by C E Johnson
“Because of the all-knowing wraith spirit of my grandfather, Drogor,” Samil spat. Although he was cursing Drogor’s advice, he knew his grandfather’s suggestion to let Maaca advance into a skilled assassin in the prime battleground of the dark Dothan Forest was probably the right path for her.
“I’m glad you don’t see half-deads as all death and horror.” Lyall laughed aloud at the picture he was painting of his fellow creatures.
“She was death, but she wasn’t horror,” Samil murmured. He dreamed of her often, picturing her flawless skin and lustrous silver hair tumbling on her shoulders and glinting in the torchlight as she vanquished her challengers. She’s an extraordinary creature, he thought.
Not as strong as a dragon, Skyler teased. Samil wished he could go on a flight with Skyler right now. He imagined himself placing his head on Skyler’s smooth jet-black scales and soaring through the clouds, but he didn’t have time for that right now.
“Walk with me, Lyall,” Samil commanded. They moved from his study to the stairs that descended to the dungeons below his castle.
“Time to go to Ater?” Lyall asked. He loped just in front of Samil, instinctively knowing where he was heading. Lyall was ferocious and terrible, his fur black as the night.
“Yes,” Samil said with some frustration in his tone. Am I that obvious? Samil questioned himself. Do my captains all know my addiction so well? Samil sighed.
It really doesn’t matter what they think, Skyler whispered.
You’re right, I can stop going whenever I like, Samil retorted confidently.
“Be careful on these steps,” Lyall rumbled protectively.
“I might need your support when I return,” Samil said to the great beast. The temperature dropped, and Samil rubbed his shoulder. His scapula, injured so long ago in his motorcycle wreck, still throbbed uncontrollably when he went into the cold. They strode side-by-side down a hall to a room he had constructed for contacting Ater.
“I’ll watch over you,” Lyall growled while leaning his massive frame against the doorway. Samil sat himself at a dark oak table, specially fashioned to hold his blackstones. He placed his hand on the center stone and closed his eyes. He murmured the words of a spell and put his mind into a meditative state as his spirit crossed easily into the gray purgatory world. Drifting above the black sea of souls, he searched for a certain pair of wraiths. As he traveled through their dark world, the spirits swarmed around him, whispering answers to where he could find the two he sought. Eventually spotting them together, he plummeted in their direction, blocking out the nearly deafening pleas of the nearby swarm. Samil regarded the wraiths before him, shadows of the Viking warriors they had once been.
“I’m ready,” Ullr grunted. He was enormous, a prominent wraith-spirit, as large as a cave bear.
“Deliver me from this desolate world.” Wuldur, his brother, spoke in a similar tone. He was just as large. The pair dwarfed the other spirits in their vicinity.
“You were twins on Earth, dying side by side in a glorious battle,” Samil declared. “Now I’ll let you both leave this dark world at the same time to become elite half-dead sentinels.” He chose his words carefully. “I want you both to advise and protect the queen of the undead.”
“We’ll guard whoever you want,” Ullr growled a promise.
Samil drifted in a slow circle around the two spirits. “I’ve been planning your formation, the moment of your reawakening, for quite some time. I believe I have the strength to create you simultaneously.”
“If you can accomplish this act, we will make sure your queen suffers no harm,” Wuldur spoke with a strong, confident voice.
“Then it shall be done,” Samil promised, but he had his doubts. He focused on the steps for performing the arcane incantation. The spell sucked all of his inner strength and then demanded more. The light of his spirit flickered. He gasped at the amount of energy required to create two Mavet raa at once, but he wouldn’t give up.
I will give you strength, Skyler promised.
Samil could feel an infusion of energy from his dragon-bondsmate through their link. Somehow, he knew these men would be important to Maaca. He lost all track of time until the spell was complete. I’ve done it, he whispered, barely retaining the strength to will his return to Acacia to watch the Mavet raa materialize. Thank you, Skyler.
