by LK Kelley
“You think she might be his mate?” Delinear breathed anger.
“She’s human, you bitch!” he sneered. “What’s the matter, Delinear? Mad because the cute little human got him when you couldn’t?”
“No. She is nothing to me...nothing to any of us. She is purely human. He’ll get tired of her soon enough!”
“Imaerra...GO!” Eloran commanded.
Imaerra nodded once, and in a heartbeat, her body began to shimmer and distort. Her face elongated as her mouth turned into a huge beak with a large head and coal black eyes on either side of her head. Her legs began to thin to the size of sticks, bending backward while erupting with long, sharp talons as her feet turned into claws. She hunched forward, and her body contracted as it grew, followed by feathers of glossy black, turning into wings, which began to protrude from the sides of her body. A feathered tail, that was split into three sections, grew from her butt as she changed into a bird of prey – a gigantic bird of prey with a wingspan of fourteen feet! She stopped when she heard Eloran speak, and turned her massive head to look at him.
“Make sure you do not return without her, Imaerra,” Eloran threatened her. “You know the penalty for failure.”
“Caw! Caw!” Imaerra whined as she lifted her wings, and with one swift push with her talons, she rose into the night sky. With no moon, it effectively would hide her from the humans.
“Now, Delinear...open the portal to the island,” Eloran ordered.
Delinear grinned, and held her hands in front of her, palms facing away from her. Then, closing her eyes, she clapped them together. Her eyes opened, and a swirling, black Vorc'ara appeared out of nowhere, growing large enough for her to enter. She turned to Eloran with a wicked smile.
“Kind of dramatic, don't you think?” Eloran grinned.
She didn't say a word, but growled at him. Then, she turned, and stepped into the Vorc'ara.”
“Your mate is a bitch, but you know that!” Mallorick grumbled in mock horror.
“Indeed,” Eloran said, and both men cucked, then walked into the portal, where it closed behind them.
The two lovers walked out of the door of the little shed that hid the secret behind them, and into the night. Lola followed, when Gem had yelled for her to come. She had been a bit peeved at it, because she was all “snug as a pug in a rug”, and sound asleep. The three quickly walked to the house. They were almost there, when a sound like rushing wind flew above them, and they stopped dead when they heard a huge screech reverberating in the night sky. All three looked up to see a massive bird diving toward them. It was horrible to behold.
“What the hell is that?” Gem exclaimed in terror.
“Oh, shit!” Jaxx screamed, as he scooped Lola up in his arms. “RUN, Gem! For fuck’s sake, RUN!”
Jaxx got nowhere fast as the bird swept downward. He pushed Gem away from him, and planted his feet firmly between the bird and his mate. But, Imaerra dipped her left wing as she descended, knocking him sideways where his head hit a stone rendering him unconscious. Then, darting quickly back into the night sky, she rose high, only turning to dive bomb them, again. This time with the sole purpose to grab Gem.
Gem looked at Jaxx in horror as he lay on the ground not moving. Before Gem realized that the monster bird was coming after her this time, she ran to Jaxx, and tripped. She felt the bird graze her back, causing her to fall onto her stomach with the monster's first attempt to grab her! The bird missed, screamed loudly, and rose into the night sky, only to do what could only be considered a “U-turn in the air”. It dive-bombed her, again. Imaerra missed once more, and her night cry of frustration was so loud, that Gem covered her ears, only to bring them down with blood on them. The sound made her ears bleed? Why was it after her? She turned her head upward to try and track the monster, only she couldn't see it against the moonless night. But, she sure could hear the flapping of giant wings!
“Lola! Lola! Where are you?” she yelled desperately, as she realized that her pug was somewhere around.
She saw Lola under a bush shivering with fear, but, still thankful that she was hidden from the bird.
“Lola! Stay where you are, sweetie! Don't come out!” she cried.
