The Witchstone

by Henry H. Neff

It never occurred to a Clever Man that he was meant to spot the feints.

The trim and tousled investment banker became a trim and tousled fiend with cobalt skin, moonstone eyes, and the needle-sharp teeth of a house cat.

As you know, it is the act of losing hope that generates despair. One cannot lose what they do not possess, 923. Unless something changes, the curse’s despair production will remain at a standstill.”

Any demon who devours an employee’s essence instead of returning it to the Ooze shall have the equivalent docked from their pay.’” “Surely that doesn’t apply to me. I’m an Overseer.”

“Officially we’re ‘the Ancient and Infernal Society of Curse Keepers,’ but that’s a mouthful. Most just call us the Society.

“Lump studies atlases,” she explained to Laszlo. “For fun.”

“Kids,” he said. “Rude and needy, but at least they’re expensive . . .”

What would it be like to stop being scared and anxious all the time? To stop spending every second in a state of doubt or distress?

What’s Italian for ‘wimp’?” “Pappamolle.” “Everything sounds better in Italian,”