by Phil Stern
There was nothing she could do. Allowing herself one more anguished glance at the chortling, swirling snake, the sorceress took a deep breath and ducked beneath the surface once more.
*****
Frowning, Lady Wendily watched the damnable girl slip out of sight. The rat circled about on the surface for a bit, but obviously couldn’t comprehend the three-dimensional aspect of aquatic pursuit. Disgustedly recalling her familiar, the demon impetuously waved at one of the approaching police boats.
Drying herself up on deck a short time later, Wendily moodily surveyed the damage. Her yacht had long since sunk, leaving the surface littered with flotsam and debris. Several of the crew had also been rescued, though a few had drowned after abandoning ship. Not that she particularly cared, really.
Of the witch, there was no sign. At her direction, the patrol boats had spread out in a circle, firing guns down into the water. Yet the only result was wasted ammunition and a few dead fish, not to mention a wounded patrolman who’d accidently shot himself in the foot. To all appearances, Caylee herself had escaped.
Still, the news wasn’t all bad. A few spare pieces of Sathron’s body had been found floating about, though not enough to actually hold his consciousness. As of the moment, then, it seemed as if both man and demon were utterly dead, along with all knowledge of her own transgressions.
And as for Rhapsony...contentedly spinning about, Wendily scanned the surface of the bay.
But the redhead’s body was gone, along with her snake familiar.
*****
On the shore beneath the fort, the giant silver snake surged from the water. Gently coiled in it’s tail was a bloody, lifeless woman.
Curling it’s massive body about to form a circle, the snake gently placed Rhapsony’s tattered remains on the sand. Eyes glowing, the demon’s familiar then reversed it’s earlier biological process, methodically disgorging an unconscious Max beside her.
For almost a minute nothing happened. Then, to the snake’s great satisfaction, Rhapsony’s hand fluttered over to rest against Max’s arm.
*****
For Caylee, the next several minutes were a blur. Only later would she remember the kindly dolphins carefully grabbing hold of her black tactical outfit and whisking her off to safety. Flashing along near the bottom at incredible speeds, they easily evaded Wendily’s dragnet. The amazing mammals were soon gliding up the sloping floor of the far shore, nearly bursting from the water.
They all let go at the same moment, allowing Caylee’s inertia to send her rolling up the sandy incline. The kindly dolphins promptly flopped up the beach beside her, gently nosing at the prostrate girl’s body. One of them even gently slapped her face with a tail, while another gave encouraging coos near the sorceress’ ear.
With a sharp gasp, Caylee finally sucked in a deep lung full of fresh air. Helplessly rolling about, coughing up seawater, she felt miserable and disoriented. Yet the dolphins remained nearby, encouraging and supporting her. Eventually winding up on her back, normal breathing again restored, she took careful stock of her surrounds.
Though still mid-morning, it was oddly dark. Staring up at a planked wooden ceiling, she realized the dolphins had deposited her underneath an isolated dock. The Regatta crowds still roared and cheered, though farther off than before. Clearly she was still in the general Donlon harbor area, though hopefully on the opposite arm of the bay from which she’d run from George.
Slowly sitting up, the enchantress studied the dolphins, who were still eyeing her with obvious concern. “It’s okay. I’ll be all right,” she assured them, hesitantly touching her earth stone. Though weak, the talisman hummed comfortably. “But you saved my life. Thank you so much.”
Chirping in pleasure, the dolphins turned and flopped back into the water. Moments later they were gone.
Knees pulled up, Caylee pushed back sopping hair. Shivering in the dark, shadowy gloom, she held up a slender hand. Scratched and bloody, yes, but otherwise all right. Wrists and ankles were frayed from her bonds, but that was just a nuisance. Various other bumps and bruises would heal, though her black-tactical suit was a total loss. Tattered, slashed, and burned, she’d have to find or conjure a new set of clothes and soon as she felt up to it.
