To watch the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu3Fycoi0e4

Ripe with Southern charm and sultry atmosphere Mermaid in the Basement unravels mystery of Renata's family and opens the door for love to find her.

JEFFREY REDMOND IGNITES PASSION, SUSPENSE AND BETRAYAL WITHIN HIS FANTASY WORLDS

Jeffrey Redmond Ignites Passion, Suspense and Betrayal Within His Fantasy Worlds

Jeffery Redmond opens the doors to his fantasy realms of romance, suspense and betrayal with Amazon's new Kindle program. Starting in the magazine and newspaper industry, Redmond switched to fiction to explore the more creative side of his personality.
As he states it, "I try to never let the facts get in the way of a good story. Fiction lets me be completely creative. I can invent all my own characters, places, and situations. And - especially - I don't have an editor breathing down my neck. I pace myself, can be my own boss, and write more of what I want to (though, of course, also what the market is buying)."
He has the ability to go beyond the facts to explore the depth and breathe of not only makes his characters, but also the challenges he places them. More than just a typical romance, he creates characters that are multi-dimensional and complex. They are not perfect, but they are comfortable familiar and likeable. Although the situations on the surface seem extraordinary, they are in fact all about the defending of loved ones, seeking truth, and questioning our judgment, as common themes in every day life. Redmond just uses the backdrop of other worlds to provide his readers with the opportunities to not only enjoy the reading experience, but to see a fresh perspective on their own life issues.
Romance in has always been of one of the most successful subplots in the fantasy and sci-fi genres. However, Redmond reverses the mixture by making the romance and passion primary.

He explains, "I have found that a science fiction setting, in the distant future, is best for me. I try to avoid overuse of robots, space ships, androids, and other 'hard sci fi' elements. I use fantasy as a way to enhance the story, but there has to be romance to have good interactions between the main characters. I believe that people (and alien humanoids) will have the same emotions that they have always had before."

By exploring all the emotions including the deepest passions, which drive the characters’ behaviors, his work examines not only characters purist aspirations, but also their darkest desires and their deepest insecurities. It is the conflict that makes his characters exciting, believable and likeable.

Although most romance readers are female ages 15 through 45, there is enough action and adventure to entice the males of the same age demographic. He has been able to find the balance between the romance the female readers desire and the adventure that attracts the males. By finding this equilibrium, Redmond creates a niche market that is under-utilized. In the style of the Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and the many others in the same genre merging works, Redmond creates characters and worlds that are appealing to both genders and most age groups. However, instead of following the typical formula that others have found successful, Redmond has blazoned his own trail to these other worlds.

Looking back, Redmond compares his life and his work to his favorite author:
"My personal favorite author is Ernest Hemingway. He lived in northern Michigan, and traveled all over the world. He wrote about his own experiences in his stories. And he was lucky to have Max Perkins as his editor and publisher. I will never be as great as 'Papa' Hemingway, but I identify with him greatly. I too have widely traveled, been through many experiences, and also have a beard (though I can't drink like he did).”
Like Hemingway, Redmond bases his characters on real people. He can also be an intellectual recluse and a survivor. Through his characters, he shares his life lessons and the challenges--the successful and those that were not so triumphant. Even though he could give his characters whatever traits and abilities he could imagine, he prefers to make them more realistic.

“They need to use their own physical, emotional, and mental abilities to overcome - rather than any magical or super powers. The planet they live on is much like Earth, except there's no major oceans. I do include 'fresh water seas' which I get from the Great Lakes surrounding my home state of Michigan."
Redmond can be reached through his website at www.erdabooks.net or through his Myspace page at www.myspace.com/jeffringr. His books can also be brought through
www.double-dragon-ebooks.com and www.lulu.com/DDP-INC. And his e-mailing address is redmondjeff@hotmail.com.

