PAGAN FIRES, by Rev. Joe Kelly, artwork by Karolína Wellartová   1   The peaceful still of the mire burst apart with the pounding splashes of panic-winged feet. Small furry animals scrambled for cover, little wading birds tittered and took flight, as the lad tore through the rushes, his streaming sweat half-frozen, his lungs aching from […]

EVERYDAY SOMETHING TRIES TO KILL ME, by Todd Honeycutt, artwork by Andrea Alemanno   Timo had left the Queen’s court three weeks ago, too long for such a simple errand. “Bring me a giant’s eye,” the magician had requested. “The left one, of course, is preferable.” As if the side of anything mattered. Two days […]

JACK O’ WRAITHS, by Phil Emery, with audio by the author, artwork by Karolína Wellartová     Jack stretched out beneath the afternoon sun and chewed a stem of wheat and drifted back to Nell’s face above his in the barn that morning. Motes of hay dust had floated down onto his bare chest and […]

THE DEMON FESMAN, by Lynn Rushlau     Exhilaration buzzed through Reigh’s limbs as she crossed the Convoco’s threshold for the first time. Demon Speakers in every shade of orange thronged through the meeting hall. Dozens already clustered in their seats on the tiers of the flame shaped walls. She beamed at the room. Could […]

DEATH’S HUNGER, by Bader M. Alsadeqi, artwork by Gary McClusky A soldier sent to do battle, Now a survivor still standing. Cold of heart and soul was I, As the rest of my brethren lay dying.   Forced to a road home Under cold and bitter night, I found my life ending By scavengers in […]