Forbidden Melody

Prologue:
“Night Emily,” Susan called from the information counter.
“Night Sus,” I waved walking out the door.
I closed my eyes enjoying the cool night breeze that greeted me. With a contented sigh I walked out watching people pass in a hurry. It was getting close to Christmas and downtown was a bustle of shoppers.
I merged into the pedestrian traffic making my way east toward the bus stop. After about a block off of Main Street I saw less and less people. It was about that time that I first noticed him.
He was a good thirty paces behind be but as I weaved the familiar streets he never waivered. I glanced back judgingly. He was tall and broad shouldered wearing a well tailored black suit.
He had platinum blond hair kept short and slicked back. His eyes caught mine and I was startled by the bright almost neon green color. His lips curled into a predatory style and I walked faster.
I saw the bus stop ahead and smiled in relief that the driver was early. I climbed on and the old man smiled warmly.
“’Ello miss,” he greeted.
“Hello Ernie,” I grinned depositing the money. My eyes moved down the buses windows and I saw the man draw near.
“Everything all right miss?” Ernie asked judging me with soft gray eyes hidden behind fuzzy eyebrows.
“Uh yeah fine,” I assured walking back to a seat. My eyes passed over the few passengers. An elder woman in the front clutched her shopping bag to her chest as if I’d steal it. I walked past her and noticed a Goth looking guy lounging with his guitar case.
He had jet black hair spiked in all directions and a long flat strip down his left eye. He glanced up and I stiffened beneath his bright blue gaze. I heard Ernie greet someone and looked back at the suit. His eyes hit mine sharply and I walked faster toward the back of the bus.
I felt him following me and as I passed the musician he stood up tossing his guitar case along his back on its sling. “Hello duckett,” he greeted warmly putting himself between me and the stranger.
“Hey,” I breathed in relief.
“Glad you made it babe I was beginning to worry, you want to sit in the back?” he queried glancing back slightly at the guy.
“You don’t mind?” I asked and he gave me a grin following me to the very back seat.
I sat near the window and the musician slid off his guitar case setting it down blocking us in. I watched the suit sit down half way back and let out a ragged breath.
“Name’s Justin by the way, Justin Stone,” he introduced holding out a black nail polished hand. I shook it firmly.
“Emily. Emily James,” I murmured.
“So who’s the suit? An ex-bo?” he queried.
“No,” I whispered. “He just kind of followed me from work. It freaked me out but it could be nothing.”
“Better safe then sorry,” he observed and I nodded. “So where’s your stop?” he asked after we made a few and the suit didn’t leave.
“Saint Alexander,” I admitted and he gave a low whistle.
“Long track,” he groaned. “Listen I’ll make a deal with you. If the suit doesn’t get off within the next five drops why don’t you come with me to the Den. You can watch my set and then I’ll see you safely home.”
“That’s very kind of you Justin but I don’t want to impose on you,” I breathed glancing back at the blond. His eyes hit mine knowingly and my stomach dropped as it looked like he mouthed Alexander.
Justin reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear capturing my attention. “It’s no imposition darlin’,” he promised, “Although you’ll need a change of clothes.” He tugged on the sleeve of my white business coat.
“Not emo enough for the Den?” I queried and he smirked. “I do appreciate this,” I sighed. “He really tweaks me out.”
“Go with your gut love, too many women get hurt or worse with the ‘I’m sure it’s nothing,’ crap,” Justin retorted and I nodded.
“Yeah ok,” I agreed. “Let’s see if I can get Goth enough,” I said unbuttoning the white jacket and sliding off my satchel with the coat.
“Damn girl,” he groaned taking me in. I glanced down at the sleeveless low v-neck silk under shirt with ruffles.
“What it’s black,” I assured and his lips twitched in a half smirk.
“Still a little too chic,” he replied looking at the knee length black skirt. I lifted my hips and gave the waist band a few rolls. “Stockings?” he gasped and I blushed darkly jerking the skirt down one. He dropped his hand to my knee brushing his thumb along the stocking. “Silk stockings?” he corrected.
“Justin,” I warned.
