“C’mon, Jade, don’t be a loser.” I look over at my cousin Lily. She brushes her hair from her face, the sneer highlighted by the bold blue streaks her mother let her get. I could never pull it off. Her friends seem bored. “Okay, fine!” I slid my hand forward and set it on the ...

Nobody questions how the Sorcerer Kaelthar grows the most potent herbs in Anacaris, but an hour into tilling his garden, I discover the bones. I loft a glittering femur, too long for a dog, too short for a stag, and present it to Ember’s kneeling form. “What is this?”   Ember snaps to attention, sandy hair ...

The bite mark on his neck seared. He poked at it, the angry red, highlighted with a sickly green ring. The imprint almost looked human, with the circle of teeth. But no human has canines so long. His phone buzzed from its place on the nightstand. Audrey. “Hey, up for another party tonight? 🙂” He ...

A skeleton dances when the front door swings open, drawing my latest customer inside. I go overboard decorating, but this season is the bread and butter for shops like mine. In January, I might spend weeks without pulling cards for anyone, but come October, even the most devout Catholics know the veil between the world ...

Grief was as new to Lacey as having seasons. Autumn approached faster than she anticipated it would. She wasn’t prepared for change of any kind. The passing of her older sister, Maisie, had rocked her to the core. Maisie’s death was not the plan. The two women planned to grow old together. They would conquer ...

I’m the Salem girl,the one who diedupon a lonely hill,accosted and condemned. Betrayed by fellow kin,I begged them to live,assuring them of my divine truth,my salvation promised by scriptures. “Anyone found a witch,shall be put to death,”thine scripture says,as taught from birth. How can that applyto an obedient childof my heavenly fatherbeing more than faithful? ...

My name is Shanequia, and I have a story to tell you. You won’t believe me, but I swear on a stack of bibles that every word is true. The day started with cool, crisp temps like any other fall day. Leaves were bursting in maroon, orange, and saffron. Not a cloud in the azure ...

It’s Halloween night, and the air is full of energy and excitement. Is anyone really thinking about dinner? The answer is no, but we all need to eat. Check out these go to Halloween night meal ideas for kids who are focused on everything but dinner. Mummy Dogs My kiddos favorite option for Halloween night ...

The corners of my mouth twitched as Josh leaned into the trunk of the thick oak and blew a smoke ring at the moon. Becky stretched out on his lap and drew her finger across it to form an arrow piercing a heart. They were both wearing uniforms from their high school glory days.  I ...

In 1990, Halloween’s enchanting spell Cast its magic over our Southern communityLike a sweet-smelling mist that fills the air, and makes your heart beat fast with pure delight. My sister dresses as a black cat, no surprise,While I take on the role of Madonna, The Material Girl, herself My golden hair in waves, lacy black gloves in placeI ...