The Griffin Mission: The Griffin Sanctuary, #0.5

By Arizona Tape

Ella's life is decidedly normal… until she finds an injured winged cat in her kitchen.

 

She soon finds herself whisked away to a world where all the mythical creatures she's read about are real, and discovers the winged cat isn't a hallucination, it's a miniature griffin.

 

Alongside the charming and dedicated Starlise, she learns the best way to care for griffins and what it means to be part of something bigger.

 

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The Griffin Mission is a modern fantasy prequel to the Griffin Sanctuary series. It is packed full of adventure, mythical creatures, and an f/f romantic sub-plot.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vampari Press
• Release date: Jun 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201644741

Arizona Tape

Arizona Tape lives her dream life hanging out with her dog and writing stories all day.Her favourite books to write are urban fantasy and paranormal romances with queer leads, stories that she wished were around when she was younger.When she’s not writing, she can be found cooking up a storm in the kitchen, watching shows that make her cry, or trying her hand at her new hobby of the week.She currently lives in the United Kingdom with her girlfriend and her adorable dog who is the star of her newsletter. Sign up here for adorable pictures, free books, and news about her books: www.arizonatape.com/subscribeFollow The AuthorFacebook Page: http://facebook.com/arizonatapeauthorReader Group: http://facebook.com/groups/arizonatapeBookbub: http://www.bookbub.com/authors/arizona-tapeTwitter: http://twitter.com/arizonatapeInstagram: http://instagram.com/arizonatapeTikTok: http://tiktok.com/@arizonatapeHer books are available on all retailers and can be requested from most public libraries.

Book preview

Chapter One

In hindsight, I should’ve realised I was in for an extraordinary adventure when I found an injured cat with wings. But then again, hindsight is a wonderful thing.

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The day started out like any other, normal and boring. Not even the weather was special, just the same grey clouds as always. I was on my way back from a meaningless night of drinking, eager to get some sleep.

The cold wind brushed through my hair and tugged on my clothes as I walked through the narrow street to my house. I spotted a figure on the opposite side and clutched my handbag tighter, just in case.

Luckily, the man passed without even looking at me, and I relaxed slightly. I should’ve taken a taxi but it was such a short walk, it always felt like an unnecessary expense. At least it wasn’t raining.

Something rustled in the bushes near me and I sped up my pace. One day, my cheapskate attitude was going to be the death of me. I could already imagine the headlines. Twenty-four year old woman too cheap to pay for a taxi, fatally stabbed in an alleyway.

I quickly turned the corner, which brought me opposite of the park near my place. At least if I got killed here, they’d dedicate a bench to me. Now that was the kind of legacy I strived after.

A low growl came from the undergrowth and my heart sped up. Sarcastically thinking about my death was one thing, dying was a whole other story and I wasn’t in the mood. I still had two episodes of my show left and I’d invested too much time getting through the filler in the middle to die before I saw the end.

Two more streets to go.

A can clattered behind me but upon looking back, there was nobody there. The wind? A joke?

I didn’t want to find out.

One more street. Almost there…

The wind brushed past me, teasing the wind chime hanging from my neighbour’s balcony. A chill ran down my spine, the noise reminiscent of every horror movie I’d ever watched. Why did they even have that stupid thing?

I tried to keep calm as I rummaged through my handbag for my keys. They weren’t in their usual side pocket and I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching me. The keys rattled as I shoved them in the lock, missing one, two, three times before I managed to slide them in.

Come on, open, open, open, I muttered as I twisted the handle and rushed inside. As fast as I could, I pushed the door shut and secured it with the deadbolt. Safe. I made it.

I released a long sigh and clicked the lights on, relieved to be inside. I was so pleased with myself, I didn’t even notice I had company.

Chapter Two

The fridge light flickered as I opened the door, illuminating the bare insides with its cool light. I was hungry but there wasn’t much choice. Half a jar of pickles, some cold cuts, a tub of cream cheese that had been there so long, I didn’t dare open the lid.

Should’ve gone to the supermarket earlier, stupid, I mumbled to myself, reaching for the packet of ham. The first slice looked a little dry but it smelled okay. That on some old toast would have to do for now.

I sat down at the kitchen table while I ate and reflected on the night. While I was chewing my sandwich, I thought I saw something move from the corners of my eye.

Spooked, I froze and slowly turned in the direction I saw the movement.

Nothing. Just the breeze playing with the leaves of my plants near the window. At least, that was the only thing that made sense. Maybe I was drunker than I thought.

I took another bite when I heard a rattle from the living room. If my mind was playing tricks on me, it was doing a damn good job.

I put my sandwich on my plate and got up to investigate the noise. I grabbed the lonely broom from the corner, just for good measure. It was a poor weapon but a weapon nonetheless.

I see you! I shouted, flicking on every light that I passed. Perhaps I was acting paranoid but I was not going to be a helpless