"Fair Aer-Inn"
ISBN 1-55404-443-X
Amazon.com Kindle Edition
ASIN: B000V1R8OO
Fleeing Svayn's savage army, Princess Katarina leads her people toward the safety of the distant and unknown regions of the mountains. Although she had always considered her beauty to be her best asset, she quickly learns that it takes more than a pretty face to lead her people. Through the tears and fears, she guides them toward what she prays will be safety where they can regroup and rebuild their strength so they can once again return and free their countrymen from slavery. As her own bleak thoughts quickly steal her confidence as her decisions repeatedly put them more at risk. At her darkest moment, Briyan appears. Handsome as he is mysterious, Briyan quickly makes himself invaluable to not only Katarina, but to her people as well. Yet as they travel along the mighty river toward its source, Katarina falls deeply in love with him. But as their enemy draws closer, she realizes there is more to the warrior. As a woman, she loves his strength and comfort. As the leader of her Aerinn, she must set her feelings aside and question why this handsome stranger has chosen to risked his life to protect her and her people. Is Briyan a friend or foe? To chose wrong means all the people of Aerinn will suffer and she will face a fate worse than death.

"The Valley of Von-Dar"
ISBN 1-55404-441-3
Amazon.com Kindle Edition
ASIN: B000V1R8O4

Ellena’s parents escaped from Er-Da to protect their unborn child from the harsh judgments surrounding her conception. Born on Earth, Ellena grows up sheltered from the secrets of her family’s past, yet she knows she is in the wrong place. Part of her longs for the place her soul calls home. It is only when she finds pieces of her parents’ past that she learns where she must go to find her answers. As her ship lands, the restless that she has felt all her life suddenly finds peace, only to be replaced by apprehension and suspicion after she meets Mitir of Hastell. At first, she sees coincidental meeting of young and powerful landowner as a two fold blessing. The attraction between them is immediate and intense. but so is her mistrust as the twist of fates reveal his family‘s secrets. Within his arms, she has found the passion of two familiar souls embracing each other, yet she cannot let her guide down. Will he help her find the answers she seeks or sacrifice her to those who wish the truth to remain hidden, thereby protecting his family’s wealth and position.

"The Islands of Mak-Naw"
ISBN 1-55404-442-1
Amazon.com Kindle Edition
ASIN: B000V1R8OE
Katarena is sent from Earth to the Planet Er-Da to investigate the disappearance Rafer. Known for her rashness and professional tenancy to get to the truth, Katarena has never allowed anyone or anything stop her from getting her story--until she met Bersten or at least that is what his handsome stranger called himself at first. She found his elusiveness and need for isolation is as intriguing as his handsome features. Quickly, Katarena find herself at distracted from her goal of finding the missing singer. Instead, she ignores Bersten’s warnings and follows him into his world. As their passion ignites, she learns he is not who she thought he was. As the Imperium closes in, she must decide if she should trust her heart or her head. One of them is lying to her. Her heart says Bersten is a hero. Her head points to the evidence against him. If she chooses wrong, a planet will die.

Never Can Say Goodbye--a script excerpt


EXT: FOREST: EARLY AFTERNOON
Lynne and Elizabeth are walking down a path, which leads to a rapidly moving river.

ELIZABETH
It’s beautiful.

LYNNE
It’s the last ten acres of virgin forest for five hundred miles. The local Native Americans convinced the loggers that it was haunted.
(Pointing down river)
Another month, there’ll be color no artist could match.

ELIZABETH
Does anybody live here?

LYNNE
It’s state protected land. There are a few public hiking trails. The Bellow’s house is down the road and up the hill. From the front porch you can see the whole valley.

ELIZABETH
It’s amazing. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.
(Walking down to the water’s edge)
It’s so peaceful.

She looks down river. A doe comes to drink from the river. The sun filters through the trees. A large crow flies over head, cawing. In the distance, she hears saws biting into the trees and the trees falling. The sounds becomes clearer, intermixing with men’s voices.

I thought you said this was protected land.

LYNNE
It is.

ELIZABETH
Someone’s cutting down trees. I can hear them
(The sounds become louder and she puts her hands over her ears)
We have to tell the rangers.

LYNNE
(Running to the river’s edge)
I don’t hear anything! Why are you shouting?

Freshly cut trees, stripped of their branches, start floating down the river. A few at first, then the surface is covered. Two men dressed in work clothes are balanced on wide bottomed, shallow boat. Each carried a long pole with a hook on the end, which they used to break up blocks in the river. Further up river, a similar boat followed. The men casually joked with one another.

ELIZABETH
(Pointing)
Do you seem them?

