About Ash Gray: Blurred Clarity
by Andy Slayde & Ali Wilde
97 pages / 25500 words
ISBN: 978-1-61040-741-0
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html, lit, Adobe and Sony optimized pdf, prc, epub
What happens when good and evil don’t so much collide as merely annoy
each other? Which, when young men are involved, quite often means that they
really want to get to know each other.
Ash, a low level demon, and Cas, a low level angel, become aware of each
other -- in more ways than one -- and set out to prove that good and evil
can exist in close contact, even complementing each other. They blur the
lines and cross them frequently with surprising and almost devastating
results.
Sample
After finishing his swim, Cas pulled himself from the pool. Spreading his
wings again, he ruffled the feathers to rid them of water, shaking droplets
around him.
"I hope that isn't holy water." A voice Cas hoped never to hear again came
from between the Kentia Palms.
With a whoosh, Cas' wings vanished. He turned to face the intruder. Ash.
"What are you doing here?"
"I was bored. Wanted someone to talk to." Ash wiped an imaginary drop of
water from his coat. "Besides, you fascinate me."
"And that gives you the right to break into my home?" Protocol demanded that
Cas exterminate the demon. But that seemed a little harsh. Ash hadn't done
anything to warrant it -- yet. Besides, his demon thwarting sword was in the
back of the closet. Best to keep alert and at the ready, in case Ash turned
threatening.
"I didn't break into anywhere. You'll find all your doors still locked." Ash
sat on one of the wrought iron chairs at the outdoor setting. "You have to
know that a locked door won't stop a demon."
"Don't do it again." Cas sat down opposite Ash. A demon in his sanctuary. He
didn't feel threatened -- just annoyed.
"You have to know that won't stop a demon, either. C'mon, Angel, admit that
I interest you."
"Fine, just behave."
Ash actually laughed. "Impossible."
"Whatever." With a flick of his wrist a tray filled with pastries, and a pot
of coffee appeared. "Something to drink?" he asked as he poured some of the
brew into a white ceramic cup.
"Thank you. So, why are you here?"
"I told you. To help people lead better lives."
"Do they really deserve your help? They are so easily lead astray."
"The same can be said for the ones you... tempt."
"Bet you find it a lot harder to get them back. Humans really want to be
naughty. They're just waiting for the excuse."
"That's because you make it so easy for them."
"Speaking of which, if I'd known angels were so into nudity, I'd have
stalked one a long time ago."
Cas glanced down and took in his appearance. "What's wrong with nudity? I'm
in the privacy of my own home." His eyes flashed to meet Ash's. "You are
here unannounced and uninvited." Cas snapped his fingers and a pair of
lounge pants materialized.
Ash smiled. "Am I ruffling your feathers? Just a little? It'd be fun." He
leaned back in his chair and stretched. "Don't dress on my account. I can
assure you I'm not offended."
"You're not ruffling my feathers." Cas stood to pull on the lounge pants,
very aware of Ash's eyes on him.
"I think I am. And if I'm not, I guarantee I can in a moment."
"I'd rather you didn't." A muscle in Cas' jaw twitched with his growing
annoyance. "And I don't see how that would be any fun at all."
Ash walked languorously over to Cas. "You don't?" He raised an eyebrow and
stood very close. Too close.
But Cas wasn't going to back off. He shook his head and swallowed. Where was
his voice? Wasn't there something written about demons that he should be
remembering right about now? Some lore that would save his... him?
"Prepare to be ruffled," Ash whispered and brushed his lips over Cas'.
The kiss lasted for all of five seconds. Five seconds in which Cas forgot
everything. He'd never been kissed before and to have his first kiss be from
a demon... well, he was surprised it was as pleasant as it was. His lips
were warm -- hot, when his tongue licked over them.
"I, um--" Unsure of what to say, Cas closed his eyes to gather himself. When
he opened them, Ash was gone. Only the burn on his lips let him know the
demon had even been there.