Behind the Veil

by Thawer, Tish

  After watching all the demons grab their chosen women and leave the dungeon, Kylie knew it was time to make their move.

  She crawled back to the spot where she'd previously cast her circle and once again began to call on her magick. "Spirit realm come to me, show me what I need to see. Guide me through the steps to take, to free these women and make our break."

  The image that rose up in her mind's eye was one of her standing over the women with her hands extended. She moved over to them and did exactly what the vision had shown her. Opening her mouth the words that tumbled out weren't her own, even though it was her voice echoing through the cell. "Dark magick dissipate, allow these women to truly wake. The spirit realm protects these four, as our chosen child leads them out the door."

  Kylie opened her eyes to see a bright gold healing light emanating from her hands. As soon as it enveloped the women, they began to stir. Kylie quickly gave her thanks and closed her circle.

  "Friends, please wake. Our time to move has come." Kylie shook each of them in an effort to jolt them out of their spellbound slumber.

  Standing at the cell's door, Kylie simply placed the pointed end of her blade into the lock. She and all the women watched as a surge of energy ran down her arm and out the end of the blade, lighting up each stone on the hilt as it passed through them.

  The cell's door sprung open and the women all crept behind Kylie in a straight line down the corridor towards the stairs.

  Kylie had a clear vision of where to go to make their escape, but as easy as it looked in her mind, she knew it wouldn't be so in reality.

  Once they hit the top of the stairs, they all crouched down until Kylie gave the signal to move. All five women crept along the cold stone wall as they made their way through the empty corridor. When they reached the end of the hall, Kylie paused, placing her hands on the massive wooden door. After a moment of quiet meditation, she nodded her head and pulled on the large iron handle.

  The door quietly swung open, revealing a massive ballroom, and the women rushed inside. Shaking from their fear of being discovered, they all stayed huddled together and waited for Kylie to indicate their next move. Once she verified it was clear, they raced across the large room to the door on the opposite wall. Through her visions, Kylie knew beyond this door was a long hallway which led to the main entrance and the front exit of the castle, but the multiple doors that lined the hall had Kylie very concerned. She knew once they passed this point, running into the demons was an obstacle they couldn't avoid.

  Kylie placed her hand on the massive wrought iron handle, but as she started to pull, she caught sight of a small door off to the side of the room. It was made of glass and framed within a wall of windows, blending perfectly and making it hard to see. She motioned for the women to follow her as she made her way over to examine the alternate exit. Pressing her face against the glass door, Kylie cupped her hands around her eyes to give herself a better view against the glare.

  "This leads to the garden, and from there we can hopefully find an exit onto the main grounds. Just let me check with the spirit realm to see if it's a safe alternative."

  As Kylie prepared to enter her meditative state, there was a loud bang on the door they had just vacated. All the women squealed and started to glance back and forth with panicked looks on their faces.

  "It seems as though we have no choice," Kylie announced. She opened the glass door and hurried everyone into the garden.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  As Rezmona continued her stroll through the castle's lush landscape, she reminded herself to make a point of thanking Gregor for moving them here. Not only was it easily defendable, but it also offered many alternatives to fill her time with pleasant things. Even though she was the feared demon queen, she also appreciated things like the beautiful roses she was currently running the palm of her hand across. Things like the skillfully crafted stone benches that littered the garden, creating several intimate seating areas throughout. Things like...what the hell?

  Rezmona froze as she tried to process what she was seeing. Five slave women sneaking out the side door of the castle into her garden? It couldn't be. No way would her warriors or Gregor let something like this happen. It just wasn't possible.

  She continued to watch, thinking that perhaps it was a vision of things to come, or maybe her magick was showing her what the prisoners were planning. But when she finally caught sight of the prisoner's face who was leading them along the stone wall, Rezmona recognized her as the impudent slave from the dungeon. As the anger settled in her chest, she knew what she was seeing was truly happening.

  "Stop!" Rezmona roared.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  As soon as Kylie and the other women made their way into the beautiful garden, she spotted a wooden door at the far end of the stone wall. Kylie lifted her finger to her lips, then nodded her head towards the door. But, as soon as they began to creep along the wall they heard the most terrifying thing.

  "Stop!"

  Gripped by fear at the sound of the queen's voice echoing through the air, the women dropped to the ground. All except Kylie.

  "How did you get out here? Never mind, because you're not going to live long enough to tell me."

  As the queen's words registered, Kylie knew this was the moment that would decide the fate of her and her friends. They would either die by the queen's magick, or fight using their enchanted weapons and make their escape.

  "Ready your weapons," Kylie instructed.

  Kylie heard the women reach for their knives as she pulled her own from the confines of her dress. The smile on the evil queen's face was twisted and frightening, indicating she didn't see any of them as a threat. Kylie didn't let that distract her as she began to call on her magick.

  "Spirit realm, please fill me, protecting these women is my duty. Give me the strength of your magick and will, to take down the Queen of Abrinthill."