LYNNE
Who?

ELIZABETH
The men in the boat.

The second boat passes in front of her. One of the men is a teenage Randolph. The lumber sounds suddenly stop and the images vanish.

ELIZABETH
(Stunned)
It stopped.

LYNNE
What did you see?

ELIZABETH
There were trees in the river and men in boats.

LYNNE
(Shaking her head)
Has anything like this happened to you before?

ELIZABETH
I’m not crazy! It happened.

LYNNE
I believe you. Other people have seen it too.

ELIZABETH
Have you?

LYNNE
No. But I’ve seen other things. Come on. Michael’s waiting.

INT: HIDDEN BEDROOM: EARLY AFTERNOON
Michael is standing in the doorway. Sara Jane appears in the rocker. She hums while she mends a man’s shirt. She is very pregnant. He walks to the rocker and reaches out to touch her stomach. She looks up at him and smiles. A car is heard pulling up and parking on the outside of the house. .

EXT: OUTSIDE BELLOW’S HOUSE: EARLY AFTERNOON
Lynne and Elizabeth are getting out of the car. They pull cases out of the back seat and walk toward the house.

INT: HIDDEN BEDROOM: EARLY AFTERNOON
Michael turns away from the window. The room is now empty.

INT: FRONT ENTRANCE WAY: EARLY AFTERNOON
Michael opens the front door. Elizabeth and Lynne walk in, carrying the cases.

LYNNE
Sorry we’re late. I wanted to show Elizabeth the trails.

ELIZABETH
Your house is beautiful.

MICHAEL
I wish it were mine. We’re just renting.

ELIZABETH
It’s so big.

MICHAEL
The original house was half as big. The second Mrs. Bellows was responsible for the expansion.

LYNNE
Where’s the room? And when is Shane coming back?

MICHAEL
Upstairs down the main hall first door on the left. I haven’t had a chance to fix the wall yet. Late tonight. She has a gig, but I have to meet her there. I made a light lunch. Just in case you didn’t have time.

ELIZABETH
We ate before we drove out.

MICHAEL
We seemed to have gotten off to a bad start.

ELIZABETH
Whose fault is that?

LYNNE
(Walking toward the stairs)
Children when you decide to be grown ups again. I’ll be pstairs.

She walks upstairs, leaving them behind.

INT: HIDDEN BEDROOM: EARLY AFTERNOON
Lynne walks into the room and set the cases on the bed. She looks around the room, opening the drawers and the closet. She takes out one of the dresses and examines before returning it to the closet. She moves the clothes around. Behind them are several shelves with boxes stacked on them. She pulls one out and opens it. It is filled with letters and mementos. She puts it on the bed and takes out another. It is filled with homemade baby clothes. They are old, but appear to have never been used. She continues around the room, stopping at the window. The nails, which had secured the window, are still embedded. Their points are sticking out of the bottom. She examines the window; the ceil has been splintered.
Elizabeth and Michael are heard talking in the hallway; they are walking toward the room. She turns as they walk in.

LYNNE
Wouldn’t it have been easier to take out the nails first?

MICHAEL
I didn’t open it.

LYNNE
Who did?

MICHAEL
I don’t know.

ELIZABETH
(Slowly almost reluctantly walks in)
It’s a beautiful room.

LYNNE
Could Shane--

MICHAEL
She is afraid of the room.

LYNNE
Really? Why?

ELIZABETH
That’s silly. This was a room of love.

MICHAEL
She said there was a woman in here, who loves me and hates her.

LYNNE
(Sarcastic)
That’s new! Help me set up the equipment.

Elizabeth looks at herself in the mirror. Sitting in the chair, she picks up the hairbrush. Brushing her hair, she begins to hum quietly to herself the same tune from Michael’s dream.

I would’ve got better readings if I’d been here.

MICHAEL
I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. It was like I was possessed. It was all I could think about.

LYNNE
Did you find what you expected?

MICHAEL
Yes and No. It was smaller than I thought. It looked like I imagined.

LYNNE
And?

