In the tallest building at the center of the city, a little girl was playing with a golden orb in her palm. Viewed through the orb, the far side of the room bent slightly in the heat rising from it. When she moved the ball, the warped light moved with it.
"That little black deer said Ethan was fun—and that he was a good fighter." Serelia raised the orb a little higher. "I really want to see what he can do."
After considering it for a moment, she nodded solemnly and pressed the golden orb into her palm.
"I suppose I'll trust them this once. Garrick has been very naughty, though. He's already after my position, and I'm not done with it yet. Why should it be his turn?" She looked toward the small furnace in front of her. "Once they kill Ethan, I'll put Garrick in my toy and roast him for a while."
Several little snakes danced in the flames. One leaped upward, sending the fire surging high enough to light her face before dropping back down.
