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

by CK Dawn

  Cassie sat frozen in place. She stared at his open palm trying to make sense of everything, anything. A laundry list of emotions tumbled through her. She couldn’t decide what was right to feel. She knew one thing for sure--she didn’t trust Val. His emotional depth carried only as far as his over-acting in her estimation. She could spot a con artist. Yet, despite it all, in a few short hours, he’d managed to twist up a lifetime of beliefs. What do I do now?

  “You’ve come this far, child. Your choices are your own, but let me at least show you what I am.” He continued holding his hand out to her.

  A strange thought came unbidden into her head, as Cassie remained seated. If you’re going to dance with the Devil, might as well have fancy shoes. It was something Zoey told her when she’d given her the stilettos for Christmas. Looking down at her feet, where the stilettos now resided, she couldn’t help but laugh. Her life had been twisted upside down and inside out, no point in stopping the ride now. With resolve she didn’t feel, she managed to choke out, “Okay, Val. Let’s dance.”

  “That’s my girl.” He took her hand and led her toward the door. They exited the office and headed toward a private elevator. Val pressed a ten-digit sequence into the keypad, then announced “Casino mezzanine” into the speaker. The elevator ascended, then the doors opened onto a private balcony overlooking the whole casino floor.

  Cassie stepped onto the balcony on shaky legs. The erratic thump of her heart beat loud against her ribs. She could hear the uncertainty in its rhythm and gripped the ledge of the guardrail to stare at the casino floor below.

  “Beautiful isn’t it?” Val remarked as he leaned over the railing beside her. The sparkling orange and yellow glows of a thousand plus slot machines illuminated the room. Chimes and bells of every frequency played the gambler’s lullaby. In all directions people mulled about enjoying the sights and sounds. The lone exception was a sad looking worker who swept the tiled floor below them with a decrepitated push broom.

  “It’s all fun for guests, but what about workers?” Cassie’s heart tugged as she observed the man below. His matted brown hair stuck to the sides of his drawn face. His skin sagged in odd spots and possessed a sickly complexion. The red-collared shirt only made the yellowish hue more pronounced. His sorrowful gray eyes followed the motions of the broom without interest. Cassie pointed in his direction. “Doesn’t look like he’s enjoying the party.”

  “I’m glad you noticed him,” Val said smoothly. “Most people wouldn’t. That is Ted, a human employee. He’s been here six months, out of the eight his doctors say he’ll live.”

  “You mean he’s dying?” Cassie bit her lip as she faced Val once more. “That’s terrible. Why would he spend the time working, then?”

  “To show his loyalty and plead for mercy.” Val’s eyes possessed a strange glint as he stared at Ted.

  “Why would a dying man need mercy? And who from?”

  “I wanted to show you what I truly am. So, allow me to demonstrate.” With sudden swiftness, he turned toward Cassie and placed a hand on each of her shoulders.

  An overwhelming sensation shot through her. She grabbed her head, squeezed her eyes shut, and crashed into the demon in front of her. She clawed at him, battling against his grip. It couldn’t be described as pain, but it was far more intense than any of her previous headaches. She wandered through it trying to reach for an ending.

  “Relax, child. Allow me to use your power and you will not feel pain. Don’t fight me.” Val cooed in her ear as he held her upright. “It will show you the truth and help a dying man.”

  Everything inside her screamed to fight, but the horrible feeling of being pulled apart had her giving in. “All right, just stop this.”

  “You can stop it. Just breathe. Open your eyes and keep them fixed on Ted.”

  Cassie’s eyes shot open as Val spun her toward the ledge. The casino floor, the people, the sick man sweeping came back into focus. The nauseating feeling began to fade as well. When the last signs of the power slipped away, she saw it. A shadow moving across the floor toward a defenseless Ted. She wanted to warn him, but a large hand motioned for silence.

