Fire and Fantasy: A Limited Edition Collection of Urban and Epic Fantasy

by CK Dawn

  “What’s the name of this place again?” Cassie said struggling to be heard over the racket.

  “What?” Zoey cupped a hand around her ear. Cassie repeated the question. “Oh. It’s ‘Crimson’. Great, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah.” Cassie plastered on that happy face and tried to sound enthused. “Great.”

  Zoey yelled what sounded like, “Be right back,” and disappeared through the mass of moving bodies. Cassie scanned the area and spotted an empty corner toward the back of the club. She made a beeline for the spot. Just as she was about to have a little peace, a guy grabbed her wrist and spun her around.

  “Hey. Come dance with me, baby.” The man’s breath reeked of alcohol. His disheveled sweaty hair spilled forth from a ponytail. A pair of tattered jeans, dirty construction boots, and “More beer here” t-shirt pegged him as trouble.

  “No, thanks.” Cassie tugged her hand away from his grip. She took a pointed step back to put more space between her and the stranger. His muddy blue eyes glared at her with menace.

  “That’s how it gonna be, huh?” The man slurred his words and made a grab for her again. She sidestepped him and watched as he stumbled forward. When he regained his balance, he turned and hissed. “Bitch!”

  “Get lost, asshole!” Cassie braced one foot forward and felt the floor beneath her feet. It’d been a rough couple of weeks, and if she got the chance to take out her frustration on this moron, she’d welcome the challenge.

  The man laughed at her. “Watcha gonna do bitch?” He lunged again, trying to circle her waist.

  She out maneuvered him. With her leg extended to one side, she used his body weight and forward motion to propel him to the ground. The jerkoff fell head over heels for her – literally. He laid flat on his back in a heap as his eyes stared at the ceiling.

  A martial artist for many years but a pacifist by nature, she tried to keep the grin off her face. She failed. “Perfect.”

  Seven

  “Excuse me, miss. You okay?” A booming voice said from behind her. Cassie spun around, the grin still on her face. Taking down the jerk had her adrenaline pumping. She tried not to bounce around as she eyed the voice’s source. A hefty bouncer, with Zoey at his side, stood like a mountain. He observed the man in the corner with the poise of a true professional.

  “I’m fine. Thank you.”

  The bouncer towered over Cassie, a good head and a half taller. His biceps bulged larger than her thighs. A black t-shirt and jeans matched his ebony skin. His deep-set eyes projected an all business gaze. Anyone would be a fool to mess with this man.

  “Okay, buddy, let’s take a walk.” The stranger might have been sleazy, but he evidently wasn’t a fool. He staggered to his feet with a groan. Shooting Cassie a drunken glare, he followed the bouncer out without argument. The crowd parted way for the pair, and then swallowed them up again in a mass of bodies as they passed.

  Zoey embraced her around the neck in a tight hug. “You sure you’re all right? I’m so sorry. I thought you’d be safe by yourself for two minutes.” She stepped back and swatted the air, exasperation making the simple motion more dramatic. Another hug around Cassie’s neck cutoff the airflow. “I’m so so sorry. You okay? Really?”

  “I’ll be better after you let go.” When Cassie could take a deep breath again, she said, “No worries, Zo. You know I can handle myself. Besides it wasn’t your fault. Let’s just forget it and try to enjoy ourselves.”

  “Okay. As long as you’re sure.” Zoey’s peppy spirit switched right back on. She took Cassie by the hand and led her to the main dance floor. People swayed to the beat all around them. “No more craziness. Let’s have some fun.”

  Cassie made it through five songs of house and techno mixes, before she signaled to Zoey she was heading back to the bar. Zoey made a move to come with her, but Cassie waved her off.

  “I’ll be okay. I’m just going to get a drink and rest. Keep dancing,” she yelled at Zoey’s ear to make sure she heard her.

  She needed some alone time - or as alone as you could be in a club. Thankfully, an empty metal bar stool assured her reprieve from the crowd and the blisters forming on her feet.

  “Diet coke, please.”

  The pretty blonde bartender worked fast, sliding drinks across the counter with ease. Cassie grabbed her drink from the pile and turned to watch the people dancing. The music had died down a bit but the crowd was just getting started. The mass of wriggling, straining bodies on the floor made for an almost hypnotic show. Zoey danced with a cute guy who had more than dancing on his mind. His hips gyrated in an obvious demonstration of his thoughts.

