Hope's Light

Chapter 30

by Erisian

Book 6

Chapter Thirty - Diplomacy

With everyone watching, I stepped to the table, filled a goblet, and downed it in one go.

Ugh. Whatever vintage Horatio had brought out this time, it wasn’t Asmodian. Nor I’d bet of the wines Vance had spoken highly about a long time ago, those crafted by the elves of Nidavellir. I’d forgotten how bitter were most of the offerings in Hell - heck, I’d even have preferred that Chardonnay from the dragon soiree I’d attended with Isaiah.

Dangit. Isaiah.

What was I going to tell my friend? That his greater spirit would eventually decide whether I should be allowed to exist? And if decided against, Azrael would be forced to destroy me.

Would that mean Isaiah would have to try to kill me too?

Lanie Saunders wants nothing more than to go to The Eras Tour, the person who is supposed to accompany her, her big brother, who is home from grad school for the summer, doesn't want to go. Alex is worried someone from high school will recognize him, and to him, there's nothing more embarrassing than being seen at a Taylor Swift concert. But Lanie has an idea: what if she casts a spell that will disguise Alex? Alex thinks the idea is silly, because magic isn't real, but he's about to get an up close and personal lesson at just how real it is -- and how magical a night at a Taylor Swift concert can be.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

When I posted my first long TG story on here, I did not think it would be eight years before I posted another one. But here I finally am, with a story I started writing about a year ago, then tinkered with a lot over the past year. Unlike my last big story, this one focuses a lot more on the person who triggers the transformation, rather than the person who gets transformed. It also involves identity death for the person who gets transformed, so if that's not your thing, feel free to skip this one. And for those who've read "My Shallow Regret," you'll notice this story uses names that are very close to that one -- there's no connection between the characters, I just like using the names.

Also, shoutout to anyone who can use the small clues I tucked into the story to figure out where the main characters live.

The next story I'm going to share with you was told to me by Junior Scoutmaster Emma Jeanette Pierce.  I'm also going to confess I went a little overboard with the name of the story. I don't apologize for it at all though, mostly because it conjures up perfectly the vibe I want to capture with these stories.

The Ghostly Dancer at the Annual Cotillion Ball
Told By
Emma Jeanette Pierce

©2025 SammyC

Chapter 2

“Why so long?” I asked.

“Look,” she said. “We can make you fool a guy inside a couple of days, but you will have to be able to fool girls in the club that you are one of them and they can spot a fake a mile away. Before we take you down you will be tested out here to see if you can pass the girl test.”

When I got to my underpants, I hesitated, and Jane laughed.

“Carry on, we’re all guys here at the moment.”

Sataria’s Encampment, South Pacific Island:
Three shadowy figures use the night to their advantage as they move throughout the night quietly killing people. The people they killed didn’t stand a chance against them. Any magical wards that might have alerted the guards to their presence were deactivated with just a thought.

The Barbie Bride

Part 2

Chapter Eight: Unveiling the Truth

David stared at the sneakers in the box, the deep purple color gleaming under the light. “Great,” he muttered, lifting one up for a closer look. “These will match my scales.”

“Your what?” both his mom and Kelly said in unison, their voices sharp with confusion.

David froze, his mind racing. Crap, why did I say that out loud?

“My dragon… oh, umm… these are really pretty.” He trailed off, trying to backtrack, but his mom wasn’t having it. Her expression hardened, and she crossed her arms.