Part One: Reanimation

It was early in the morning, just as the first bit of daylight was beginning to turn the horizon a glowing blue, when a flash of energy coursed through Myrnin's laboratory.

Myrnin looked up from the microscope he'd been peering through.

A portal, surface shimmering and presence cutting, was suspended there, in the middle of his lab. It had been brought forth feebly, and manifested in a way he did not recognize. Only a select few in Morganville had access to portals and he knew all of their signature ways of opening them; this one had not been made by someone he could discern.

Who was controlling his doorways?

A strong wind blew through the portal to his home and immediately, Myrnin smelled blood mixed with earth and rot carried to him on the air currents. Fallen autumn leaves came in from the outside and spun around his lab, finding sanctuary under his tables and cabinets. Myrnin moved around his work table and went to it, curiosity ablaze.

Before Myrnin could reach the portal, a woman fell through, her platinum blonde hair swirling around her in the wind. He caught her before she could fall to the ground and eased her gently onto the Persian rug. There were large cuts on either of her forearms and blood was flowing out of her wrists, dripping onto the floor.

Myrnin brushed hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear.

Amelie.

Tears were falling freely from her eyes, but she did not look sad. A vague look was upon her too-pale face—but something in her shined-over eyes was triumphant. A ghost of a smile played with the corners of her lips as she looked up at Myrnin who was wrought with confusion and incomprehension.

Amelie reached up with what little strength she had left and brought a bloodied, shaking hand to his cheek, trying to console her old friend. "I've brought him back, mon sot."

Her eyes closed, her hand fell from Myrnin's face, and the portal snapped shut, leaving Myrnin with Amelie and an eerie silence that sung a song of death.