#A G Howard

[books-in-a-storm]

February 2025 JOMPBPC: Day 1 February Goals

[a-hearts-a-heavy-burden]

The way I have been completely losing myself in this book. I freaking love reading so much.

PotO retelling with a PotO instrumental playlist!!

Bliss

[im-goin-mad]

what business did like 12 y/o me have reading a kinky alice in wonderland au

[razreads]

Inspiration is a fickle and vicious mistress.

A.G. Howard, RoseBlood

[wondereads]

Weekly Reading Update (02/26/24)

Reviews and thoughts under the cut

The Odyssey by Homer, trans. Emily Wilson (6/10)

This was my first time reading the Odyssey, even though I've enjoyed Greek mythology for years. It was so interesting to see the origins of so many myths, even ones that don't technically relate to the core story of Odysseus since Homer was a huge fan of going off on tangents. This certainly does not ascribe to modern standards of storytelling, often jumping around and repeating whole passages, but it's all a result of it originally being oral poetry. It definitely didn't capture my attention like a more modern tale would, but it was still incredibly interesting when considering all the history around it.

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (10/10)

I reread Legendborn to prepare for Bloodmarked, and I swear it just got better. There's a perfect balance of plot and character in this book, with just enough focus on the complex worldbuilding and buildup to the big plot twist and just enough on the character relationships and Bree's personality and her struggle with grief. I'd literally do anything for Bree. I know she's got two amazing love interests, who Deonn did a great job with making both totally viable options (throuple please), but she should date me. There's also a lot of time devoted to the issue of racism and how deep-seated it is, especially in the south, in blatant, slur-using ways and more subtle ways that come from even the characters we're supposed to like. Deonn weaves the social issues into her story, and they both build each other up.

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow (9/10)

I've read a few of the more recent gothic fantasies, and most of them have let me down, but not this one! I really like the atmosphere, and Harrow balances the ethereal language really well with a character voice that is more down-to-earth. Opal is a really strong main character, and her relationships are really well-developed. One thing I loved was that even if there had been no romance, I think the story would have turned out the same because Opal and her love interest have a bond that works just as well platonically. The story behind Starling House is incredibly interesting, and it's so cool that we got multiple versions. I love the fairy tale-esque children's literature influences, and the ending is satisfying. My only complaint is that sometimes the atmosphere sweeps away some of the technical details.

Stain by A. G. Howard (CR, 35%)

Another reread, I've finally gotten some other people to read it with me. I'm immensely enjoying going through this book again, and I'm really taking time with it, especially since the language is so flowery and inexact. I do feel the urge to rush forward and get to my favorite parts, but I'm forcing myself to slow down. It's so much fun to see my friends read it as well!

[charlenasaxen]

Favorite Quotes - Stain by A. G. Howard

Dark tears fell to her feet, a violet rain spattering the white marble.

Within that smile, the princess saw the deadly slant of her future

the prince lifted his father's limp hand and placed it atop his head. this very palm had ruffled his hair

"Leave a lantern and my fur. My place is by my king's side, until his final breath."

He wasn't born to be Nerezeth's evening star. He was born to be their sun.

you might trust the scope of my devotion. Think of me each time you see the dusting of dusk

She would never know him, and he would never know he was being fooled.

“Meet me halfway. Compromise tastes sweetest when offered by a friend's hand.”

So delicate and perfect. Just as he imagined her to be. Eager to experience that alongside her

Selena rushed over and hugged him. Vesper held her-cheek pressed to her head.

"But I'm still the prince . . . your king. Come closer. One sniff, and you'll remember."

He pulled off his skintight hood, leaving his white hair mussed.

She looked like an angel. He wished she was, so she could heal his gatekeepers.

His first knight entered the clearing and together they slid from their saddles.

No doubt sending silent assurance to Selena that he’d watch over her brother.

