06/05/2025 Snippet, THE CALL OF THE MOON-BEASTS.

This story will fall. It will.

…

“You still believe in goodness? After all of this?” Grabinski’s laugh was bitter, knowing, and rippled into his speech, somehow. “There is a bargain, yes. You will return, and rule, and have dominion over the planet below. You will have the power to do all of that. Do you wish revenge on those who abandoned you here? You will have that, too. All that you desire can be yours.”

“I think I know the next part,” Tobias told him. “We’d be expected to make sure that all you desire will happen, too.”

“Yes. Nothing is free. But it is wise to reward good service. Do not fear that you would not be given your just due.”

That’s not what I’m afraid of, Tobias thought, and wondered briefly why Asenath wasn’t commenting on any of this. It wasn’t like her.