Now for the hard part. Gingerly touching her face, Caylee was greeted by a burst of pain. Her nose was obviously broken, along with a nasty lump extending from cheek to jaw. Despite her earlier taunt in the yacht’s cabin, Lady Wendily certainly knew how to throw a punch. Well, since the sorceress wasn’t likely to find a hospital here, or even a kindly Coven-mate to provide first-aid, she’d just have to tough it out.
Of course, finding cover was priority number one. Eventually the bobbies would think to scour the extended waterfront, poking underneath every tarp, shed, and dock. Putting as much distance as possible between herself and the harbor was crucial. Avoiding all contact was also important, as there was little strength left to defend herself.
Yet, despite the obvious urgency, she just couldn’t get herself to move. Breathing hard, first one tear came, then another. Soon Caylee was bawling like a child, head down, arms wrapped about her legs.
What was she going to do? Trapped in this accursed dimension, the demons would never give up! Was this her future, to be hunted like an animal? Always watching her back, terrified of everyone and everything? Idly digging fingers into the sand, she welcomed the intense friction and mildly abraded skin.
Would she ever see Haven again, or any of her Coven sisters? For that matter, why had she sent Pend away? She’d give anything to bury herself in the tiger cub’s fur. Or Tornado! The unicorn would protect her, with his life if need be. Why, they could all escape into the surrounding countryside, surviving on the land until...
“Now, now, Caylee. There’s no need for all that.”
Jumping up, the sorceress’ hand flashed down to her earth stone. In the murky, pier-induced darkness all she saw was several human forms standing a short distance off. Apparently, with all her crying and carrying on, she’d hadn’t heard them coming.
Still, the voice was familiar. Peering though the shadows, Caylee’s heart almost skipped a beat. “Peck?” Stumbling forward, she instantly felt her spirits rise. “Is that you?”
Striding forward into an intruding shaft of sunlight, the handsome rebel leader smiled. “Come on, now.” Only a few years older than Caylee herself, he held out a welcoming hand. “You’ve done enough for one day. Let’s get you away now.”
A moment went by, Caylee remaining as she was. “George is one of them now,” she finally announced. “I saw him, on the far pier.”
“I know it,” he softly replied. “It’s horrible, it is.”
“And the police are after me.” Folding her arms, the operative sourly shook her head. “It would be best for you...”
“We can slip the lids, that’s no issue.” Still with hand extended, Peck nodded. “Come on, girl. You need help, and there’s much to discuss.”
Tentatively taking his proffered hand, the teenage sorceress allowed herself to be led out from underneath the dock. Surrounded by several of Peck’s followers, the group carefully made their way through the back alleys to safety, skillfully avoiding several police patrols along the way.
CHAPTER EIGHT
PULLING INTO A REMOTE parking area, Tiffany Smith thoughtfully turned off the engine. Stepping up and out of the car, eager breezes danced over her exposed skin while playful gusts tossed long, dark hair all about. Methodically corralling it into a tight pony tail, the sorceress carefully surveyed the familiar surroundings.
It was one of those late August days that was becoming more common in the northeast, with a burst of early autumn eagerly poking into summer’s traditional domain. Strolling towards the inviting trail head, black boots tramped over well-packed earth. A rustic brown sign to one side displayed a general map of the deeper forest, while a large picture of a deer tick on the other reminded hikers of it’s inherent dangers. Casting a minor spell to
keep the nefarious insects at arms length, she confidently entered this purely natural world.
Many of Tiffany’s sisters disparaged the undeveloped landscape on mundane worlds like Earth. “Trees and squirrels,” Marissa had smirked during a wander last month. “I could almost take a nap, if I knew how to walk and sleep at the same time!” An absence of magic equated to a lack of danger, which in turn provided nothing in the way of challenge. Thus it was all quite boring, perhaps insidiously so. For one’s instincts could easily atrophy within such a vanilla environment, inadvertently imbuing other, more vigorous settings with even greater peril.
