the grand game

“That’s enough talk of criminals for now,” Kesh interjected. “Back to business.” She looked at me. “You’re ready to leave?” “Almost,” I promised. “I need to replenish…

The casual invite to Anriq had been a test, of course. I couldn’t deceive him with lies nor bind him by magic, which left only one option:…

The day was still young—barely noon—when Anriq and I exited the saltmarsh district. It was also the busiest time of day in the plague quarter, and more…

I awoke slowly. My gaze was cloudy, and everything was hazy. Blinking rapidly, I waited until my eyes cleared before studying my surroundings. Murky water, rotting wood,…

Like the tree itself, the prisoner was riddled with seaworms—thousands of them. But thankfully, they were all dormant, which likely explained why the wolf was only awakening…

“You can’t be one of Dathe’s!” I nodded. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.” Spinning on his heel, Anriq paced across the grove, the waist-deep…

I didn’t stay under long. When I judged myself a safe distance from the coral hag, I resurfaced. “There he is!” Three sea witches were directly ahead…

“Stop!” The command rang across the grove, harsh and demanding, and in response, the hag I was charging lowered her hands. For a split second, I contemplated…

Wood creaked and broke, causing my foot to plunge through the stairs more than once. I didn’t let it slow me down. Each time, I caught myself…

It took me two hours to reach the forest grove. Although the swamp teemed with life—mostly insects and creatures too small to pose a threat—there were a…