  The magick that surged through Kylie radiated around her in a blue mystical light. Her knife was pulsing with green earth energy as the stones lit up and glowed as brightly as the demon queen's red eyes.

  The cackling laughter that spilled from Rezmona's lips was disturbing but Kylie stood her ground as the queen said, "Your magick is no threat to me. I will kill you where you stand."

  "Then know it's my destiny to not only stop you, but to destroy you," Kylie replied.

  The queen screamed so loud that the windows surrounding the garden shattered into a million pieces, forcing the cowering women to cover their heads. Kylie then watched as Rezmona dropped her glamour, revealing the demon she truly was.

  Her towering red form was definitely intimidating, and her shiny black horns looked beautiful and deadly at the same time. Preparing herself for the ultimate fight, one she wasn't convinced she'd win, Kylie faced the queen, then ran to meet her fate.

  The moment the two collided, Rezmona screeched in pain. The blue light surrounding Kylie was apparently like acid to the demon queen's skin, as spots on her arms started to bubble and ooze.

  Kylie smiled, but then the queen jumped back out of her reach and quickly began to chant. "Dark magick come to me, punishing these women is what needs be. Fill my veins with your deadly power, for they shall die from where they cower."

  The queen's normal magick wouldn't work against Kylie, so as the black tendrils started to encase her entire body, it was clear Rezmona was calling on the dark magick she used for the breeding program. Soon Rezmona was surrounded by black tendrils that were meant to be her protection as well as Kylie's death.

  "You won't win that easily, slave," Rezmona threatened.

  The queen charged forward and this time made contact without any pain. She punched Kylie in the stomach, sending her flying into the air, only to be slammed back down to the ground by one of the queen's dark tendrils that was now wrapped around her ankle. Kylie looked down at her leg and watched as the black satin looking ribbon of magick started winding its way higher and higher.

  Using her k
nife, Kylie quickly sliced through the corporeal magick and watched as the inky black strand withered and disappeared. The queen froze in shock as Kylie taunted, "It appears none of your magick is strong enough to defeat me."

  Kylie didn't wait for a response but instead threw herself at the queen. She punched and kicked like a true warrior, waiting for the perfect opening. After landing a solid hit to the queen's face and a kick to her gut, Kylie launched herself into the air, coming down atop the queen and burying her knife deep within her chest.

  Kylie stood back and watched as the black magick that encased the queen's body started to shrink and squeeze, disintegrating until only two black and gold striped horns were left lying on the ground.

  As the women rushed forward, their knives still tightly grasped in their hands, Kylie received another vision. The women looked the same, only bigger, and wore warrior gear which included their enchanted knives. The vision showed Kylie leading them into multiple battles and victories.

  Suddenly, being prompted by the spirits themselves, Kylie reached down and grabbed one of Rezmona's horns, watching as the other dissolved into the earth.

  The women gasped as she turned around and touched the horn to Lucy's, then Reni's heart. What happened next was the beginning of history itself.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Kylie watched as each of the women she touched with the demon horn grew to an incredible size. Almost double their original stature. Their clothes ripped and molded themselves into the warrior gear Kylie had seen in her vision; bra-like tops with bands crisscrossing their breasts, and fitted skirts with belts and weapons hanging from their waists.

  She completed the process by touching Avetta, Trina, and then herself.

  Kylie ended up being the largest of them all. Her beautiful black hair whipped in the wind as the demon horn shrank to a smaller size which then fit perfectly into a loop on her skirt.

  Just as Kylie saw the old cloaked demon, followed by a wall of warriors coming out the garden door, everything around them started to disappear.

  The women scrambled to their feet, only to find their toes buried in the sand.

  "Kylie, where in the world are we?" Avetta asked.

  Being guided by the spirits once again, Kylie answered. "We're on the island of Themiscyra in Ovialell. Welcome to your new lives."

  And so, the day the demon queen died was the same day the Amazons were born.

  THE END

  Look for Kylie and her Amazons throughout the Ovialell series.

  THE RISE OF RAE

  by

  Tish Thawer

  CHAPTER ONE

  Inlavey was the city of the fae. Located on Upper World of Ovialell, it was home to the great fairy spirits, and watched over by the Goddess Diana.

  Raeanne loved her home town. It was the greatest city in Ovialell as far as she was concerned. The villages were full of fun loving fairies and wandering through the magickal forests by fairy light, was one of her favorite things to do.

  But unfortunately, Raeanne was an outcast.

  She didn't look any different than the other fairies in her village, didn't act different, or talk different. But she was different. A one of a kind original...and she hated it.

  It seemed so silly, but everyone she'd ever met made such a huge deal about her name that she'd begged her parents to change it at least a million times.

  All of her "friends" had names like Brandi, Candi, Lindsy, Traci, or Kary. As a matter of fact, all female fairies had names that ended in "i" or "y." It was the way of her people, a time honored tradition, as it was thought the females of their race forged a special connection to the fair"y" spirits through their names. So when her parents decided to name her Raeanne, they had basically ruined her life.

