-
Arcana of Pleasure
It was the year 1783, Anno Domini, when the skies turned gray and Selmara’s name once again began to be whispered with fear by the cracked lips of the villagers. Selmara lived in the same house near the forest, almost at the edge of the village on the road that led to the castle of Nebelheim, a kingdom nestled in the heart of the now decaying and confused Holy Roman Empire. The villagers felt a mixture of lust and fear toward her. She was a woman of undeniable beauty; her garments, always black and tightly fitted to her body, stirred the imagination of the village men. Yet they spoke with…
-
Veronica Vespera
This story takes place on the outskirts of São Paulo, Brazil, within the vibrant and often intense world of a Pentecostal church community. A recurring figure in this setting is the obreiro—a lay minister deeply involved in church life. Though not ordained, obreiros help lead services, evangelize in the streets, and participate in spiritual warfare such as exorcisms. They are highly respected and committed figures within the church hierarchy. “Brothers and sisters, I need to warn you. The Devil is all around us, trying to make us fall.” In a Pentecostal church tucked deep in the working-class neighborhoods on the edges of São Paulo, Pastor Carlos delivered his sermon with…
-
Five
They say money doesn’t bring happiness. Well, I have a lot—an obscene amount—and I’m not sad. The incredible stories I have, I’m not ashamed to say, are thanks to my incredible fortune. How should I begin telling this story? Maybe with John… One day, I got a call from John. How should I describe him…? He’s a friend, though not really what you’d call a friend, since I know almost nothing about his personal life. In truth, he’s a headhunter who works for me—but not exactly the kind you might be imagining… John is the guy who knows my taste in women, who knows I don’t have time and prefer…
