Cardinal Rules

The memory struck him suddenly and fiercely, of stumbling upon a just-finished ceremony, of finding a mortal child’s toy.

The Ancient’s smile was cruel and amused, and Chadstone felt a sudden tightening at his throat, as if a noose had just been pulled closed over his existence.

“She is part of your game, then,” he said slowly, deliberately, while his mind raced. And suddenly he understood. It was a cardinal rule, that two games could not have the same prey.

Games could, however, have more than one soul for prey. Only Chadstone didn’t have a soul.

“I understand now.”