  What a meat market. Cassie blew out a breath, then let her gaze wander from the display and travel around the room. I’m getting too old for this.

  Out of the crowd, she spotted a familiar face. It was the same one she’d seen so many times in her dreams. Gabe’s heated stare captured hers from the other side of the room, giving her heart a little jolt. Shit! Hell! Damn! Curses flooded her mind without direction. He walked toward her with confidence, his step never faltering. Before she could think straight, he stood in front of her.

  “Hello Cassie.”

  The suggestiveness in his simple greeting melted her. A weak “Hi” was all she could manage as his eyes pierced her in a way that suggested he saw into her soul. Aren’t I supposed to dislike him or something? Is he following me again? It skipped across her mind, a fleeting pebble of a thought before she lost all reason and resolve. The golden color in his gaze entranced her.

  “We need to talk,” he said, eyes narrowed.

  Before Cassie could do little more than open and shut her mouth, Zoey appeared on the scene. Her sly smile warred with her mother hen hovering. She winked at Cassie, and then turned to Gabe. “Hello there. You look familiar.” She beamed a row of white teeth. “I never forget a face. Now let’s see...the diner right?”

  “Yes. You’re Zoey, the waitress. I remember too.” Gabe returned the grin. “I’m Gabe. Nice to see you again.”

  “Nice to see you too. Cassie failed to mention you two knew each other.” She huffed and peered at her friend. A shrug was Cassie’s lone reply.

  “We know each other somewhat,” Gabe said. With a wolfish grin, he added, “But I’m hoping to change that.”

  “Well then, you going to stand here chatting it up all night, or are you going to take my friend and hit the dance floor?” She nodded in Cassie’s direction.

  “I don’t dance.” The muscles in his arms flexed as he slipped his hands into the pocket of his overcoat. “Besides, your friend and I need to talk.”

  “Oh really?” Zoey said, raising one eyebrow skyward. She giggled. “Well, you see, bars are for talking, clubs are for dancing.”

  “And what about bars inside of clubs?” Gabe pointed at the neon bar sign.

  Zoey crossed her arms looking a bit deflated. “Guess there’s no steadfast rule about it.”

  “Then, do I have permission to talk with your friend?” The sudden sweet change in his voice made it impossible for any woman to resist.

  “Sure.” Zoey titled her chin toward her chest and lowered her lashes, clearly affected by Gabe’s tone.

  “Ah Zoey.” Cassie said, tapping her friend on the shoulder. “I think Gabe and I are going to get some fresh air. Will you be all right?”

  “Of course, silly. I’ll see you later.” She examined Gabe, her gaze running the length of his body. A brief nod to Cassie followed. “Or if I don’t see you later, just give me a call,” she said with a wink. Zoey kissed her on the cheek, then turned to Gabe and pointed her long finger at him. “You take care of her.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Gabe gave a polite nod. “Wouldn’t do otherwise.”

  Before Cassie could protest she hadn’t meant anything more than a simple walk outside, Zoey leaned in and whispered into her ear, “Please be careful.” Then, her friend disappeared into the swarm of people on the dance floor.

  “She’s got the wrong i
dea.”

  “Oh and what idea is that?” Gabe’s smirk implied the type of idea Cassie wanted to avoid.

  “Never mind. What do you want? How did you find me?” Zoey’s earlier distraction pulled Cassie back to some of her senses. This isn’t some dream. This is real. And he’s not to be trusted. The conviction would be a lot more effective if her body would just cooperate and not get all worked up. She pushed the memories of her dreams away, gripping the cup of soda like a life preserver.

  “Easy. I just want to talk to you.” Gabe put his hands up in surrender. “Please.”

  The please caught her off guard and she nodded despite her better judgment. Gabe walked toward the emergency exit around the corner from the bar and she followed two steps behind. He cracked the door open, glancing up at the alarm. When it failed to go off, he pushed it wider and scanned outside. He stepped into the cool night, and then held the door open for Cassie. The alleyway looked empty in the moon’s glow.

