May’s mechanical wings fluttered shut as she landed atop the floodwall beside Buford. His eyes narrowed on Casino City. The glittering structure engulfing the Mississippi River bridge drew magic from the two largest ley lines in North America.

“You know the end.” May threaded her arm through his. “Don't worry?”

“Yeah, cuz.” PJ the satyr joined them. “You'll see. It’ll work.”

Buford tensed as the machines of Casino City cried out. The bridge erupted in flames, lighting the night sky. Fire arced across the river, an ember searing a line across Buford’s cheek. Flares shot from the explosion, sprouting wings and soared skyward, lighting the clouds an angry red.

Buford gaped. “What have we unleashed?”

“Fuuuucckk!” PJ grabbed Buford and May and dove off the floodwall moments before a demon raked claws across their perch. Hundreds more cascaded from the sky.

~

Downriver in New Orleans, Fae poured out of the Midnight Jazz Club, pointing skyward and muttering in surprise. Zula, the barkeep, followed out the French doors and onto Royal Street.

Upriver, the clouds glowed with heat lightning, moving their way, fast. Too fast. Fae cried out in horror as winged demons erupted from the sky.

Zula patrons winked out of the In Between, disappearing into the Beyond. Zula stood alone in the middle of the street witnessing the abomination.

Her bartender joined her. “What’s going on?”

Zula hugged him tight. Maybe to comfort him, maybe to comfort herself.

All she could say was, “All Hell just broke loose.”

Composit Photo by Julia V Ashley
Originals by Theo Eilertsen Photography, DreamSky, and Dane Deaner