What Gem didn't know was that it was not fear, but sheer anger that caused Lola to shake as she watched the giant bird dive for Gem! As the bird came closer, Gem saw the massive talons open reaching for her. She stumbled and fell. Gem turned to run, but stumbled, and fell, again. It took her a minute to realize that this time, she hadn't fallen. Surprise and terror gripped her when she realized that she was weightless as she was whisked into the sky. A tiny bark drew her eyes to Lola, who was grasped in another talon. She knew that Lola had been trying to rescue her. But, a second later, the bird tossed her down. Gem cried out as she watched, then saw that Lola was alright as she landed on all four feet. Lola looked up at her pet, and all she could do was berate herself for having failed to protect Gem!
Looking down as they gained altitude, Gem saw Jaxx sprawled on the ground with Lola standing over him, her head raised staring at Gem, barking. He was still unconscious, and he became smaller and smaller with every flap of the bird's wings. She had no idea what was happening, and her mind could not cope with it, so it just shut down. Just as she passed out, she heard a horrible screech that sounded as if the bird was shouting in triumph, and then, she knew nothing.
“Where the fuck is she?” Eloran asked Imaerra for the umpteenth time.
He'd asked Imaerra over and over for the last several hours, and all she would do was joke about it. He needed to ask the bitch questions about Jaxx. More than that, Eloran was positive that Jaxx knew where the book was. And, then, there was the unresolved issue about whether or not the Jewel of Anaerris was real. There was not really a doubt in Eloran's mind that there was a Jewel of Anaerris as the ancient rumors foretold, but as yet, no one had proved it. He was just as certain that the girl knew more about the whole thing, because she was Jaxx's mate. Well, at least that was what he thought. But, even if she wasn’t, yet, she was a great bargaining chip! He had no doubt that Jaxx would begin looking for her, and Eloran had every intention of making it just too easy for Jaxxon to find her! Then, he'd be able to threaten her life, so it seemed a great place to start the “negotiations”! He would torture her slowly, over the course of hours, making Jaxx watch, if he did not tell the truth! Well, maybe not immediately! She was a beautiful woman. It wasn't as if Delinear hadn't cheated on him for years! He'd done same! Neither of them were exclusive. Perhaps he would enjoy tasting the bitch's cunt first? He thought about it, feeling his cock jump to attention, and his balls fill! He knew he wouldn't be able to stand the stench that surrounded her, and since Jaxx had fucked her already, well, she would always smell that way. That just about turned him off of doing so...but, well, maybe he’d hold his nose, and just fuck her in front of him He snorted, and turned his attention back to Imaerra whose legs were dangling in mid-air as he held her by the throat.
“I am sick of asking you, Imaerra! You will tell me! Where the hell did you put her?”
Delinear's evil grin appeared, and that scared Imaerra far more than Eloran. She hung her head, and gave an answer that made her laugh.
“What do you mean, where is she?” Imaerra asked. “Was this not the reason we took this island 'paradise'? Seriously? It was you who declared where all our 'guests' were to be placed – all of them! You did not specify anything different! I have always done your dirty work whenever you wanted to scoop someone up and bring them here. So, where would she be? You know where we keep our prisoners. We've always kept them there – well, until they burn, of course! Was that not your decree, oh great one?” she giggled nervously.
Eloran's head snapped up in realization of what she meant, and in seconds, he threw her against the steaming wall, then grabbed her by the throat once again.
“You fucking idiot! You put her below? In the oubliettes? I did not tell you to put her there! I told you to bring her to me! What part of
that was unclear to you?” he asked, slamming her head twice into the wall.
Seemingly unfazed, Imaerra's eyebrows drew into a frown.
“I did bring her to you, oh mighty jackass! You weren't here, and I had better things to do than to wait for you to get back. Such as torturing the prisoners! It was certainly not to guard a stupid human until you returned!”
Eloran dropped her, then put his foot on her throat pressing hard. Their powers were almost useless on each other, so they had to resort to human tortures. They were a bit more effective, but in the long run, did nothing. It took the blade of an Anaerris, or Onaerris, to destroy each other.
“Bring her to me, now!” he ordered, then took his foot off of her throat. Holding his hand on the hilt of his Onaerris dagger that he kept at his side, he continued.
“If she has been turned to liquid, I'll kill you myself! Now, get the fuck down there, and get her out before she does fry!”
