Tapestry of Worlds : Part One - The White Raven Awakens

by Hadley Thorne

  Erika gasped when the broken, bloody mass that had been Felix was thrown on the ground at Preach's feet. It was apparent he had been cut, stabbed, and beaten.

  "Erika," Preach bellowed, kicking Felix, "Don't you know by now that we are destined to be together?" He pulled a pistol out and held it to Felix's head, "If Ransom and Felix would just leave you alone, you and I would be together. All I have to do is pull the trigger, and you will be mine forever."

  Erika slipped from the shadows then, startling the men standing closest to her. They had never even seen her come down from the top of the Ridge. The rain had stopped now, and she stood before Preach, alarm in her eyes as she glanced down at Felix.

  "You have to let someone look at his wounds, Preach," her voice full of concern. She took a step closer, "Just get him some help, and you and I can talk about it." Her hands were trembling, but she dropped the pistol and lifted them so he could see she was unarmed. "Why don't you let Hermit and Millie take Felix, and I will stay with you, and we can talk about things," she repeated, trying to sound congenial.

  "Now Erika. Why would I do that? If I do not kill him and kill Ransom, you will just keep picking them over me," he told her, a mad look in his eyes.

  Erika moved towards Preach, her hand out as though to soothe a beast. Gently she told the man, "Don't you understand? They were never better or more than you. Neither Felix nor Ransom prevented us from being together.” She tried to steady her voice as she gently persuaded him, "I have free will and I can choose for myself. Let Felix, Millie, and Hermit go. Be the man I know deep down you want to be."

  Preach ignored her and moved closer to where the men of the Brotherhood stood holding the bloody collapsed body of Felix. Sobbing he told her, “If it weren’t for him, you would already be mine." Steadying his gun, he trained it on Felix's head. "If he hadn't stolen you away from me, we would be together."

  Erika looked at him as though seeing him for the ugly, pathetic creature he really was and shook her head. "No. That is not true." Seeing the pity in her eyes, something inside Preach cracked. He lunged for her then and snatched some of her hair before she could get out of his way. Out of reach, once more, she watched in dismay as he wrapped the long black strands around a handmade doll he pulled from his pocket while she continued to try and reason with him, "You can't make me love you, Preach. You can't force me to feel something that isn't there."

  Pointing the gun at Felix, he bellowed. "Erika, this is your last chance. Come with me, or I swear by all that is holy, I will ruin your life and the lives of everyone who loves you."

  Quietly and calmly she spoke. "I am my own person. I alone choose who I love.” She turned her face up to him defiantly. Gone was the soothing, calming, Erika. Her grey-green eyes were flashing dark fire as the winds began to pick up and bend the trees. Maybe she was being fueled by the storm building in the sky or maybe it was the other way around. It was hard to tell but in that moment, her voice was dark, deep with power and vibrating like a big bass drum. "Preacher, do you really think another man is the reason I am not with you?" Lightning crashed to the ground on the ridge above the Devil's Backbone. So close was the thunder when it boomed down from the heavens that it made the horses scream in fright.

  Not sure whether he should stay or run, Preach froze. His hand was shaking and there was hesitation in his eyes, but when Felix stirred back to consciousness, she saw the look change to an irrational need for revenge, "Fine, I curse you, Erika, I curse you, and I curse anyone who loves you." Lightning illuminated the sunken trace while Erika watched Preacher take a black cord and rusted nail from his pocket and began to wrap it around the doll, "Erika Lily, on this night and in this hour, I bind this curse to you and everyone who loves you. With this nail, I stab your heart just as you have stabbed mine." He poked the nail through the heart drawn on the chest of the doll.

  She started to move towards him then, her hands tingling as though covered in molten lava. Her voice had taken on a deep tone now that was both terrible and beautiful, "I choose who I love. Not fucking you. Not Ransom and not Felix. I choose." The winds billowed around her now, and her hair looked like a flock of blackbirds as it whipped around her.

  "I stab your mind and the mind of those who love you. May you never trust, never believe, and never accept the love offered you for just as you have denied me your love and trust, I bind you from finding it for as long as I live," he drove the nail through the head of the doll.