  The wind blew past with a chill and goose bumps emerged on Cassie’s legs and arms. Without a word, Gabe took off his long black coat and offered it to her. Didn’t I hold him off with a knife the last time we met? Cassie hesitated as her internal warning bells triggered. Didn’t he also save you from...? She didn’t know how to finish her last thought, so she put her arms into his jacket and hugged it around her, nodding a silent “thank you”. The smell of cinnamon and something stronger, almost like Jack Daniels, reached her nose. She edged the collar of the jacket further savoring the aroma. Be careful. Her need for self-preservation struggled against, or perhaps with, her curiosity, depending on how you looked at it. Regardless, she had to know more despite her reservations.

  “All right, Gabe,” Cassie said with a little too much force. “We’re alone. Talk.”

  “Just a minute.” He motioned for silence. “I don’t think we’re alone after all.” Squinting into the darkness, he searched the alley. He pointed to a shadowy figure about forty feet away, by the dumpster near one wall.

  “I can’t tell. It could be a person. But, I only see...” Cassie choked on the last words as blinding pain invaded her head. She went down hard on both knees, her hands clutching her temples. A scream struggled to escape her throat.

  “Cassie,” Gabe shouted. “Not now. You have to fight this. It’s too dangerous here.” He wound his arms around her, willing her to stay with him. Every fiber of his being worked to keep her in the here and now; his energy flared a brilliant blue. She could sense his resolve even through the pain.

  Without warning, Gabe flew backward into the brick wall and the pain in Cassie’s head reached its threshold. A buzz and smoke surrounded her. Darkness consumed the space and air where she knelt creating a cyclone without wind. Somehow she’d managed to stay awake through it. Not at all the norm. Every other time these attacks hit, she’d passed out. Yet, now, her mind remained alert.

  As the pain eased off, so did the dark whirlwind. But, before it disappeared completely, a shadow emerged from its base. Cassie opened her eyes wide and stared as the shadow moved across the alley floor and toward the dumpster. The figure she’d been unable to see before now appeared very clear. The stranger who’d grabbed her in the club leaned against the metal trash bin, staring at the shadow. Hisses erupted from the spot where the stranger stood and a voice, which could only be defined as demonic, half hiss, half growl, spoke. Cassie couldn’t make out the words, but the next thing she saw she was certain would haunt her dreams for all time. The shadow on the floor shot straight up into the man’s mouth, nose and eye sockets as if it were a tangible thing.

  Cassie’s scream finally ripped through the air. In the same moment, Gabe grabbed her from behind and pulled her down the alley. In her fear, she fought him, struggling in his grip and making the job far more difficult. “Cassie, stop,” he shouted close to her ear. “We have to get out of here. Now!”

  Terror paralyzed her. For so many weeks, she’d been living in doubt of what Gabe had told her, of what the psychic revealed, and of the existence of anything paranormal. The sight of the shadow shooting into the man had her stomach churning. It seemed far too possible Gabe hadn’t been lying and all she’d ever known only scratched the surface of reality. She couldn’t make herself move.

  The stranger turned to observe their behavior. His eyes, which Cassie had remembered as blue, flared black. The pupils and irises mixed, while the white outer layers punctuated the terrifying combination. In a steely tone it said, “No use, Guardian. I know her now.” A bitter laugh rang in the night. With inhuman speed, it lunged toward them.

  Gabe reacted as fast. He pushed Cassie aside and out of harm’s way as he turned to face the oncoming stranger. The pair clashed in a sickening thud. Blood splattered on the alley’s aged pavement as the two exchanged blows. Gabe gained the upper hand. He got up into a crouch and his leg shot out to take the other man down. Before the stranger had a chance to get back up, Gabe’s elbow collided with the stranger’s nose. Cassie gagged at the sound of crunching bone and cartilage. Another blow had Gabe’s fist coming down hard and fracturing the man’s collarbone. His movements flowed from one to the next, precise and unhesitant. He’s done this before. The thought held her in stunned amazement.

  The stranger swung at Gabe from the ground. In an instant, however, he stopped and lay motionless. Surprise marked Gabe’s features as he bent down to inspect the cause of the sudden change. Cassie could see the lifeless black eyes staring at Gabe. A disconcerting feeling formed in her mind’s eyes, but she couldn’t give it shape. Observing the situation as close as she dared, she reached a tentative hand forward but snatched it back.

