Eyes of Stone - Page the First

I have little to comment on today, outside of my irritation that AT&T bought T-Mobile.  (My favorite quote so far regarding the merger is this:  "AT&T is marrying T-Mobile.  There will be no reception afterward.)

Anyway, as I have run out of new ways to be interesting, I thought I'd post the first page (about 300 words) of my novel Eyes of Stone, which of course if the book I've been posting sketches of here on my blog, and which is awaiting the verdict of the Angry Robots.  Feel free to rend asunder or shower with praise, as the mood strikes you.  Kisses all around.


EYES OF STONE

Anaiiya had approached the Tower many times—always prior to sunset, while the beasts still slept. To venture near the monolith at night was dangerous and foolish. Some might call it suicidal. But if she wanted the gargoyles to chase her, she needed to get their attention…and the only way to do that was to make them feel threatened. A dangerous idea; an insane idea.

Well, who would miss her if the worst should happen? Penniless vagabonds were mourned by no one.

The gravel in the courtyard skittered before her mincing steps as she approached the door to the Tower. She bit her bottom lip and wrung the sacks in her hands. Sweat trickled down the back of her neck as she watched the balcony three hundred feet above. No challenge came. No sound but the wind blowing in her ears. It looked like she’d have to do this the hard way. She swallowed and hurried onto the ancient stone steps.

Anaiiya reached out and touched the door with one hand, surprised at how smooth the petrified wood veneer felt under her ragged fingertips. The door was actually eight inches thick and cast from solid iron; like so many things about this place, the door’s rotted appearance was little more than an illusion to keep the occasional curiosity-seeker at bay.

As she lingered there, a vision flashed through her mind of a monster pressed against the door, watching her with shining teeth and barely-contained rage. She jerked her hand away as all the old tales of blood sacrifice and demon worship flashed through her mind.

Anaiiya took a shuddering breath as she set the sacks on the ground. Perhaps she’d made a mistake after all. She owed these creatures nothing. Stupid, to risk her life like this. To deliver a warning they probably wouldn’t heed. And why should they? Gargoyles were powerful and terrifying creatures who thrived on combat, on the deaths of their enemies. Did she truly think anything could threaten such creatures?