“Sorry Emily,” he chuckled removing his hand. His gaze moved down me again. “Better but . . .”
I reached back and took the clip out of my hair letting it fall around my shoulders in waves. I tucked the jacket and the clip into the satchel.
Justin reached up and pulled the waves forward around my face judgingly. “You got any makeup in that bag of tricks?”
“A little,” I muttered and he grinned wickedly.
“Lipstick?” he teased sitting back. I watched him gaze at the man darkly. I reached in and pulled out the lipstick handing it to him. “Very nice,” he cooed. “Eyes closed Emily. You got a nickname duckett?”
“Sus calls me Em,” I breathed and he chuckled.
My eyes closed lightly and I felt the brush of his little finger at the corner of my mouth as he steadied his hand applying the crimson lipstick Sus had given me, for the just in case man.
His finger moved up and he brushed the color over my eye lids. “One last thing,” he called and I blinked my eyes open. He unlatched one of his spike bracelets and placed it on my wrist locking it on tightly.
“So will I pass?”
“I don’t think they’ll spot you for a lily but your high end babe and will probably have to deal with a little unwanted attention. Beyond that you should be golden,” he stated.
“I think I could handle that better than the other,” I admitted glancing back at the blond.
“Next stop the Den,” he said tossing his arm around my shoulder strumming down my bare arm absently. “Stay on my right duckett. I don’t want boy-o even having a chance to touch you.”
“Thanks for doing this Justin,” I murmured, “never quite met a stranger like you.”
“Strange as they come,” he grinned. “Got to admit I never met a dame in a suit who wouldn’t clutch her purse walking past me.”
“Fair enough,” I nodded watching the man darkly as we neared the next stop. “How long is your set?”
“Shouldn’t be to long,” he promised, “depends on the crowd.”

Stary Night Saga-Whirlwind

WHIRLWIND

 

      “Again Gale,” he barked and I nodded adjusting my stance on the rocky ledge. I felt the wind whip around me demandingly and I held out my hands urging and caressing it into tiny tornadoes above my palms. I held that power spinning while keeping the rest of the world at bay. Time moved around me slowly as I fought to hold it. “Good,” he bellowed and I released them in a gust around me blowing my long ebony hair in all directions.
“Are we done for the day?” I called and he gave me a single nod.
I jumped from the ledge watching his irritated glance as I free fell to his side. “Gale,” he warned when I touched down.
“Come on Hunter we’ve been training for so long. You never let me have any fun.” I pouted and he laughed softly.
“You are powerful kid, with great power . . .” he began and I groaned elbowing him hard in the gut.
“No ‘Spiderman’ quotes Hunter, really,” I said rolling my eyes. “Will you tell me about my folks again?” I asked flopping to the grass and he sat slowly beside me. His emerald eyes moved over the Irish landscape lovingly while his sable hair got caught in a gentle breeze.
“Your mother was a beautiful queen who held the soul of her people and your father held their heart and together they made you my little whirlwind,” he said softly.
“But queen and king crap died out centuries ago. Tell me where I came from. I don’t want to hear fairy tales,” I insisted.
“Fairy tales are all I know,” he replied and went silent as he always did.
I stared out over the setting sun pondering for the umpteenth time in my life why Hunter always got such a sad lost look when I asked him about my parents. He never made it a big secret that we weren’t related. Even though a lot of people thought we were. We had the same emerald eyes. “So what other fairy tales do you know Hunter?” I asked softly and felt the wind kick up around us.
I soothed it down watching the waves hit on the large rocky steps of the cliff side.
“Ireland is famous for fae legends Gale. Under every rock, every tree, every inch of this Emerald Isle is blessed with great magic and wonder. There are those who say that Ireland herself is the cradle of all magic.” Hunter began softly and I closed my eyes feeling the hum of power through my hands.
“Is that why we moved here?” I asked hesitantly.
“A little,” he murmured and I gave him a sideways glance. The sorrow clenched his face again and I sighed.
“Am I a result of that magic Hunter?” I questioned and his emerald eyes turned studying me softly.
“You are the result of great magic little one,” he promised. “Let me tell you a new story huh?”
