{"id":218,"date":"2012-05-25T20:41:00","date_gmt":"2012-05-25T20:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tamaragranthambooks.com\/2012\/05\/fresh-from-ye-olde-mind\/"},"modified":"2015-11-13T15:20:48","modified_gmt":"2015-11-13T15:20:48","slug":"fresh-from-ye-olde-mind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tamaragrantham.com\/StagingSite\/fresh-from-ye-olde-mind\/","title":{"rendered":"Fresh From Ye Olde Mind"},"content":{"rendered":"

I’ve decided to post chapter one from my third book. Keep in mind, this is all fresh stuff. Never been read by anyone but yours truly. But hey, I’m not a selfish gal. I would absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear feedback!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nCHAPTER ONE<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nThe castle appeared again. Right over
\nthe trees, out of nowhere. One minute, a perfect evening sky. A blink later and
\nthose towers again. Lily clenched her eyes shut. I\u2019m not crazy. I don\u2019t see anything. <\/o:p><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cLily, you okay?\u201d Ian asked.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nLily opened her eyes and attempted a
\ncasual smile. \u201cI\u2019m great.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nIan stood a few inches taller than most
\nguys, with straight caramel colored hair that fell to his shoulders. He wore
\nskinny jeans, a leather jacket and thick gloves. Always the gloves, even at
\nschool. She\u2019d never seen him without them. \u201cAre you sure? You looked scared for
\na minute there.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nEva bounded forward. She reminded Lily
\nof a skinny hyena looking for something mischievous to do. \u201cDude, Lily doesn\u2019t
\nget scared. She\u2019s freaking immune to fear.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nLily wanted to laugh. If only. <\/o:p><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nEva grabbed Lily\u2019s hands and bounced up
\nand down on her toes. \u201cIsn\u2019t this the most awesome spring break ever? Aren\u2019t
\nyou sooo excited Ross invited us to his bonfire tonight?\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nLily attempted a smile. \u201cI\u2019m super
\nstoked.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cMe too!\u201d Eva laughed and stared at the
\nbonfire. A red-head slunk near the flames and tossed sticks in. \u201cOh look,
\nthere\u2019s Ross. I\u2019ll catch you in a minute, okay?\u201d <\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cSure.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nEva scampered toward Ross. Behind the
\nbonfire, the Big Cypress River roiled. The dam sat close to the bonfire,
\nchurning out tons of water, so loud Lily heard the thundering water from where
\nshe stood.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nLily turned back to Ian. He stared at
\nher with a strange expression on his face, as if he were trying to see inside
\nher head. Lily felt unnerved, pushed strands of jet black curls out of her eyes,
\nand headed to the cooler. Ian followed. She stopped near the ice chest and
\ngrabbed a cup.<\/o:p><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cLet me get that for you,\u201d Ian said as
\nhe pulled the Styrofoam cup out of her hands and filled it with kool-aid. He
\nhanded it to her and smiled. She took it, stared at the blazin\u2019 berry blast
\nspinning around in her cup, and wondered why Ian suddenly seemed so interested
\nin her.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cUmm, thanks,\u201d she mumbled.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cSo you\u2019re name\u2019s Lily White, right?
\nYou\u2019re Grant White\u2019s daughter?\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cThat\u2019s me.\u201d She smiled, hoping he was
\nmature enough not to start making jokes about the virginal connotations of her
\nname. <\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nIan only smiled back. Well, at least he passed that test.<\/o:p><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nHe thrust out his gloved hand. \u201cIan
\nKanellis. I know we\u2019ve had Greek Lit together, but I\u2019ve never really introduced
\nmyself.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nLily stared at his hand for a moment and
\nthen shook it, feeling a little awkward. \u201cI\u2019m glad we got to meet up tonight.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cUm-hmm,\u201d Lily said as she took a drink
\nof her punch and watched Ross climb the utility ladder leading to the top of
\nthe dam. Ian followed Lily\u2019s gaze.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cYou think he\u2019ll jump?\u201d Ian asked.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cNot a chance. The guys do this every
\nyear. Usually they just climb to the top, wave their arms around and act like
\nmorons. Somebody died a few years ago and now they\u2019re all too scared to jump.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cAre you?\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nLily turned on him. His question sounded
\ninnocent enough, but she heard something in his voice that seemed like a
\nthreat. \u201cWhy do you think I would want to jump off a twenty-foot dam, Ian?\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nHe shrugged, acted casual. \u201cI\u2019ve heard
\nyou\u2019re a daredevil, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cThat\u2019s all?\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cYes.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cYou haven\u2019t heard anything else?\u201d she
\nasked.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nIan locked those honey colored eyes on
\nher and she froze. He knows<\/i>. She
\nwasn\u2019t sure how he could have found out. She\u2019d never told anyone. Maybe she was
\noveracting. How could Ian know about her ancestry\u2014that she was the daughter of
\na demon? Hadn\u2019t he only been in town a few months?<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nIan cleared his throat and turned his
\ngaze on the dam where Ross stood on top, waved his arms around, and acted like
\na moron.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cYou should go up there,\u201d Ian said.