Back in his blackstone room, Samil opened his eyes. Dark shapes formed in the long shadows. Lyall ignored the Mavet raa creation and moved to Samil’s side, ready to support his liege. Nearly overcome with exhaustion, Samil accepted the help. He leaned heavily on the great wolf as he staggered to his feet.
“Keep back from him!” Lyall thundered at the Mavet raa as they darted daringly toward Samil in his weakened state. Lyall bared his teeth before snapping and tearing at the air in front of the Mavet raa to keep them at bay.
“Follow me,” Samil croaked hoarsely to the grotesque forms that emerged from the gloom and materialized next to his table. With Lyall’s help, he led the shuffling Mavet raa along dark corridors where more shadows lurked in the flickering mage-lights. Samil could scarcely remember walking to the awaiting pens and opening the two doors, each housing a bound and gagged silver magician, but he felt more alert once the killings were about to take place.
With the entrance of the Mavet raa, the imprisoned men in the pens fell into a panic. Moaning in feral tones, they strained against the ropes that bound them, attempting to roll away from the hideous creatures as the Mavet raa loomed larger. Samil watched, spellbound. The Mavet raa lumbered toward their prey and then instinctively attacked the men’s throats. The foul forms bit and tore at the defenseless magicians in a feeding frenzy. As the magicians died, their human shells erupted in clouds of silver and turned to death-smoke. The Mavet raa hovered over the exposed magus, and a whistling noise formed as they greedily sucked as much energy as possible from the air.
“Fascinating,” Lyall growled. “Was I like that?”
Samil could only nod and continue watching. Like magical leeches, the Mavet raa clung to their victims’ essence before their spirits departed. Then they became enveloped in a hazy, pale silver fog that obscured their features and a moment later they stepped into view, transformed into something new. They were twins again, powerfully built half-dead shades, glowing a luminous pale silver. They were both male, bald, athletic, tall forms with skin that glistened with a metallic tint. Muscles were so perfectly etched on their frames that they looked as if they had just leapt off the pages of an anatomy textbook.
“Who are you?” Samil asked the men as two sets of silver irises turned on him.
“I am Ullr,” one said.
“I am Wuldur,” said the other.
“Excellent.” Samil was proud of his choices. He knew they would win their mental battle for supremacy and they had. Ullr and Wuldur were now the primary consciousness in each shade, they had defeated the magicians to win this right. He clothed them in light leather armor and dark cloaks.
“What will you do with them?” Lyall questioned.
Samil circled the shades slowly, tapping thoughtfully on his lip. “Go to the Dothan Forest,” he ordered the two shades. “Kill as many magicians as you want on your journey to gain strength. Once you arrive, you must search for a vampire half-dead queen named Maaca. Tell her I sent you to her to act as her guards and advisors.” The shades nodded.
Samil was tired but satisfied. “Learn from your prey. Gain fighting skills but also absorb their intelligence.” He couldn’t wait to see what Maaca, Ullr, and Wuldur would evolve into. How powerful will they become once they assimilate scores of victims?
“Do you think they will make it to the Dothan Forest?” Lyall asked after they departed.
“I’m certain that they will.” Samil gave a hollow laugh. “If they help Maaca, perhaps I’ll send them to Earth to help, or even replace, Droth.”
Lyall joined Samil in laughter. “I think Droth’s time on Earth is limited.” There was thinly veiled malic
e in Lyall’s voice. Samil sighed. His weary mind wandered. He wondered if Droth had located the Doberman with the spark of blue magus deep within her soul or the elven girl.
CHAPTER 19
Dream-Link
Andrew Dalton sat in a plush room in Washington D.C, well aware that despite the sumptuous appearance the room was a lie. There was no comfort here. He was actually in a holding cell. The room felt stifling and airless and he wondered if they had raised the temperature on purpose. Hoping Emily was following his clues, he contemplated his options while glancing at the locked door. Although he did not fear Earthlings, they did have an unusual way of interrogating people. Some of their methods were different from the techniques he had learned to resist during his training on the Island of Bashan, and he wondered if they would use drugs on him.
