Dreams of Darkness

by D L Pitchford et al.

  I paced myself, not wanting a repeat of what happened in my cell the prior evening. Artemus cautiously stepped from Gabriel’s shoulder to mine, and then leaned over and snuck a few pieces of bread. Once I had enough food in my stomach to quell the pangs of hunger, I addressed the Wise One. “Thank you for saving me, Wise One. I am forever in your debt.” I bowed my head and was about to lower to my knees when he stopped me.

  “That’s not necessary, please,” he said. “And call me Bob.”

  Bob. Huh. How would’ve thought? Though looking at him in the light of his lab, he kinda did look like a Bob. “What did you mean when you said I don’t belong here?”

  “Child, haven’t you ever felt it?” he asked. “Out of place, like you don’t fit here?”

  “Yes,” I whispered, as if it were the darkest secret I kept. “It’s real?”

  “You’re from another dimension. A place where powers like yours exist.”

  Another dimension? I didn’t really understand what he was talking about, but a place where there were others like me sounded pretty damn good.

  “But Wise One…um, I mean Bob, you have powers…” I said, in between bites of bread.

  “I have magic,” he explained. “It’s different from a natural ability like yours.”

  “Different how?” Gabriel asked, as he took hold of my free hand. I got the feeling the conversation was making him as nervous as it made me.

  “Mara’s power is touch-based. You’re able to hold hands with her now because I put a protection spell on you. In her dimension there are others that can alter how her power works, or even negate its effects altogether.”

  This other dimension was sounding better and better. On Excelsia, I had a life of scorn to look forward to—that is, if someone didn’t manage to finish the job the council started. “If I’m from another dimension, how did I end up here?”

  “It’s the damnedest thing. I didn’t think they had the power to open alternate dimensions. I’m not entirely sure how it happened, but there is a slight chance it may have been one of my experiments gone wrong…”

  It became clear why the Wise One went out of his way to help me, if indeed it was his fault I was stranded in the horrible dimension in the first place.

  “I saved you, but that doesn’t mean I approve of your actions,” Bob said, eyeing me down. “Through your heinous deeds, you’ve managed to upset the balance of good and evil in this land. Just because you can kill, doesn’t mean you should.”

  “I know that now.” I squeezed Gabriel’s hand.

  “Good,” Bob said, clapping his hands together. “Well then, I’ll open a portal to your dimension. Go ahead and say your goodbyes.”

  “Goodbyes?” Gabriel said. “I can’t go with her?”

  “Good heavens, no! You’re from this dimension. We were lucky Mara was able to live here at all. I know of many a trans-dimensional traveler who didn’t survive in other dimensions.”

  “But it’s a possibility?” Gabriel sounded so hopeful.

  “Excuse us, Wise One… I mean Bob.” I slowly walked Gabriel away so we could talk in private. “I won’t let you do this.”

  “I never want to leave your side, Mara.” He gently cradled my cheek, slipping his fingers into my hair.

  “Nor I you,” I said, and kissed his cheek. “But I thought I killed you once and it tore me apart. Don’t ask me to do it again.”

  “I understand.” He took my hands in his and kissed them both. “I’ll never forget you.”

  I couldn’t resist kissing him, even in my sorry condition. It was soft and careful and totally sweet.

  “How about instead of goodbye, we say, ‘Until we meet again?’” he said.

  I could tell he was fighting back tears as hard as I was. “I’d like that.”

  “Then, until we meet again, my love.”

  I smiled. “Until we meet again.” He squeezed my hand a final time, and then let it go.

  Bob gestured to come nearer to the strange vortex on the floor he had created. “Walk into it, and it will take you where you belong.”

  Artemus shivered on my shoulder. “Don’t be scared, we’ll do this together,” I told him, stroking his feathers. And then a thought occurred to me. What if birds get injured like humans?

  “Will he be all right?” I asked Bob.

  “I don’t know,” he said. “It seems to me, the smaller the creature, the better its chances of adaptation. But I’ve never brought a bird to another dimension, so your guess is as good as mine.”

  It would break my heart if I injured Artemus. I took him off my shoulder and placed him on the floor. “Stay, baby. You’ll be safer here.”

  He squawked, and I got the feeling he didn’t understand. He tried to fan his wings, but one didn’t extend all the way out. He squawked again, as if to say, “I’m injured. You’re just going to leave me?”

  “I’m sorry, buddy. I must go. Thank you for being a true friend.” He nuzzled against my leg. As with Gabriel, tears welled up in my eyes. Artemus was always there for me. Losing him would be like losing a limb.

  “Thank you again, Wise One.” I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to hug him, shake his hand or bow, so I went with a nod, just to be safe. “You saved my life and I won’t forget that.”

  “Take care of yourself, Mara. And don’t be afraid to make some allies,” he said with a knowing smile. “You’ll need them.”

  I was about to step into the vortex, when Gabriel spun me around and kissed me, this time more passionately.