“Step back, son,” Vesper said, grasping the boy’s scrawny elbow

slammed his head into Vesper’s chest. The prince’s golden shin gave out and he fell backward

Vesper gripped his friend’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Cyp.”

this vexing fascination for those lips and eyes, for that fighting spirit

“his skintight assassin’s uniform that shimmered like scales along his tall, masculine frame—appearing lethal as a black snake”

“They were fighting on the ground. There’s something to be said for his gentleness”

Scorch lowered his long neck and bent a lithe, graceful foreleg in a bow

“I’ll see that you have revenge one day. Whoever hurt you will answer to both of us”

a man in a white shirt and black leathery breeches—tight enough to conform to his sinewy, masculine lines

“Hang me on the wall naked beside their finest creations. See how long it takes”

“several maids who would swoon at the prospect of such a sight even now.”

His sister coaxed him to sit beside the fire. Drawing out her dagger, she shouted

“The leaves are changing color. That was Lyra’s favorite thing to watch for. At last it’s come, and she’s missed it.”

“All those letters he’s written. So broken; he expects me to have some missing piece of him. She’s gone forever, as is his chance to live. He’s coming here so I can watch him die.”

There was only Vesper himself, whole again, alone in the depths

Something was lying beside her, large, warm, and breathing. Long, silky hair tickled her cheek. The prince. It was as if a layer of gilt had been painted across ripples of muscle.

The prince’s eyelashes twitched, as if he could sense the brazen inquiry of his body

He let her go and stood, towering over her. His muscles spasmed beneath his shredded shirt

“I’m a man,” he said.

The flickering intensity returned behind his eyes as he squeezed.

“Do you feel that?” he whispered. “I’m touching you.”

the smoldering sensation of their skin almost touching, at soft curves yielding to hard angles and planes.

He lifted his head, his mouth at her ear. “Show me how fierce you are, tiny trifling thing. I predict, this time, you can convince me to let you win.”

Then he smiled in wonder, a stunning flash of white teeth

“Yet it wasn’t, was it? For the part of me I thought I’d lost was here all along, with you”

“That in your darkest moment, when you’d lost yourself, you found me.”

touching him as he slept . . . laying across his chest with nothing but threads separating their flesh.

“a foundling, a thief, my most loyal friend. She’s the only one who can cure me. I need her. Find Stain!”

Selena stroked his hair with a gloved hand. “Your welfare is more important”

Selena tried to answer but a sob caught in her throat. “Yes.” Cyprian took over. “He’s been trying to speak”

Cyprian’s desperate shouts launched everyone into action

She saw her true self at last: a murdered princess, resurrected.

“It remained in Nerezeth with the prince. A boy who learnt to speak in sign for a girl he’d yet to meet”

the one she’d laughed, quarreled, and ran with over the past five years—made the question moot. She loved him enough to try

“Tell me, what lengths will ye go to, to save him as the man?”

“The flying donkey . . . is a prince?”

“The prince,” Crony corrected.

a gold-gilded likeness of Nerezeth’s evening star—from his toes to the lovely bow of his upper lip

Though in truth, she’d been dancing with a prince . . . her betrothed, and neither had known it.

only one girl had ever managed to gentle it.

“You were mad to let him go. If I’d had that hard, royal body pressed to mine”

Selena said, standing beside the desk where Cyprian sat. Her hand rested at the back of the knight’s neck.

“Am I no longer your king? Must I add anointing a new first knight to this day’s list?”

“Enough: No harm shall come to these two. They’re here on royal business.”

They surrounded their king with soft nickers of greeting. He fussed over each of them.

“Careful, you might never get rid of me this time.” His flirtatious taunt circled.

“I’m counting on it,”

he spun them both in a circle, his free arm snug at her waist. His touch left her breathless.

“I will help you. I’ll see that you have your revenge. Those who hurt you will answer to us, and will bow to you as their queen”

draw her body against him, leaving no question as to his complete transformation to a man

“Better than what a certain donkey used to leave behind. You’re just jealous that I wear the wings now.”

“I learned your secret voice as it gentled my rage. I’ll never need to see to know it’s you.”

looked at the stags resting peacefully

Vesper whistled low as he took her in her appearance. “Such brutal beauty.”

he was tall but lithe—corded muscles. Yet he had a presence about him, a feral confidence.

