There lay Finn, all right, but there was something terribly wrong. Half his face and half his clothing were burnt away. He was enveloped by the light. Lizzie felt sure that it and the sound were attacking him, somehow. He reached out toward her, his mouth forming the incoherent cry for help she’d heard a moment ago.
Lizzie stepped quickly forward, wanting to help him but not knowing how.
“The court,” he shouted, “my father. They’re going to bring the war here. You’re all going to die!”
“What can I do to help you?” Lizzie shouted over the noise.
“Nothing. Go get the other one. She might—she—” His voice became a strangled cry.
Lizzie was about to run for help. She was about to turn for the door. But before she could move, before she could do anything else—
Finn exploded.
About the Author
© Lou Abercrombie, 2015
PAUL CORNELL is a writer of science fiction and fantasy in prose, comics, and television, one of only two people to be Hugo Award nominated for all three media. A New York Times #1 bestselling author, he’s written Doctor Who for the BBC, Wolverine for Marvel, and Batman and Robin for DC. He’s won the BSFA Award for his short fiction and an Eagle Award for his comics, and he shared in a Writers’ Guild Award for his TV work.
You can sign up for email updates here.
Also by Paul Cornell
THE LYCHFORD SERIES
Witches of Lychford
The Lost Child of Lychford
A Long Day in Lychford
THE SHADOW POLICE SERIES
London Falling
The Severed Streets
Who Killed Sherlock Holmes
Chalk
British Summertime
Something More
A Better Way to Die (collection)
Thank you for buying this Tor.com ebook.
To receive special offers, bonus content, and info on new releases and other great reads, sign up for our newsletters.
For email updates on the author, click here.
TOR•COM
Science fiction. Fantasy. The universe. And related subjects.
*
More than just a publisher's website, Tor.com is a venue for original fiction, comics, and discussion of the entire field of SF and fantasy, in all media and from all sources. Visit our site today—and join the conversation yourself.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Dedication
1
2
3
4
5
Epilogue
About the Author
Also by Paul Cornell
Copyright Page
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novella are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
THE LIGHTS GO OUT IN LYCHFORD
Copyright © 2019 by Paul Cornell
All rights reserved.
Cover photograph © Hans Neleman/Getty Images
Cover design by Fort
Edited by Lee Harris
A Tor.com Book
Published by Tom Doherty Associates
120 Broadway
New York, NY 10271
www.tor.com
Tor® is a registered trademark of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC.
ISBN 978-1-250-24946-3 (ebook)
ISBN 978-1-250-24947-0 (trade paperback)
First Edition: November 2019
Our eBooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, ext. 5442, or by e-mail at MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com.