MICHAEL
I felt disappointed. I was expecting something--someone to be here. But there wasn’t anyone. The dreams started. Sara Jane was here.
(He walks to the rocker)
With her son. But that isn’t possible. The boy was a toddler. Sara Jane died giving birth to their only child. It’s so confusing. Audrey was trying to protect the boy--no, she was angry with him. The women argued. Randolph came in. He still loved Sara Jane. He was married to Audrey. He never loved her. He was going to kill himself to be with Sara Jane. But he couldn’t. Audrey was pregnant.

LYNNE
Why did he marry Audrey?

MICHAEL
He needed a wet nurse for his son. Audrey had given birth to her daughter just a month before. Her husband had been killed in a lumber accident. She wouldn’t move in unless he married her.

ELIZABETH
If he loved Sara Jane so much he wanted to die, how did Audrey come to be with child?

MICHAEL
I was weak.

LYNNE
I?

MICHAEL
Night after night, I lay in our bed missing you. I was alone--our bed was cold. She would come to me, smelling of your perfume. At first I pushed her away. But she was warm and willing. She kept coming back, telling me how much she loved me. I closed my eyes and it was you beside me. You I made love to.

LYNNE
Michael? Elizabeth?

ELIZABETH
How do you think I felt? Watching you in our bed. You wouldn’t let me leave. Why did you do that to me?

MICHAEL
I loved you.

LYNNE
That’s it--Everybody out!

She grabs Michael and pushes him out the door. Going back, she pulls Elizabeth from the chair; the hairbrush falls to the floor. Elizabeth tries to pick it up, but she is hustled from the room. Lynne stops and scans the room, before slamming the door shut.

INT: KITCHEN: AFTERNOON
Michael and Elizabeth sit at the table, eating. Lynne stands at the counter, staring at them.

ELIZABETH
All this is from your garden? It tastes wonderful.

MICHAEL
It always tastes better when you grow it yourself.

LYNNE
Yes. It’s wonderful. It’s also low calorie. Extra special. Everybody agree? Good. Now what the hell happened up there?

MICHAEL
More tea anyone?

LYNNE
No! Sit down!

ELIZABETH
I feel embarrassed.

LYNNE
Why?

ELIZABETH
I don’t know. Part of me didn’t want to go inside. I was afraid I would never be able to leave. Then I didn’t want to leave. It’s not like I thought about it. It’s just how I felt. I was afraid. But it also felt like coming home.
(To Michael)
I saw you. But it wasn’t you. You were someone else. I loved you--and hated you.

MICHAEL
I was finally getting the chance to explain. To make it right.

LYNNE
Make what right?

Off screen a car pulls up and parks. A single car door opens and closes.

Are you expecting anyone?

MICHAEL
I’ll go see who it is.

INT: FRONT ENTRANCE: AFTERNOON
Shane walks in.

SHANE
Mike! What is Lynne doing here?

INT: KITCHEN: AFTERNOON

LYNNE
You said she’d be gone all day!

MICHAEL
Stay here. Both of you. I’ll take care of it.

INT: IN THE HALLWAY AT THE FOOT OF THE STAIRS: AFTERNOON
Shane has gone part way up. Michael runs in.

MICHAEL
You said you were spending the afternoon with you mother..

SHANE
Why is she here?

MICHAEL
Calm down.

SHANE
Don’t tell me to calm down!

MICHAEL
I asked her to check out the hidden room.

SHANE
No doubt she’d have that adventure you wanted. At least you didn’t use our bed.

LYNNE
(Walking in)
Actually we were frolicking on the kitchen table. Miracle Whip isn’t only for sandwiches.

MICHAEL
Lynne, you’re not helping.

SHANE
You’re disgusting!

Zombie-like Elizabeth can be seen walking out of the kitchen.

MICHAEL
Go back in the kitchen.

SHANE
Slut!

LYNNE
Psycho!

MICHAEL
(To Lynne)
You’re not helping.

SHANE
Why are you doing this to me?

Unseen by the others, Elizabeth walks through the dining room, examining the room as she goes. Its appearance seems to confuse her.

You said you loved me.

MICHAEL
I do love you.

SHANE
Then why is she here?

MICHAEL
I wanted to find out about the room.

SHANE
The room. The house. Your work...everything but me!

Lynne notices Elizabeth and joins her in the dining room.

