Sprawled out upon the checkered tiles, my useless arm charred black, the lady bent a cold, expressionless glare down at me.
“It is not so easy,” she said. I tried to answer, but the words seemed lodged in my chest; they would not even rise to my throat. “Once the ritual begins,” she continued, “there is nothing for it.”
I made myself sit up, and cradling my numb limb, managed to get my feet under me. Swaying, I stood; though, as I came to my full height, dizziness beset me, and I had to lean against a conveniently placed railing.