Get a handle on your emotions, Dax urged gently from his position in Lake Austin. Your heart is beating a little too fast. Stay in control. Dax updated Andrew on what he heard from Droth’s magicians and on what he had seen on the horse ranch.
Andrew prayed Emily was safe. He thanked Dax for bringing him up to date before concentrating on his situation. He was worried about the leader of this team, Hadrian Simara, and he wasn’t going to underestimate him. The Blacksky commander was rumored to be ruthless. If his team was observing Emily, she didn’t have much time.
She’s brave enough to enter the portal, Dax whispered encouragingly. Xena will guide her.
I need to keep the agents focused on me, Andrew resolved. If Emily’s taken in for questioning, she may never escape their grasp. He took a deep breath, ready to keep the full attention of Blacksky focused on him until his goddaughter made her decision.
You still need to prepare her for the crossing, Dax said gently.
Can I sustain that much energy? Andrew asked as he paced in his room. Performing a dream-link spell from across the United States would put his very life in jeopardy.
You can’t risk revealing all the information on finding the portal to written word and paper, Dax advised.
This spell may drain me dry, Andrew worried. He felt afraid of what he had to do, but there was also an underlying twinge of excitement running up and down his spine like electricity.
We’ve waited so long for this moment, Dax whispered.
Andrew studied the cameras and listening devices studding the walls. I have no choice. He glanced at a clock in the room. I have to act quickly. Time is running out. Positioning himself in his favorite meditation position, he steadied his mind and began murmuring words that he hoped were too quiet for the microphones to pick up. He supposed Emily and Xena were asleep right now.
* * * Emily * * *
Emily dreamed her godfather was walking with her. Somehow, she was aware that she was in a dream-link of Dr. D’s construction. “I’m taking you to the portal,” he said. Emily nodded. Xena was at her side in the dream-link.
I’m conscious, Xena informed Emily.
Emily was comforted by the presence of her bondsmate, grateful Dr. D had allowed her access to the vision. Her godfather took her to the elevator by his office. They descended. “Emily, with one of your clues, you’ll find a key. The key will be used in this elevator to take you to the subbasement. Always look for others before you follow the portal-path.” The doors opened, and they stepped out. Dr. D mouthed the words, Aranea textura, and Emily watched a faint blue web flow from his eyes and explore every crevice in the room they were in, even searching under doors. Xena quietly watched the magic being performed, absorbing everything.
“Now, make sure you remember the spell of opening I taught you.” He turned to the wall, Aneoxa porta. The seemingly solid stone wall displayed a recess which moved to the side. Dr. D entered, whispering, Fegkos fulgar, and a small blue flame sprang from his index finger. They steadily walked through more passages as a sequence of mage-locked doors opened. Dr. D’s steps began to falter, and Emily could tell he was becoming weary. “Acacia is different from Earth. There’s no electricity,” he taught as he continued forward. “The weapons used are similar to those from Earth’s medieval times and horses are used for transportation. Magic flows seamlessly through the whole society.”
“Are you sure about all of this?” Emily asked softly, giving a voice to her doubts. “I saw men die today.”
Her godfather stopped his progression. He turned to face her, placing his hands on her shoulders and peering into her face. “You’re prepared for this journey.” He enveloped her in a hug.
Emily felt like crying, but she held back her tears. She pulled away and looked into his eyes. “Can you still read my mind?”
“Barely. I’m tired, and you’re becoming stronger.”
“Can you sense my fear?” she asked, unable to hide the shaking of her voice. “I don’t know if I can do this without you.”
He gave her a warm smile. “I know you can do this. This is the first step to finding your family.” He looked to Xena. “You’ll have your bondsmate with you.”
Emily nodded. She thought of her brother, her twin, as tears begin to fall. She wiped them away quickly, determined to appear brave in front of her godfather. “I just miss you,” she whispered. “I wish you were here to guide my steps.”