But Tiffany wasn’t a young sorceress anymore, experiencing the universe for the very first time. “At some point,” one of her older sisters had mentioned a decade before, “you finally feel comfortable with whatever side of the Boundary you’re on.” Puzzling at first, the odd advice now made more sense that ever.
The outer worlds, and all the people one met within them, would always come and go. But a witch’s inner realm remained the bedrock of her own existence. Thus, a strong woman allowed herself to be influenced, yet never eroded, by the constant blur of life. Tiffany knew her instincts would remain as sharp as ever, no matter how many pleasant walks she took in mundane forests.
Indeed, her professional reputation was now virtually unassailable. At twenty-eight years old she was a lead sorceress in an outer world, providing far more stability and control than any of her age-mates enjoyed. This was following her victory three years ago over Lord Gensrow, not to mention the more recent curbing of the ruby coven and exposure of the “old witches” plot within the Coven itself.
Without this unbroken string of triumphs, Tiffany could never even think of getting married. After all, operatives were supposed to “spread the magic,” not settle down. It was contrary to all their traditions, potentially tearing apart the very fabric of the Coven. At least, that’s what a lot of people thought.
But Tiffany loved Blake, all the more so that he fully knew who and what she was. There were no secrets, and no pretensions. Blushing, the enchantress peeked up at the late afternoon sky through the trees. It was simply wonderful. Without question, she wanted him in her life forever.
And then, just when everything was finally smoothing out, in strides a sorceress from the future carrying grim tales of a coming demon apocalypse. Tiffany herself was key to combating the coming disaster. She needed to drop everything and leave immediately, lest everything she knows and loves is inevitably wrecked.
Yet as fantastic as it all seemed, Tiffany could find little reason to doubt her story. Everything about Jenla’s overall condition and demeanor spoke to the veracity of her tale. Possessing a time stone, the young woman did indeed seem to be the adult version of the young girl she knew. And while there was no way to confirm Caylee’s current location or future involvement, the general flow of events was at least plausible.
No, she just couldn’t ignore all this. In just a few hours both she and Jenla were flying to London, where their journey across both time and space would begin.
Of course, Tiffany was still juggling multiple responsibilities here at home. Yet Jenla assured her they’d be returning to present-day Earth moments after their departure, no matter how much subjective time had actually passed. Assuming, of course, they made it back at all.
Pausing on the bank of a small stream, she lightly touched the smooth, white bark of a birch tree. Several flat rocks, suitable for sitting, were conveniently nearby. A family of beavers hesitantly made their way out from the bank a short distance off, preparing for a pleasant evening of munching trees and hauling sticks about.
Slowly settling down on one of nature’s hard, cold benches, she finally confronted the most devious question of all. Namely, what should she tell Blake? The truth was a bit much, even for someone who’d accepted the existence of magic and alternate dimensions. Demons and time travel would now be added to the list, along with the potential invasion of Earth itself. But not to worry, honey, I’m off to an entirely unknown world to nip it all in the bud. By the way, could you pick up some coffee at the store tomorrow?
Sighing, she watched a curious baby beaver paddle downstream in her direction, bright eyes peering all about. As always, the animal world was naturally attracted to her earth stone, babies most of all. Bending down, she sent soothing waves of gentle magic washing over him, the young beaver almost humming with pleasure.
Standing tall once more, Tiffany took a final look about. Then, briskly turning on booted heel, she made her way back down the path and out of the forest.
*****
Once more on the floor of Balen’s Bastion, Sarina studied the roiling lake beneath the waterfall. Having already changed into a black tactical outfit, hair tied back in a pony tail, she now briskly covered herself with a waterproof magical sheen.
According to the locals, one entered the inter-dimensional rift by diving off a ledge halfway up the cliff face above. But on reflection, that just seemed like useless theater. She would just leap in from ground level, letting the natural currents take her wherever Caylee had gone.