  Her mother and father, Sari and Venrick, explained they'd been led by the fairy spirits to name her as they did and breaking tradition wasn't something that had been easy for them. But if you were lucky enough to receive a message from the spirits...it was something you didn't ignore.

  CHAPTER TWO

  "Rae, are you going to town today or would you like to help me do the baking?" her mother asked.

  "I'll help you, Mama. You know I don't like going into town." Raeanne tied up her long brown hair before reaching for the wooden mixing bowls.

  "Have you been having more trouble?" Sari asked.

  Rae closed her eyes and took a deep breath. How was she suppose to explain to her mother that it was all her fault? That every time she went to town she had trouble. She was teased, made fun of, pushed around, and most often...simply ignored. She knew it would hurt her mama to hear such things, but at the same time, she didn't want to lie to her.

  "It's alright, Mama. I'm used to it. Besides, once I turn eighteen next month and complete my fairy trial, hopefully people will stop harassing me about my name."

  She tried to smile as she turned back to the table, but her mother's knowing stare had her blinking away tears.

  "Raeanne. You are a special girl with a special name. And I have no doubt that once your trial is complete, you'll finally have some clarity as to just how special you are."

  Her mom kissed her on the cheek, tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and then blew a puff of flour straight into her face.

  "Mama!" Rae exclaimed. Sari laughed and continued to gather the ingredients for the baked goods they'd be preparing today.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Raeanne put on her fur boots and wool cape, then gathered the warm rolls and loafs of bread into her basket before heading to the door.

  "Be safe, darling. Dinner will be ready when you return," her mother said.

  Rae was headed to town after all, as the extra baked goods they made would garner a good price when sold fresh at the market.

  "Don't worry, Mama. I'll be back soon."

  Raeanne took a deep breath, enjoying the feel of the crisp winter air, then started down the cobblestone path that led from her house to the center of town. She kept her head down and walked with feather light steps as mature fairies flew around while youngsters ran by playing, their laughter filling the air.

  She almost made it to the baker when she felt someone creeping up behind her. Suddenly, her basket was knocked to the ground. She watched the bread roll into the ditch before turning around to look the hoodlums in the face.

  "Freak!" they yelled.

  She stared coldly at their backs as they ran away. She learned long ago that fighting back, or trying to defend herself, only made things worse.

  She felt ashamed as she wiped a lone tear from her cheek, since she'd just told her mother she was use to being picked on. It looks like she lied to her after all.

  Just as she began to gather the bread, as not to leave a mess on the side of the road, she heard, "Here, let me help you."

  It's wasn't just the male voice that startled her, but the actual offer of help, as it was something that had never happened before.

  Raeanne looked up and was met with the sweetest smile and a stunning pair of cerulean blue eyes.

  "Hi. I'm Prayter," said the attractive male fairy. He used his powerful wings to speed from one discarded loaf of bread to another, gathering all the spilled contents of her basket within seconds.

  Dropping her eyes to the ground she quickly replied, "Thank you." As she turned to walk away, Prayter tapped her on the shoulder.

  "May I walk you home?"

  Her anxiety spiked and she yelled, "Leave me alone!" She took off running, but with the force of his wings, Prayter appeared in front of her a second later.

  Holding up his hands, he pleaded, "Wait. Please. I just want to talk to you."

  "Why? So you can pretend to be nice to the freak, then attack her in the woods, or something like that?"

  Prayter sucked in a breath and his brow developed a deep crease. "Why would you say that? I would never hurt you. And why would you call yourself a freak?"

  Raeanne took a moment to really look at Prayter and realized she'd never s
een him before. She'd lived in this village her whole life, so the fact that she didn't recognize him meant he wasn't from around here. So instead of answering his question, she asked one of her own instead. "Where are you from?"

  "I'm from Bhrnmar, it's three villages over from Inlavey. Have you never been?"

  She shook her head, her eyes darting to the ground once again. "Well, trust me when I tell you, walking me home would be bad for your health," Rae explained.

  Patting himself on the chest, Prayter smiled. "Well, I'm in pretty good shape, so I think I'll take my chances."

  Prayter boldly reached out and took her hand, not waiting for a response. But the one he got probably wasn't at all what he expected.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The rapid pounding of her heart had Raeanne feeling as though it was about to burst from her chest.

  This was the first time in her entire life that someone other than her parents had risked touching her since she was practically viewed as a leper. For someone like Prayter to show her such kindness...it was simply more than her raw nerves could handle.

  Tears streamed down her face as she stood frozen, staring at the intersection where their fingers intertwined.

  "I'm sorry. I...um...I didn't mean to upset you," Prayter said.

  He tried to release her hand, but her muscles seized, and her brain suddenly lost ability to make her fingers move. They stood frozen, like a statue of two lovers holding hands, while happy tears escaped her.