Queens of Wings & Storms

by Angela Sanders et al.

  Alazne appeared in a rush, breathing heavily.

  “Damn, you can run,” she said.

  The young witch let out a groan and he blew out a breath of air. Thank the stars. She likely had one hell of a headache, but at least she wasn’t dead.

  As the witch slowly turned to her back, she felt the side of her neck where the tech had been. Lifting herself on her elbows, she stopped moving when she noticed him and his companions.

  Ready to get out his magic stick if she so much as looked at them wrong, she smiled.

  He blinked. Not sure what to expect to begin with, that was the farthest on the list.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  Standing at the edge of the dead trees, lungs burning from her sprint across the now green field, Alazne tried to catch her breath. Even with new life in the field, the dead trees seemed to steal the air, taking longer than usual to get enough oxygen in her lungs.

  Her familiar was on her shoulder, rubbing the back of it as if the movement would help her gain the needed oxygen quicker. It wasn’t helping the burning sensation in her chest, but she did appreciate the soothing motion. Maybe that was the point. Were all familiars this mothering?

  The young witch was smiling at them, then her face scrunched up as she looked over Zenon.

  “Why are you dressed like that?” she said.

  Alazne couldn’t have been more irritated if it punched her in the lungs.

  “Why are you dressed like that?” she choked out between breaths.

  The Hunter Witch looked at her arms. “The Hunters captured me. They made me dress like this.” Her eyes tracked back to Zenon. “But this wizard isn’t one of the prisoners.”

  “I’m not a wizard,” Zenon said. “Wait, you are a prisoner? ‘One of the prisoners?’”

  Alazne’s jaw dropped as she stared at Zenon. How could he not know he was a wizard after what just happened? Then she turned her eyes to the young witch. Since when did the Hunters start taking prisoners? What the hell-all was going on?

  Feeling little feet scurry from her left shoulder to her right, she turned her attention to the familiar.

  “We all want some answers, but can we please get off this world?” Ariad’s voice was strained in a fearful waver.

  The hairs on the back of Alazne’s neck stood up as dark things moved in the dead forest. Shadow Spirits.

  “You made a deal with them, didn’t you?” Her familiar’s accusing tone was directed at the Hunter Witch.

  “I didn’t want to,” the girl said, voice shaking. “My magic doesn’t work here and the Hunters made me do it. And I didn’t want to.” Tears rolled down her cheeks.

  “Move back to the clearing,” Zenon said, standing.

  Holding his hand out to the young woman, Alazne was surprised by a zip of jealousy as he helped the Hunter Witch to her feet.

  Pulling his wand, he slowly walked backwards towards the green field. “Get behind me.”

  As the spirits closed in, Alazne’s blood rushed faster, breathing growing heavy again. Then her feet were on green grass and the dark shadows halted. She looked down at the grass. Oh, life was their weakness!

  Thanking Mother Goddess, she turned and her heart stopped. Three spirits floated over the middle of the green field. They were white instead of black. There was a serenity on their faces that made her breathe easy, finally catching that oxygen rich breath she’d been needing.

  “Light Spirits,” her familiar said.

  Zenon wasn’t letting his guard down as he approached the possible new threat, wand at the ready.

  “State your intentions,” he said, voice firm.

  The middle spirit held up a ghostly hand, moving slightly ahead of its companions.

  “We have come to see the one who has restored life to this world,” a female voice echoed. “You have done what no other has been able.”

  “All I did was defend myself and my companions,” he said.

  “You have done much.” The Light Spirit spread her hands, the others echoing her movements. “What can be done in return?”

  “All we want is safe passage from this world,” Zenon said.

  Alazne stopped herself from protesting. Could these spirits do more for them? Maybe help them find Jessa? Or was Zenon not trusting they could, asking for simple passage from the world to be done with it?

  Leaving this world is most important for now, Ariad’s thoughts were loud and clear. This is a dangerous place, full of treachery and deceit. He is making the right decision.

