Book Excerpts: Alyssa

Alyssa: Book 1

Alyssa grumbled as she trudged through the gray sludge that soaked through her boots like water on a paper towel. She had donned several layers, the basic essentials. Two long-sleeve shirts, three jackets, one sweatshirt, and finally a nice, cozy winter coat. Yet she was still frozen to the bone. It must be the magic around here. I really wish I knew how strong it was before I came.  She turned around to face Bianca.

“How far do you think it is?” Alyssa yelled against the wind. Bianca, who was, as usual, zoned out, replied.

“What?”

“Are you actually paying attention this time?”

“Maybe. It depends on if you are willing to talk to me. So, what did you say the first time?” Bianca squinted up at her. Alyssa glared back, then turned around.

“Okay, missy. I don’t know if this is just the dark magic, or your natural nature, but you’ll definitely have to learn to control that temper of yours, or we’ll never survive. None of us. We need you Lyssie. don’t abuse the fact.” She gestured at the rest of the company. Mop looked up and waved at her, then went back to helping the others up the steep path.

“Fine. I just asked how far the freaking castle thingy was. But if you had just been listening-”

“Ah, ah, ah.” Bianca cut in, reminding Alyssa of her anger issue. “And we’re about halfway from the bottom, where we started, OK?”

“Halfway, huh? But the castle…” And then her accelerated brain’s gears started turning. What if the sky was just an illusion? She reached her gloved hand up in the air, and a flaming arrow nearly took it off. It hit a pigeon and landed at her feet. Alyssa grinned.

“Hey, guys. We should set up camp here. I think I just invented dinner.”