A Story in the Laresa World Universe
(Follow-up to "Deified", completing Nathifa's tale) Laresa and Nathifa are living a quiet, simple life among their newly adopted people, but Laresa is troubled. Recent events have eroded her ability to brush off that she is Djinn, and thus a slave. Being so close to Nathifa, only recently freed from the bonds of the Djinn herself, is a source of turmoil for Laresa as well. The village also faces danger as "Those who live outside the light" stalk the peaceful community.
Young minds are being counseled against the abuse of illegal substances. Society should be appaluded for instituting such advice. The intent here is not to argue against this counsel. It is also not to criticize the fine police forces that are employed in the free world. They are charged with a truely difficult task and are doing their best to keep society free from dangerous criminals...And they do a damn outstanding job !
A high-school student comes to terms with some remarkable abilities, and learns that all the Newtons and Joules of the universe can not solve the problems at the frontier of the human soul.
Her boyfriend joined the Navy and they weren't going to get married until she graduated. She was worried he might stray. So she sent him a video, trying to act sexy. The only person she could think of to take that video was her daddy.
Clarissa is a precocious teenager who becomes sexually wise beyond her years when she finds her parents are much more than they seem to be. Can she learn what she needs to know to join the world they have chosen to inhabit?
A single mother working for a temp housecleaning service needs to earn more money. She gets a tip about a new client and goes to see about working there. It pays a lot better and the working conditions are... unique!
An explosion and fire leaves Cosette, 10, and her mom Syl in crisis, they stay with their divorced neighbor Julie. But where's Sette's dad (Theo)? At Julie's, her ex-husband and his gorgeous admin (now his 2nd wife) visit often, staying, uh, overnight. Together in her bed. Really? How does that even work? Theo is back; he's studly in bed but unemployed, they're at risk for homelessness. Fond of Sette, Julie worries. What to do? (No under 18 sex.)