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And Origin Chapter 2
Hello Reading Friends!
It is Tuesday. It is time for another chapter of ORIGIN. ;)
But before I do that…you will not believe what I got this week…I got my contract for AN ALLIANCE OF ASH AND JADE for things to move forward with the optioning!
Like…there’s a really good chance this is actually going to be made into an anime.
*SCREAMS.
*SCREAMS MORE.
*SCREAMS, FLAILS, AND FANS SELF.
AND…because you’re here, you get a sneak peak. THE EDGES. GASPS!
Absolutely dies of beauty overload. Ashley Bustamante is the cover designer for AN ALLIANCE OF ASH AND JADE. And she did the edge design, too. ;) You should go check her out and become her fan. She does incredible work. The hardback will have multiple full-page, full-color illustrations, as well as these GORGEOUS edges. It’s never too early to pre-order. ;)
Okay. So there’s one other kind of major thing that happened last week…
March 3rd marks FIRST SHIFT’S FIVE YEAR BIRTHDAY. I can scarcely believe my debut debuted five whole years ago. It’s a little mind-numbing. However, as such, my initial contract with the publisher is up. And all the rights to FIRST SHIFT have officially reverted back to me.
But because I still love this story, it’s getting a face lift, and has found a new home at Quill & Flame Publishing House.
I’m delighted to announce that on March 3, 2026, FIRST SHIFT, the second edition, will be available to the public.
You want another sneak peak?
Of course, you do. ;)
I am much pleased. :) EAHCreative also does stunning work. I love the silhouettes!
If you weren’t around in “the werewolf era,” here’s what FIRST SHIFT is about:
Sam Wolfe always follows the rules. Positioned to take over as pack Alpha from his demanding father, Sam has consistently upheld and enforced pack law, until an accidental slip of his teeth puts his entire werewolf pack at risk and shoves the girl he’s not supposed to love into the crosshairs of a killer.
Megan Carmichael is preparing for college and dreams of opening a bakery. But Sam’s bite rips her world apart, thrusting her into a hidden realm of shadows, secrets, and danger. Forced into an awkward relationship with the only boy who can help her, Megan searches for a way to undo what’s been done—before time runs out—or the killer finds her.
When an enemy ambush plunges Sam into the role of Alpha, he and Megan must work together to find the threat, protect the pack, and maybe fall in love.
But they better do it before the next full moon.
Now. For the reason you really opened this email, below the AJ Factoid, you’ll find the next chapter of ORIGIN. ;) I’d love your feedback on the story if you want to offer any. :)
Happy reading.
Cheers!
-AJ
AJ Factoid: I love figure skating. I have since I first watched Kristi Yamaguchi on the TV as a girl. The Winter Olympics figure skating generally makes me super happy (go Team USA!). However, I have discovered I now have a burning need to read a figure skating romance. If anyone happens to have such a book recommendation (PG-13 please and thanks), I’d be most appreciative. ;)
ORIGIN
Chapter 2
I changed into a fresh purple gown and quickly replaited my thick black hair. Consulting myself in the polished bronze disc that hung on my wall, I bit my lip. Unsure, I slipped on my silver circlet so that it rested lightly across my forehead. I nodded. At least I thought I looked the part of the princess well enough.
Slipping out the heavy door of my chambers, I let my fingers trail softly against the grey stones of the wall. Sounds of gathering wafted up from downstairs in the great hall. Feeling decently put together, I stood up straighter, intent on making a good impression. We needed it. More than we’d ever admit.
The goblins had pillaged the countryside, riding their fearsome unicorns, beasts of unparalleled horror and evil. They wreaked havoc, destruction, and threatened our entire way of life. We had to band together, or we’d be exterminated.
Making my way to the hallway, I had only time to step back into the shadows as my sister, Celeste, walked by on Leif’s arm. My chest constricted all over again as I took in her perfectly bejeweled crown of honey-colored braids around her tiara, her figure, far more voluptuous than mine, draped regally in sapphire velvet. Leif smiled at her, his icy blue eyes attentive as she leaned in and said something.
So much for my fine preening. I’d never live up to my sister’s beauty or her womanly graces. I was so much plainer. I wouldn’t have minded if that were it. But I always did the wrong thing or said something inappropriate. My father wasn’t the only one who grew frustrated with my lack of grace. I frustrated myself on a regular basis.
“You look nice, Mariss,” Peter, my friend the stable boy said, breaking into my thoughts as he walked toward me.
“Thanks, Peter. Important guests and all.” I shrugged and forced a smile. He easily returned it and tipped his dark hair down the hall.
“Shall we?” he asked. He didn’t offer his arm, but we trudged in companionable silence.