  “Can’t be that easy,” Gabe said as he leaned in for a closer look.

  “No!” she cried. “Look out!”

  Her words resonated down the alleyway. Gabe couldn’t react fast enough to her warning. The black eyes sprang to life and a knife pierced Gabe’s side, the blade buried up to the handle in his body. Before crumbling to the ground, he managed to slam the stranger’s head into the pavement. The crunch of bone on concrete filled the air. Pain clouded Gabe’s eyes and showed on his face in sharp lines. Cassie ran toward him and kneeled at his side. Warmth radiated from his body in an electric blue current when she touched his shoulder. It lasted but a moment before his body went limp and unconsciousness swallowed him up.

  Eight

  “Wake up! Wake up!” Cassie screamed. “Oh God, no. Please. Come on.” She slapped Gabe’s face once, twice trying desperately to bring him back. I don’t believe this is happening. She snuck a look at the knife jammed in his side. The hilt taunted her, emblazoned in copper with a menacing green python. “What the hell do I do?” The panic threatened to choke her.

  Moving with caution, she touched her hand to the weapon. Her thoughts jumbled as she tried to talk through the horror. “Think. First aid. CPR. Do you pull out a knife or leave it?” Her hands shook. “When do you apply pressure? Oh, God!” As she wrapped her fingers around the weapon, a hoarse voice startled her.

  “I’ll…take…care of it,” Gabe said. His face was a reflection of his body, raked with pain. His words came accented on short rough gasps. “Let…go.”

  A whoosh pierced the air. Cassie hadn’t even been aware she’d been holding her breath. Gabe’s voice set her back to reality.

  “Oh my God! You’re alive. Thank heaven,” she said in one breath. “But you were unconscious. And is he...?” She glanced around Gabe at the stranger’s motionless body. Blood covered the pavement like a macabre rain puddle. A moan from Gabe dragged her eyes away from the spectacle and back to his injury. The wound continued to trickle blood past the knife, down his body and onward to stain the ground. “Where’s my phone? I have to call an ambulance.”

  “No!” Gabe cried, grabbing a firm hold of her wrist. His lips pressed together, jaw locking. She winced, but he took a short breath and said evenly, “You can’t do that. I said ‘I’ll take care of it’ and I will. Just give me a minute.”

/>   “You’re hurting me.” He let go. Cassie rubbed her wrist. “Okay. You’re hurt, so I’ll let that go, but what the hell’s going on?”

  “Damn it.” The knife erupted from Gabe’s body in one rapid motion. He stared at it, then tossed it across the alley. His eyes ignited in raw agony. His breathing ragged. “I asked for a minute.”

  “Why did you do that?” She watched in horror as the blood poured from his side unchecked. “We have to get you to a hospital now.”

  “You can’t, Cassie. I’ll be fine. Just...” He turned to one side and covered the wound from her sight. “Please. I think you know I can’t go to a hospital.”

  The pleading look in his eyes tugged at Cassie’s heart. She didn’t know why and she didn’t trust him, but she knew he wasn’t lying. He couldn’t go to a hospital. “All right.” It was a bleak acceptance. “What do we do?”

  A weak smile crossed his lips. “Thank you.” It was probably one of the few times he’d ever used the words or so she guessed. “Let’s get to…the end of the alley...cab...your apartment.” He choked on his words as the intensity of his injury flared up. She looked at him with renewed concern. “I’ll heal. No hospital.”

  “What about him?” She asked, more grounded with a plan in place. “What do we do with the body?”

  “Leave it.” Gabe rose to his knees. Beads of sweat formed on his brow, but he pushed on. “Cops won’t be able to decipher anything more than a bar fight gone bad. They’ll run into a dead end.”

  Cassie nodded, not being able to come up with any rational arguments – plenty of irrational ones, none rational. Her mind raced with the thoughts of how they were going to accomplish the next part. Oh shit. Lots of blood. How do I get him out of here? She puzzled through the problem while rubbing her crossed arms. The coarse fabric of Gabe’s coat met her cold hands. He’d given it to her when they stepped outside. Now, it was a lifesaver. She took it off, draped it around him, and pulled it taut to cover the gash. She rose over him.