INT: DINING ROOM: AFTERNOON
Elizabeth is looking at the furnishings. Lynne walks up to her.

ELIZABETH
It’s all different.

LYNNE
What’s all different?

ELIZABETH
My house. Who are you? What are you doing in my house?

LYNNE
Elizabeth, what are you talking about?

ELIZABETH
Elizabeth? My name is Sara Jane. Sara Jane Bellows.

LYNNE
OHMYGOODNESS! I don’t have the right equipment for this. Shit!

ELIZABETH
(Calling out to Michael)
Randolph, what did you do to my house?

LYNNE
Sara Jane. Hi. I’m Lynne. Have you been in the house since you died?

ELIZABETH
I’m not dead.
SHANE
(Seeing Elizabeth)
You!

Michael tries to grab her, but she pushes past him and runs into the dining room.

He’s my husband!

MICHAEL
(Following)
Shane!

Lynne intercepts her and they struggle. Elizabeth meets Michael half way into the room.

ELIZABETH
I don’t understand. I waited for you. Why didn’t you come?

MICHAEL
I couldn’t find you.

SHANE
You can’t have him. He’s mine.

ELIZABETH
I know you! I know what you did.

SHANE
Shut up!

Shane shoves Lynne out of the way and lunges at Elizabeth, pushing her backward. Elizabeth hits her head on edge of the table and falls to the floor. Michael grabs Shane and pulls her away. Lynne checks Elizabeth.

MICHAEL
Is she okay?

LYNNE
No! She’s not okay. She’s unconscious!

SHANE
She deserved it!

MICHAEL
You don’t even know her!
(Shoving her away)
Shane, look what you’ve done!

SHANE
Love me. Not her.

LYNNE
We have to get her to the hospital.

SHANE
She was going to ruin everything!

LYNNE
Mike, fight with her later. Help me get her to my car.

MICHAEL
There’s an afghan on the couch.

Lynne runs out of the room.

SHANE
Mike, I did it for us.

MICHAEL
(Gently lifting Elizabeth)
Get out of my way!

SHANE
Mike, please you have to understand.

MICHAEL
Understand what?

SHANE
I can explain.

MICHAEL
(Carrying Elizabeth toward the door)
Stay here.

SHANE
Mike, please!

INT: ENTRANCE WAY: AFTERNOON
Lynne covers Elizabeth with the afghan and opens the door. Michael carries her out. Lynne hesitates at the threshold.

LYNNE
This time you’ll get what you deserve.

She slams the door.

INT: HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM: AFTERNOON
Lynne paces the room, occasionally looking down the hall. Michael sits in the chair, staring at the floor.

MICHAEL
I’ll take care of the bill.

LYNNE
I wish we could take it out of Shane’s hide.

MICHAEL
I’ve never seen her act like that. Could it have something to do with the room?

LYNNE
She was jealous before you moved into the house.

MICHAEL
She had a dream. The woman in the room wanted to hurt her.

LYNNE
Is Shane in that examination room?

MICHAEL
I just thought--

LYNNE
That’d find another way to excuse her. To make it not her fault or yours.

MICHAEL
It’s not my fault!

LYNNE
Isn’t it? What are you going to do if Elizabeth decides to press charges?

A nurse walks in.

NURSE
Your friend’s lucky. She doesn’t have a concussion. But she does have a nasty bump. She can go home. But she shouldn’t be alone for the next few hours.

LYNNE
She can spend the rest of the day and night at my house.

MICHAEL
Where do I pay the bill?

NURSE
At the cashier. She’ll be out in a few minutes.

Dragon Domain--Book Two of the Dragon Clan Trilogy
An excerpt of magical fantasy novel in the style of Harry Potter




