.. but today?Today he was done.Drak’s voice came out low and husky: “Do not be so proud of this technological miracle you’ve uncovered. The abil...ities of the Forge are as nothing without the powers of a Liminal Knight. My powers.” He lifted a single hand – and the entire Forge began to glow from within. A rainbow of luminescence flowed from the deepest core of the object, etching out lines of iridescence throughout the cube, making it seem as if another, slowly rotating cube was trapped within. They’ll be able to roll with things tomorrow since they’re a major player in the area. If there were instructions to use somebody else or a cremation service, they’ll handle it right. I’ll call their twenty-four-hour number if you want.”Dave nodded and Tim went off with his cellphone in hand.The others in the house gradually thinned out. Dave identified himself to the police officer on duty and assured him that they were all very close neighbors and that he took personal responsibility for the. Her parents had never supported Viv in her dream—to be a published novelist. Her mother had told her once, when Viv and Rob had had a crockery-against-the wall fight, that Viv and the kids were always welcome to come home—but only if Viv gave up on her writing and got a job that would help pay the added bills. Viv couldn’t give up her dream, she was her mother’s daughter as far as stubbornness went. She thought it was the only thing left that gave her life value. Feeling a little steadier after. ?Count them!? she commands, and I obey.I don’t know how many swats she intends, but when I cry out, ?Forty-four,? she stops. I can hear her laughing softly. It is her inside joke. She knows that I am forty-four years old. I don’t know her age, but she is at least ten years younger than me.A tawse comes next. Mistress K doesn’t ask me to count, which is good because I don’t know if I could as she rapidly beats one cheek and then the other. The tawse moves down onto my thighs and my yelps.