  “Ahem,” Bob said, an outburst that didn’t phase either of us at all. The kiss was warm and wet and exciting. It was the kind of kiss you remember, a kiss that can get you through the times apart.

  He squeezed my hand afterwards and smiled. I got the feeling this wasn’t the last time I would see Gabriel, otherwise known as Dave.

  Artemus still shivered, but he didn’t crawl away. I took a deep breath and exhaled. Alternate dimension, here I come.

  Chapter Seven

  That prickly sensation I mentioned? It’s not only on the skin but inside, like your blood is being tickled with needles. And the light, it felt like it pierced through me, into my molecules. It wasn’t painful as much as uncomfortable and strange.

  As the light consumed me, I heard a squawk, much too close to be back in Excelsia. I cursed the bird’s stubborn streak, but I wasn’t really surprised. I only hoped he could adapt in the new dimension.

  When the light faded, I realized I was surrounded by water, submerged in it. I still couldn’t focus, but I could hear the flapping of Artemus’ wings above. I clawed my way to the surface and gasped as the ocean air filled my lungs. My vision returned all at once. Artemus struggled to stay afloat, but I was in no condition to help him, barely staying afloat myself. Though I had gotten some water and food with Bob, my muscles were still weakened from several days’ worth of dehydration and starvation.

  I refused to believe I was meant to die in an ocean, only two minutes in from another dimension. Fate couldn’t be that cruel. I looked around. In one direction, it was all ocean. In the other a beach that ran as far as I could see, in both directions.

  And there were people on the beach.

  I raised my hand as high in the air as I could, hoping someone would see it. Artemus started to sink, so I shoved my arm underneath him, to at least give him enough of a perch to get his beak out of the water.

  With very little energy left, I started to sink too. The water consumed us both, effortlessly. Artemus still held on to my arm, his talons embedded in my sleeve. I held my breath as long as I could, but I was out of air. As I felt the sting of the water entering my nose and sliding down my throat, a woman appeared in the water with me. Her arms were so toned and defined, if it weren’t for the sizeable breasts in front of me, I would have thought it was a man. Those strong arms wrapped around me and suddenly, I wasn’t in the water any more. I was on the beach, surrounded by several people. I choked, spitting the water out of my
lungs. Artemus didn’t move.

  Oh no, did I lose him?

  “Vi, you don’t look so good.” Another woman, larger and with a darker complexion touched her arm. “Are you okay?”

  “Go get Jay,” the woman who saved me said, before she collapsed. A woman with brown hair and glasses disappeared into thin air.

  I watched in horror as the woman they called Vi grew sallow, and I knew it was because of me. I am death. It follows me everywhere, and that is all I can possibly offer. I wanted to cry but I was still just trying to breathe.

  But then the other woman returned, this time with a man. And right as Vi’s skin started to turn ashy, the man placed his hands on her. A yellow glow surrounded them both, and I watched in amazement as she regained her vitality.

  “That was a little too close,” the larger woman said, and then addressed me. “Is that your power, sweetie?”

  I gaped, sure I witnessed some kind of miracle. “Artemus! Can you…” I disentangled the bird from my sleeve and handed him to the one they called Jay.

  The yellow glow surrounded Artemus, and in seconds his eyes opened. He squawked a bizarre hacking kind of noise, but it was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard. I cried tears of joy, thanking the man over and over. Then I thanked and apologized to the woman who saved me.

  After introductions were made all around, I explained I came in from another dimension, and that yes, my power is to kill people through touch. They took it all surprisingly well. And although they were still strangers, they were like me. They had abilities. By the Wise One, it was so nice to not be alone anymore.

  “That is so fucking cool!” Vi grinned the cutest mischievous grin.

  “Cool? Um…” I muttered, unsure of what to say. No one had it ever categorized it that way.

  “And dangerous,” Kate said. “Can you neutralize her power, Zoe?”

  “Only one way to find out,” Vi said. “Turn it on, baby!”

  “Well when you say it like that…” Zoe said flirtatiously, and I could sense it was a playful banter kind of thing between the two of them. She concentrated for a moment then smiled.

  Vi took hold of my hands, helping me upright. “How long does it usually take?”

  Her face was so close to mine, and even with her hair drenched, it was clear she was naturally gorgeous. “It’s fast, a few minutes at most, though I don’t know if that’s different in this dimension; I mean when it happened to you earlier—”

  She cut me off with a kiss. Slow and sensual, but still flirtatious. I found myself responding, resting my hands along her jawline and just enjoying the ride.

  “Vi, what the fuck?”

  It sounded like Kate had said that, but I wasn’t sure. Vi pulled back from me and smiled.

  “I think we’re good!” She clapped her hands giddily and then turned to Kate. “She’s got death powers, she’s sexy, and she comes with a hawk. Can we keep her, can we keep her?”