  She was upon him now, her eyes flashing green fire as she slapped the doll from his hand. For a moment, the two struggled when the heat started rolling off her, burning his hands every place, they touched her body. Preach fell to the forest floor. Scrambling to get the doll from where it fell, he saw death in her eyes and screamed to his men, "Kill them," he screamed, "Kill them all."

  Hearing Preach's orders, Erika screamed, "NO!" as a loud shot rang through the night. She saw Felix crumple to the ground. At that moment, forsaken, she lost control as the crushing feeling of loss spread like a wave bending her to its will. Her eyes flashing a green-gold glow while flame and shadow pooled at her feet and danced in her hands. Overwhelmed by desperation and rage, flame poured forth from her fingertips in a fiery stream towards Preach's retreating form. Engulfed by the inferno, he fell rolling in the wet grass and mud. Pre-occupied with the men standing around, he went unnoticed by Erika as she set about protecting her friends.

  The smell of black powder filled the grove, and for a moment, Erika wondered who had been shooting fireworks. She barely noticed when a murder of crows came to roost in the tree branches overhead. She was so focused on her friends and their captors. It seemed much longer than the few seconds that had passed as Erika watched Millie and Hermit. Her soul brother and soul sister knelt, hands bound and helpless, a resigned look on their faces as their captors held their pistols to their heads and took aim execution-style.

  Unable to do anything but feel, Erika poured all her energy into one action. Her hands, still covered in shadow and fire, gave her a demonic look as she lifted her hands to her head. Pointing one finger to her temple like a gun barrel, she pulled the invisible trigger. At the same moment, each of Preach's men turned their weapons on themselves and took their shot. Silently they fell to the ground in a puddle of blood and gore.

  Seeing what was happening, the remaining men were trying to escape, but it was too late as the crows flew at them, beating them and tearing out their eyes. Having put out the flames meant to consume him, Preacher pulled the man out from behind the jeep's wheel and took his place. Flooring the old jeep, he fishtailed on the muddy ground, trying to escape.

  "There is no rest for the wicked or the damned, Timothy Hebert, and I am coming for you," she screamed after him in a voice ripe with doom and darkness. The pain of seeing Felix shot pierced her to the core, and she swore, "By Huginn and Muninn, I vow to Odin, I will see you dead."

  Walking back towards the others, she found the crows had left the dead where they lay. No souls worthy for Valhalla lay here. Seeing Millie and Hermit holding Felix, Erika began to run. "Is he dead," she asked sobbing as she peered over their shoulders, hoping for a miracle.

  "I would like to think Millie and I healed him," Hermit told her, giving her a kind look, his face a bruised and bloody mess. "But the truth is, whatever Felix is," he said, drawing a deep breath, "it isn't human. The bullet bounced off his skull."

  Millie had Felix's head in her lap, "We were able to close up the knife wounds, so I think that our healing was a success."

  "Why is he just lying there?" Erika asked. She wanted to hold him in her arms to have tangible reassurance he was ok.

  "He needs rest, healing is going to take a lot out of him," Hermit explained to her. He looked at her then, a strange look that was a combination of trepidation and gratitude. "I don't know what you did or how you did it but… thanks."

  Millie had taken off the remnants of her overshirt and t-shirt and placed them under Felix's head as she stood up. Sighing dee
ply, she explained, "She did it because she has the power of both the light and dark elves running through her. It manifested because Preach pushed her to it, but it was always there. This is what the Professor was grooming us for, Ijit." Huffing, she brought her hand to her jaw as though to see if her teeth were loose, "And why do I have to explain this to you, Hermit. You were the Professor's apprentice."

  He looked at her blankly, shock setting in, "I thought it was all a metaphor. I mean, I believed, but… this. Who expected this?" he said, motioning around at the death and destruction laying around them.

  "This year, man," Erika told him, and she started to laugh. It sounded maniacal at first, but then Millie and Hermit joined in. Catching her breath, she said, "I need to go try and catch the horses and mules."

  Putting his hand on Erika's shoulder, Hermit told her, "Why don't you let me do that, and Millie will collect the weapons. You need to rest, and if Felix wakes up, it is your face he is going to want to see."

