Excerpt: Into the Arms of Darkness

The sun was rising--a gloriously slow exhalation of color and light breathing itself across the sky. The Magistrate stood quietly in his study watching the retreat of the night. The mahogany grandfather clock ticking against the wall was the only noise to hinder the silence of the break of day. Pale yellow light was creeping into the room and the Magistrate reluctantly tore his gaze from the window and began to pace around the room.