\n\u201cYou\u2019d show all the guys up, make them feel like dumb asses. It would be fun.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nLily crossed her arms and bit her lip.
\nWho was this guy? \u201cYou think it would be fun to watch me jump off that dam?\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nHe smiled and reminded her of the
\nCheshire cat. The bon fire crackled and sent a pop of sparks through the air
\nthat glinted off Ian\u2019s teeth. Lily wasn\u2019t sure if her pounding heart was a
\nresult of fear or of something else.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nLily turned to the dam and watched the
\nwater rush to the bottom. Beyond the river spanned the towering East Texas pine
\nforest, the trees dark silhouettes at this time of night. The castle flickered
\ninto appearance once and then vanished.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cTwenty bucks,\u201d Ian said. He pulled a
\nwadded bill from his back pocket. She stared at it.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cWhat\u2019s that for?\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cFor you. If you jump off the dam.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n <\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201cIs this a joke?\u201d<\/o:p><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cNope.\u201d He straightened out the bill.
\n\u201cWhat do you think it would feel like to be up there? I\u2019ll bet it\u2019s awesome.
\nHuge adrenaline rush.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nBlood thumped through her ears. She felt
\nher demon wake as if it had been in hibernation. Oh no. <\/o:p><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cHave you ever been sky diving? I bet it
\nwould feel like that. The rush must be amazing.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nStop
\nit. Please, stop.<\/o:p><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cHere,\u201d Ian said and took her cup. \u201cI\u2019ll
\nhold this while you jump.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cAll right.\u201d Why did I say that?<\/i> Lily focused on the dam and walked forward. <\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cAnd Lily,\u201d Ian called after her.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nShe turned.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cDon\u2019t forget to swim.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nLily nodded. Then she started moving
\nagain. Half-way to the dam. Oh crap.<\/i>
\nWhy was she doing this again? She didn\u2019t want to go back to the ER. How many
\ntimes had she been this year? Seven, eight?<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nNo
\nmore risky crap,<\/span><\/i> she\u2019d promised herself. No more rushes.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nShe climbed the ladder. Lights blinked
\nfrom the top of the dam. Strange alien lights, as if she were boarding a
\nspaceship. <\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nStanding now. On top of the dam.
\nThousands of gallons of water churning below. Invigorating!<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nHeart pumping faster. Blood in her
\ncheeks, in her hands.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cThere\u2019s someone up there!\u201d A voice
\nshouted. Then all eyes on her.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cDon\u2019t do it!\u201d someone called. Eva?<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nWind rushed through her hair, tugged on
\nher jeans. She raised her arms and let tiny drops of water splash her skin.
\nCold, even for March. <\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cLily, don\u2019t!\u201d Eva again.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nWith her demon\u2019s sight focused, she saw
\nIan looking at her with those amber lion\u2019s eyes. Jump<\/i>, he seemed to say.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nLily exhaled. Then inhaled. A tiny voice
\nsaid she\u2019d drown. Her demon pushed the thought away and she jumped.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I’ve decided to post chapter one from my third book. Keep in mind, this is all fresh stuff. Never been read by anyone but yours truly. But hey, I’m not a selfish gal. I would absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear feedback! CHAPTER ONE The castle appeared again. Right over the trees, out of nowhere. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tamaragrantham.com\/StagingSite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/218","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tamaragrantham.com\/StagingSite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tamaragrantham.com\/StagingSite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tamaragrantham.com\/StagingSite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tamaragrantham.com\/StagingSite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=218"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tamaragrantham.com\/StagingSite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/218\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1554,"href":"https:\/\/tamaragrantham.com\/StagingSite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/218\/revisions\/1554"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tamaragrantham.com\/StagingSite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=218"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tamaragrantham.com\/StagingSite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=218"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tamaragrantham.com\/StagingSite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}