“Yeah,” I grinned excitedly.
“All right,” he smirked. “You’ve heard of the Goblin King no doubt.”
“Like David Bowie, Labyrinth stuff?” I queried and he chuckled.
“Something like that,” he nodded staring out at the setting sun. “A long time ago in an era when the fae walked the earth openly there was a boy born with great and terrible power,” he began and I settled back on the grass letting his deep voice sooth over me.
“The fae were frightened of this boy and called up the Bryn yr Ellyllon or the Hill of the Goblins and demanded that they take the boy away. The thing that the fae didn’t expect was that the boy was so very powerful that the goblins named him king and the king was determined to set a war against the fae for their betrayal of him,” Hunter explained.
“The fairy wars,” I asked softly seeing the images flutter over my mind as they always had.
“That’s right whirlwind,” he soothed. “This version of the fairy wars spilled out onto human land and nearly ended the human race.”
“The plagues right,” I murmured.
“Exactly right,” he agreed. “Seeing the damage being done the fae king and queen of both courts demanded a truce with the Goblin King. He agreed to the truce that the war would end if the fae sealed them selves away as he had been.”
“And they fae sealed themselves away in fae mounds,” I breathed feeling the aching sadness twinge my heart.
“They were hesitant about the sealing but agreed it would be for the best,” Hunter stated. “The only issue was the Goblin King had other stipulations to his treaty.”
“What?” I asked blinking my eyes at him.
“Well that’s where the movie comes pretty close,” he admitted. “He needed a way to keep his goblins a lively race so he wanted the fae to agree that he could take a human child to replace any goblin that died. The fae agreed but only if the child asked to be taken, for example, if it said that it hated its parents and never wanted to see them again. At night the goblins would come and make that happen.”
“That’s awful,” I muttered. “The kid was probably just pissed.”
“It doesn’t always happen but when a goblin dies a black crow appears on a church cross. If you see one on that night do not ask to be gone or you just might.” Hunter stated darkly.
“Oh Hunter you are so full of it,” I groaned. “That’s like something you’d tell a six year old to keep them behaved.”
Hunter blinked his emerald eyes at me slowly. “All tales come from a truth Gale, please try and remember that.”
“I think you spend too much time studying fairytales Hunter, it’s making your brain idle. I don’t care if you are the Professor of Mythology at the Academy.” I retorted glancing back up at the blood red sky.
“Red sky at night sailor’s delight,” he murmured softly.
“It will be a good day tomorrow,” I smiled. “So does that goblin story scare those young college girls that are fawning over you?”
“Only when I tell them the last part,” he admitted heavily.
“Last part,” I asked turning to study him. “Are you holding out on me?”
“Well it is a story to scare six-year olds after all,” he teased and I grinned at him.
“Tell me,” I begged.
“The Goblin King’s last request was that when he required it he could take a girl of his choosing to be queen,” Hunter said and his eyes darkened.
I felt the wind kick up as the earth rumbled its ancient power into my body. “Hunter?” I gasped floating to my feet swiftly. He stood up and peered around searchingly. My eyes moved over the cliffs, down the sea, and finally to the blackened woods behind us. My heart jumped painfully when I saw a white snow owl sitting on a high perch staring at us. “Oh jeez Hunter, now you’ve gotten me afraid of owls, damn it,” I hissed punching him in the arm.
Hunter’s eyes followed mine and the owl took flight. He let out a rumbled laughter as I breathed out slowly. “Pretty sure that was Hollywood whirlwind. I don’t recall the white owl being a form he could take.”
“Whatever,” I groaned. “Can we head back now? I’m seriously tweaked.”
“Afraid the goblins are coming for you?” he teased wrapping an arm around my shoulders grounding me to the earth beside him.
I didn’t want to admit it but yeah. Something just happened on this cliff side and I felt those damn eyes linger on me long after they were gone. “Such a jerk Hunter man, seriously.”
“Seriously?” he grinned mockingly and I elbowed him as he led us back through the village.
