Blood in the Shadows

Boris tossed another piece of firewood into the pit. The orange flames leaped and swayed in the cool air, painting half his face in deep, flickering red. He let out a long, heavy sigh.

He stretched his hand out, and a knot of black flame bloomed in his palm. It was so dark it nearly dissolved into the night around him.

He'd noticed it for a while now. His strength was growing, and he could feel it