The Piper's Wake

Magic comes with a price. The small city of Boneswell has always been steeped in tradition, and Carmen Himmel is no exception. She is the latest in a long line of women who have specialized in hunting witches, wearing a fabled red cloak imbued with the ability to resist magic. Up until now, Carmen has dedicated her life to the routines binding her to Boneswell and the isolated life of a huntress. Penance the Piper comes to town bearing irresistible charm, and eventually promises to kill off the current plague of rats for a price. Only Carmen can see the truth behind Penance's painted smile and enchanted music: that he is a sorcerer and that his magic is slowly corrupting the town from within. When Penance takes an interest in Carmen, she finds herself thrust into the spotlight in unexpected ways and forced to make a decision that could change her world forever. The Piper's Wake is a crossover between "Little Red Riding Hood" and "The Pied Piper," two classic tales bound by a magical twist and an unforeseeable outcome.