  THE END

  About the Author

  Originally a Jersey girl, sunny Texas is where I now call home, in a town way up north in the panhandle called Wellington. Along with the man of my dreams, I have two children: a rambunctious eight year-old girl and a sweet but vocal five year-old boy. Three cats, three dogs and an inordinate amount of pet hair complete my household. For fun I like to read YA, horror, and existentialist fiction, as well as watch cartoons, movies, and sometimes even cartoon movies. I try not to take anything in life too seriously and I tend to smile often.

  https://katstiles.com

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/katstilesauthor

  Facebook: https://facebook.com/katstilesauthor

  Instagram: https://instagram.com/katstilesauthor

  The Thirst

  by Chandra Laraine

  Chapter One

  Two black, snake-like irises blinked in unison. There was no division from the ominous, greenish-gray tint of the salt marsh silt and the young siren’s scales. Meridia’s long hair floated willfully around her face with the inlet current. Her mangled hands clawed at a wooden crate on the salt marsh floor.

  Sirena floated next to her, kicking her tail to keep her spot in the wake of the current. Her sister was darker in comparison, with scales and skin that matched the black volcanic sands of her home waters. Her eyes, though, were a brilliant blue, like the sky on a warm day, and her scraggly, blonde hair had seaweed braided through its tightly woven locks. Sirena was older by a few years and had been the one to teach Meridia and their sisters, Asrai and Thalia, where the best hunting spots were. She’d also been the one to tell them stories of the Sea Hags and of the vile creatures who walked upon the land. Meridia especially enjoyed days like today, when Sirena brought her along to find treasures left behind in the wreckage of the sunken ships.

  Sirena nudged Meridia to the left. Something sparkled when Meridia disturbed the water above the silt. She reached down and felt the weight of coin fill her hand. Sirena always knew where the best treasures were.

  Another presence swam quickly toward them. Before they could react, the shadowy outline of Asrai dove upon them.

  "Come on, Meridia, if we don't hurry we will be late." Asrai swam summersaults around Sirena and Meridia, and then playfully splashed at Meridia to draw her attention away from the newfound treasures.

  It was time for the ceremony to begin. "I'm coming, I'm coming.” Meridia brought her hand up into the last fleeting rays of sunlight and opened her palm to reveal the handful of gold shillings.

  “It's so beautiful!" Asrai said, mesmerized by the way the sun's rays bounced off the coins.

  The more Meridia looked, the more she found littered across the ocean floor, buried beneath the white sands and murky greens. It was magical how the gold sparkled. Preserved for a century until the wisp of her wrist disturbed the thin layer of silt at the bottom of the muck, revealing the gold coins in its wake.

  Meridia’s middle sister, Thalia, caught up to Asrai. Her long body looked as if it was a piece of driftwood upon first glance. Her messy, kelp-like hair was the shortest of the sirens, only coming to the tops of her shoulders and hiding her face.

  “We gotta go!” Thalia grabbed Meridia’s wrist, accidentally clawing her in her haste. “They’re getting ready to start. Achelous is waiting for us.”

  Meridia hissed at Thalia, exposing her razor-sharp teeth.

  Thalia’s eyes grew wide as she pulled back her free hand with her claws extended, ready to strike.

  “Okay, okay. Knock it off you two.” Sirena swam between the two young sirens to stop the spat from escalating and nudged Meridia to drop the coins.

  Meridia gave Sirena a heated glare but obeyed.

  As they made their way to the opening of the inlet, Asrai’s stomach rumbled in hunger. "I wonder if the hunt will be as good as last night’s?”

  “Hopefully with Calypso and Tempest’s blessings, the season’s hunt will be plentiful,” Thalia remarked.

  “I don’t know about the rest of you, but those sailors we killed last night sure were tasty!” Meridia reminisced over the hearty taste of human flesh as her stomach lightly rumbled.

  “If I try hard enough, I swear I can still taste them. Do you think we'll do as well tonight?" Thalia turned sharply and circled back to swim next to her sisters. She wrapped her arms around Asrai and Meridia’s necks, their spat earlier already forgotten between them.

  "I think the one I ate had marinated in rum over the weekend." Sirena giggled as she released a burp.

  “The small one I got was so sweet tasting, I wished there were more like him. I never knew a human could taste like that.” Meridia licked her lips at the memory.

  Asrai accidentally bumped into Meridia as the currents picked up from the approaching storm. Meridia instinctually retaliated, grabbing Asrai and throwing her to the bottom of the marsh floor. Meridia hissed, her sharp claws holding Asrai in a kill position with ease as if Meridia could no longer tell friend from foe.

  Sirena responded by swiping Meridia
with her tail, knocking the overly aggressive siren off of Asrai. The blow seemed to knock her back to herself as she shook her head and glanced guiltily between her sisters.

  Sirena stared at Meridia with an assessing glare. “Meridia, are you feeling alright?”

  “Never better Sirena, why?” Meridia spat, obviously not okay.

  “I think you may have eaten a Fae creature, and to do so would inflict the Thirst upon you. I have to speak to father immediately.”

  “The Thirst? I thought it was just another one of your crazy stories.” Meridia huffed, Sirena thought she might be infected .