“Or find the courage to face the wrath of two kingdoms spurned. I leave the choice to you.”

“For the sake of my sister’s honor,” Vesper smirked.

Cyprian grinned back.

she hugged him. He held her close

He knelt in front of Lyra. “My queen, grant me one favor.”

Lyra stroked his hand and nodded.

“My Lady Queen, vengeance is yours”

She touched his brow affectionately, and he kissed the slippers on her feet.

“To show my gratitude, I will tell you how it’s going to end, since you won’t be here to see for yourself”

he called a stag to his side. It came willingly, lowering its prong tips

“That was his final memory, thinking of the life he’d wanted to live with you.”

Vesper scoffed. “This from the girl who used to beg me to carry her every day for five years straight.”

they were rewarded with a more altruistic and attainable ending, in which they shared a hopeful ever after

[sidneylover122]

Wine Pon You

Warnings! Smut, G!P Y/N, Cursing

Y/n Bennett had been friends with Lexi Howard for a long time. You and your sister, Rue, had known Lexi since they were little kids. Lexi was your best friend, but you wanted to be more than friends. You had a crush on Lexi. You had been each other’s first kiss. Lexi had asked you to help her practice. You had loved Lexi since the day you met her. You only realized it when Lexi asked you that question.

You had told Rue and made her promise not to tell Lexi. What you didn’t know is Lexi liked you back. She had told Rue about it and also made her promise not to tell each other. She had liked you since your first kiss. She had felt something in that kiss that she had never felt before. Now that they were juniors Lexi was tired of being the usual introvert. She wanted you to know how she felt. She planned to ask you to take her virginity so she could have “experience”. She knew about your condition and that you were born with a dick.

You had just gotten out of your last class of the day. You were walking to your car when you hear someone yelling your name. It was Lexi. She caught up to you and asked if you could take her home. You agreed and began to drive to her house. When you got there she pulled you in for a kiss. You were surprised but kissed back. She said she liked you and you said you liked her too. She said that her sister and mom were out of the house if you wanted to come in. You said yes. You got out and helped her out. You began to walk to her front door and she let you in.

She began to walk up the stairs and you can’t help but watch the way her hips sway when she walks. Your mouth begins to water at the anticipation of what might happen tonight. You run up the stairs to catch up to her. She leads you into the bedroom that she shares with Cassie. You sit on the edge of her bed as she begins to walk up to you. She lifts your chin up to look at her. She pulls you in to kiss her. You pull her into your lap as you being to make out. She starts grinding down and you both moan when she rubs against your hard on. You pull away and ask her, “Are you sure about this?” She says, “I’m sure” She pulls you back in and pushes you to lay down. She then grabs the hem of your shirt and you take it off and pull off hers too. You unzip your pants and pull them down along with your boxers. You pull her to stand up and you help her pull down her pants and panties. You then get on your knees.

You begin to lick up and down her pussy, moaning at the taste. You bring your hand down and begin to rub circles on her clit as you lick up and down her folds. She moans loudly when you begin to quicken your pace. You stick your tongue in and she moans your name loudly. You begin to push in and out of her pussy with your tongue then you replace your tongue with your fingers. She tightens around your long middle and ring finger. You curl them and hit that spongy spot in her pussy. She moans loudly as you begin to move your fingers in and out of her at a quick pace. You can feel her getting closer to cumming. You begin to speed up your pace as she tightens around you. She cums all over your fingers moaning your name over and over again.

You then to take off your pants and boxers. You stroke your dick until it’s fully hard and then you line it up with her entrance. You push in slowly so you don’t hurt her. You wait till she’s ready and then pull back out. You push back in until your all the way inside of her. You begin to push in and out of her at a fast pace. Moaning at how tight she is. You lean down to kiss her while you try to not cum too fast. She just feels so good around you like her pussy was made for your dick. She’s moaning in the kiss and scratching down your back when you speed up your pace. You can feel yourself coming close but you hold off until she cums first. You bring your thumb down and rub circles in her clit until you feel her tighten around you. Cumming all over your dick you feel like you’re about to cum so you pull out. She gets off the bed and drops to her knees. You get the message and get off the bed as well. You walk up to her and she wraps her hands around the base of your dick and licks your tip. She then wraps her lips around it and starts sucking. She starts bobbing her head up and down your dick. You can’t take it anymore releasing in her mouth moaning her name.