But that was all in the past. Cheyenne walked toward the willow. She knew what needed to be done. Placing her bag beneath the tree, she quickly stripped, dropping her clothing into a pile. Opening the bag, she pulled out her athame, driving it into to the ground to the hilt. The ritual knife represented her need to be within the healing realm of the earth. Again she reached into the bag, pulling out an array of cotton pouches filled with herbs. Searching through them, she selected the bags marked basil, ginger and sage, returning the rest. She dropped the pouches on the ground and pulled out the small cast iron cauldron. She ran down to the stream and filled it with water. Returning more slowly, she picked up dry twigs and branches. Setting the cauldron down, she put the wood in the fire pit. Gathering dry grass and leaves from around the pit, she tucked them under the branches. She looked skyward. “May the Gods bless this ceremony with fire.” She patted the round in front of her. “May the Goddess bless this ceremony with fire.” She snapped her fingers above the fire pit. Within seconds, wisps of smoke rose from the center. For an instant, the infant of a flame wavered as if the slightest breeze would blow it out, but then the leaves caught and the flame ate its way to the wood. “Thank you.” She watched the flames dance and ignite the larger twigs, waiting until she was satisfied the fire had a life of its own before adding the larger pieces.

The breeze blew the smoke and heat into her face. She coughed, but did not move. She had always been drawn to the cleansing of fire. in spite of her birth element being air, she had felt a kinship with it. In her mind, air fed fire and fire’s heat moved air. Jane thought it was just because she didn’t like the cold. Placing the cauldron on the reddening coals, she picked up the pouches and removed the rest of the things she would need.

Standing, she looked at the basin. She hadn’t even considered that it might not be available. A flag had not been set. She could use it.

The basin was the only change they had made. With shovels, the four of them dug out a hole big enough for six to ritually bath at the same time. It had been an equal amount of work and play. It had taken three days of digging and mud fights. Late on the third afternoon, it was finished. They had stood on the banks, waiting to break down the wall that divided it from the stream. Stalling, each in turn found reasons to put off the ceremony until, frustrated Selene shouted to the forest, “we’re not waiting any more!” She broke down the barrier. Quickly, the water filled it, creating whirlpools and eddies, at first only at the mouth, but the texture of the bottom quickly spread them throughout the basin. Out of the corner of her eye, she had seen a shadow retreat deeper into the trees. The memory brought a smile to Cheyenne’s lips. Several other times since then, she would sense their presence, but they never approached. Obviously for some reason it wasn’t time for the two others to join the group. Later that afternoon Lilith and Cain left, but only Lilith returned on a regular basis. The sacred space invited others. Some were local, others were not. They would just be drawn to the circle and simply slipped into their spots like pieces of a puzzle.

Reaching down, she pulled her bandanna from the bag. It would be her flag, notifying the others the basin had been used. The water recycled itself every forty-eight hours. Until it cleansed itself, it wouldn’t be wise to use it. Squatting, she placed a handful of each of the herbs into the steaming water. Sitting back on her bottom, she watched the steam rise, the aroma scented the air. Closing her eyes, she imagined the steam to be soft white light, which she drew in through her nostrils, allowing it to fill her entire being with its healing power. All the anger she felt earlier drained away it, leaving only the sad memory of her lost friend. A tear slipped down her cheek. She didn’t brush it away. Celeste’s friendship had been too important to casually brush it aside. The salty drop fell from her chin and was gone. She sighed. Her throat hurt. She just wished the pain and the loss would be done. She wanted to move on. But to what? The farm had been her dream. Celeste had turned it into a dark place, a place where shadows ruled. But that was going to change.

Shaking her head, she opened her eyes, returning her attention to the present task. The surface had begun to roll. The dried herb pieces bobbed with the heating water’s motion. Waiting for it to break the boiling point, she reached around to grab her shirt to use as a hot pad. The water boiled and she picked up the pot. Pulling the sheers and the candles out of the bag, she walked toward the basin.
A breeze blew her hair across her face. She ignored it. She thought it strange that she felt nothing at this moment. There should be anger or guilt. But she felt nothing but determination to complete the task at hand. Someone once said, “What is best done, is best done quickly.” She couldn’t remember who said it or in what context; it didn’t matter. She placed the cauldron on the bank and planted the candles in the sand, one for each direction. Without hesitating, she stopped at the eastern candle and lit it.

Looking skyward, she called out, “Moltra, great dragon of the East. Who’s tail swirls the winds, whose breath warms the air, whose love keeps this planet’s air breathable, I, your daughter, who you named Shawntal, asks you to attend to protect and guide me.” For a moment the air stilled, then a gush of wind swirled around her and the basin. Cheyenne smiled. Closing her eyes, she could see the luminescent bronze of his scales reflecting the sunshine. All around her, the air became heavy with the scent of ozone. She breathed deeply. The energy charged air opened her third eye, then jumping from synapse to synapse reached the activation point at the base of her skull. Her eyes snapped open. It had begun.