  This Hunter Witch could be full of lies too, Alazne countered. She did not trust this person.

  Maybe. But we will not find answers on the Dead World. And do I detect a little jealousy?

  The spirit bowed her head, the others following her lead, floating backwards until she was back in line with them. “You may exit.”

  Ignoring the familiar’s last remark, Alazne bowed in turn, taking up her wand. The distance to other worlds was no longer so vast, the Light Spirits possibly bringing the Dead World back to reality.

  “Mother Universe,” she said. “Let us pass.”

  Nothing happened. She felt drained, most life-giving energy already sucked away by the Dead World. But all her reserve energy was sucked from her too. Even the little bit of green grass that lay beneath her feet didn’t help. Alazne didn’t have enough left in her to open even a small-distance portal.

  The Light Spirits circled around her and her companions, their faces intent, looking both wanton and devious. Were they purposefully draining the last of her energy, even after shortening the distance between this world and the rest of the galaxy?

  “You have something we want,” the lead spirit said.

  See? They always want something in return. We cannot ask for their help for anything more. The familiar’s feet moved rapidly over her shoulder.

  What could she possibly have that they wanted? Was it physical? Did they want a part of her soul? What?

  The spirits surrounded her and she held her breath, Ariad squeaking as the squirrel jumped into her pocket. A ghostly finger pointed at the pocket.

  Clasping her hand over it, she said, “You may not have my familiar.”

  The specter shook its head, pointing more emphatically.

  Little squirrel legs poked up out of her pocket, a tiny seed between the paws.

  Alazne grasped the seed between index finger and thumb and placed it in her palm. “Is this what you’re looking for?”

  “A seed,” the two back spirits said at the same time.

  “Yes,” the lead spirit said.

  “You may have the seed,” Alazne said, holding her palm out.

  The Light Spirits leaned in, mouths agape, eyes alight. Glowing ghostly fingers hovered over her hand, the seed floating up.

  The spirits moved over the field, the seed between them as it floated to the ground. As soon as it rested on the grass, the ground opened and swallowed it.

  The ground shook as a beam of light shot from the opening straight into the sky, chasing away the gloomy grey, foggy clouds until blue peaked through. Branches and vines twisted out of the hole, through the light, until a great tree stood proudly in the field, green leaves popping out with new light shining down from the hole in the clouds.

  “Wow,” the Hunter Witch said.

  Hearing Zenon’s gasp, Alazne looked over at him. A thrill zipped through her when their eyes met. She quickly looked back at the tree.

  “More,” one of the spirits said.

  “One for each of them. Then they may pass,” another said.

  Alazne’s heart dropped. Her familiar was right, they would only want more and more.

  “You have enough,” the lead spirit floated back to her. “We only ask what you can give.”

  Goddess, was this spirit able to read her mind?

  Feeling movement in her pocket, she looked down to see Ariad’s little paws sticking out of the top again, three seeds between her fingers like coins.

  They
floated into the air, the spirits calling one to each of them.

  A gust of wind flowed over the field, stirring the blades of grass. It circled around Alazne, caressing her hair. Light projected from the lead spirit, hitting her chest until she was infused with an all-encompassing energy. Wow—

  With this energy she would be able to go as far as she pleased, good for a dozen jumps of unlimited distance.

  “You are free to go,” the lead spirit said, all three bowing, caressing their seeds.

  Alazne took up her wand, “Mother Universe—”

  Zenon witnessed everything transpiring before him in disbelief.

  No, not disbelief, not anymore—

  Magic was real. It was as real as the air he breathed, the ground beneath his feet, and these spirits that coveted seeds like they were life itself.

  Maybe they were.

  Thank stars the robot ran on seeds. Who knows how they would have gotten off this stars-forsaken planet.

  Waiting until the Hunter Witch entered the portal, he followed after the others, looking back to watch the Light Witches hugging their seeds—

  And jumped back as a beeping, blaring transport vehicle nearly ran him over. Dammit, this woman was going to kill him yet.

