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

by CK Dawn

  The girl on the ground didn’t look up or move her hands away from her head. The creature inched toward the child. “Come now. Awaken. The time is here. Your seventh year has come. Join me.”

  A chill gripped Cassie’s heart. Trying to keep her voice even, she said, “Get away from her. She isn’t yours.”

  The creature turned to face Cassie. His cold black eyes bore into hers. “You’re right, my child. You weren’t mine then. But, you will be now. We are blood.”

  A horrible thought began to form in Cassie’s mind. The creature in front of her was oddly recognizable though some form of…other. The black bottomless eyes mimicked those of the possessed man in the club alleyway. Yet, it was far more than eyes that frightened her. His black hair, his fair skin, the shape of his mouth, all of it spoke of a family resemblance.

  “It can’t be. It’s not possible,” Cassie said just above a whisper.

  “Of course it is, child. I always knew you would be a Key. It’s why your mother hid you from me.” His nostrils flared. The black eyes widened. “Oh, but to be The Key, the Sacred Key, the one who can bring this world to its knees. I should have guessed. You come from my blood after all.”

  “No.” Cassie said. “I’m Cassiel Ann Durrett.” She bit out. “I’m from a small town. I live in the city. I work as a hostess.” Listing the simple pieces of her life on her fingers did nothing to stop her rising fear. “Zoey’s my best friend. I’m normal. Normal.” Her body trembled. The facts did little to assuage her. “I was born from normal, regular people. They may have given me up, but they were human.” Her voice shook. “The people who raised me, my parents, were human. I’m human. This is nothing but a dream. This isn’t real!” Cassie screamed her protests, barely recognizing her own voice. She glanced to her right as the girl on the ground began beating the sides of her head.

  “Oh, it may be a dream.” The stranger spat. “But, this is very, very real. And you will be one of us, soon, so soon now, my daughter.” He smiled, his teeth gleaming white in the light.

  The girl’s eyes popped open as her hands pounded the pavement. She looked upon the stranger in absolute terror before he disappeared into the morning without a trace. A raw cry pierced the skies.

  Cassie awoke screaming and clawing at the air. Someone’s strong arms wrapped around her, while soothing words repeated in her ears. She came out of it slow, her head swimming. Gabe’s face snapped into focus.

  “Where is he?” she asked aloud and scanned the room for the stranger.

  “Who? No one’s here, Cassie. It’s just you and me,” Gabe said, sweeping a hand across the room as proof. “See?”

  “Gabe?” The name fell oddly from her lips. She straightened up and shot him a dark look. “What’s going on? What happened last night? Who are these...creatures?”

  “Whoa, one step at a time.” Gabe put one foot on the floor, off the bed, and placed his hands palm out in the air. “Let’s just take this easy, okay?”

  “You take it easy! I just saw my parents’ deaths again in my sleep.” She choked out the words, fighting back tears. “But something wasn’t right.” She paused a heartbeat, struggling to find her voice. “A weird shadow, like the thing from last night... It was there. And it looked like me. It looked like me! Why did it look like me, Gabe?” She shrieked losing control. “What am I?”

  “If you’ll calm down for a minute, I’ll tell you what you want to know.” He sat down on the edge of the bed, but looked over his shoulder toward the door. “Why don’t we go inside, get something to drink and talk?”

  “Fine.” Cassie agreed. She hopped off the bed and went storming out of the room. Once in the kitchen she filled up two glasses with cold water and slammed them both on the counter. “Now, talk.”

  Gabe followed, glancing between the cups and her face. He put a leg over the kitchen stool and leaned forward. He sipped the water, then asked with absolute calm, “Where do you want to start?”

  Cassie sucked in a breath before responding. “Last night. What happened to the man in the alley?”

  “He was possessed by a demon,” Gabe said without hesitation or emotion.

  The cold directness had her pushing away from the counter. She leaned back onto the refrigerator and stared at the water glass as if searching for an answer in its contents. “A demon.” Doubt gnawed at her, but the realization that it might be the truth began to take shape. Last night, she’d seen the shadow enter the stranger with a horror she couldn’t deny. Swallowing hard, she searched her feelings. I’ve seen it. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. She wavered, digesting the information. When she felt brave enough to continue, she said, “Okay, I’ll bite. Why did he attack?”

