The Crimson Z

by Robert Cloud, Lee Rush, Richard Savage

  "Bring him to the deck,” Anne said. “We'll take care of him."

  Virginia lowered him to the deck, her shimmering form a little more transparent than when she first arrived.

  "I don't suppose you could have a quicky with Jason?

  Anne looked at Virginia. For the first time since she'd burst into her life, Virginia seemed to be struggling to remain visible.

  Clay took a step toward Mike, then froze as he lifted the trigger.

  "I think we've reached a stalemate,” he murmured. “If you rush me, I'll blow this ship and your buddies to bits."

  Jason straightened. “I don't think so. It would be suicide."

  "And the alternative is life imprisonment or lethal injection,” he countered. “Do you really think I care?"

  Anne looked at Jason and then Clay. They were both physically in better shape than Williams, but still, neither could reach him and wrench the detonator away before he set it off. Her hand curled around the pendant, wishing she could come up with something.

  "Here, give me that,” Williams said yanking on the chain.

  Anne felt it give, then watched in horror as he fixed his gaze on the last spot she'd seen Virginia. “I wanted to see your face, bitch, when you watched your friends die.” He lifted his hand as if he was about to squeeze the device with a little flourish, then he jerked.

  "Okay, guys, I don't know how much time I have. I'm weakening fast and Mike is fighting me for this body.” It was Williams’ voice, but Virginia's words. Williams’ face twisted then he dropped to his knees. “Jump! Now! I'll hold him here as long as I can and then detonate the explosives. This bastard is not going to get away with murder again."

  "Virginia!” Anne exclaimed.

  "Jason, toss her over board! Get Annie as far away from the ship as you can.” Williams’ body twitched.

  "But what will happen to you?” Anne burst as strong hands gripped her waist and lifted off the deck.

  "I'll be fine. Go!"

  "Jason, stop! The necklace..."

  Jason tossed her over the railing then followed, Clay right behind him. Anne took a gulp of air just before she hit the water and sank. The salt water closed over her head. She struggled to the surface, turning toward the ship; she looked up and saw Virginia in Williams’ body struggling to stand.

  "Anne,” Jason called to her from a few feet away. “Swim! And don't look back."

  In a few clean strokes, he was at her side, Clay only a few feet behind him.

  Flanked between the two men, she started to swim. She struggled to keep up, her lungs burning from the effort. Just as she started to slow down, the yacht exploded. The thunderous explosion pounded against her ears. Instinctively, she reached for Jason, holding onto him as she turned to look back as flames seemed to burst from every level of the vessel.

  "He wasn't kidding when he said that it was packed with explosives,” Clay said, treading water a few feet away. “Let's get out of here. I don't want to be around when the coast guard comes to investigate."

  Chapter Fourteen

  Anne staggered out of the water, Jason supporting her, Clay an arm's length away. The trio dropped onto the sandy beach. She rolled over and, resting on her elbows, looked out at the flaming yacht. Black smoke billowed from the flames enveloping the sleek vessel now half submerged.

  "Virginia...” she whispered. What had happened to her dear friend? A true kindred spirit in every sense of the word. Tears filled her eyes at the sense of loss pressing on her chest like a weight. What would happen to the necklace? Would it melt in the heat of the flames? What would happen to Virginia then? Would she be able to pass over to wherever spirits go? If it sank with the ship, Virginia would be chained to it on the bottom of the bay, unable to communicate.

  Jason turned toward her then pressed his lips against her temple. “She saved our lives."

  Anne laid her head on his shoulder. “Williams had the necklace. It's probably at the bottom of the bay or melted. What's going to happen to Virginia?"

  Jason cupped her cheek, turned her face to him and kissed away her tears. “I don't know. But if justice for her murder was her anchor here, then perhaps she's already passed over."

  Clay's voice was husky when he said the words. “She's here."

  Anne turned to him. “How do you know that?"

  His lopsided smile didn't match the somber look in his eyes. “Let's just say she has a one track mind."

  Knowing Virginia too well, Anne looked down at his crotch and saw his arousal straining against his pants. Her lips twitched. “Virginia, don't you think about anything but sex?"

  "Look!” Jason said. “I think she's writing a message."

  Letters formed in the sand. “Crossing over ... see you in a few decades ... love ... bye."

  Anne grinned when two hearts, intertwined, appeared beneath the words. Then, "PS he's a keeper."

  The trio laughed in spite of the mixed emotions each were feeling.

  "Goodbye, Virginia. I'm really going to miss you.” A gentle breeze skimmed over her face. Anne knew it was the last time Virginia would touch her life, but she would carry a piece of her ghostly friend with her forever.

  Jason wrapped his arms around her, holding her close against his body. She looked at Clay over his shoulder. His gaze was focused on the yacht, his expression relaxed. In only a few days, years of anger and hurt had been righted. More than justice had been served. Decades of misunderstanding and pain had been resolved.

  "You're definitely a keeper,” she murmured. “I'm never going to let you go Jason MacIsaac. I love you way too much."

  "Remember who said it first,” he said then grinned. “And I'm going to make you pay for taking so long to realize it."

