arsh wa

the board as if considering his first move. The next, his chair was empty,

staring at Felix's vacant seat, the chessboard between them no

tanding in the shad

." His chair scraped against the floor as he stood abruptl

e edge of a single black bishop on the board.

He didn't even move." He pointed a

w, measured breat

appeared. But

eset. His king

said this game doesn't want a

x was taken before he ma

en maybe the only way to s

nervous laugh.

n't think we can afford to find out what

the table. Then, reluctan

-

reset, but Victor n

pieces had vanished as if he had never been part of the

toward Magnus.

esitated, then move

r a split second, Victor swore he saw a shadow

game co

ext. Then Volk

gers brushed against the board's surface-and it was cold. Not j

his move

d shifte

hispering

-

s were louder. No lo

ard them

h

s wat

ped up. "Did anyon

g the arms of his chair. "I th

murmured. Her eyes darken

sed. "Ghost stories wi

rp look. "You think

, a creaking sound echoed t

e. Like footste

nock at

changed glance

Knock

ever was on the other side was

d hard. "Nobody

isper fro

me

ed. "Nope. Ab

p. "If we jus

g against the heavy wood as if som

r rattled. Th

-sil

-

sed, stepping forward aga

ready adjusted t

frowned.

board, then the playe

somethi

d her gaze. Th

ll seven chair

n pl

x were left

dropped. "Wh

his breath. "Feli

is fac

gnu

to where Magnus

there. His piece was

s himself

-

table. "That's impossible. W

uickly. "This isn't just about w

"Magnus played a move. T

dened. "Then why

oice was even,

ame ev

ath shaky. "You're telling me we don't ju

hess. You cannot simply make ran

the weight of the match pressing against his chest.

they really p

este. "You knew abou

ted, but t

" she said. "I just didn't know

ed into fists. "Then

rs stare

unsteady. "What

ked back a

agnus's e

elix's mi

t have a

hearth roared to life again, cast

in the house, a voice

n pl

-

-