Sorchia's Universe

Looking for previous episodes? Start Here with a PDF of 1-18. Episode 23: Witches, Witches Everywhere Older relatives, slightly singed but maintaining an air of refinement, rest on tussocks near the river, enjoying quiet conversation. Their breaths puff into white vapor in the cool morning air. All in all, the scene is one of a pleasant outdoor celebration in full swing despite the occasional crash from the burning castle. The one common trait all witches share—no matter their politics––is adaptability. Even the musicians, looking a bit the worse for wear, have struck up a lively tune. Younger cousins dance and cavort on the fresh grass. The remains of New Castle Highmoor smolders in the background. A Darkmore cousin—one of the Dutch Darkmores, I believe––hands me a goblet of wine. “What a bash!” He shouts, green eyes blazing, blond hair positively standing on end. He’s more than a little buzzed despite the early hour. Then I remember that for him, it is still the crux of the evening...

If you want to read the whole story so far, Follow this link to Episodes 1-20 Episode21: Unexpected Discarding the light blanket Mayebelle has wrapped aroundme, I scrabble in the spring-damp mold of the forest floor. Pain in mymidsection redoubles, but I crawl to the edge of the road and use a handy rowansapling to hoist myself up. “Maddock!” I would have run to him, but little Priscillaor Madeleine or Jane will not be ignored. A contraction tightens like a band of iron across mystomach. The figure on the path is running now. Running toward us. My wombconvulses, and I’m sure I’m about to die. Mayebelle pulls me back to the warmthof the makeshift pallet of leaves and spare clothes and pushes me on my back. “It’s real, isn’t it, Mayebelle?” I can’t see past hersolid form and a nagging fear whispers to me, telling me the castle and Maddockare wishful visions only. “It has to be real this time.” Mayebelle glances over her shoulder. When she turnstoward me, her face is in shadow. “It’s rea...

At the beginning of December, I started posting “A Cold Spring,” a witched-up serial story, on Paranormal Romantics for my monthly guest post. But it seems to me like a month is too damn long to wait–Let’s hear it for Immediate Gratification!!! So I’m speeding up things by posting here every week as well as on Paranormal Romantics when it’s my turn. If you missed the first 4 episodes–here they are! Episode 1 “A Cherry Tomato” and Episode 2 “Burning” Episode 3 “Coils of Enchantment: and Episode 4 “Down, down, down…” Episode 5: Everything Changed Twice, Lucia blasted the Darkmore and La Croix families nearly into oblivion. I was very young the first time, the memory a blur of panic and fear and grief. A thousand years later, Maddock and I intended to lay old ghosts to rest. We hoped the formal dinner to celebrate our marriage would be a first step toward healing the rifts between our two families. Ti...