  “No child, watch.” As Val spoke, the shadow took shape in front of Ted. It seemed to say something, but from this height, Cassie couldn’t make out the words. A radiant smile that looked out of place on Ted’s sickly features brightened his face. He nodded with fervor and turned in their direction. Although the sound was blocked out from the noise below, Cassie could see him mouth the words “Thank you.” As he did, the shadow passed into his body. The seconds ticked by as Ted took on a different form. His matted brown hair became rich and dark with soft curls framing his face. The once yellow skin turned a deep golden color. His eyes shaped into the same bottomless black possessed by all demons. “You see my dear, demons can give life.”

  The shock of what had happened turned Cassie mute even as Val released his hold. She stood transfixed, her gaze unable to move from the spot now inhabited by a demon version of Ted.

  “What have you done?” She managed to mutter.

  “An act of great kindness. Demons cannot possess humans without their consent.” Val swept a hand at the scene below. “What you have just witnessed, and contributed to with your power, is the birth of a new demon onto the Earth. The human will exist inside this new body as a silent observer.”

  The sudden coldness in his voice as he uttered this last pronouncement shook Cassie from her initial astonishment. “You mean he’ll sit back and watch with no control? You used him? You use people? Promising them health and eternal life in exchange for what? Slavery?”

  Val raised a brow at her outburst. “Everyone has a choice, child. Free will and all,” he said. “When humans suffer, when their lives have become lost to nothing but pain, they choose what I, and all of my kind, offer.” He extended a hand in Ted’s direction below. “He gets to live. Demon possession is a merciful gift.” After a pause, he added, “In time, I hope you will see.”

  Without another word, he returned to the elevator and punched in a different ten-digit code. The doors opened and he stepped inside. Cassie made a motion to follow but he held out a hand. “Please stay here. I have to attend to our new friend and some other business.” He motioned to the balcony. “Take time to consider your options and enjoy the view. I won’t be long.”

  Cassie watched as the doors closed, before turning around to take in the sights of the casino. Her gaze drifted back to Ted and she couldn’t help the little smile that slid into place. He seems happy and so much healthier now, she thought as she stared at the demon below. Her smile faded. “But, then he’s not himself anymore.” The simple statement had her mind reeling over the events of the last few hours. Angels and demons exist. Who knows which side is good anymore? She sighed, shaking her head. “If there is even such a thing as good. What if Val is right? There’s no black and white.” She struggled to focus on something, anything to get her mind off it all.

  As Cassie scanned the crowd below, she spotted a man dressed in black. His dark hair and fair skin reminded her of someone.

  “Gabe,” she said aloud. The stranger turned at the same moment and disappointment flooded her. “I wish you were here.” She tried to imagine his strong hands holding her, his breath as he whispered comforting words in her ear. But, fantasy did little to help her current reality. She sat on the floor as hopelessness began to consume her. The day was fast approaching when she’d have to come to terms with all of it, the day when she’d have to make a choice that would change the future. As she leaned her head against the cool marble wall and closed her eyes, she was thankful today was not that day.

  Nineteen

  The elevator cables sprang to life with sharp grinding gears. Cassie rose at the noise and dusted herself off, preparing to face Val again. As the doors opened, she jerked back in surprise. Onto the balcony stepped none other than Albert Einstein. The frizzy gray hair with brown streaks stuck out in all directions. A large bushy moustach
e, round nose and oval mouth assured there was no mistaking the scientist. Yet, the eyes, something about the eyes didn’t seem right.

  “I’ve lost my mind. It’s the only explanation.” Cassie announced to the man she was convinced to be a figment of her imagination. “A straight ride to crazy town.”

  “Not quite, my dear. I’m Albert, but not the one you’re thinking,” he said smiling and extending a hand. “I’m a fallen, like your friend Gabe, and I appreciate the physical form of interesting humans.”

  Cassie stared at the hand he offered before giving it a shake. “Sorry,” she muttered. “It’s been a long day.” She paused trying to get her thoughts in order. “You said, you’re a fallen?”

  “Yes. And I know you’ve been through a great deal, but we don’t have much time. Please come with me.” He walked back into the elevator as he spoke.