We walked silently down the cobble path toward the little home we stayed in on the campuses land. He moved here for the job but it always felt like there was an underline cause. Two years ago I turned eighteen and there was this major earthquake that damn near ripped our little town of Tanks in two. Totally sank this bar called Unseelie and a lot of people got hurt. A day later he took up this sudden job offer and we settled on to a plane to Ireland. Not that I complained but it was weird. I was twenty now and Hunter still looked barely thirty more like my boyfriend less like my dad every day I aged and he didn’t. We passed by a group of the aforementioned schoolgirls and they glared at me noticeably.
“Professor Black?” one called in an Irish lit that made me smile although I hated most of them.
“Yes Kassidy?” he queried letting go of me and walking toward them.
“Just had a question on the assignment,” she admitted keeping her tone soft and bashful.
“All right,” he smiled. “Head on home Gale I’ll be along shortly.”
“Sure teach,” I muttered giving the girls a bright smile and a friendly wave before setting off to the house.
Darkness blanketed the world slowly as I walked down the cobble stone road. Overhead lamps turned on illuminating the world in an eerie red-gold flickering light. My body shivered beneath a phantom chill and I glanced around curiously. On top of one of the lights the white owl sat perched watching me with those damn round eyes.
“Shoo,” I called and it blinked at me slowly. “Oh whatever,” I growled walking past it giving a wide birth. I felt those eyes follow me as I rounded the corner that led to the small driveway. In the distance I heard the loud flapping of the bird taking flight and I went still watching it as it flew overhead studying me. I sent a quick burst of wind up catching its wings and it hooted loudly.
I smirked up at it as it flew away irritably. “Face it goblin boy I’m happy as a lark with Hunter and nothing is going to change that.” I murmured to the night and suppressed another chill as I moved faster toward the house.





Chapter 1:

I moved around the house checking the locks and turning on lights. “Powerful and a scaredy cat,” I groaned to myself. I walked into the small kitchen and began making dinner while I waited for Hunter to peel himself away from the curvaceous coed and her ‘questions’.
“You ok?” Hunter asked from the doorway and I yipped dropping the chicken into the frying pan. “Tweaked you bad huh?”
“Not funny Hunter, that damn owl was following me home I swear,” I groaned turning and looking at him.
“Really?” he queried growing suddenly serious. The one thing I loved about Hunter was the fact that anything I said at any age he took with a hundred percent sincerity. “Did you provoke it?”
I blinked at him and he sighed. “I just tried to make him go away,” I murmured. “A little burst of wind to ruffle his feathers you know.”
“You must be careful Gale,” he muttered moving closer and handing me a spatula knowingly. “There are creatures you don’t want to stir around here.”
“Hunter it’s just an owl but that story of yours. I’m just jittery.” I admitted turning my attention to the chicken.
“You need to trust your instincts girl,” he stated moving to chop up the lettuce I washed.
“My instincts told me to blast that little peeper out of the sky,” I insisted throwing him a sideways glance and he chuckled.
“Very well,” he agreed.
“So what did little miss sunshine not understand about her assignment Professor Studwell?” I queried and he chuckled warmly.
“Jealous whirlwind?” he teased.
“Jesh Hunter you’re like my dad,” I groaned. “I just don’t want your rep ruined by a girl who won’t take your kindness as just kindness and says you touched her naughty place when you reject her flat out.”
“I’ll keep that in mind Gale,” he sighed and I looked over at him taking the chicken off the stove.
“I’m serious Hunter, she’s madly in lust for you,” I stated and his emerald eyes studied mine.
“I will speak to the dean Gale to ensure it is properly documented,” he promised and I breathed out nodding happily. “Tell me something,” he murmured taking the chicken to the cutting board and making swift work of it.
“Yeah?”
“How did the owl make you feel?” he questioned and I leaned against the counter thinking about it.
“Creepy, gave me the chills,” I recalled. “It was like being watched by a pervy man.”
“Anything else?” he asked and I closed my eyes visualizing the owl with its predatory gaze.
“It’s like he was looking just for me, following me, studying me. Almost like it had a consciousness, you know,” I blinked slowly shaking a coldness that moved down my spine. “It felt like I was being hunted Hunter and running would have meant I’d die.”