Or not. The fact was, this rift might connect to any number of worlds. The overall chances of even finding Caylee were slim, much less getting them both back here in one piece.
Taking a deep, cleansing breath, Sarina spied the young tiger princess “hiding” on the opposite side of the pool. Wistfully staring out from behind a plant, Pend furiously blinked as a gust of spray swept all about. Finally letting out a tremendous sneeze, the young cub irritably wiped her face with an oversized paw.
Sighing, Sarina tried to ignore her. She’d ordered all the unicorns and battle hawks to stay behind in the village. In a few hours they’d resume patrolling the area, but she hadn’t wanted an emotional sendoff on the edge of the rift itself.
Giving the cub a final, warning look, the enchantress cleanly dove into the pool, instantly disappearing underneath the turbulent surface.
*****
Barely two hours after leaving the woods Tiffany and Jenla hopped on a commercial flight to London. As a reporter, the Earth-based enchantress dealt with travel agents who could make such last-minute arrangements. They also didn’t ask any questions, which under the circumstances was also a plus.
Jenla had wanted to utilize the Boundary for the short intra-dimensional trip, but Tiffany vetoed the idea. After all, the sorceress from the future didn’t officially exist in this time line. So how would she explain Jenla’s presence to any Coven-mates they might run into? Even using back-up portals and stealth spells, the odds of a chance Boundary encounter couldn’t be entirely discounted.
Tiffany spent the flight’s first hour texting detailed instructions to witches around the globe. Looming demon war or not, she had to make sure every effort to stabilize the Zarth truce continued unabated. Indeed, if she and Jenla failed to change history, or didn’t even make it back at all, the full support of the ruby coven would become even more crucial.
Mulling things over for the umpteenth time, she finally sent her fianceé a short missive simply saying she missed him terribly and would be back the next morning. Blake was already used to her crazy schedule, and wouldn’t immediately think anything was amiss. At the moment, that was all he needed to know.
But if worst came to worst, Tiffany had no intention of just disappearing, forever a mystery to her friends and loved ones. Thus, she composed a longer, coded email to Valensa fully explaining the situation. It was set to auto-send the next day, well after Tiffany should have returned. If she came back on schedule, the auto-send would simply be canceled and no one would be the wiser.
In this final letter, she instructed Valensa to first explain what happened to Blake. He deserved to know the truth, no matter how it affected time lines or anything else. Then her half-sister would go and brief the Coven leadership. Forewarned, they might be able to somehow forestall the coming demon-driven calamity.
Under the circumstances, it was the best she co
uld do. Sighing, Tiffany finally turned off her phone, staring wearily out the window at the night sky. Lost in thought for the final hour, she quietly watched the lights become more distinct as the plane drifted down over the English countryside.
Forty-five minutes later they were on the ground and into the airport. After clearing customs (using a passport hastily conjured back in Philadelphia), Jenla produced a sheet of paper containing a local London address. By way of explanation, she would only state that this was were they needed to go.
Jumping in a taxi, the two magical young women tried to ignore the chatty driver as they slowly wound their way through the busy metropolis.
*****
The journey was both chaotic yet oddly controlled. Pulled, pushed, and sometimes just swirled along the underwater passage, Sarina held her breath for what seemed like an impossible length of time. Perhaps the magically-imbued water itself helped sustain those traveling from one dimension to another? In any event, the sorceress wasn’t forced to access her own power, which went a long way in avoiding detection along the way.
An indeterminate time later Sarina floated to the surface of a moderately-sized lake. Taking a furtive breath of wonderful air, the enchantress took a quiet moment to regain her bearings.
It was full night, the sky pitch black and foreboding. Yet the shore itself was regularly dotted with bonfires and torches, flooding the entire area with flickering, dancing flame. Within the collective glow she now saw that the entire lake was covered by a heavy iron net some three feet off the water, attached to the shore at eight separate points.