  “I told you before, you’re not human. Are you willing to accept that now?” He glared at her, eyes narrowed.

  “Do I have a choice?”

  “You have more of a choice then you realize.” The corner of his mouth pulled up. “But first things first. You’re a Key. The parents you knew were your adopted parents.”

  “I already know I was adopted,” she hissed.

  “Good. Makes it easier.” He cracked his knuckles. The sound grated on her nerves, but she said nothing. Rolling his head and stretching his neck, he sat up straighter on the stool and continued, “Your birth parents weren’t human. One was a fallen angel, which is also what I am. And the other...”

  “A fallen angel?” Cassie interrupted before he could finish. She thought back to her Sunday school classes in the tiny church basement. After her parents’ deaths, she’d given up on religion altogether, but the traces of those lessons remained. “Like angels who go against God and are thrown out of Heaven?” Her thoughts started to spin.

  “No. I don’t know anything about what you call Heaven and Hell, Cassie,” he said, a trace of weariness evident as he ran a hand through his hair. “I can only talk about what I know. Angels of the Light live on a different plane of existence, but they are very much a part of the world, as much as humans.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She rubbed her temples in frustration.

  He sighed, his shoulders sagging on the exhale. “If your Heaven is above and Hell below, then Light and Darkness are to the left and right. Another dimension, if your science fiction helps you understand.” He sipped the water once more. “And you are a Key. Keys are born when the creatures of the different worlds... mate.”

  “So, one of my parents was an angel, or fallen angel. And the other was...?” Her eyelids popped wide open. “My mother was the angel. My father was the man from my dream. What is he?”

  “Cassie, your mother was cast out from the Light, making her a fallen angel. She chose not to follow the path to redemption, and instead sought out your father.” He’d sidestepped the question.

  “What is he?” Her top and bottom teeth ground together.

  “A demon.” He paused as if to gauge her reaction. When she remained silent, he continued, “They’re evil greedy bastards, creatures of the Darkness. There’s not a shred of light in them.” Emotion at last entered his voice, passion bubbling just past the surface of his words. “They remain on Earth by preying on humans and possessing them.”

  After a few deep breaths, Cassie said solemnly, “I’m a daughter of a fallen angel and a demon.” She swallowed that pill with as much courage as she could muster. “Makes me...um...a Key? What does it mean?”

  He stood and leaned further across the counter, closing some of the space between them. He spoke softer than before. “It means angels and demons can seek you out to enter this world. They can use your abilities to cross over.”

  A light went off somewhere in the dark corner of her mind. “My headaches.” She answered the unspoken question, which had plagued her for so long.

  “Yes, your headaches.”

  An understood silence ensued. Cassie used the time to decipher her thoughts. She stared at her glass as if she could burn a hole through it, or as if all the answers could reveal themselves in its
depth. Her hands clenched around the edge of the counter. Finally, she snuck a peek at Gabe from under her lashes. He sat back on the stool watching her, worry written upon his furrowed brow.

  Probably thinks I’m going to lose it. Tension ran through her body’s every nerve. Hell, maybe I am. I deserve to.

  The minutes ticked onward as the silence wore thin. Just as Gabe began to reach toward her, Maia entered. The inquisitive cat sprung onto the counter, stared Cassie in the eyes, and meowed her sympathies.

  Cassie stroked the cat’s soft fur with automated movements. A familiar purple glow began to illuminate around her hand. She ignored it, unable to deal with any more freakiness just now. After some quiet internal reflection, she kissed Maia’s little head and stepped back from the counter hiding her hands behind her back.

  Courage, Cassie. Courage. She tried to work up to her next question while willing her mind and body to relax. Squaring her shoulders, she met Gabe’s stare.

  “Can I stop them?” she whispered.