  “Sorry,” Alazne said right next to him.

  Pedestrians of all shapes and sizes moved over a busy street in waves, tall buildings rising in all directions, more pedestrians and taller buildings than on Quan.

  “Why would you bring us to such a busy place right now?” Zenon could taste how irritated he was. His mother needed him and they needed answers to what the Hunters were doing, why the fiends had the healer he needed.

  “I need a drink,” she said, taking off across the busy street, towards an establishment with a neon sign reading, ‘Get Your Libation On.”

  “This is not the time for a drink,” he said at her back. Well, come to think of it, he could use one too.

  The Hunter Witch slinked away to his right and he caught her by the collar of her jacket.

  “Wrong way,” he said, directing the young woman towards the bar, in front of him so he could keep an eye on her.

  Entering the bar, his face fell into a frown. Packed out, beings from everywhere imaginable scurried this way and that. There wasn’t a quiet corner to be seen. There were too many eyes and ears here.

  Yet, none of them seemed to notice or care that a supposed couple of Hunters and a witch just walked in. Even Alazne's robot rode on her shoulder. There were no whispers, no one even looking their way.

  Alazne was already at the counter and throwing back a shot of something by the time he waded through, pulling the Hunter Witch along with him.

  Hand on the bar, he did a double-take, blinking as the squirrel tossed back a thimble-sized shot of golden liquid. There must have been some sort of combustion engine in that tiny tech body; a teensy one.

  “Here,” she said, sliding a shot towards him. “And I know what you’re thinking. It’s just a quick drink.” Her head tilted backwards as she gulped down another.

  Picking up the offered glass, he sniffed at the sweet nectar of alcohol before washing it down his throat. Burning all the way down, he inhaled deeply as the effects were immediate.

  Alazne picked up another and he grabbed it from her hand, throwing it down his own gullet. Two was quite enough for each of them.

  Taking the hint, she said, “Time to go, then.”

  “Can I have one?” the teenage witch piped up.

  “No,” all three chimed at the same time.

  Movement to their right caught his attention.

  “Your Highness!” A round man in flowing blue clothing waved his arm.

  Covering his face, Zenon headed for the door. Eyebrows knitting when he noticed Alazne doing the same, he followed after her as she passed him. Weird—

  Thankfully she said nothing of it when they made it out the exit without further calling from the patron.

  “Must have been a drink they were ordering,” he said.

  “Must have been,” she agreed.

  Zenon found an abandoned alley and they left the busy planet behind.

  Walking down the motley, swirling portal corridor, he popped out the other side, back to the tropical world Alazne seemed to love so much. Said witch was already eating a juicy, peachy fruit as he stepped out, her robot squirrel gathering seeds at her feet.

  So, the robot ran on seeds and alcohol. Who knew? As weird as that thing was, having a seed stash was something he could get behind.

  “So, what do the Hunters need a Portal Finder for?” Alazne said between bites, eyeing the younger witch.

  “What do they need a healer for?” Zenon was more interested in learning.

  The teenage witch’s eyes darted between the two of them, then she broke, a stream of tears pouring down her face as she sobbed.

  Zenon blew out his breath, spotting one of the fruits Alazne was enjoying hanging from the branches behind her. Plucking the juicy orb, he offered it to the Hunter Witch, who took it between sniffling sobs.

  “You’re safe now,” he said. Perhaps it was best to reassure the girl first. “We’re all safe, so everything is going to be fine.”

  “I’m not so sure,” Alazne said.

  Shooting her a disbelieving look, he turned back to the girl. “It will be. Let’s start with your name.”

  Sobs subsiding, the young woman’s eyes darted towards Alazne. “She’s right. Things aren’t good.” Rubbing her nose on her sleeve, she looked at the fruit. “And my name’s Keia.”

  “Keia. I like that name!” the squirrel’s voice drifted up from the ground. Great, so the young witch had a fan, apparently.

