She woke to a dark room, lit only by the last few rays of sunlight filtering through the tiny window behind her. Mindful of her head, she half rolled half crawled to the foot of the bed and sat up carefully. Her mother was lying there beside her on the other bed, snoring softly, and [...]

Dragons. Real live fire breathing— no, that wasn’t right— fire casting dragons. Definitely not human, in any case. They cast magic as easily as breathing, were only vulnerable to swords and knives, and they lived forever. Well, unless someone killed them first. Gina barely noticed as her Aunt Claudia shooed her children out into the [...]

There was a flurry of exchanged greetings and hugs before everyone sat back down again around the table. It was a tight fit, but they managed somehow, and no sooner had they sat down than her Aunt Claudia began to dole out the food. She monopolized the conversation as she did so, shooting Gina questions [...]

“Yes? Can I help you?” the woman asked. There was the faintest of frowns on her face as she studied the two of them intently. She dusted her hands on her apron and smoothed her hair, already pulled up into a bun, in some half familiar nervous gesture. Gina watched her in mute silence, trying [...]