  "What about the ATVs," Millie asked. The rain had stopped for the moment, and a warm breeze was stirring.

  Nodding her head, Erika looked to the east, and the first rays of dawn were beginning to show. "I suggest we load the supplies on the ATVs and lead the horses. Poor things could certainly use downtime."

  Sitting on the damp ground, she carefully placed Felix's head in her lap. He stirred and settled in as she stroked his hair. It was caked with blood, and she could see where the bullet had entered. She wondered if it was still in there or if he had somehow managed to push it out using his abilities. She started to cry as she realized the depth of their bond and what it meant. He loved her enough to find her or at least try to in each of their incarnations. Closing her eyes, she let the tears fall as she stroked his cheek. She nearly lost the chance to know more about their past, to know him. She realized that wanting those answers did not mean she did not love Ransom. But she also knew it meant Felix meant something more to her than she was comfortable admitting.

  "Darkling, don't waste your tears for me," Felix's voice said weakly as he reached up to capture one of her tears with his fingertip. "They are far more worthy men." She looked into his dark eyes for a moment and saw the smile playing on his lips.

  Giving him a soft smile of her own, she whispered, "What makes you think I am crying over you, Wolf?"

  "I am your Wolf, and now that I found you, Darkling, it will take more than a gunshot to take me from you," he began coughing as he spoke. Clearing his throat, he continued, "I need more time."

  "But how," she asked, holding his hand in both of hers on top of her heart.

  Smiling up at her, his bruised face a bloody mess, but his eyes sparkling, he said softly, "Magic, Miss Lily. The minute we broke your stone circle, we brought magic back to this world.

  Tapestry of Worlds

  Book Two - Of The Blood

  Six Months Later-January 2021

  Shire of New Hope, Island of Mississippi, USA

  Covered in grime, sweat, and dirt, Jason "Ransom" McIlwain was still possibly the best-looking man Erika had ever seen. He was 6'4, tan, and built. The only thing that betrayed his Asian heritage was his exotic almond-shaped golden hazel eyes; the rest of him was 100% pure Scots-Irish, from his chestnut-colored hair to his love for Guinness Stout and Irish drinking songs. She had known there was a chance she would run into him, but she had not dared to hope.

  Erika stood motionless as he crossed the room to her in two strides. He caught her up in his arms and just stared at her for a long moment. Then he picked her in his big arms and hugged her so tightly she was afraid he would break a rib. "You're hurting me," she laughed, choking out the words.

  "Shit, I don't want to break you little bird," he laughed, giving her a grin that lit her heart aflame as he put her down apologetically. As he stepped back, she saw his golden-hazel eyes were full of emotion as he said in a rush of words, "We… I... Z, Bec and I went to the James' place, and some families lived there now. They said the only person they ever saw with them was a mute red-haired woman. They couldn't tell us exactly what happened, but Mr. Bill and Miss Eliza had been buried outback, and the horses run off, stolen, or sold." He took her by the shoulders, gently placing his forehead against hers, "I was so afraid…Erika, I went to the cabin from there, and I swear I tried to find you, but there was no sign, no note, no trail of breadcrumbs. Nothing." His eyes were reading hers, seeking answers, "Where were you?

  "Jason," she began softly, reaching up to caress his face, "all in time, ok?" Her breath was fast and shallow as he bent his head to kiss her. She knew she was about to fall into his arms when a loud cough and the sound of a chair scraping on the floor broke the moment. 'Penguin,' she thought with a smile as Tanna approached - the spell broken for now. Taking a deep breath, Erika took a step back and smiled, "Ransom," she said, reverting to his call sign he went by in the 20th Special Forces Group. "This is Tanna Lee, my traveling companion, best friend of my soul, and one of the main reasons I am still alive."

  The big man gave the strawberry blonde a once over before bowing, "I am forever indebted to you, my lady."

  Erika could not pry the silly grin off her face, and it was starting to hurt. Goddess, she was happy to see him but this just complicated things. She smiled shyly as Tanna gave him a stern look before nodding. In the whisper that was now her voice, she told him," Nice to meet you."