She gets up and swallows. You tell her, “I’ve loved you since the day I met you Lexi. I’ve wanted to do that for so long. Do you want to be my girlfriend?” She replies, “Yes Y/n. I’ve loved you for so long.” You help her clean up and then you cuddle and fall asleep together.

[deadpresidents]

Photographs of some past Presidential funeral processions through Washington, D.C.: Abraham Lincoln (1865); William McKinley (1901); William Howard Taft (1930); Warren G. Harding (1923); Franklin D. Roosevelt (1945); John F. Kennedy (1963); Ronald Reagan (2004); and, George H.W. Bush (2018).

[msachillelaurosfunnels]

I drew the US Presidents ⁉️⁉️

Constructive criticism is not allowed ⁉️⁉️(Because I only draw for fun lol, not mad or anything tho)

I couldn't tag anymore presidents 💔💔

[tthevoic3s]

From Blood Births Life and Death - Chapter 11

Promised

Word count: 3,026

MASTERPOST

“Woah dude, you look awful.” 

Levi’s voice interrupted Andrew’s flow of thoughts, breaking the peaceful silence of the library as he appeared at the entrance, leaning on the doorframe. 

Andrew’s head snapped up, and he raised an eyebrow, shooting his brother a glare. 

“Thanks for the reminder.” he muttered, voice dripping with sarcasm.

In fact, it wasn’t like after that night Andrew looked the best. He had dark circles under his eyes, and his hair was still messy and disheveled, some strands loosely tied behind and some falling on his forehead. He looked anything but a person who had some proper rest, and his brother took the chance to remind him.

Levi brought his hands up in sign of mock surrender, shrugging lightly. 

“Relax, I was just saying,” he replied, his usual grin spread across his face accompanied by a teasing tone in his voice. But then, he took a better view of his brother’s face, his expression shifted. 

Andrew stiffened. His hand instinctively shot to the small wound on his left cheek, wincing as he tried to clean the blood away but only smudging it further. He felt a surge of nervousness as he remembered about the small injury.

 “Hey, what’s that on your face? Are you… bleeding?”

“It’s… nothing. I’ll be right back,” he said, his tone clipped, and before Levi could even think of another question, he got up from his chair and darted towards the small restroom in the rear of the library. He shut the door behind him, taking a deep breath. 

For how much he tried not to overthink it the night before, it didn’t solve much. He just delayed it to the ‘tomorrow’ he wanted to get alive to. 

He grabbed a small cloth and started cleaning up the wound as he looked at the mirror.

He twitched again as he brushed it against the freshly torn skin, his eyes snapping close for a second to recoil from the pain, hissing through clenched teeth. 

It wasn’t that bad, yet it still stung. 

Maybe it was not only the cut.

Everything that happened that night.

The soldier, the shot, the insults, everything.

When he finished, he stayed still, looking at his reflection in the mirror. The cut was something new, like a new accessory. He wasn’t used to see it on his face, but normally a small scar wouldn’t have been a big deal for him. Yet, this one was almost odd to look at on his reflection. He leaned closer, his hands resting on the sink below. He tilted his head slightly, his gaze locked on his own eyes, searching for... what? Redemption? Clarity? He wasn’t sure.

It shouldn’t bother me this much. It’s just a cut. But deep down, he knew it wasn’t the scar itself that disturbed him. It was what it represented. It was like he had a weird perception of himself after what happened. Which was, by all chances, crazy. He felt like he was going crazy. Something that anyone could picture as a minor inconvenience was having that effect on him. He was sure as hell it was only his mind amplifying the matter, like it always used to do. Nobody would have cared about humans, given the fact that they shouldn’t have interacted in the first place. It was just him making it a big deal. 

