Illusion's Child (The Mindbender's Rise Book 1)
Page 32
“You did good, kid.” Lorel giggled. “What a perfect day. Hey, what was with the weird hat?”
“What weird hat?”
“You know, the leggy thing you was wearing when you charged in to rescue me.”
The leggy what? Oh, the spider. The spider that wasn’t supposed to exist. The spider that nearly ate him. “You really don’t want to know. I’m such a failure.”
Lorel dropped the cherry back into the sack and turned to him. “You ain’t no failure. You did good, I swear it. Listen, you’re great, for a boy. You’d make a smashing little brother.”
“Must I be your little brother? I still hope to grow a foot or two.”
Her laughter sang out across the square.
“Hush, turybird. Don’t bring trouble down on us.” Viper bit into his second sticky bun. Honey-coated bread warmed his mouth.
A delicious breakfast, successful magic, unexpected revenge. And a marvelous friendship. Come to think of it, the turybird was right.
What a perfect day. Weird hat and all.
“Hey, kid?”
The last bite of sticky bun halted halfway to his mouth. “No.”
Lorel blinked. “No what?”
“I’m not some nameless ‘kid’.” He smiled at her and raised his bread in salute. “My name is Viper.”
About the Author
I’m a misplaced Californian who now lives in Texas, but I’ve also lived in Colorado and Northern England. I’ve been a waitress, a receptionist, and a computer programmer, and I’d love to become an interstellar traveler.
I’ve written two other fantasy novels, Feda’s Anchor and Sorcery’s Child, which is book 2 of The Mindbender’s Rise. Book 3, Serpent’s Child, will be available soon.
You can read more about my work at www.djsalisburysbooks.com.
I’m also the owner (and sole employee) of The Mantua-Maker, quality historical sewing patterns for the modern sewing artist, established in 1993. I fell in love with costuming when my boyfriend took me to BayCon’s Masquerade in 1986, and I’ve been making historical and fantastic clothing ever since.
My costume designs have won awards at World Con, Costume Con, WesterCon, and BayCon.
Please have a look at my nonfiction books:
Elephant’s Breath and London Smoke:
Historical Color Names, Definitions, and Uses in Fashion, Fabric and Art
Fabric à la Romantic Regency:
A Glossary of Fabrics from Original Sources 1795 – 1836
Victorian Bathing and Bathing Suits:
The Culture of the Two-Piece Bathing Dress from 1837 – 1901
The Art of the Mantua-Maker: 1870 - 1879
Fashion, Sewing, and Clothes Care Advice
You can see my costumes at www.mantua-maker.com.