  The casino commotion below seemed to grow still as she hesitated on the balcony. She looked from the ledge to the open doors. Val had asked her to wait to think things over. Yet, it hadn’t escaped her attention that placing her on this balcony, with nothing but a password operated elevator as exit, left her trapped. She tapped her foot trying to decide her next move.

  “You want to trust Val because he’s your biological father. You share history, blood, DNA,” Albert said, casting his eyes to the floor. “He will tell you what you want to hear.” After a brief pause, he raised his gaze to meet her own. “But, he is a demon and thus a liar. He is using you. He used me too.”

  The words penetrated her psyche one at a time, echoing the red flag in her heart. She could sense Val’s deceptive nature, the phoniness in his charms, but what he’d said had seemed so real. Maybe I just want it to be real. Her eyes flicked back and forth between the balcony ledge and the elevator door.

  “I can show you the truth, Cassie, but we must hurry.” He waved a hand for her to follow. When she remained still he shouted, “If you don’t come with me now, Gabe will die.”

  The last warning got her moving. She jumped in the elevator almost breaking her ankle in the stilettos. Her hands hitting the far wall alone saved her from falling. “What are you talking about?”

  “Val is the strongest and most influential demon in Vegas, but he wants, nay, needs your power.” Albert punched in a long numerical sequence. The doors swooped together and the elevator descended. “He has Gabe tortured even as we speak for more information about you. If we don’t help, Gabe will be killed.”

  “Why? I don’t understand?” She closed her eyes trying to block out images Albert’s words conjured. A cold dread crept up her spine.

  “With Gabe out of the way, you’d have no further doubts. You’d come to the side of Darkness without question.” He sighed, a large hand smoothing down his flyaway hairs. The strands sprang up again. “It is my fault, Cassie. I gave your father the prophecy.”

  “Please. I don’t know what you mean.” She leaned against the wall, nausea rising as the elevator increased its quick descent.

  “He sent that psychopath Dan, the sick human to kill poor Maribel and ransack my home.” Albert looked toward the ceiling, agony written across his face. “Didn’t trust me, he said. Needed to be sure I wouldn’t betray him, he said. Well screw him. I’ve already made a mess of things, but now I’m going to fix it.”

  Cassie’s eyes widened as she watched Albert’s hand slam into the emergency button. A high-pitched buzzing rang out as the elevator stopped between floors. His hefty fist broke through the outer wall and into the electrical wiring beneath. A slight jolt passed through his body before the noise ceased.

  “What’re you doing?” Cassie struggled to keep her voice from shaking.

  “I’m sorry to frighten you, but there are very few places in this horrible demon pit where we may speak in private.” He patted a spot on the floor after crossing his legs and seating himself on the cool tile. “Please sit down a minute. If we’re to help Gabe, you must have no doubts of the truth.”

  Cassie stared at the point on the floor he indicated. She glanced toward the closed doors, the broken electrical panel, and the floor once again. Taking a deep breath, she sat down.

  “Okay. You have my attention. What is it you want?”

  “I desire to help you see through falsehoods,” Albert whispered. “When you see the past honest and free, it will help you decide the future.”

  “What’re you talking about? If Gabe’s in trouble we should find him now.”

  “I’m afraid Gabe will have to wait a bit longer. How long will be determined by you. The sooner we can do this, the sooner we can get to him.” Albert extended his right hand toward her and placed it on her shoulder. “Don’t fight me, Cassie, and the memories will come to you.”

  “What memories? Whose?” Her heart began to beat faster.

  “Yours. His. Hers. All that has been hidden from you.” Just as the first, he brought his left hand to her other shoulder. “When I agreed to side with demons, I lost much of my power and the last connection I had to the Light. However, before the connection was severed I managed to learn a great deal about Val’s past with your mother and your place in all of it.” He leaned in close so their foreheads almost touched. “This is my remaining power. I use it now to bring those events from darkness into light.”

  Without warning, a gigantic wave swept Cassie away. It crashed over her head and sucked her down into icy waters. She fought against the tide while trying to hold her breath. From somewhere far away she heard a voice whisper, “Don’t fight it. Let it take you.” As the last bit of air left her lungs, she ignored the message and pushed harder upward. “Sink into the past. Gabe’s life depends on it.” The mention of Gabe’s name focused her attention, pushing aside her initial panic. Steeling her nerve, she clamped her eyes shut and tensed her muscles. Then, with a brief hesitation, she let go, relaxing and allowing herself to sink into the darkness.