Or at least, he tried to convince himself of such. 

Now that he knew Maya wasn’t in trouble, he tried to reassure himself by believing that he wouldn’t have got involved in that human affair again, but still, too many thoughts were lingering in his mind and had no intention to fly away any time soon. Still, the soldier’s terrified gaze stayed impressed in his mind like a vivid picture, and her shouted insults rang in his ears. Having scared her that much made him feel awful. Maybe it was that that came with the scar. What he saw in the mirror was not a new perception he had of himself, but the one she had had. And not only the soldier, maybe. Even Maya, maybe humans in general, with the sole fact that they couldn’t interact with his kind. What did it even mean? It wasn’t like he - or anybody he knew - was dangerous, after all. So being stared at with that kind of pure terror made him not only feel weird, but also doubled his questions. 

The soldier’s fear didn’t feel just like an insult; it was casting a reflection of a side of him he didn’t recognize, and didn’t want to acknowledge, no matter if it was true or only the fruit of that soldier’s - or humans’ - ideas.

And I had promised myself I would have stopped overthinking about it. 

He cursed under his breath as he stepped away from the mirror, adjusting his shirt collar as to make himself more presentable again. 

“Hey, are you okay?” Levi’s voice rang out again, his expression worried. Andrew turned towards the door and nodded, a small smile on his lips trying to hide the nervousness beneath.

“You… don’t come here frequently,” Andrew began, as they made their way to the main hall. 

“Well, light day at the market I guess.” Levi replied, leaning on the counter in the centre of the room. 

“Thought I’d take the opportunity to pay my favorite little brother a visit.” He said with a smirk, playfully ruffling his already messy hair. Andrew smiled, though it didn’t really reach his eyes. 

“No need to thank me anyways,” Levi continued, “Do you ever get out of here? Some fresh air should help you, you know?” He prompted, raising an eyebrow as he scanned Andrew’s figure.

“Help me with what, precisely?” He asked, raising an eyebrow as he shot him a glare.

“I mean, look at you. You look like you haven’t slept in ages. Feeling stressed lately?”

Andrew stiffened at the question. For the first time, he felt like he wanted to open up and explain what was troubling him. Which, again, was crazy. He never told anyone about his problems, not even as a kid. He just learnt to solve them by himself, but now there wasn’t much to solve, or anything he could do anyways. Just wait and see. Despite that, the only thing he wanted to do was to spill the tea. Maybe telling Levi could have helped him for once, but he couldn’t risk it. He didn’t know what was going on, and he couldn’t afford to drag other people into that mess. He didn’t know if Levi would even believe him. And he made a promise, after all.

“Yeah, a bit.” Andrew replied curtly. “You know, work… but everything’s fine, I guess. Nothing’s new.”

Levi crossed his arms over his chest, his head tilting in suspicion.

“You know one thing, little brother?” He started, his voice etched with curiosity. “Since you were a kid, you’ve always been a terrible liar. I’m not even going to ask you how you got that scratch on your face. I’ll save you the fatigue of making something up.”

Andrew’s gaze dropped to the ground, and he bit his lip in frustration.

“Really, it’s fine, Levi.” He replied, his tone dropping low and embarrassed. 

Levi never deserved being lied to, he was his brother. It wasn’t fair, but he couldn’t do otherwise.

Levi, in all response, just shrugged and walked over to him.

“Well, if you say so… but if something’s off, you know you can tell me, right?”

Andrew nodded, looking at him in the eyes, a faint smile on his lips. Despite how different they were from each other, Levi tried to bear with Andrew’s excessively reserved attitude ever since they were kids. And, even if he didn’t show it, Andrew appreciated that. 

—

At least, Andrew wasn’t the one who felt shaken by the recent incident, if we call it this way. 

Now far and hidden from the village, Sadie Howard’s hands kept shaking endlessly as she clutched the neatly folded report of the mission, her polished boots clinking on the metal floor of the base as she made her way to the meeting room. The mission was over, and the General demanded to have a report, as it was obvious to be. What wasn’t obvious was the actual turnout of said mission, and Sadie was the one to know it best. Rather, she was the only one that knew, and could afford, to know it.