  Anne smiled. “Promises, promises.” He put his arm around her waist, pulling her close to his side. She knew they'd have their ups and downs, but this was where she belonged, and she would savor every moment they had together.

  Anne laid her head on Jason's shoulder, silently thanking Virginia for being a part of her life. From this day forward she would live, grasping each moment, never letting a moment pass that she could tell Jason she loved him.

  Blood Ritual of

  The Crimson Z

  Off to the Dance by Robert Cloud

  Off to the Dance

  "Before I began telling you this tale I mentioned that how the pendant returned to me was almost as intriguing as the story itself.” Papa Zach added.

  "A few months back, I was walking down the street in Boston where my old shop was located when I looked in a pawn shop and there in the window of the shop was the pendant. Normally I do not even gaze into windows as I walk but felt a sudden impulse to turn my head.

  "As I walked in a man reeking of fish was counting a wad of money and telling his story to the pawn broker. So I listened.

  "Jeb used to have a lucrative fishing business, but as the number of fish had dwindled he became one of those boats that hired out to weekend fishermen who were looking for their chance to catch a big one.

  "On this particular trip the man was a loner and talked Jeb into fishing along beside him. Normally Jeb just ran the boat and paid little attention to his clients, other than to make certain they found a good spot to fish, but he actually found himself having a good time with this client and helped him haul in a good size salmon out of the bay.

  "As soon as his client's fish was on deck the client pointed back to his pole, and Jeb turned to see it bent over straining against a real fighter. Had the pole not been in its anchor stand it would have been lost. Jeb grabbed the pole and they began to wrestle with another salmon this one even larger than the first.

  "When they pulled it onto the deck it thrashed about and knocked both the men off their feet. Jeb landed so he was staring right into the eyes of the fish. When the fish's mouth opened to gulp he noticed something shining, something that should not have been there.

  "Together the client and he wrestled with the fish and Jeb took a pair of long
needle nose pliers, usually used to pry hooks out of the jaws of the fish and reached into the mouth to grab the end of a golden chain. It turned out to be this pendant.” Zachariah held up the pendant and looked at it. He could almost feel the connection that it still held with Virginia and knew that it was another piece he would never sell. “In all the years he had been fishing he had never seen a salmon swallow a piece of jewelry before.

  "Well, I just smiled, for I understood the magic of the jewelry I make. It always finds its way back.

  "I waited until the fisherman had left and then approached the broker.

  "That was sure an interesting story, I said. I wonder if there is any truth in it.

  "The broker replied that Jeb was one to make up fish tales so he doubted it, but the piece was definitely worth some money.

  "I agreed, and offered to pay him what he was asking for it without even trying to haggle. He was surprised but did not reject my offer."

  Melanie laughed, “I can see, and now that I have seen how quickly you made that piece I do believe there is magic in your pieces. I have no doubt his story was true."

  "Neither do I, sweetheart.” Zachariah patted Melanie on the shoulder and added, “Now that was a long story and it is getting really late. You have school tomorrow so you should be going."

  She lowered her eyes and he could see a small pout upon her lips, “I know, Papa Zach, but I feel so much more comfortable here. I wish I could just stay here instead of going home."

  "Oh sweetheart, you do not mean that. I am an old man, and you would worry your mother."

  "Maybe, but I do mean it.” She stood and kissed his lips, each of her kisses had lingered a little longer, this time her hand had slid to the back of his head. Though Zachariah wanted her love and to love her he began to feel uncomfortable. The age difference was tremendous. How could she be falling for a man of his years?

  As her lips separated from his he looked at her bewildered but he had no doubt that the look in her eyes was one of love. She lowered her eyes trying to hide her feelings. Maybe she also realized that there was something wrong with a love between two people so far apart in years. Softly and sadly she spoke, “I guess I should go. I will see you tomorrow, Papa Zach."

  "I look forward to seeing you too, Melanie.” He smiled at her, and her face suddenly beamed with a brilliant light. She went towards the door to leave but kept turning back to look at him several times as she headed that way. She was hesitant to leave him, but finally she stepped through the door, turning the lock before closing the door behind her.

  Zachariah waited. He was expecting the rattle of the mirror but it never came. He stood and walked to the mirror and asked, “What? No jealous remark?"

  If I am going to be sharing her body it is good that you love her you old fool. Then your love of her will protect me too.

  "So it does not bother you that I am fond of her?"

  Well, you finally admit it. No, it does not bother me anymore. Now that I know she is the one, I know I need her, and I know the reason you are attracted to her is so that when she and I are one then you will be pleased.

  "I am still not happy about this. I am worried that the demon inside you will corrupt her."

  You do not love the dark side of me, Zachariah. So I do not see that happening. I believe your love for her good side will protect her. The magic in the stone is from you after all.

  "From me? You always told me it was from you!"

  How could it be from me? I am dead, a vapor, a mist. The magic you create is living, vibrant, real.

  "Well I have three days and two nights to set the diamonds, so I should retire.

  "Lilith, if she says yes, you swear you will do her no harm?"

  I swear, Zachariah!