  When Cassie opened her eyes once more, the scenery had changed. The wave that had sucked her away was gone, replaced by a cocoon of absolute nothingness. Yet the nothingness had shape and form. It surrounded her and embraced her like a warm blanket. Inside this strange space, she could look out onto the world as a spectator. It was as if the nothingness was her small couch at home and the scene before her a movie on her TV. She watched from her safe distance as the view came into focus.

  A man and woman bathed in shadow stood on a rooftop staring at the moon. The wind blew around them, a light breeze caressing their skin. The man turned to gaze at the woman and his face came into view. His fair complexion, brought a snarl from Cassie, but he didn’t notice her. He spoke in a low seductive tone to the woman.

  “I knew you’d like it here. No rules to be bound by. No duties to uphold. Just sweet freedom,” Val said to the woman dressed in an elegant black satin gown. A cascade of tiny crystals ran down the low V shaped back elongating her petite frame. Her face was still hidden from Cassie’s view, but the fiery red and gold hues of the woman’s stunning hair shone through the darkness.

  “Yes. I’m only sorry it’s taken me this long to come to you.” The woman’s tone spoke of sadness and longing. “I should have trusted you from the moment I arrived. I let my bias over you being a demon cloud my emotions. But, not anymore.”

  The woman pulled Val into a passionate kiss that left Cassie feeling like a voyeur as she looked on. Before the embrace became too graphic however, the scene blurred and reemerged. Val and the woman appeared again, but this time they stood on the corner of some city block. A yellow glow illuminated the woman’s face as the streetlight reflected off the wet pavement. Anger swirled with anxiety shone in hazel eyes flecked with gold. A wrinkle appeared across her brow. She glanced down at her midsection as arms as fair as porcelain encircled the bulge in her belly in a protective manner.

  “Is this what you want for our child?” The woman shouted at Val. “Death. Always to be surrounded by death. You killed that poor human for no reason at all.”

  “I’ve had eno
ugh of your arguments. I won’t tolerate this insolent behavior.” Val grabbed the woman’s arm and ripped her from the streetlight’s glow causing the image to change again.

  When the scene surfaced once more, only the woman appeared. The sun sat low in the sky indicating evening was on its way. The woman wore a midnight blue windbreaker with a hood covering her magnificent hair. Wrapped in a light yellow blanket, a baby lay cradled in her arms. The pair sat under a tree, the woman holding the little bundle close to her chest and sobbing.

  “Don’t be afraid, my sweet Cassiel. These people will treat you like their own daughter. You can be a normal human girl.” The woman kissed the top of the baby’s head. “I’ll find redemption. I promise. Once I am of the Light again, I’ll be able to protect you. No one will ever hurt you.”

  Tears clouded Cassie’s vision as she watched the woman wish the baby goodbye. The pain cut her exposing a nerve long buried, but she didn’t have time to wipe the water from her eyes before the scene disappeared to be replaced by another.

  The sun blazed down strong and hot. It lit the pavement like glowing candles. An all too familiar highway looped around a mountainside. A rumbling car approached the bend.

  “How many times do I have to see this?” Cassie cried inside the nothingness.

  “The day has arrived, child. Your birthright. My power.” Val trod on the road as if his feet didn’t touch the ground. “So long I’ve waited. So long I’ve watched you from the shadows. You will bring me ultimate power.”

  The boxy blue Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme rode into view. Val took a heavy step forward extending a hand toward the vehicle. A powerful energy broke from his palm and crashed head first into the car’s front grill. It caused the car to spin out of control and land unmercifully into the mountainside. At the exact instant of impact, Val reached into the car at inhuman speed to rip the little girl from the back seat. He placed her on the ground looming over her as the girl gripped the sides of her head. A terrible coldness emanated from Val as he said, “Hello child.”