Even breathing was difficult, and her best efforts were given to maintain an air of composure when she had to explain - or rather, to lie about - what happened that night.

They couldn’t know she failed. She could not fail. She could not fail.

She had been repeating the same thing over and over, over and over, like a broken record, but it didn’t help her at all. If not, it just made her feel even more detached from reality. The sounds and the voices of the people around her were muffled, muted by the background noise of her thoughts swirling in her mind restlessly.

She gripped the sides of the folder tighter, as to anchor herself a bit, and quickened her pace.

She had worked on the report the whole night, locked herself in the office, with her tears spilling on the computer keyboard. Every detail she had written was carefully chosen to omit the truth of her encounter with Andrew—the panic, the insults, the way she had stumbled through the confrontation and left with more questions than answers. She told herself she had done it to avoid repercussions, to follow protocol. But deep down, she knew there was another reason, one she couldn’t quite admit to herself.

Her usually perfect nails were ruined by constant biting, and she dug them deep into the skin of her palm, almost scratching herself. 

They couldn’t know.

It had to be a secret.

Even he had promised, after all. And if he kept that promise, nothing would have changed. Not whatever plans Higgs was working on, not her reputation, not her. Not her. 

It had been only an accident, a misstep along the way, nothing irreparable — at least she hoped. 

It didn’t define her as a soldier, as a person, as a part of something bigger. It didn’t change her duties, her successes. Her only failure couldn’t outshine her uncountable successes. But, maybe, the fact that bothered her was that it was her only failure. And she couldn’t shake the sensation off. Sadie could almost still feel the weight of his gaze piercing through her body, as if it could shake her from the core.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, forcing herself to relax as she reached the hall which preceded the main meeting room.

Not now, Sadie. Concentrate. 

She finally pushed the heavy metal door open, straightening her posture as she strode inside. 

“Ah, Junior, here you are,” - Higgs’ voice greeted her first, dripping with something close to irony - “Safe and sound.”

Yeah, safe and sound. 

Sadie glanced around the meeting room, her eyes scanning figure to figure. Higgs’ broad frame was leaning on the edge of the table, while some soldiers from one of the research units were listening quietly from the side of the room. 

She knew them. Erickson unit, they were the best in their field. Friedrich Strauss himself had chosen them, after all. They gave her a condescending glance, some of them directly glared at her. No one wanted to give her concrete attention, but their stares and glance exchanges spoke more than words. 

At the end of the table, standing before the large electronic whiteboard’s screen, there was her. Nobody less than Dr. Laura Howard herself, her mother. She met her daughter’s gaze with the same cold, unyielding eyes she always looked at her with since Sadie was a child.

Laura didn’t talk, didn’t greet her, just glanced at her, her eyebrows furrowing, as her daughter made her way inside the meeting room.

“We were right about to start,” Scott continued, now walking towards Laura after snatching the folder from Sadie’s arms. 

He ran his fingers through the written papers, his eyes quickly sweeping from one side of the sheet to the other. 

“So,” he glanced up to Sadie, raising an eyebrow. “The documents have been found inside the target’s house, but they don’t seem to prove any kind of involvement from him…” he summarised quickly, his tone questioning.

Sadie nodded firmly, trying to maintain her composure, despite the cold sweat dripping on her back. 

“But, given the fact there has been no interaction,” the General continued, his tone growing colder, “We have no sure way to know if the subject is actively involved or not.” 

“No, sir.” Sadie muttered, her hands clasped behind her back. 

“Interesting,”

 General Higgs finally closed the folder in front of him with a sharp snap, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Well, Junior,” Higgs began, “your report is clear. No interaction, documents retrieved, successful mission. But I have a question for you.”

Sadie’s throat tightened, but she forced herself to nod. “Yes, sir?”

Higgs leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on the table. 

