Page 320 of Shadowman
“Who’s this?” Joy asks softly.
Velle’s gaze narrows, head cocking to the side. “You look familiar… Where do I know you from?”
The lad’s full lips part, but then he snaps them shut. There’s a blush to his cheeks as he observes them all. But he doesn’t saya word, like a shy animal you need to let sniff you before it feels comfortable.
I nudge him gently. “Go on, then. Tell them who you are.”
His long lashes flutter, sparkling eyes taking in the faces staring back at him. Then he straightens.
“My name is Angel Alvarez.”
One year later…
“Birdcage”
By Trevel Fenwick
It’s a fascinating sense of mortality…
Flying through the sky.
Amidst the clouds, up high. Defying gravity.
A bird, freed from their cage. Wings spread, a stretch of reprieve.
They were never clipped, apart from what he had you believe.
Autonomy is yours now, beautiful. Metal bars no more,
Chains asunder on the floor.
You choose, little bird, how far you will soar.
And should you wish to be confined again,
It will be for passions of love, nary pain.
For the sovereignty you claimed.
His acquiescence was for you and you alone.
A once Tartarean heart, now but a man of flesh and bone.
So remember, little bird, when you descend from the firmament’s height,
Your reign are feathers of a crown, resting atop quelled Ivory white.
“Hello? Earth to Trevel.” Byron’s voice cuts into my playlist, and I peer to the right.
He’s literally plucked one of my earbuds out of my ear.
Grinning, I put the pencil down for the first time in over an hour. “I’m sorry, baby. I was in the zone.”
“I can see that.” He smirks.
“What’s up?”
“The lady was asking if you wanted anything to drink, but I couldn’t get ahold of you.” He chuckles. “So she left.”