  Placing an arm around Erika, he steered her towards the door, "There are gonna be a lot of people glad to see you made it home."

  "Home?" Erika bristled as she looked up at him and gathered Indigo's reins, "This isn't my home, and I can't stay." She knew now was not the time to explain everything but damn. Home? Was it that easy for him to move on from her?

  "Why not?" he asked her, puzzled by her abruptness. "Little Bird, you know I will never let anything happen to you."

  "A lot has changed since we last saw one another," she snapped, "It had to. Anyway - the only reason I came was to find Z."

  Seeing the hurt look in his eyes, she dropped her voice and whispered, "Tanna and I found an old plane that we think we can get to fly - we just need a pilot."

  Momentarily distracted by the sight of her swinging up into the saddle, he gave her an appreciative grin before asking. "How does she know about planes?"

  "Tanna is an engineer. Worked at that aerospace defense company north of Chimneyville pre-covid."

  With the ease of a jungle cat, he jumped up on Indigo's back behind her, and at that moment, she could not help but want things to be like they used to. Without the taint of Preach's curse hanging over them. Everything that had happened between them seemed like a lifetime ago. It was hard to believe it had just been less than a year.

  The sound of children playing, and dogs barking filled their ears as they passed a merchant's area with rows of tents lined up with people selling pottery, fabric, clothing, jewelry, arms, and necessities. Ransom guided them through the camp of what appeared to be a few hundred people. Medieval tents and regular camping tents dotted the park. Where once were battlefields now people were plowing and planting gardens. Erika was happily surprised to see several cattle, goats, and sheep.

  "This is incredible. I forgot how organized your group was," Erika said, standing up in the stirrups to get a better look. In the distance, she could see the two Mississippi River Bridges on the horizon, broken and twisted pieces of metal that they were now. "The bridge?" she asked.

  "Controlled by bandits. There is still some land on the other side, but it is mostly marshlands and is slowly sinking. About the only way to get through is in an old airboat. Horses cannot travel it for sinking. Yep, it's pretty much just swamp and marsh all the way to Dallas now." He pointed towards a group of canvas tents that were set up behind a fence. There was an archway with an open gate, "Stop there."

  The horses came to a stop in front of the arches, Ransom removed his arm from around Erika's waist, and she felt a tugging in her heart. Dismounting, he told the two women, "Wait here, I will
see if I can find 'em." She could not help but admire his fit physique.

  "You still love him," her companion voiced in her hoarse whisper.

  Erika could not help but notice that it was more of a statement than a question and frowned. Her gray-green eyes turned cold, "I miss who I was when I was with him," she said flatly, "he always made me better."

  Her friend gave her a sideways look before turning her gaze over the battlefield turned garden, "Smart."

  Erika did not know if Tanna meant her comment or the farming, but she did not have a chance to inquire when she saw the bright smile of Becca James as she made her way through the chaos. Jumping off her mount, Erika ran to meet her friend halfway, and the two gave each other a tight hug.

  With all the regalness of a queen, Becca stood their unshed tears in her dark hazel eyes, "Oh god, how I have missed you." She gave her a tight hug before pulling away, "Where have you been all this time? You just disappeared"

  "It's a long story, but first, let me introduce you to my best friend," Erika motioned towards Tanna.

  The strawberry blonde pushed her hat back, a broad smile on her road ravaged face despite her weariness. "Tanna Lee, this is my little sister, Becca James."

  "Where is Z?" Erika asked matter-of-factly, puzzled why he was not here. When everything had happened with her dad dying and her mom’s cancer diagnosis, it had been Z and Becca who had held her together. They were her family in the truest sense of the word and considering they hadn’t seen each other since that night at the ritual it seemed peculiar for him not to be here. Seeing the mournful look Becca gave her she felt a sick feeling rush into her gut. Disbelief flooded her, "No? I do not believe it. He can't be gone…" Her voice trailed off. Never had she imagined that Z. Wright would not have survived the freaking apocalypse.

  "Oh, no,” Becca rushed to reassure her. “He is fine.” There was a tightness in her voice as she fought to find the right words. "It's just…." She seemed to carefully consider how she was going to say what came next, "Things have changed... with us."