Slowly, Imaerra rose to her feet, and she heard the snickering of both her mate, Mallorick, and Delinear. Rubbing her neck, which really didn't hurt, she grudgingly obeyed as she turned to walk the long tunnels to fetch the human.
“Bastard!” she said to herself, albeit quietly. “I really hope that someday, Jaxxon kicks your ass, and makes sure you can never come back!”
~ 14 ~
“Just where I always wanted to book a vacation...a volcanic lava tube prison complete with lava!”
~ Gem
Time became superfluous as Gem tossed and turned. Her dream was miserable!
“This damn bed is too hard...and way too hot!” she thought.
Volcanic ash, lava, and eruptions surrounded her! It made the planet red, but part of it was black and gold as well. She was sweltering in the heat. Her breathing was labored, but Gem forced her eyes to open. She was instantly hit with a heavy burning sensation. Gem shut her eyes once again. She was also sweating heavily, and completely drenched. Her hair was so wet, it was like she'd stepped out of a shower, but it was plastered to her head and neck and felt greasy. She might as well have just been dumped by salt water! Hot salt water! Well, that explained why her eyes were burning. Her body was stiff as if she had been laying in the same position for hours, if not days.
“This is just not right!” she muttered to herself. “This dream is not real, so wake the hell up, Gem!”
Forcing her eyes to open for the second time, they were also matted with a lot of gunk. It's the only description of it at the moment. She rubbed her eyes trying to remove it, before looking around her. Well, sure she hadn't dreamed about the heat. Wherever she was, it was horribly hot! Squinting, she realized that her focus was off, but she managed to catch large features. Overhead was rock. She tilted her head to the right to see – rock. Then, she tilted it to her left knowing, but hoping, it wouldn't be what she thought.
“Nope, that's rock, too,” she muttered. That’s when she remembered being kidnapped by a gigantic bird, and it took her into the air!
Rubbing her head, again, she asked the rocks, “Exactly, where in the heroine’s handbook is it written that the captive has to be put in a jail of rock? Oh, right. The villain would find the best place where she could not be tracked. Well, this certainly qualifies!”
And, beneath her? Rock, what else? Confused, Gem knew it was far too hot, and any physical exertion just made her sweat even more. What she wouldn't give for a cold shower and a monster bottle of ice water right now! She licked her dry, cracked lips, remembering the giant bird that had swooped down out of nowhere! The wings had knocked out Jaxx as if he were a puff of wind, and then, grabbed her neck by its talons. That reminded her. The back of her neck was hurting, and she reached up behind her only to draw her hands away covered with sticky, drying blood. Her blood.
“Well, there's 'not a surprise’!” she muttered, again. Of course the talons would draw blood!
OK...no matter what, she had to at least force herself to sit, and take her bearings. Gem had to try and figure out where she was. Slowly, she maneuvered her sore body into an upright position. Wincing with each move, Gem glanced around, while frequently wiping off the salty sweat that was burning her eyes, so she could at least see. Doing so, though, just smeared blood all over her face, so she had to make a conscious effort to keep her hands away from her face. She looked around the room. It couldn't have been bigger than a small bathroom. Maneuvering was extremely difficult. But, she managed, and to her surprise, there were iron bars that “barred” her exit. She broke into loud gulps of scared laughter at her pun. Oh, hell! She was becoming hysterical as if she needed that in addition to everything else at the moment!
“Fucking get a hold of yourself, Gem!” she ordered to herself, and began hysterically giggling.
After her laughter died down, she was surprised at her, other senses. She smelled...sniffed a couple of times...smoke? Smoke? No. Not exactly smoke. More like steam with a horrible stench. It reminded her of chemistry class in school, because it was so nauseating. She tried to remember why, but her mind wasn't working. The heat made it difficult for her to concentrate. But of one thing she was certain. She was in a tiny cave. She looked closer at the rocks, and noticed it was catacombed with jagged holes, and in the dim light, the color looked dark rust except for the floor, which looked as if had been polished smooth. And, there was light!
