SNAKESKING

The Author

Tim Major’s love of speculative fiction is the product of a childhood diet of Doctor Who episodes and an early encounter with Triffids. He has authored You Don’t Belong Here, Blighters and Carus & Mitch, the YA novel Machineries Of Mercy, short story collection And The House Lights Dim, and a non-fiction book about the silent film Les Vampires. His shorts have appeared in numerous anthologies, and he’s co-editor of the British Fantasy Society’s journal.

Reporter Gerry Chafik tries to impress upon her tabloid editor the threads of conspiracy behind the Charmers’ mysterious rejuvenating powers.

ZEMMA PUSHED A GLASS TOWARDS Gerry, leant back and steepled her fingers. Her manicured nails tapped together.

“So.”

Gerry took a breath. “So. Thanks for agreeing to this meeting, Zemma.”

“It’s always a pleasure. You’re the wheels that keep this newspaper running. All of you are, I mean.”

“I need to know where I stand,” she said. Zemma arched an eyebrow. Her eyes flicked down to