“This Andrew,” he said, his tone dripping with disdain. “You’re telling me he has no connection to the matter at hand?”

“That’s… correct, sir,” Sadie replied, her voice as steady as she could manage.  “There was no indication that he was aware of our operations or the documents in question.”

Higgs’ sharp eyes narrowed, and for a moment, the room felt even colder. “Interesting,” he repeated slowly. “Because from where I’m sitting, this guy sounds like an unnecessary variable. A young, inexperienced giant with too much curiosity for his own good, if you know what I mean.”

Sadie said nothing, her hands clenching tightly in her lap. She could feel the weight of his words pressing down on her, the implication clear.

“Even if he doesn’t know about our plans, he knows about humans, since he interacted with Maya Strauss. Therefore, he’s not just a variable,” Higgs continued, his voice growing colder. “He’s a problem. And problems need to be eliminated.”

The statement hung in the air like a death sentence - well, in a certain sense, it was a death sentence, even if not for her - and Sadie felt her breath catch. Her mind raced, but before she could think, her mouth opened, the words spilling out without permission. 

“Sir, I don’t think that’s the best course of action.”

The silence that followed was deafening. 

Higgs’ blue eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, she thought she might have made a fatal mistake. The other soldiers in the room exchanged uneasy glances, but no one dared to speak. Even Laura’s eyes widened, staring at her daughter. She felt like her own world was about to collapse because of those few words she spat without thinking. 

“Excuse me, Junior?” Higgs said, his tone dangerously calm.

Sadie straightened in her seat, her heart hammering in her chest. She needed to think about an excuse, or else they would know.

“Eliminating him outright could draw unnecessary attention, sir,” she corrected herself quickly. “If he truly doesn’t know anything, his disappearance might raise suspicion among his community.”

Higgs raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical, but still willing to listen to her. “And what makes you so sure he doesn’t know anything?”

“I observed him, sir,” Sadie replied, choosing her words carefully. “That was part of the mission. His behavior was consistent with someone uninvolved. He showed no awareness of the documents or their significance.”

Higgs leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in front of him. “So you’re suggesting we… keep observing him instead?”

“Yes, sir,” Sadie said, trying to keep her voice calm. “If we monitor his movements, we might gain a better understanding of their society and their level of awareness. It could provide valuable intelligence for the… further plans.” 

Higgs stared at her for a moment more, his eyes locked onto hers, with a suspicious expression. Then, he snorted and nodded.

“Makes sense, Junior. But let me make one thing clear. These giants are not a civilization. They’re a nuisance. They occupy land that belongs to us. They contribute nothing to this world, and they have no place in it.”

Sadie clenched her fists under the table, her nails digging into her palms. “Yes, sir,” she said quickly, trying to mask her growing unease.

“I know sir, and I… agree,” she said, her voice losing her initial firmness. “But my point is that… if we act too quickly, we risk exposing our presence. Observing him gives us the advantage. If he does know something, we’ll be able to confirm it. If he doesn’t, we’ve avoided unnecessary risk.”

Higgs stopped pacing and turned to face her, his expression unreadable. “You seem awfully invested in this, Junior,” he said slowly, his tone laced with suspicion. “Why is that?”

Sadie felt a chill run down her spine. He couldn’t know. 

 “I’m just following protocol, sir,” she said quickly. “Eliminating him without evidence would be reckless.”

Higgs studied her for a long moment, his gaze piercing. “And you’re certain he didn’t see you?” he asked, his voice dangerously calm - and skeptical.

“Yes, sir,” Sadie lied, her stomach twisting as her mind seemed to rewind the whole failed mission. She felt her heart pulsing further, and for a moment, the words seemed to get stuck in her throat. 

“I was careful. I wasn’t seen.”

Higgs’ eyes narrowed, but he finally nodded. “Fine,” he said curtly. “We’ll observe him. I’ll leave this to you and the Erickson unit. - he said, gesturing towards the soldiers standing near them.

 “But make no mistake, Junior—if I so much as suspect that he knows anything, I want him gone. Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” Sadie nodded, and looked at her hands clasped together in her lap, fidgeting nervously.

