The #solar wind back swept the comet's tail, nanoflares erupting and subsiding, softly cocooning the planets in a protective blanket of crackling energy.

The angels felt it too; their filmy wings trailed behind them like streaks of light against the darkness.

#vssmagic

The #rebirth of a phoenix never happened easily. No damp shell; no fluffy wings drying in the breeze. No parents to bring it worms or fish.

It happened in an exquisite immolation, the glory of flame's destruction, only to again flex wings of fire against the sun.

#vss365

The temple #complex was so old even the gods barely remembered its building. Men, women, and children had borne glimmering nightstones on their backs for over a thousand years, shaping each to the next without mortar.

It had been a labor of love. Now it was a prison.
#vssmagic

Every sunrise, like #clockwork , the birds chorused, leaves rustled outside the girl's bedroom window, and the wind sang a sweet melody to the chimney pot.

Very like clockwork: the birds and leaves were metal shams, the wind mechanical. Even the sun was artificial.

#vss365

And don't forget that all 2019 stories are now FREE!

Hi folks! My April flash piece is here! What kind of clothes does the emperor wear? Find out! $2 gets monthly flash piece, answer to writing questions, $5 gets that and thank you in a novel, look at old writing, etc.

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To #beseech the governor to recall the fishing fleet, the young woman told stories of the massacre of selkies; the death of mermaids; the red ruin of ancient and noble whales.

Upon his rejection, she dived into the ocean and summoned the seafolk to her aid.

#vssmagic

In a stroke of #serendipity , the two women were forced together by the bridge collapse; hitched a ride on the same wagon. They talked, discovered they were both witches, and fell in love.

The Teaspell Emporium soon became the most popular magic teahouse in the nation.

#vss365

The #gem carver cut the last facet; polished the newly uncovered ruby with a cloth. This was his best work: revealing the door that shone deep in the stone's red heart.

It was the last of its kind: a gateway between the mortal realm and the world of legend.

#vssmagic

The stone #coin lay at the bottom of the well, untouched among the many people had tossed in. They hoped for a wish that would change their fortune, give them love, or make them wealthy.

Their luck would not be good. The stone coin had poisoned the well for centuries.

#vss365

The architect set his #ruler down at a precise angle: drew a single line. He could see the house perfectly in his mind's eye: a refuge from the world where he could allow his art to flow.

The hardest part would be to ensoul the house with a protective numen.

#vssmagic

On the hilltop, tourists waited to see a #marvelous event. The ad: GUARANTEED TO BRING WONDER TO YOUR LIFE! YOU MAY EVEN GO HOME A POET! had won them over. Now they would be rewarded.

As the crowd gathered, dark mages began siphoning magic from their souls.

#vss365

The poetry contest lasted three days: three days of improvisation, chains of poems, rhyme and rhythm, and metaphors to make a god weep. It was won by a young woman with an exquisite #ode to words.

The Muse of Poetry took her prize and vanished in a flash of paper.

#vssmagic

The girl watched the old man #deal the cards with their strange, painted faces. The Raven. The Cyclone. The Blind Boy. Each card told a tale that called to the soul.

The old man turned over the final card. On it was a figure in chains, wearing the girl's own face.

#vss365

The creature attempted to #crawl from the once-covered pit, scrabbling at the slick edge. The hunters watched as cat's paws clawed the earth; wingtips jutted; a human face framed with a lion's mane appeared.

'A manticore!' a hunter cried. As one, they turned and fled.

#vss365

In order to #manipulate pure magic, the wizard had created a tool; a being of shadow which could reach into the heart of chaos and shape it to the wizard's will. His invention was highly lauded.

The sentience that evolved from this raw act of magic was unprecedented.

#vss365

The young man's #influence reached far; he was charismatic, intelligent, clever. Soon he became the advisor to great lords, his rise in rank following his prominence.

That he was a demon, he kept to himself. He would use his advantage when the time was right.

#vssmagic

In his #greed , the mayor had raised taxes, then skimmed the excess off the top of the city budget. He bought the loyalty of nobles and merchants with fine food and gifts.

The farmers were another story. Armed with pitchforks and scythes, they now marched on the city.

#vss365