THE LAST FIRST TIME, by Colin Heintze: Every time I went to Karkil I stopped for coffee. I had always enjoyed Karkil’s brew, a great deal of my enjoyment coming from the fact that no living lips had tasted it for two-hundred years. From my seat on the café terrace I heard the ass braying. […]

THE LIVING CURSE, by Ethan Fode: There was no fire or smoke, only the terrible groan as the temple crumbled, the thick columns snapping in half, the walls buckling outward. He barely noticed, consumed by the song of the sorcery in his bones, the oily feel of the ancient magic coating his soul. When he […]

A PARADISE OF WASTELAND, by Adrian Simmons: On the fifth day after the sandstorm, Lemyta went to look at the world she had drawn in the dirt.  She leaned over it, not yet so burdened by years that she needed to squat down to see it.  Several animal tracks crossed the design, jackal and gerbil, […]

A LONELY GRAVE ON THE HILL, by  Cesar Alcazar: Anrath yanked the reins of his horse as a piercing scream broke the silence of the night and startled the animal. After regaining control of the steed, the mercenary from Connacht examined the darkness in an attempt to find the source of the noise. Travelling at […]

TAKING THE BAIT, by Jon Byrne: Timalo glanced over his shoulder for what seemed the hundredth time, peering back through the rain-swept darkness to check they were not being followed.  And of course, like before there was no one.  His mind was playing tricks on him, just another reason why he should pack it all […]