She had lied to Higgs. She had lied to her mother. But the worst part was that she had protected Andrew, however subtly, and she hated herself for it. She couldn’t understand how she managed to care, and, most of all, why. 

[spanktony]

request rules!

request status: open!

masterlist.

who do write for?

resident evil: jill valentine, claire redfield, and ada wong.

euphoria: maddy perez & cassie howard.

the walking dead: maggie greene, rosita espinosa, and magna.

le sserafim: kim chaewon, huh yunjin, and kazuha.

extra: olivia rodrigo, madison beer, jenna ortega, doona (from doona! on netflix), valkyrae, pokimane, and karina & winter (aespa).

genres: fluff, angst, smut. (please be specific when you’re requesting!)

reader types: g!p reader (never characters), gn!reader, fem, or male. (if requested)

what i don’t write: bottom!reader (when reader is afab), incest, age play, self-harm, and certain kinks.

please be patient with me if i do not fulfill your request. dont take offense! 🩷

[books-in-a-storm]

September 2024 FDBPC: Day 4 National Wildfire Day

[a-hearts-a-heavy-burden]

Listen to me...

Anita's books are always stunning

[thehauntedrocket]

Vintage Pulp - Startling Stories (Nov1939)

Art by Howard V. Brown

Standard Publications

[razreads]

Pretty faces were no more than masks worn to justify laziness and intellectual monotony.

A.G. Howard, RoseBlood

[wondereads]

Weekly Reading Update (03/04/24)

Reviews and thoughts under the cut

Stain by A. G. Howard (9/10)

I had a great time rereading this book. This is the only book by A. G. Howard I've read that is high fantasy, not low or contemporary, and I honestly wish she did it more. She really nails the ethereal atmosphere which pairs beautifully with the fairy tale inspiration. This book is a bit on the slow side, and such flowery language isn't for everyone, but I think the mood is immaculate. Lyra and Vesper continue to be one of my favorite romances; their interactions in the last few chapters always have me giggling.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (6/10)

This book is honestly super intriguing and does a great job of building suspense. However, the last half is so oddly rushed with disjointed writing and so many sudden revelations that I felt like I was in a fever dream. Mara, despite being described as "not like other girls" by the love interest himself (a line that almost made me put down the book) is honestly quite likable as a main character. Personally, I would not put a normal high school life above addressing my hallucinations and constant trail of death, but other than that, Mara tends to react pretty reasonably and has a good inner struggle going on. The romance is probably what kept this book at 3 stars for me. Is it healthy? Hell no. But it is fun and they've got great chemistry. As for the negative, like I said, this book sort of goes off the rails. While I don't mind the paranormal elements, the random confession from Noah, deus ex machina potion, and general rushed writing makes it fall apart. There's a bit too much going on and not nearly enough time devoted to each scene. Still, what a great twist at the end.

A Bargain with the Fae King by Megan van Dyke (CR, 63%)

So far, this book is honestly just kind of boring. The whole story revolves around the main character, Lia, trying to get her little sister back, and there's a sort of half-hearted attempt to bring in some fae politics, but so far all it's done is slow things down. Lia herself is a very annoying main character. Half of what she does is berate and feel sorry for herself, only to proceed to make the same mistakes over and over, often by demanding she get to do things the other characters have very good reasons for trying to keep her from doing. It's a fantasy romance, and the chemistry is decent, but most romantic scenes are ruined by Lia harping on about her sister. There's nothing wrong with being worried, but her constant self-pitying is getting repetitive, especially when she's been told she needs to be patient.

Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn (CR, 35%)

On the other side of the spectrum, so much is happening in this book and I'm eating it up. I really like that it's taking the route of going against the Order because I don't trust those Regents as far as I could throw them. I also like that race continues to be a prominent theme even though Bree should technically be in power at this point, as frustrating as it is. It was so satisfying to see Bree call the Regents out for their prejudice, as much as they try to hide it. I hope Bree, Nick, and Sel are reunited in this book since I love their trio dynamic.