This idea came to me as I was re-reading the first book. Anyone else notice the parallels between fairies and a certain other race of mythical creatures? You can probably all guess what I'm referring to, but I'm not going to name them in this chapter. Well, it's more a prologue, to give you an idea for the feel of the piece. I've got four more chapters written, and I'm working on the rest, but I won't post them unless you tell me to.
Skullduck: She's mean like that.
Me: Shut up. This is my disclaimer, the muse isn't supposed to put in an appearance.
Skullduck: You're not doing much disclaiming.
Me: Spoilsport. Ok, I don't own any of the characters, named or otherwise, in this chapter, or in any of the rest of it, probably. I also don't own Italy (if you want to know why that's relevant, review and ask for more chapters!)
Skullduck: You're really evil, you know that?
Me: *giggles* Yeah, it's fun!
Skullduck: I'll shut her up. We own nothing. Please, R&R! Enjoy!
They stood in the shadows, watching the revellers with haunted eyes. Their whites were bloodshot and yellowed, Their pupils were slitted and narrow, and Their irises were a deep burgundy red. Red as blood. Red as the dress barely covering the night's star attraction. She was in the centre of the field, gyrating to the thumping bass, surrounded by some of the best looking men in a hundred mile radius. Her hair, only two shades darker than the dress, swung behind her, covering far more of her back than the garment did of her front. No male could take their eyes off her. Neither could They. All that pure, smooth flesh showing, all those glistening droplets of sweat highlighting her body. The moonlight reflected off her like a disco ball. She was crying out for Their lips, Their tongues, Their teeth. As one, They stood and moved forward.
It was the party of the year. Skylar Peat, the glamorous movie star who'd portrayed Holly Short in the film 'The Arctic Incident' had just released her latest hit piece. It was a follow-up, showing the events that had (supposedly) transpired in the Spiro tower, and had already set new box-office records. It had only been out six hours. As the lady of honour so far as the plot was concerned, Holly had been given two tickets to the after-show party. She'd passed them to Trouble in disgust. She'd heard that there was a romance scene in the film between her and Artemis, and had no wish to talk to the TV cameras about it. Trouble, in turn, had passed them to Grub, who had delightedly asked the next girl he'd seen to be his date. She'd agreed, but only so that she could meet Skylar face to face. Hence she'd abandoned Grub as soon as they'd been cleared for entry, and he was now standing alone at the bar, wondering why he'd bothered to go.
The movie producers had decked out one of the fairy-made 'parks' with lights and speakers, and set up a pixie run bar over at the far side. With the sunstrips set to midnight, the atmosphere would have been romantic had it not been for the unholy row the speakers were providing. And, of course, for Them. They rushed out of Their hiding place and launched Themselves at the guests. In seconds the atmosphere changed from excitement to terror. Ms Peat, the redhead in the almost-dress was the first casualty. At the bar, Grub was accosted by two of Them. He went down screaming for his Mummy. He wasn't the only one. Fairies ran every which way, calling for help. No one came. No one could hear over the music.
Years later, when fairies looked back on that night, they all said the same thing.
The party was to die for.