Member-only story
Fire and Stone
A retelling of Goblin Market, in a contemporary fantasy setting
Her sister perches on the barstool, waif-like, delicate ankles crossed and one wrist draped over her drink. She is laughing, a high false trill that makes Stone want to slap her.
Stone grips her lager like a cudgel and says nothing.
In the middle of her laughter, Fire shoots her a look, her eyes sharp with some hidden message. Lighten up, it could mean, or, At least play along.
It’s so quick that no one else notices, even though the entire table’s attention is on Fire and her antics. Stone used to love these secret glances, the lightning pulses between them. It made her feel special.
Now, she just feels resentment. “We should go soon,” she says, cutting through the general merriment.
A few of the men turn to her, annoyed. She knows exactly what they’ve been wanting from Fire. Stone sneers at them, raising her glass. “One last drink, remember?”
“Oh, sister.” Fire sighs, adopting a tragic expression. “What do you think will happen if you have any fun?”
She turns back to the table and lays down imaginary bets in a practiced patter. “Odds against, it’s 10 to 11 that her heart explodes. We’re looking at 5 to 3 for an aneurysm — we’re very high-strung, the Skyler ladies,” she…