Taking four steps forward, she lit the Southern candle. She faced the sun. “Great dragon of the South, Chun’sa-ta, you who keeps this planet habitable with your warmth, you grow our food, you bring us light and separate us from darkness, I, your daughter Shawntal, ask that you attend my healing, bringing your protection and wisdom.” The air around her heated with the breath of Chun’sa-ta. Again she closed her eyes, the copper of Chun’sa-ta scales stood beside the bronze of Moltra‘s.

Continuing her journey, she jumped the mouth of the basin and continued to the Western candle. Stooping she lit it and reached toward the sky. “Lovena, great dragon of the West, I, Shawntal ask that you share your life restoring waters to help to guide and heal me. Wash away the darkness that has been sent to steal my light.” For a moment, stillness ruled. Puzzled, she looked around. Lovena had never failed to answer her call before. Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back. Breathing deeply, she centered herself in her faith, both in herself and the powers of light. The leaves on the treetops blew in the growing wind. The sound became louder. Her eyes opened. The trees around the clearing were being blown in a pattern she had never seen before. The wind did not come from one direction, but formed a circle around the clearing that did not seem to have an entrance point. It was as if the force came from above to encompass the clearing. The scope began to widen; the grass of the field bent to the will of the wind. Cheyenne watched the phenomenon rush toward her. She was not afraid. It enveloped her, blowing and pulling her hair skyward, nearly drawing the breath from her lungs. He eyes dried. Instinct told her to close them. Something else demanded they stay open. Using all her will, she kept watching and waiting. It moved through her, centering on the basin. The water swirled up into a spout, nearly emptying the pool. Electricity snapped around the suspended liquid. Lovena appeared next to her sisters; her gold scales reflecting the sun to create a shining circlet above the spout. Smiling, Cheyenne felt grateful for the blessings, which had been bestowed upon her. The circlet melted into the water, which gently returned to the basin with calming wind. Again the field became quiet.

Amazed, Cheyenne stood, staring at the reflective surface, nearly forgetting to call the last dragon. Taking a deep breath, she forced the air into her lungs and stepped to the northern candle. Blinking rapidly to restore the moisture to her eyes, she shakily extended her arms. “Tir‘th, great dragon of the Earth, I, Shawntal, call you to bring your healing and protection to my circle. Let your grounding force guide me through my healing. Make me so secure that the dark forces are unable to raise fear in me. Prevent them from having any influence on my destiny.” She did not have long to wait. The air around her filled with the scent of hot, moist earth. Her silver scales seem to reflect from the blades of grass and the barks of the trees as she rose up from the earth to manifest fully next to the three others.

Cheyenne knew it was time. Picking up the cauldron, she held it to the sky. The kettle swung in the breeze. Carefully she poured the contents into the basin and set the empty pot on the bank. Expecting the water to be cool, she stepped into the water. It was warm, like a bath. Relieved she lowered herself until the water tickled her chin. Holding her breath, she ducked beneath the surface. Her hair floated in the array around her head as the water lovingly cradled her. The water pressure on her ears echoed with her own heart beat. Bringing forth the memory of the attack, she imagined it was happening again. Only now while she floated in the safety of the dragons protection, she was protected by the loving strength of her guardians. The darkness was pulled away from her. Her energy was renewed as each pore was cleansed of the experience. She broke to the surface and pushed her hair back over her forehead. Floating toward the center she watched the reflections of the clouds distort in her wake. Turning over on her back, she floated, allowing the sunshine to warm her stomach and face. Her third eye and solar plexus began to pulsate as her drained batteries began to recharge. She dropped her barriers and just allowed. Her eyes began to droop. Paddling with her hands, she found the shore and propped her head on the bank, her butt resting on the bottom. The gentle current kept her legs afloat. She retained the memories of the attack, but none of the fear and pain remained. She could now look on the experience objectively and make her decisions.