  Gabe understood without explanation. “No, they, the headaches I mean, won’t go away.” He peered at her as if seeing her soul. “But, you’ll be able to control them better once you choose a side. You’ll have power over all of your abilities, Cassie.” He cocked his head to the side and raised an eyebrow. “All. Your. Abilities.” He emphasized each word and inclined his chin toward her hidden hands.

  He saw. Damn it. Cassie shrugged. No use hiding it, I guess. Bringing her hands in front of her body, she prayed they were normal. She shut her eyes, too afraid to look, and placed them palm up on the counter. A warm heat glided over her fingers. Opening her eyes, she found a blue energy encircling Gabe’s hands and mingling with her own purple glow.

  “We’re not so different, Cassie,” he said with a twitch of his lips. “Inhale. Exhale. Then imagine the light returning to your body.” The blue began to fade leaving her own energy to swirl around her hands. “Relax.”

  She did as he suggested. Her breathing slowed. Emptying her mind of all thoughts, she focused on pulling the light back through her open palms. With great effort, the plum color faded to a cool lavender shade, and then dissipated altogether. She stared down at her hands. “I usually can’t do it when I’m upset.”

  “The closer the time to the bonding, the more you’ll be able to control your powers.” His fingertips grazed her arm. “Once you choose a side, you’ll have complete control.”

  “Choose a side? You said that before.” Something in the statement rang close to her dream. She riffled through her brain before it dawned on her. “Does it have to do with a blood bond?”

  “How?” Gabe started to ask, then paused. “Your dream?”

  “Yes. The creature...demon...from my dream spoke about a blood bond. He said I was from his blood.” She swallowed hard. “That...thing, it’s my father, right?” The tears welled in her eyes as she began to tremble.

  “Cassie.” Gabe hesitated. He dropped off the stool and approached her. Placing a hand on her right shoulder, he bent to meet her eyes. “You are not a demon.”

  “But...my...father?” She asked between sobs.

  “Was a man from this world, a good person who raised you. He was your father.” He placed his other hand on her left shoulder and shook her lightly. “Anything else is just genetics. A fluke of nature. Demon blood doesn’t make you evil.” He winked. “Besides, you’re half angel too.”

  “Fallen angel,” she said with a hint of a grin.

  “Semantics. Don’t get crazy about the wording.”

  As Cassie brushed the tears away with the back of her hand, Gabe stepped back, giving her space. She sucked in air, calming her nerves. “Okay,” she said. “Now that decision, blood bond, whatever. What is it? What do I do?”

  Cassie thought she heard him whisper, “Brave girl,” as he swept a lock of hair from her forehead. But, before she could comment, he pulled his hand away. “I promised I’d tell you everything and I will, but I think it’d be better to show you some things first.”

  “Lead the way.” She gestured a hand toward the front door.

  “Just like that?”

  Cassie managed a snicker as she rummaged through the apartment. As quick as she could, she located her bag, cell phone and keys. She was about to pull on her boots when Gabe gave her a questioning look.

  “Well, I’m glad you’re so trusting now,” Gabe said. “But, don’t you think it would be better to change into something a bit warmer.” He pointed to her attire.

  With an awkward pause, she glanced down at her clothes. She was still dressed in her yellow pajamas. She burst into laughter at the sheer insanity of it all.

  Taking up his former seat on the kitchen stool, Gabe sighed and leaned back against the counter. “Earth,” he said dripping with sarcasm. “What a world.”

  Cassie upon hearing his proclamation sat on the floor cross-legged, grabbed her stomach, and laughed until she cried.

  Ten

  Cassie remained sitting on the floor studying the diamond pattern in the pale beige linoleum. After an agonizing twenty minutes or so, Gabe clasped her by the shoulders and hoisted her to her feet.

  “Enough.” He shook her, stopping only when she swatted at his hands. “You want the truth, then on with it. Get dressed. We need to leave.” He turned her toward the bedroom, and practically dragged her through the door.

  “All right. All right,” she said as she pulled her arm free of his grasp. “I can manage myself.” He left her alone in the sanctuary of her bedroom, and she unceremoniously shut the door behind him. Her hand gripped the knob making her knuckles go white. No freaking out. Not now. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself to settle down. That did nothing to calm her nerves, but she forced herself to move about the room.