“Come sit down Gale, let’s eat,” he soothed and I followed him to the dining room sitting across from him at our little dinette.
“So what’s the mission for tomorrow sensei?” I asked looking up at him.
“Tomorrow I want you to study those ancient texts I gave you,” he said firmly and I groaned loudly.
“Those are so boring,” I pouted.
“They are essential,” he stated firmly.
“Why is important to know some kind of ancient Latin crap?” I demanded. “It’s a dead language for a reason.”
“It isn’t Latin Gale,” he said studying me with that lost dark look that made me feel like I was missing something huge from him.
“All right, all right, jesh,” I sighed. “Got a hot date or something?”
“Or something,” he nodded and this time it was he who flinched under my gaze. He held up two hands and the gaze turned to a glare. “She’s a colleague Gale.”
“A colleague,” I repeated slowly feeling the sickly sink of my stomach.
“Yes she teaches Irish Literature and History,” he stated and I blinked at him.
“How long will you be gone?” I asked.
“My guess is all day,” he admitted ducking his head. “Meredith wants to take me to Derry to see some museum.”
“Ok,” I said eating the salad slowly.
“Ok?” he queried studying me.
“Yeah ok,” I repeated looking up at him. “You deserve to go out Hunter. You’ve been shackled to me for twenty odd years, training and teaching me but we both know that I am in control of my skills now. I can do the reading tomorrow. You have fun.”
“You’re certain Gale?” he asked hesitantly.
“Yeah,” I nodded firmly. “Otherwise the girls will think you’ve gone gay.” I teased blinking at him, “or we’ve got some weird Flower in the Attic thing going on.” I groaned picking up the bowl and tossing the remains into the garbage disposal. I felt the eyes on me from the kitchen window and looked up to see the snow owl sitting perched across from me. “I’m going to hit the hay, night Hunter,” I muttered turning back to his dark eyes.
I moved to his side and kissed his cheek softly. “You’ll be fine,” I promised.
“And you?” he asked heavily.
“Will be hiding out from creepy owls by reading dusty old ancient text books,” I muttered thumbing to the bird out the window.
“Don’t say the words,” he warned.
“I’m not a kid Hunter,” I murmured moving away then paused. “Hunter?”
“Hmm?”
“Did you need to say words if he choose you to be a bride?” I asked nervously.
“I don’t know,” he admitted looking out at the white owl sharply. The bird took flight taking the creepy vibe with him. “Stay indoors,” he stated firmly and I nodded.
“Think they can’t enter without an invitation? Their goblins not vampires,” I muttered hating the truth of my own argument.
“I can call it off,” he said standing up from the table swiftly.
“No,” I breathed. “I’ll be safe Hunter, just go and have a good time ok?”
“I don’t like this owl thing,” he admitted darkly. “The fae can’t enter the mortal realm . . .” he began but broke off blinking back at me. “Hit the hay whirlwind. It will be all right.”
“Fairy’s don’t exist Hunter, please tell me you know that,” I begged hesitantly feeling that familiar thrum of power tingle from the ground up through my feet.
“Truth is a mirror that is hard to see in unless it’s shined,” he stated vaguely giving me a wave off with his hand and I headed upstairs to bed.
I flipped the light on to the room and glanced around hating the eerie feeling that settled deep in my gut. “Damn it,” I hissed. “There aren’t any goblins hiding in here. Get yourself together.” I stated firmly. “You’ve been listening to his stories too long if your starting to buy them too.”
I picked up one of the books and dusted off the cover studying the sparkling title. Tuatha Dé Danann, the children of the goddess. I flipped open the pages and began reading the pages about the creation of the fae folk. The mythology followed similarly to Christianity as far as I was concerned. A god or goddess had children or angels endowed with some of the all mighty power that made them a step up from the human race.
My eyes moved over the words as they moved deeper into that strange mix of Gaelic, Latin, and French that made up the language Hunter called the ancient fae. I engrossed myself into a story when I realized it was the same one Hunter told me earlier but it was darker than his version.