Cheyenne still cherished the memories of Celeste. But she did not like the person Celeste had become. She no longer trusted her on any level. All the begging and pleading was over. There had been nothing she could do or say to stop Celeste from changing. It all came down to free will. Everyone had to chose their own path and take responsibility for their choices. Although, like a stone being dropped in a pond, the ripples widen to touch every shore, so each of our decisions affects others with the rebounding consequences. How each reacts to the influence creates new ripples and new consequences. Cheyenne was determined to stay on the path of light. She wouldn’t allow the fear and anger to lead her to do damage that would cost her dearly later. Nor could she continue to give or allow Celeste to take energy from her or her land when she would most likely use it to harm others.

She knew what she must do. She scanned the bank for the scissors. It wasn’t something she wanted to do. They gleamed in the afternoon sun. Swimming over she reached up and took them from the grass. Again surprised by her own calmness, Cheyenne held them up to the sky. “With love and sadness, I ask that my ties to my mother-sister, Celeste be severed. We no longer walk the same path. I can no longer come to her with unconditional love and perfect trust. She has broken faith with me. And in her eyes, I have broken faith with her. I ask the Goddesses and Gods to continue to guide and protect both of us. But as separate people, going on separate paths.” She flipped her hair over, combing the fingers of her free hand through the strands. She watched the ends float on top of the water. She didn’t want to. She loved her hair, how it felt brushing and playing with it. But there was no other way. Gathering it into a bunch, she brought up the blades. “To me, Celeste, the woman I loved is now dead.”

The first strands were severed. The sound was deafening. They slide into the water, at first disappearing under the weight, then resurfacing to float on the surface. For a moment, the memories forced her to stop. It was more than just hair she was cutting. It was enjoying the sunshine during walks. Their talks into the late night, questioning the universe and their place in it. Celeste was the first person who made Cheyenne feel needed and wanted.

She contracted her hand. The strands hit the surface. Water ran from the severed ends like blood from a limb. Her resolve wavered. But only for an instant. Celeste was no longer the loving woman of light, who held her hand and made the nightmares go away. Her mere presence no longer brought joy and a sense of security. That woman was gone. Cheyenne didn’t know if she would every return. It was more than just her union with a man. There had always been men in Celeste’s life. It was Dominic. He had no honor or truth within him. He took what he wanted no matter whom he hurt. What he wanted was the land. The blades came together. Cheyenne would never allow him to abuse this spiritual place. The farm had many special groves and fields, where the worlds intersected and people found peace.
She evened off the ends and flipped the remaining back. Where once the ends bounced around her waist, now they barely reached her shoulders. There was nothing left to do but allow the sun to dry her and the current to cleanse the water. Later, she would cry. Probably many times. But now with the sun on her back, she began making plans of how to rid herself of both of them.

Dragon Domain--Book Two of the Dragon Clan Trilogy (ISBN 1-58961-463-1) picks up the story a few months later as the Dragon Clan begins to reassemble at the safe haven Cheyenne has created on the Northern Michigan farm. Cheyenne was happy until an old love from Celeste‘s past appeared at their door. Rapidly the darkness of the night brought terror as sacrificial blood was shed. Cheyenne tried to warn her. Celeste refused to listen. She let him in. No one was safe from his darkness. Cheyenne called the dragons. They drove him back. Then they joined together in an old evil. Alone Cheyenne was barely able to defeated him, but now with Celeste’s help and knowledge of all her weakness, how could she possibly stop them from stealing her very soul and all those she loves?




Theresa Chaze has been described as the woman who plays with dragons, especially the dragons of the mind. She leads her readers to magical realms and others worlds. Her work is based on her philosophy that all peoples can live together in peace as long as we come from respect, not only for ourselves but those who follow different paths or beliefs. Her work has been compared to Marion Zimmer Bradley and Anne McCaffrey with an adult version of Harry Potter mixed in. Theresa Chaze's major works so far include the first two novels of the Dragon Clan Trilogy and a free fantasy ebook called, Sisters, Mother, Daughters. Her screenplay, Never Can Say Good-bye, is one of the 2006 winners of the Gloria Film Festival. She publishes an ezine called, Messages From the Universe, which is available on her site www.theresachaze.com.

Janet Smith A Master Mystery Crafts Woman