“Where is the light coming from?” she asked herself as she looked around for a source.
Gem noticed that the reason she could see the rusty color of the cave was that there seemed to be something behind the rocks emitting a light! That made no sense whatsoever! Whatever that big bird was, how did it drop her into this God-forsaken place? She rubbed her back, and tried to stand, failing miserably, when her feet slipped out from behind her, landing her ass on the floor with a thud.
“Ouch! Well, that's just great! The rock is slippery!” she whined. She looked at the stone floor. A small pool of her blood was laying underneath where her head and back had been, and it was bubbling like a pot of water that had just begun to boil! That was enough for her to jump up quickly – a bit too quickly, and that caused her head to whirl.
Slowly, trying not to keep her head from falling off of her neck, she grabbed the wall to keep from falling down. Her hand drew back at the intense heat that met her palm. She held it out in front of her seeing the seared red palm, and fear gripped her. Feeling like an inchworm who could only move a quarter of an inch, Gem reached out to touch the rock wall, again, drawing her other hand back for a second time as she felt the heat coming from it.
“Bloody hell!” she yelled hoarsely, shaking her reddened and burned hand. “Where the fuck am I? It can't possibly get any worse than this!”
And, as always, the very minute you make that statement...well, we all know that is always when the shit hits the proverbial fan! And, of course, that is also the moment when she noticed some small flames coming from the back of the cave.
“And, there goes the shit hitting the fan! Of course, I shouldn't have said those fucking cursed words!”
She looked around, again, this time without touching the walls. She noticed a tiny hole in the wall at floor level was glowing a brilliant, almost a fluorescent orange. In seconds, she saw something that made her scream without a sound. The terror and shock that consumed her was so strong, she backed up against the nearest wall regardless of the heat! Was this the way her life was going to end? If so, just the thought of how she was going to die made her gag, and she begin to throw up.
Dry heaving after emptying her stomach's contents, she wiped her mouth, then her eyes fixed on the tiny, thickened, orange rivulet that was flowing toward her. OK. She just didn't have the time to fall apart right now! Gem’s eyes widened in terror as she watched a thin ribbon of lava, but it was just a matter of time that the slow moving stream of orange would grow as it melted the rock around the tiny hole, and become a bigger stream. For a brief second, her mind wandered to her favorite author, H.G. Wells, and the book, “The Time Machi
ne”. And, of course, she had seen the classic movie, too. The movie had used oatmeal dyed red to make the lava in it look real. Strangely enough, that's exactly what the little rivulet looked like! Shaking her head, she realized she was going into hysterics!
“OK. Now, I know that my mind is going! Why?” As if she couldn’t leave things alone, Gem slowly breathed the one word you should never ask, because you usually never received an answer, let alone a satisfactory answer. Or, if you did, it was never what you thought it would be. Make that should be!
The rivulet of brilliant, glowing, orange liquid had tiny flames erupting now and then. Gem’s brain worked overtime as realization crept into her brain.
“Holy fucking shit!” she whispered in shock. Louder, “Lava? It IS lava! I'm inside a damn volcano? I'm in a volcano, in a volcanic cave blocked by iron bars? In a lava tube? I'm in a volcanic prison? Seriously? Ah! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!”
She felt stupid. No matter how many times she said it, she was expecting a different outcome! Yeah. Right. Like no one ever does it!
“And, the outcome will always be the same. I’m in a volcanic, prison cell inside a volcano. End of story!”
The cave reminded her of a dead, Jabba the Hut hollowed out fossil! The walls and floor had holes in it, making it look wrinkled enough. Why the hell was she even thinking about that right now? Really, Gem? That's all you have?
Reality grabbed hold of her as she continued to stare at the rivulet of orange. OK. So, she couldn't ignore it any longer! Terror gripped her as she saw the tiny rivulet growing as it melted the rocks around it! It had already doubled in size in the last few minutes, its path slowly heading for the iron bars! At the moment, she could keep out of its way, but she was certain that it wouldn't stay this way for long! Her life had just been cut short by lava! She was certain not many people would ever be able to say it! And, why? They were d.e.a.d.!