Dr. D hugged her once again before stepping back and staggering, nearly falling to the ground. “You’re much stronger than you realize.” His image began to flicker. “We must hurry,” he gasped. Pointing at the next door he continued. “Once I realized the significance of my portal entrance, I placed mage-locks on the doors and disguised the hallways with a series of spells to keep the portal hidden. Memorize the location of these doors.” He walked up to the next door along their path. Say the spell of opening, Ianitorus, to open this next door for us.”
Emily approached the next door. Ianitorus. A crack ran along the center of the door and widened into a gap to reveal a dark cavity.
“Good.” He nodded with an expression full of pride. They darted inside, and the wall closed behind them. At the next dead end, she performed the spell again and she saw the wall shimmer in blue in front of her before it disappeared.
“We’ve arrived,” her godfather quietly acknowledged.
Emily wondered how much longer Dr. D could facilitate the link he had created.
The magus he’s expending must be incredible, Xena said in a hushed voice, marveling at Dr. D’s strength.
The visual images within the dream-link began to flicker more prominently. She knew he needed to end the connection soon, but she didn’t want him to go. A monolith stood before them, a huge stone structure, burning with a blue fire. She quickly translated the ancient Acacean script carved in the stone:
Portals of power, enshrined in dark,
To pass this way, make your mark.
Take only your body and what you wear.
Take across more, and Traveler, beware.
Live. Die. Sink. Swim.
With this step let your quest begin.
As Emily traced the words with her finger and read them aloud, she heard a faint humming in her ears. Dr. D looked at her well-pleased. Emily placed her hand on the stone and watched clouds of blue light whirl and swirl around her fingers, “I’m scared of Droth and Blacksky, of the unknown, but I think I’m ready.” She tried to sound confident.
“Don’t be scared, my little warrior.” Dr. D stepped back to regard her again, and Emily stared at the dark circles forming around his eyes, as blue as the magus that floated around the portal. He was breathing rapidly, and his cheeks appeared sunken. He rubbed his temples, “Acacia will mature you into a powerful mage strong enough to find the rest of your family and handle those who wish to do you harm. When you return, come for me if you can. Now, put Xena between us, and take a big breath.”
Emily closed her eyes. Her parents and her twin were on the other side of this portal. Yearning for her brother, she focused on the empty place inside her. Stroking her bondsmate, she wondered about the possibility of a unique bond between herself and
her twin and gained strength from the thought. Dr. D traced the symbol, an A, and completed the spell. Blue light shot from the traced letter and enveloped their bodies. She felt warmth extend into her chest and legs.
JUMP, she heard her ki command with such strength that she felt Xena acknowledge it too. All three jumped as one. She opened her eyes and realized she was under water. She pushed aside her hair floating in front of her face and found herself face to face with the vacant grin of a skull. She tried to scream but choked and began to thrash. Emily sat up in bed gasping.
* * * Dr. Dalton * * *
Andrew Dalton was bathed in sweat on his narrow bed. He took one shuddering breath and was still. A light began to flash in his room.
“Code blue, code blue,” cried his personal guard from the surveillance room. Personnel flooded into the prisoner’s room, and an oxygen mask was placed over Dr. Dalton’s face while a medic initiated CPR. He was hooked to an EKG monitor. IV lines were slammed forcefully into veins, and his shirt was removed.
“He has no pulse, and his heart is showing v-tach. We need to give him a shock,” the head medic said. “Charge to 360 joules. We’re all clear. Shocking,” he roared, making sure no one was touching the patient when the shock was delivered.
“We have a pulse. He’s breathing,” one of his nurses yelled.
“We need to get him to a hospital,” the medic replied. “Tell Hadrian I’m transferring him to the military medical center ... if we don’t, he’s going to die.”
CHAPTER 20
Hadrian
Hadrian was poring over the security camera images with Dysis, who had recently returned to their headquarters. What happened? he wondered, knowing his interrogation of Dr. Dalton wasn’t going to occur today as he had planned.