***
Lord Redstorm was seated, though somewhat awkwardly, at the table on the dais at the far end of the hall. The large horse portion of his body was draped across the platform, his dark tail swishing over the edge. The man himself was as imposing as the last time I’d seen him. He wore not a stitch of clothing save the boiled leather vest that covered his torso, leaving his powerful arms exposed. Double crossed swords—one a standard broadsword, the other a lightly curved weapon favored by the centaurs—rested in their scabbards across his wide back. If it had been any other guest attending table that weaponized, I’d have thought them ill mannered. Not the centaurs. They went nowhere without a weapon, and it was one thing I’d taken from their culture. I let my fingers grace the pommel of the dagger I wore on my belt.
The majority of the castle inhabitants were already gathered at the long trestle tables. Peter nodded to me once more and took a seat near Abrianna, Cullen’s sister. I smiled to myself. They’d make a nice match if Abrianna ever got over her shyness. My smile faltered as my eyes tracked to my sister and Leif as they ascended the steps to the dais. Celeste had her arm looped through Leif’s, her neatly trimmed nails buffed to a shine and as tidy as the rest of her. I glanced down at my own hands. A light ring of dirt was constantly under the rims of my fingernails. Callouses tipped each finger, and my palms were not as smooth as a lady’s should be. I swallowed back the shame that threatened to rise, clenched my fingers into fists, straightened my back, and ascended the dais.
“Lady Mariss,” Lord Redstorm said, his brown eyes sparking with intelligence, his jaw sharp.
“Lord Redstorm, pleasant as always to see you again.”
He nodded.
“My apologies for my tardiness,” Da said as he bustled up the stairs and pulled my chair out as he passed behind me. “Lord Redstorm, daughters, Lord Trindon.” Da met gazes around the table and squeezed my shoulder gently as I sat, and he pushed my chair in.
To the rest of the room, I’m sure it looked like a kind, fatherly gesture. And it was. But it was also a reminder to hold my impulsive tongue and not say anything wretched during the noon meal.
Chief Camran took his seat, his usual leanly muscled frame bulked by the layers of rich cloth he wore. Beneath all the pomp, he was a man of the earth. He trained, worked hard, loved his people well, and missed my mother. These things defined him.
Pen trotted up the stairs on his goat hooves, carrying a platter of sliced meats and cheese. His sister Win followed behind, her curly hair falling into her eyes. Her delicate hooves made next to no noise after Pen’s loud clatter. She set her tray of bread and fruit at my end of the table.
“Please eat, Lord Redstorm,” Da urged. The centaur heaped his plate full and began munching as Leif portioned food onto Celeste’s plate and Da filled mine as was custom.
“Pork or beef?” Da asked me.
“Both.” My mouth watered. My father’s jaw tightened. Dragon dung. I should have showed more restraint in front of guests.
“I like a hearty appetite in a woman,” Lord Redstorm said approvingly around a bite of nut-studded cheese. Would that I could melt into the rush-strewn floor.
“How have the borders of your territory been? Any attacks?” Leif asked, mercifully pulling the focus away from me and my rumbling belly. He glanced sideways at me as he sipped everflower nectar from his goblet. Celeste had a smile pasted on her face. Mortified heat threatened my cheeks.
Remembering to chew slowly and mimic my sister’s graceful actions, I listened intently for news of the goblins.
The centaur swallowed his bite. “It is grave. Our territory has not been lost, but I fear the goblins grow ever bolder. They know no fear as they fight. Only the fierceness of my warriors has held them off this long.”
“It is the same here,” Da admitted. “At the last attack—an outlying village in the Chiefdom—it was reported that they had devised a new weapon. A way to harness more magic from the unicorns and shoot it like lightning.”
Lord Redstorm frowned at the pork on his plate before lifting a portion to his mouth and chewing it thoughtfully. “If I may be frank?” Da nodded and Leif stopped eating to watch the centaur. “This alliance grows more needed by the day. We of Clan Redstorm are willing to make this alliance, but feel it is only fair that it be completely mutual. Though it is not custom between centaurs and elves, I suggest a marriage alliance. My son is of an age and will inherit the clan title after me. It would elevate your second daughter and solidify our friendship. We will then link armies and work together with King Trindon,” he nodded to Leif as he continued, “to defeat this insidious evil that plagues our lands.”
Before I could control my actions, I jerked to my feet, my chair tipping over behind me. “I cannot marry a centaur,” I blurted.
Silence reigned the great hall. Celeste gasped. Leif’s knuckles were white as he gripped the stem of his goblet. Da slowly closed his eyes as a longsuffering sigh gusted between his lips. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Lord Redstorm’s eyes hardened, his jaw flexing, anger emanating from the bunched muscles of his biceps.
“Mariss, please leave the table,” Da said, restrained anger in his words.
I fled.
Woot! That's awesome! Congrats!
Congrats!