  Keia smiled, shoulders hunching slightly as she started to relax. Huh, score for the perceptive robot.

  As the girl settled on the ground next to the squirrel, Zenon leaned on his shoulder against the fruit tree, crossing his arms.

  “Good thing your robot runs on seeds,” he said, watching as Keia gave a seed to the squirrel.

  “Yea, no kidding. I had no idea those seeds were in my pocket—” Alazne’s voice trailed off and he glanced up, making eye contact with a face that was strained with barely contained laughter. “You think Ariad’s a robot?”

  Then she did laugh, so hard tears welled up in those bright eyes.

  Her beauty was mesmerizing, but his thoughts were distracted at that name. “You named it Ariad? That’s my mother’s name.”

  Effectively pouring cold water on the situation, the laughter stopped immediately.

  “We will get a healer to your mother, Zenon. I promise.” Alazne’s voice was soft.

  “The Hunters captured a healer,” Keia said. “Her name’s Jessa.”

  Spurred into a flurry of movement, Alazne knelt in front of Keia, grabbing the girl’s hands. “You know Jessa? Is she alive? What do they want with her? Where is she?”

  Zenon felt his spirit lift. Capturing Keia was fairly easy, aside from the Soul Suckers she summoned against them. How hard could it be to steal a healer from the Hunters?

  “She is alive,” Keia said. “But it will be impossible to free her. They have her locked away on Hellumon.”

  Zenon’s heart dropped to his feet along with his stomach. Hellumon was covered in constantly erupting volcanoes, the lava flows so vast and hot that no one could traverse the planet surface without heat-shielding armored suits.

  Home to a mining colony, so many beings died there it was considered one of the most dangerous places to work, much less live. Even breathing on that world was a challenge.

  He had another idea on where to find a healer, but it was the last resort—

  Chapter 8

  “The Hunters are capturing us now, instead of killing us. I mean, I think they’re still killing us, but they experiment on us to see what our powers are.” Keia’s voice wavered and the squirrel extended a paw to her knee, patting it.

  Zenon’s brow drew downwards. Why was that familiar?

 
“They’re using our abilities to catch other witches,” Alazne said, thoughtful concern, now sitting cross-legged in front of the younger witch.

  “I didn’t want to,” Keia said at the ground, forlorn. “But I knew everything that was happening.” She looked up. “I couldn’t stop myself.”

  Zenon held up the crushed tech he pulled from her neck. “They’re using mind control devices.”

  “So, they sent a Portal Finder to try to catch me.” Alazne looked deep in thought.

  Rubbing his chin, Zenon studied Alazne’s face. Things were still not adding up. “How did they even know to send a Portal Finder after a Portal Wielder?”

  “Jessa was tortured until she revealed she knew a Portal Wielder,” Keia’s eyes were focused on the ground again, as if she were in some faraway place.

  With Alazne’s startled gasp, Keia continued. “I don’t know what happens to a witch whose powers they don’t need, but I guess they thought my power was too good to throw away. There were three others captured with me, but I never saw them again. I just sat in my cell until the Hunters finally said they found a use for me.”

  A bee buzzed his head and Zenon brushed it away.

  “Were you on Hellumon?” he said.

  Her brief nod made his heart ache. “There’s no way in or out without them knowing.”

  “Where is Hellumon?” Alazne asked. “I don’t recognize that name.”

  Zenon’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “You’ve taken me to worlds I’ve never even heard of and you don’t know of Helluman?”

  “It’s in the Far Expanse,” Keia said.

  “I’ve never been to the Far Expanse,” Alazne said. “I can’t open a portal that far.”

  Eyebrows still raised, Zenon was now more interested than surprised. “Distance matters?”

  “Yes, the farther away the more power needed.” Keia scratched her arm absently. “She could probably do it, but it would kill her.”

  “Okay, thanks for the history lesson on planets I haven’t heard of and my powers. We need to go there, right?”

  “But you can’t,” Keia said.

  “Whatever those Light Spirits did, I can go as far as I want.”