‘The Curse of the Chattering Skull’ by Lena Ng

Risky Recipes

From Pulp Literature Issue 48, a humble witch brews a powerful potion for a…poet? Find an excerpt of ‘The Curse of the Chattering Skull’ by Lena Ng below, then be sure to read the rest in Issue 48, Autumn 2025!

The Curse of the Chattering Skull

by Lena Ng

I stirred the pot, waited ten heartbeats, and added the newt’s eyelashes. A large purple bubble formed in the centre of the brew then popped, indicating that the potion was done. “That’s better. There’s no way it can’t work this time.”

I reached into the glass bowl. “Come here, Lucian.” Gently, I pulled out the bullfrog. “Soon, you’ll turn back into a handsome prince. I hope you’ll accept my apologies for how long it took.”

I grabbed a yew-wood teaspoon and dipped it into the pot. Lucian obligingly sipped it and gave a small belch. I looked at him, and he looked at me.

Nothing else happened.

Lucian croaked, exasperated. I promised I’d change him back. I was trying, really. But I wasn’t the swiftest wand in the spellbox, as my mom always said. I was persistent, however, and there were only 7698 combinations of the spell to go. “We’ll try again tomorrow. Meanwhile, I’ve caught you your favourite: lantern beetles.”

Lucian looked at me begrudgingly as he gobbled up the offering. Secretly, I thought he enjoyed being a frog. In fact, he was getting a lot of pressure from his father to create a war plan to invade the neighbouring kingdom, whose princess he had a crush on, so he had come to me for a shape-shifting spell. Obviously, that worked; it was the restoration spell I hadn’t mastered yet.

I was taking inventory when I heard a tentative knock on the spell-infused door. I didn’t have office hours since I needed all the business I could get. I had failed my licensing finals three times so hadn’t yet joined the Guild of Magical Practitioners, but my prices reflected that, and those who came to me came at their risk.

Find the full story in Pulp Literature Issue 48, Autumn 2025

Lena Ng roams the dimensions of Toronto, Canada, and is a monster-hunting member of the Horror Writers Association. She has curiosities published in weighty tomes including Amazing Stories. Under an Autumn Moon is her short story collection.