  Within minutes, Cassie managed to throw almost every piece of clothing she owned into three different piles – sleeping, casual and dressy. The minor exercise helped alleviate some of the tension in her muscles, but her mind still wandered adrift. She surveyed the mess trying to focus on something simple, normal.

  “Just get dressed. Pick whatever is at the top of the middle pile and put it on.” A worn comfortable pair of old blue jeans and battered olive sweater caught her eye. She shrugged. “It works.”

  “Cassie. Let’s go.” Gabe called from outside the door.

  “I’m coming. Just hold on.” She pulled on the clothes, stashed her hair in a messy ponytail, and shot out of the room. As the door opened, Gabe jumped back faster than a shadow. She blinked trying to gauge whether or not she’d seen him move. When she couldn’t decide, she put up a hand and begged, “Just don’t say anything else until we get wherever we’re going. I’ve had all I can handle just now.”

  “Fine with me.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

  Without another word, Cassie pulled on her boots, grabbed her coat and bag, gave Maia a quick peck, and followed Gabe out the door. Quick and quiet, they made their way to the subway station. Cassie resisted the urge to ask where they were going as they boarded the uptown C train. Instead, pinpricks crept up her spine. A bing-bong chime of closing doors signaled the beginning of something she couldn’t quite name.

  As the train passed from one stop to the next, her eyes wandered the crowd from person to person. All of the faces looked odd and out of place. As she caught her reflection off the glint of a plastic poster cover, it dawned on her. She was the stranger now. The chilly thought penetrated her soul and made her shudder.

  “Where are we going?” She blurted just as the automated train announcer rang, “This is an uptown C train. The next stop is 72nd street. Stand clear of the closing doors please.”

  “Next stop,” Gabe said, but offered nothing more.

  A baby cried out as the train jerked into the Central Park West station. Before the doors could close, Gabe and Cassie pushed their way off. The empty platform offered a nice reprieve from the crowded train.

  Gabe pointed to the exit sign ahead and muttered, “That
way.”

  “Jeez. You think?” Cassie rolled her eyes.

  A blazing midday sun assailed them as they left the darkness of the subway’s underground. The late autumn weather put a chill in the air but the light streamed down strong from above. Cassie squinted in the direction of Central Park. An inherent love of nature pulled her in its direction, but Gabe had other plans.

  “The house where I’ve been staying is only a few blocks from here,” he said, gesturing in the opposite direction. “It’s owned by one of my kind, one far older than I.”

  “Another fallen?” Cassie asked, stealing her gaze away from the park and toward the direction he indicated.

  Gabe cast a glance up and down the street before whispering in her ear. “Yes. He knew what you were before I did. There’s a book which contains an important inscription.”

  She stared at him, unable to hide her confusion.

  Sighing, he added, “It’s a prophecy, Cassie, about you, about the decision you’ll have to make.”

  “Yeah, you mentioned this decision already,” she said, ignoring the prophecy part. “But, saying it doesn’t explain it.”

  It was his turn to roll his eyes. “I’m aware of that.” Turning his back to her, he continued down the street. She struggled to keep up with his pace. Thankfully, she only had two blocks to go before Gabe stopped in front of a beautiful five-story brownstone. “Here.”

  “Seriously?” Cassie regarded the decadent facade. Black ironwork handrails guided the visitor up the stairs to the double pine doors, highlighted by golden knobs and thick paned glass. She couldn’t even begin to imagine the money this kind of place would cost.

  “Why wouldn’t I be serious?” Gabe’s tone hinted at his puzzlement.

  Cassie shook her head and scrunched her eyes at him. “Never mind.” She waved a hand motioning him forward. “Let’s go.”

  As they passed through the front door, Cassie let her gaze wander over the lobby. Marble tiles in ivory and gold covered the floor. A semi-circular counter constructed of dark grey granite took up one wall. A Lenox vase with a single white orchid sat upon a long metal table in the center of the room.