Laia laughed bitterly. "You're all utter fools," she spat. "I'm the most powerful witch here." The judge in the center shook their head. "Maiming other competitors is strictly forbidden." Later, shaken witnesses would say the only warning was Laia's eyes suddenly glowing red.

Martin awoke to the sound of car horns blaring from the street below. Pulling on his robe, he down from the bedroom window and was surprised by the volume of smoke rising up from the intersection near the highway. Something large and dark appeared to be in the center of the

i died and went...

Schuyler took a deep breath of the crisp New England air, wrapping her fingers around her warm coffee mug. The riot of fall colors was somewhat subdued this early in the morning, and swirls of fog hovered over the surface of the lake. The sun was as-yet merely hinting at rising.

They sat at the table, lit starkly by the bare bulb overhead. Between them the deck of tarot cards. Two cards face up; three of swords, romantic betrayal, five of swords, victory through deceit. The last card, face down. Licking her dry lips she reached out, flipped the last card