Ascension (The Gryphon Series) (24 page)

The life of a college student.
Glamorous, no?

Presenting:

The Gryphon Series

Art Gallery

Carved from one solid piece of wood was a creature I had never seen before. Its head and wings were that of a bird, but it had the body of a predatory cat. It stood assertive and proud—chest out, feet planted wide. Its head was thrown back as if in a roar.

-
excerpt from
The Conduit

Illustrated by Crystal Ord

“We’ve been looking for you, Celeste. Your blood on the carving confirmed your identity. The changes will begin now. Not just for you, but for Gabe and Kendall as well. There is no stopping it. I am here to guide you, to help you.”

-excerpt from
The Conduit

Illustrated by Crystal
Ord

Our odd trio—the lion, the angel and … me—came together. Cloaked by darkness, we made our way across the sleeping campus with determined strides and steeled nerves … for the most part.

                            -
excerpt from
The Conduit

Illustrated by Crystal Ord

Thick scales covered its narrow, reptilian face. Its menacing, yellow-
slitted eyes bore down at us. A forked tongue flicked out from between jagged, yardstick-sized teeth.

                           
-excerpt from
The Conduit

Illustrated by Robert Immings

The lower half of my professor’s face split down the middle.
With a sickening slurp teeth, bone, and flesh pulled away. The insides of his mouth curled back by his ears to release a long, black snake-like tongue with its own set of jagged fangs.

-
excerpt from
Embrace

Illustrated by Robert Immings

They exchanged determined looks and resolute nods that made my eyes roll. It was Eddie that enthused, “We’re the Dark Army Glee Club!”

                            -excerpt from
Embrace

Illustrated by Robert Immings

If I were to draw an angel of wrath it would look exactly as he did in that moment. His broad and battered chest exposed. Eyes blazing. Strong jaw set. A gust of wind blowing the ebony locks back from his face. “Do these look like the badges of a star pupil?”

                            -
excerpt from
Embrace

Illustrated by Crystal Ord

Caleb’s normally pale skin was chalk white. Black veins tracked just below the surface of his skin like a satanic road map. The emerald was gone from his eyes. In its place emanated the haunted black of a Seeker.

-excerpt from
Embrace

Illustrated by Crystal
Ord

I used to have an irrational fear of garden gnomes. Then I met one. Turns out it wasn’t so irrational. They’re evil little jerks.

                            -excerpt from
Sacrifice

Illustrate by Robert Immings

Purple, pink, and gold zigzags decorated the sky. Their image reflected off the water turning it the color of melted gold. “It’s gorgeous.”

“As are you, my love.” He dotted a kiss just below my ear.

I snuggled deeper into his arms and watched as the sun disappeared behind the water’s edge and the sky darkened.

                            -
excerpt from
Sacrifice

Illustrated by Crystal Ord