand that both men knew they might die tonight and they didn't care. Addicts, pathetic.

            "Hello, boys." Whoa, was the sexy, raspy voice mine? It had to be I was the one talking. I began to wonder if it was from lack of use.

            "Goddess, we are at your service." the boys said in unison.

Inspiration

This is one of the songs that gave me an idea of what may be going through Shay's head as she battles with her inner demons.

"Crossroads"- Avenged Sevenfold

I've been traveling for so long
so lost till I stumbled upon
two roads in front of me, I had to take my time
to the right I could see a church
I took a step in that direction first
but to the left there was a watering hole
where they were whiskey drunk
and now that's where I wanna be

The fire down here goes on and on

If I was perfect then this would be easy
Either road is plausible on both I could drown
I walk through the center with no rules to guide me
I realize it's difficult but now I can see

There's gotta be another way to go,
a way that's much more feasible
A combination of all these lives,
a central path without choosing a side
I make decisions one at a time
and no I never say I'm always right
I'm confident that when I stand on my own
you'll see the truest form of a man when I'm shining through

The fire down here goes on and on

If I was perfect then this would be easy
Either road is plausible on both I could drown
I walk through the center with no rules to guide me
I realize it's difficult but now I can see

Oh, I hear them now
all the religious rhymes
(Anger I see)
(Anger I see)
(Anger I see now)

The left isn't better
it's just more of the same
condemning all these people for what they believe
I'll climb to the top of their mountain again

No harness up to save me this way
and the closer to the top I get
the more they take aim
but I'm not you

I may not be perfect but I've always been true
I may not be worthy in your eyes
Climb up from the bottom for the last time,
the last one, the last one, the last time

If I was perfect then this would be easy
Either road is plausible on both I could drown
I walk through the center with no rules to guide me
I realize it's difficult but now I can see

The Prologue to my Book!!!

Prologue

Vampire. Such an anomaly, wouldn't you say? So powerful, yet so weak. Driven by bloodlust, forever in darkness, soulless, foul creatures that prey on the innocent. Please, as if it were so simple. So many books today have it so wrong. But some have it so close it is almost painful.

            Daylight, sweet daylight. While some choose an existence of utter darkness, some will venture into the light of day. See for us, daylight is painful, but not in the ways you may be thinking. The older ones, the ancients, simply refuse to go out into the light of day. For them, it is a constant reminder of choices made long ago. Of a time when they believed they would rule the world. Well, it was the world they were after. It was the world they received.

            You see, we were not formed of the devil, but we did align ourselves with him. We are of the fallen. When Lucifer was cast to earth, one-third of the heavenly host fell with him. My mother and father were included in this number.

            After the fall they took up this notion that they were still immortal beings worthy of praise. They spread their talents and lies among the human population. Because there was no other explanation, the people saw them as gods and goddesses. These fallen did nothing to sway the people’s opinion in any other direction. They engulfed themselves in praise and acceptance of this new lifestyle. That was until a few of them began to see the error of their ways. These few were beginning to see that they had been wrong from the very start.

            The ones who saw the error of their ways turned on Lucifer. They tore him apart, drained his blood and buried the body. After this, they sought war with the ones still aligned with him. There would be no peace between the two factions. There would only be bloodshed and a constant battle, for they were all immortal. Even the ones in the ground wouldn’t remain that way. All it would take is a necromancer, strong and stupid enough to reawaken them.

            Me, well that’s another story all together. I have my own past with Lucifer. I have my own past with Necromancer’s. I have my own place among the gods.

            Now, on to the other rumors, mind-control. Well, some of us yes... some of us, definitely not. We all have our own special set of skills. We all have jobs within the nest. Oh, yes, we do live together, more for convenience than anything else. No, there is no rivalry with the Weres or the witches. Weres are predators same as us, and territorial same as us, but no more violent towards each other than gang members. We will kill when boundaries are crossed but we all try hard not to cross those boundaries. As for the witches, well, my best friend is one.

            The bloodlust? So very true. If not fed properly a vamp will, for lack of a better sentiment, vamp out. Have you ever seen caffeine addict who has not yet had their morning cup-o-joe? If you multiply that by one-thousand, you will have the bloodlust. But blood is not the only way we feed. There are three ways a vampire can slake his lust: blood, sex or death. The vamps who experience bloodlust are usually either newly turned, living outside a nest, or do not have enough willing donors on hand. See, vamps need to feed daily, but only a small amount. Less than you would use to donate to a blood bank. However, there are those of us who use death as the outlet more often than not. The Eternally Dammed is what we like to call them. Of course, there is no hope of redemption for any of us, but we still like to believe we are not evil. Our leaders just screwed up royally and now their bloodlines will never see the gates of heaven.

            The science experiment theory is a good one. I like that one. I have always been interested in science, but never understood how you could mess up a science experiment so badly you came out with a human who had fangs, could levitate objects with their mind, sprouted wings, and could lift a car as easily as some people could lift a box over their head. Still it makes for an interesting read. I love Vampire novels. My best friend, Thais, always picks on me because I am a vampire who enjoys vampire fiction. I also love that those books are always either found in the sci-fi/fantasy or romance sections. Please, like there is anything "romantic" about being a vampire. I mean the stories are great but none of us are going to find that one person who can redeem us from eternal damnation. That is unless the one person who actually could decides to forgive the greatest sin of all time and let us work out our faith. But, seeing as how He's so big on the blood being sacred, I don't see that happening anytime soon.

            Now, for a proper introduction. My name is Shay Lynn and I am the Healer, Prophetess and a Warrior in my nest.

Obsession... An assignment I did for a class

As I walked through the door at my favorite coffee shop a shiver worked its way up my spine. I could smell the rich aromas of espresso, mixed with cinnamon and cloves. I walked up to the counter and greeted the tattooed and multiply pierced woman. “Hi, can I get a drity-chai, please.” The woman smiled and told me it would be ready in just a moment. I sat down in a chair across from the machine and listened as the steam wand worked its magic, I could almost see the foam rising in the mug, smell the sweet aroma as the heat lifted the milk fats.  As the lady poured the milk over the tea, coffee and spices the rich aroma was intoxicating. She called my name and I walked to the counter and retrieved my mug. Walking back to my little corner of the small coffee shop, I had my hands wrapped around the warm ceramic and my nose was being tickled my the tendrils of steam, I got lost in the almost lusty feeling I had for my greatest passion.

            I knew then that I never should have taken that job at the coffee shop two years ago. What had been a mild dalliance of mine had turned to a full blown obsession. Upon my acceptance of said job I was forced into a relationship I didn’t want but was quickly engulfed by. Thus, began my love affair with coffee.