“Bubble double, spoil and rubble.” “Have you got that right, dear?” Bjarnhilda raised her long and warty nose out of the pot she was stirring, just missing its rim. “Of course, I do.” She continued, “Fire burn and caldron bubble.”… Continue Reading
What once looked like a baby now spewed smoke, echoing a dreadful, strangled sound through the cramped alley. Radoslava walked, filthy, bruised, one hand on her swollen stomach, the other clutching the squirming, twitchy thing in her arms. The baby’s… Continue Reading
Barefoot and dressed in an earth-toned robe, Miaoshan climbed the steep hills at the break of dawn, balancing a yoke on her shoulder with two wooden pails swinging on each end. The monks had sent her to fetch water. From… Continue Reading
I was blessed to cross paths with Magus Bender a few decades ago. We sat in the lounge with four others. His fingers trembled as he showed his cards. Looking at the stooped magus and his gilded monocle, I felt… Continue Reading
My phone buzzed at 3:42 am, jolting me awake. The police. They had found Mel’s lifeless body splayed across the pavement; limbs contorted against the unforgiving concrete. I was the last person she called. My ears rang, and my pulse… Continue Reading
To: Imperial Pets & Familiars ShoppeFrom: Tabitha, apprentice to the Wythia Coven I received my order, 1 cat. However, it doesn’t resemble the woodprint in your catalog. The ears are droopy, while its tail is short and springy. Its muzzle… Continue Reading
On the longest day of the year, three sirens with murder on their minds basked atop the immense, lichen-covered stone looming over their Greek island’s shore. Far below their perch, a dozen fishing boats bobbed atop the Aegean waves. Breathing… Continue Reading
Emran watched the shadow of the great Blackfish crawl over the parched earth towards him. “Finally. This is it…” Emran muttered, shifting from one foot to the other in unbearable anticipation. The watching crowd behind him echoed his agitation, and… Continue Reading
The massive metal door stood before him. Engraved on it were scenes from around the world, windswept plains and towering mountains, sprawling cities and rural villages. As his hand pushed it open, Arlan admired the engravings. He was an adventurer,… Continue Reading
Liji gulped as she approached the Eastern River’s sandy shores where the Dragon resided. Taking small steps, a numbing pain radiated from her bound feet, cramped inside her silk lotus shoes. Her mother adjusted the flower pinned to Liji’s hair… Continue Reading