Art is life and the countryside was Aeric’s canvas. His talons clenched the branch as he tilted this way that appraising his latest work.

I leaned over the table, holding back the medallions hanging about my neck when the doors thudded abruptly open. “The cosmos is out of balance!” Heardu screamed has he raced into the chamber. How that man managed to outmatch elephants in running I still hadn’t figured out.

Shifting in her chair, Letia leaned away as Redom slide into the sit next to her. At least he didn’t have the audacity to look at her. Even so, she couldn’t keep her lip from curling back. “He shouldn’t be here.”

I looked between the scrap of paper, the only thing handy when I’d answered the call, and the townhouse. This was the place, but something was off. I glanced up the rows of houses to my right and left. Same architecture. Same design. But no basement doors on any other, and no basement windows anywhere.

“I thought the point of the expedition was to get rich.” The grumbled accusation was followed by a high pitched “Erp!” Ciyla glanced back to see Hune struggling with the remains of a web. Her latest assistant twisted as if battling an invisible ghost, nose curled in a snarl of distaste.

The iron lay heavy about her wrists as she shifted her hands on the table they’d shackled her to. How long ago had that been? Hours? A day? She’d hummed softly to himself passing the meaningless time.

“I’m immortal!” The outcry rankled Ryany’s nerves. Drawing her eyes together she glanced at the annoying creature. Hopping along the spectral branches leaves trails red-gray fire in its wake.

Light flashed. She shifted, half of her trying to rise while pulled backward. Life and death lay each direction and she could agree of which.

“I knew it.” A hand touched her head, running over… No. That was wrong. No, right. She shuddered torn further by the touch, both seeking and loathing the ridged cord of her…