Fire witch Ari Zydik has always had a tenuous connection with their magic, and opening themself up to the whims of the universe on Samhain, desperate for a connection to anything, hasn't helped. A chance run-in with a stranger while ice skating leads to a tenuous relationship with Jonathan Aster, an immortal and powerful being-one Ari feels compelled to conquer and dominate. But as Midwinter looms, can Ari tame the fire of an ancient star? This 12,000-word short story was previously published in an anthology.