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witch finder and was used to track people who can wield magic. There weren’t many witches who still made them; there was a time when people used them to actively track and kill witches, and no one wanted that period of history back. However, a simple change of the runes meant that it could be used to track a sorcerer instead, although it was a change that was rarely used. Very few people want to actively track a sorcerer.
    “I was told to find a sorcerer by the name of Nate and offer him a way out. You are a sorcerer. Don’t bother to deny it. You’re the only one in town, from what I can tell.”
    “You made this yourself, I assume. That’s a good chunk of magic.”
    As with most witch magic, her own energy would have been used to power the device. As if on cue, Sarah raised her sleeves, showing me the three runes tattooed on each wrist.
    “That’s quite a bit of power you’ve given yourself,” I said. “You’re playing a dangerous game. I wonder how much of your life you ebbed away just making that.” I pushed the witch finder back toward Sarah.
    “The amount of power I can access is hardly your concern.”
    I shrugged. I wasn’t about to dissuade Sarah from the course of action she clearly wanted to take.
    “So, why do you want me to leave this town?”
    “Also not your concern,” she said dismissively. “All you need to know is that you have twelve hours to pack and leave. Don’t come back.”
    I rubbed the back of my neck and sighed. “The problem is that I’m not really one to be run out of town without knowing who’s doing the running and why.”
    “If you stay, you’ll find out. I was told to offer you one chance. It’s been offered. If you ignore it, then what happens is of your own making.”
    I leaned back against the leather seat and crossed my arms. “And what will happen?”
    Sarah stood up from the table and placed fifty euros on it. “The meal is on me. As for your question, I’m afraid you won’t get the chance to learn that. Just know, if you stay, your death will be for a good cause. I hope that helps.”
    “Not really.” I pushed the plate aside. Any appetite I’d had when Sarah first sat down had evaporated like the heat from the brownie.
    “I think the person who sent me here would rather you didn’t die, Nate. I have no interest in your ability to breathe one way or another.”
    I looked at her for a heartbeat. “You should know something too. If you come after me, or anyone I care about, I’m going to tear you and whoever you have with you into tiny, wet chunks of smeared meat. I’ll end you and your friends, and then I’ll go after whoever it is you’re working for, and I’ll end them too. You have no idea who I am, Sarah. But if you push me, you’re going to find out.”
    She leaned near me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll look forward to it,” she whispered with a smile before turning to walk away.
    “You shouldn’t,” I told her. “It won’t be something you’ll enjoy.”

CHAPTER 4
    I sat in the restaurant for another twenty minutes, allowing the information Sarah had imparted to ferment in my mind. I had no idea what her plans were or why she would have given me a warning to stay away, but clearly someone expected me to interrupt those plans if I remained. I liked interrupting plans of people who threatened me. I was good at it.
    Petra reappeared as the customers in the restaurant began to thin out. “You plan on ordering something else?”
    I glanced up at her. “You still mad at me?”
    Petra’s shoulders sagged, and she shook her head before taking a seat opposite. “I’m sorry for slapping you.”
    “Don’t worry about it; at least you didn’t punch me.”
    A smile crept onto her lips, but vanished just as quickly a moment later. “What’s wrong?”
    I reiterated my chat with Sarah Hamilton.
    “So, what’s your plan?” she asked after several moments of silence, once I’d finished talking.
    “I’m going to stay around