Living the Afterlife, a Death and Chronos flash fiction collection
Page 10
to fix any loopholes in this year’s contract.”
“This year’s contract? We’re not doing that again.” Chronos waved his hands in the air to ward off any pleading Death might decide to do. His preemptive attack had no effect.
Death’s jaw dropped open in a wide grin. “Think of the children, my friend. Do you remember their smiling faces, full of joy?”
“What I remember is cigar-chomping demons—pit-boss-bullies disguised as miniature reindeer—who left presents in the store aisles when they didn’t get their way and treed the store manager when he objected to the merchandise going out the door for free.” Chronos shuddered at the memory and wiped at the beads of perspiration clinging to his forehead.
“But the children loved them! Remember?” Death propped his calcaneus on the table and stretched, his bones creaking with loud pops as joints rotated back into place. “OSHA wanted to make sure there was a “hold harmless” clause in the contract, in case Macy’s decided their manager wasn’t well-treated. I told them I’d do it.”
Chronos sank down next to his friend and slumped against the back of the sofa, his shoulders sagging under the weight of this news. He couldn’t see any way out of this, unless…
“Why would Lucien want to hire his demons out this way? What’s in it for him? Does he even know about it?” There would be hell to pay if Hell wasn’t getting his cut.
Death waved him off. “Lucien already agreed. He says it’s perfect public relations for future clients.”
“Oh.” Chronos sighed once more and pulled out his day planner. “I guess we’d better start making the arrangements then.”
“That’s the holiday spirit.” Death clapped him on the back and turned up his iPod. The sounds of A Surfer’s Christmas List by the Surfaris blared from his temporal bones.
Chronos shook his head at the vibrating music from the ‘60s. “And you call me anachronistic.”
Copyright ©2014 by River Fairchild
All rights reserved.
About River Fairchild
River Fairchild is somewhat odd, brandishes a dry sense of humor, owned by several cats. Lives in a fantasy world. A fabricator of magic. Makes stuff up and spins tales about it. Believes in Faerie crossings and never staying in one place for very long. Speculative Fiction wordsmith. The secret to her stories? Spread lies, blend in truths, add a pinch of snark and a dash of tears. Escape into her world. She left the porch light on so you can find your way down the rabbit hole.
I enjoy getting to know my readers. You can connect with me through my website, riverfairchild.blogspot.com, or by email at RiverFairchildAuthor@gmail.com. I’m on Twitter as @RiverFairchild and on FaceBook as facebook.com/RiverFairchildAuthor.
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Other books by River Fairchild
The Jewels of Chandra Series
Magic is real. So is betrayal.
Two heirs. A Kingdom of dust on a troubled world. One might resurrect it. One might destroy it all. An epic fantasy.
Diamonds and Dust - Book 1
Archaeologist David Alexander investigates the cave where his father disappeared and hurtles into another world, one filled with magic and bizarre creatures. The mad ravings in his father’s journals of icemen and dragons may not be fantasies after all.
Convinced his father may still be alive, David begins a treacherous journey to find him and discover a way home. Along the way, he encounters a few unlikely friends. A Dreean warrior, a beautiful thief and a satyr join him as he searches.
David’s arrival into this new world sets off an explosive chain reaction of events. Faced with powerful adversaries and few clues, he may not get the chance to rescue his father before disaster strikes, condemning both of them to death. Or worse.
Available as ebook and paperback. For more information, click here.
A Dragon’s Lament – Book 2
David enters the Fire Kingdom and events shift from bad to worse. He learns a shocking truth about the dragons, a truth destined to block his efforts to retrieve the lost magic of Shaylar from the ruling Council. After a cave-in and injuries force a rescue, David finds himself more isolated than before as personal concerns scatter his trusted advisors and the wizard who led him there abandons him.
The head of the dragon Council negotiates separate deals with both David and his father, sowing further discord between them. David’s close friend, Lothan, disappears into the caves and doesn’t return. A group of dissidents kidnap Wilks, the child empath David is sworn to protect. With no options left, he accepts the Council’s demands to help them in their centuries-old conflict, risking a war which might kill them all.
Even if David manages to win, there’s no guarantee the dragons will let him leave the region alive. They don’t want the Kingdom of Shaylar to rise again and will stop at nothing to see it remain a pile of dust.
Available as ebook and paperback. For more information, click here.
More in the series coming.
The Fall of Shaylar – Prequel
Bone and Ice – Book 3
Sea Dreams – Book 4
Death of Honor – Book 5
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