  * * * *

  The next few days went by rather quickly for Zachariah and he was amazed at how quiet Lilith remained the entire time. From the time he awoke he would begin setting the diamonds. It was delicate work because he had to match the stones. The stones on opposite sides of the tiara had to match perfectly. Sifting through the stones to find two perfect emerald cut diamonds that were identical matches was what took the most time. He would only take time to nod his head when Melanie entered, though she would come over and stare in wonder at all the diamonds laid out before her. She would then turn his head sweetly and kiss his lips. No longer would she just settle for kissing his cheek, and though Zachariah still tried to make his mind believe it was nothing but a grand-daughterly kiss he knew better. Her heart did not see his age, she saw only that he had treated her with the respect and kindness that few others had shown her and she was responding to that as a young woman to a man.

  While he would set the stones his mind would drift and he would remember how even during the early days of his love for Lilith there seemed to be a shadow hanging over her. He never could place it, yet he did not let it interfere with how he felt for her. He now realized that the feeling he was developing for this young girl was deeper than any he'd had for Lilith. There was no taint, no shadow of doom waiting to descend upon her heart. Yes, he knew Lilith had plans, but it was not the soul of Melanie that carried the taint.

  On the night before the dance as Zachariah was setting the last of the stones he began to remember how soon after he had married Lilith his village had come to be called cursed even though no one from the village died unnaturally or was hurt. No diseases infested the animals, and nothing seemed to plague the village. It was all the villages that circled his that suffered. Reports of healthy men going into the fields at night to check the flocks or crops and did not return. In the morning all that would be found would be their bones and dust piled within their clothing. It was as if something had drained all the life fluids from them, not only the blood but the water from their tissue as well.

  Rumors of a monster had begun to circulate. The only village that went untouched was his. Someone mentioned it all began about the time his wife had shown up and that soon the neighboring villages were going to come with more men and want to examine her. As suddenly as the murders had started they had ceased. The examination had been called off and he and Lilith had been apologized to.

  Zachariah had thought everything between he and his wife was going to be as he had dreamed, until the night before their anniversary. That night she had been distant, cold, and had barely spoken to him at all. Then on their anniversary she had come to the shop and had confessed what she was to him. She had confessed everything except the most important thing. She had not told him she was carrying his child.

  Zachariah stopped, a tear running down his creviced face. Melanie looked up as she heard him sob and ran over to him. She wrapped her arms around him and asked, “Papa Zach, what is wrong?"

  For several minutes Zachariah could not control his tears, he just wrapped his arms around her as she climbed into his lap and they held each other. His tears rolled down as he buried his head against her shoulder. “Papa Zach, please tell me. What is wrong?"

  "I ... I...” He coughed, then took a deep breath and raised his head, “I was just remembering the night before Lilith died. It was our anniversary and she committed suicide on the night of our anniversary. I did not know she was carrying my child until several days later when my mother told me."

  "Oh Papa Zach,” Melanie wrapped her arms around his head as his tears came freely. “Why would she kill herself? Why would she hide that wonderful news from you?"

  He whispered, “I cannot tell you yet, Melanie. I will, but give me another day or two. Maybe after the Grand Opening, I will tell you the hardest tale, that story of the ring that you wanted to know about."

  "Only if you really want to Papa Zach."

  "I do not think I have a choice, Melanie. I think it is a story you will have to hear."

  "Okay, Papa Zach, but please stop crying. It hurts me so to see you so deeply hurt. I love you Papa Zach, and I want you to always be happy."

  Zachariah looked up at her and his tears stopped immediately, his
eyes wide with shock. “What did you say, Melanie?"

  "That I want you always happy?” she smiled, she knew what he wanted her to repeat.

  "No, before that."

  "That I love you?"

  "Yes.” Papa Zach looked at her closely, “Melanie, you do mean that like a friend, don't you?"

  "No.” Melanie paused, then laid her head on his shoulder and looked down. Her fingers fidgeted on her knee and he could see that she was trying to gain the courage to repeat what she had said. Zachariah could tell that it terrified her that her words were about to change things between them for the worse. “I mean that I am in love with you."

  Zachariah took a deep breath, they were words he wanted to hear, but they were also words he had dreaded hearing for he had to make her realize that the age between them was wrong, that that kind of a relationship was impossible.

  Even though soon he would be almost as young as she was he was not permitted to tell her. Even if he was able to let her know he doubted she would believe him. Yet maybe there was a way. He reached up and caressed her cheek with his fingertips and looked into her eyes.

  She was the One, and if Lilith could be thwarted so that Melanie was not harmed or possessed by her then once the ritual was in progress he could reveal the truth. She might even accept it. Would she still love him if he were young again?

  His heart beat rapidly. Was she truly in love with him and who he was or was she in love with the image of who she thought he was? He knew this was a dangerous thought for the ritual was in progress. He could tell her nothing. She had to be pure.

  Thanks to Lilith he understood better what that purity entailed, it did not mean that her kisses were making her impure. He did not have to worry that if she happened to have a sexual thought about him that it would ruin the ritual for if she were truly in love her thoughts did not matter as long as she held to the belief that sex had to wait until after marriage. Still she could not agree to the ritual just so that it would secure her his love. That would ruin the ritual as surely as if she had lost her virginity.