April 18

chop, execution, royalty, grant, crude, literature, context, will, audience, miracle

A couple of things you should know about Half Light. One: its time is centered in your modern day. Two: all the amazing technology–computers, self-driving cars, airplanes, cell phones–only work because Half Light doesn’t have true magic. Most beings of the Veil would think they were seeing miracles if we didn’t have the historical context, and the mountains of literature that documented the long-ago times.

Even the most crude true magic would fry your CPUs like bacon. Silicon-based components exposed to that magic turn to sand. The majority of magic that gets through the Veil is diluted and fairly harmless, which is why the Curry Kobe Jordan shoes were such a problem.

They would grant enormous abilities to any human who wore them, allowing the execution of astounding aerial acrobatics and sending balls wherever the wearer pointed. It would be the very definition of cheating. Though few would see these great feats. Stadium lights couldn’t survive the magic and broadcast systems would malfunction, leaving the audience disconnected and in the dark. As for cell phone cameras, well, the phones would sound like rain sticks if shaken. Life-ending riots had started for less.

So why was Sidi perched atop the building of the royalty of American hat makers? With no one around on the darkened streets, we approached with no worry of being seen. But Sidi made a frantic throat-chop motion and we froze. I tried to will a mental connection. What did she need us to know? And then, though she wasn’t speaking…I heard her!