(THIRTY) Here Lies

Fantasmagoria

“Well,” Vernal growled. “This is awkward.” He sat in Erasmus’s office with his arms tied to a chair. His left hand, the one with the missing finger, was bandaged. The palm of his right hand was swollen and caked with blood. His half-smile bared his chipped teeth. He had never seen Erasmus Pimpernel. It wasn’t what he expected.

“I want the key.” Erasmus w…