The Jagged Gate — James Maxey

A woman breathes deeply in the mists of an untamed forest. She smells the truth. A circus fire-king fills his mouth with lighter fluid. He tastes the truth. A married man runs his fingers along the ivory thigh of a woman he's just met. He feels the truth. A demon coos softly into a preacher's ear. He hears the truth. A man with a crowbar stares into the shadows beyond a door with a splintered lock. He sees the truth. What is the truth? You will know when you pass through the Jagged Gate. The stories: Joe's Spider Farm - "You ever drink gasoline?" Absolutely Brilliant in Chrome - "With rage he sank his teeth into her neck…" Little Guilt Thing Goin' On - "When had this seemed like a good idea?" Fall of Babylon - "Run, you moron!" Tendrils - "The submissiveness of the pose struck her." Sorry Honey - "… he realized…" Eater - "Don't fight and this will be over in a second." Greatshadow: Origins - "This woman wasn't in the mood for company." Tornado of Sparks - "He decided that the only merciful thing to do was kill her." Girls' Night Out - ''I know all about your little superhero fantasy, ‘Bladerina.'" Cherry Red Rocket Ship - “I need coffee,” he whispered. The Jagged Gate - “Being a witch is more science than magic.”