This is the landing page for my latest and current longer-form project, the Fifth Law. It is a fantasy story currently planned to be a trilogy of novels, the first of which is tentatively titled the Break of Dawn. It stars a young transgender magician as she struggles with her identity, mental health, and relationships, all the while trying to survive and thrive in an oppressive political system that she’s fortunate enough only wants her partly dead. Sound familiar?
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A Beau at the Ball “Okay, Addie,” she whispered to herself. “You can do this.” Adelaide Vermillion looked herself up and down in the tall, only slightly smudged mirror and sat in one corner of her dimly lit bedchamber. It was evening by now, and the light of the glowlamps was all she had to read more here!
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Chapter One Lessons in Familiarity Brandon and Plum quickly got swept back up by the crowd. Brandon caught sight of her a few times throughout the rest of the night. She had a drink in her hand more often than not, and spent much of the night very obviously flirting with that provincial lass with read more here!
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Chapter Two Trial by Smoke The blow hit Brandon hard from behind, and he toppled awkwardly onto the ground. He scrambled to his feet and drew his wand, turning to face whatever had hit him. He certainly didn’t expect what he saw. It looked as if Laslzo’s magical smoke had come to life. A hulking, read more here!
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Chapter Three The Peasants’ Due Laszlo spun on his heel and started making his way down the hall. Brandon took a moment to re-center, and then followed behind. Plum sidled up next to him as they walked. “Are you alright, love?” she asked softly. “Yes, I… yes.” Plum didn’t look convinced. “This is… strange,” Brandon read more here!
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Chapter Four Faces, Old and New When Brandon came into the hallway, Plum was already 30 feet ahead, stomping like a thunderstorm back towards the west wing of the Keep. He hurried to catch up to her, and she glanced back at the sound of his footsteps. She slowed as Brandon half-walked, half-jogged up next read more here!
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Chapter Five Cutting Words CW: transphobia; self-harm Adelaide was no more than 20 feet down the hall when she heard Plum’s door open behind her. “Addie,” she heard Plum’s voice call from behind her. She didn’t react. “Adelaide!” Plum said again, louder this time. Adelaide whipped around, tears stinging in her eyes, and Plum stopped read more here!
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Chapter Six Into the Light CW: intense transphobia Adelaide stepped out of Plum’s room, squinting at the change in lighting. Plum had, of course, done a perfect job of healing her arm, but part of her could still feel the stinging pain as her eyes adjusted to the light. The servant that had knocked on read more here!
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Chapter Seven The Beginning at the End Adelaide slept soundly for most of the night. At some point, she was dimly conscious of Plum returning and climbing into bed next to her, but she couldn’t rouse herself enough to respond or react to it. She drifted back away into a mostly dreamless slumber, only distantly read more here!
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Chapter Eight Interlude 1 Plumeria Plum, for her part, had never had an easier time making a decision. Fleeing to Algaran had been an obvious choice. It wasn’t safe for Addie at the Keep anymore, and even though Plum didn’t trust Laszlo’s motivations, Addie trusted him. That was enough for her, so it would be read more here!
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Interlude One The World Outside When Adelaide woke, she felt, for the first time in longer than she could remember, hopeful. Last night, she and Plum had fled the Vermillion Keep. Algaran, and the Fifth Law, promised a better life for both of them, and the chance to make a difference in the world. If read more here!
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Chapter Ten The Fifth Law The first thing Brandon had noticed about the city was the sheer amount of people. The second thing he noticed was the noise. As he, Plum, and Willam approached the city gates of Algaran, the sound of the crowds grew and grew until Brandon could hardly hear himself think. Brandon read more here!
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Chapter Eleven Little Mercies Laszlo smiled at Brandon. “Please, sit,” he invited. “All of you,” he added, glancing at Plum, Willam, and Obella. “There shall be time for introductions after.” Brandon pulled a chair out and sat at the ring-shaped table. Alonzo sat, alone, in the central gap in the table. The dark wood made read more here!
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Chapter Twelve Here, At Last The rest of the day went quickly. Adelaide returned to her assigned chambers and had dinner with Plum and Willam. The food was surprisingly delicious—a rich beef stew and hunks of dark, hearty bread. The three ate their fill, and Willam prepared to head to his room next door. “It read more here!
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Chapter Thirteen What Comes Next Eventually, Adelaide found herself back in her shared quarters to wake Plum. She’d slept in long enough, and Adelaide needed her. Waking Plum was as difficult as ever, but Adelaide eventually prevailed. Meeks protested nearly as much as Plum did, but Adelaide eventually had the two up and moving. Brandon read more here!
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Chapter Fourteen Lightline An hour later, the group was on the road and headed south towards the Golden Hold. The warm spring air was thick with humidity and the scent of blooming flowers. The morning dew still clung to the grass and flower petals, and now that they were out of the city, Brandon was read more here!
Cambria's Corner 