The boy was the bastard son of one of the Four Ancient wizards Kauko and his concubine Calypso. Kauko was married to the witch Ilya but she couldn’t produce any heirs so Kauko strayed in attempts to have his heir. When Calypso gave birth to their son Ilya struck her dead and cursed the boy.
He was powerful even as a baby but the curse was an ancient blood magick that disfigured him in an awful way. To hide his disfigurement the child learned to steal the shapes of fauna around him. As he grew into boyhood he sought out the fairy folk pleading their mercy, that his magicks were too unstable in the human world.
The fairies captured him and tortured his deformity forcing him to heal himself and shift for their amusements never letting him rest. When he rose up against them he was banished to the Bryn yr Ellyllon. The fairies taunted that he belonged with the hideous and damaged. That way no fae eye which saw only beauty would have to look upon him.
I closed the book breathing out slowly. “Poor boy,” I murmured softly and a loud rap hit the window. I glanced out and heard a piercing scream. I yipped jumping out of bed and dropping the book loudly.
“Gale?” Hunter demanded opening the door swiftly. He paused beside me jerking me into his arms as we stared out the window at the large black crow that sat perched on the steeple across from our home.
“I’m ok Hunter,” I promised watching the bird take flight.
“Lock your window,” he ordered and I went to it ensuring the lock was secure. He moved into the room and picked up the book looking at the section it fell on. He paled slightly and I blinked at him.
“Hunter?”
“You have to find your own path into the world Gale,” he said holding out the book to me.
“What does that mean?” I asked nervously clutching the book to my chest.
“It means what it means,” he stated distantly. His emerald eyes studied me darkly before turning and leaving the room closing the door. “Goodnight Gale.”
“Night Hunter,” I called listening to him return to his own room.
I turned the book over and glanced at the page he read. When the Goblin King comes for his bride he will send her messengers. The first will be his all-seeing owl, the second will be the harbinger, and the third will be his offer. If she accepts his gift he will come for his bride on the night of Walpurgis.
I closed the book and flipped open my almanac. Today was April 29th. The night of Walpurgis was . . . shit! April 30th? This was ridiculous. I sighed setting the book on the nightstand and sliding out of my room towards Hunters. I stopped when I heard him talking.
“No,” he growled and I stiffened. I never heard him so angry before. “I said no damn it,” he hissed. “I haven’t been able to locate any way for her to enter the mound. All the fairy hills they claim to have are bullshit. I am looking into a historical museum tomorrow that may help . . . listen . . . this isn’t why I’m calling Becca,” he growled. “I think she’s in danger.”
I inched toward the door as his voice drifted in low rushed whispers.
“If he came,” he argued. “I know . . . I know,” he hissed.”Just shut up and listen,” he demanded harshly. “If he even guessed at who she was.” I heard him pace the room irritably. “Yeah,” he muttered defeated. “I said yeah. I got it ok. I got it.” He said slamming down the phone harshly.
I slipped back into the room listening to him move to his door swiftly. He tore down the stairs and I heard his agonizing scream. I moved to the window and watched him prowl away into the night. “Hunter,” I breathed achingly. I stood at the window watching for his return until exhaustion stung my eyes and I went to bed miserably.





Chapter 2:

I woke the next morning and found a note from Hunter.
I went on my date with Meredith. I’ll be home late. Hunter
I set the note back on the table and moved around the house aimlessly. “Why won’t you talk to me Hunter?” I demanded from the empty house and felt that jolting power touch up through the soles of my feet. “It’s just fairytales, it’s not real.”
The arching static tore up my arms leaving my hair on end and I sighed releasing the wind and moving into a sitting position in the air without thought. I closed my eyes and went through my meditations. ” Ni neart go cur le cheile. Is leir don saol e an firinne.”
I felt the sun move over the sky, as my body remained levitated focusing on only my breathing, my chant, and my wind that kept me safe from that seeking power. When dusk settled over the earth I broke the meditation and set my feet down tentatively. The power arched up and I bit my lower lip. “Hunter, come home soon.” I begged moving to the kitchen and assembling a small sandwich.
When night came the power sedated below me and I sat on the couch staring at the book. I flipped open to where I left off. The boy was punished by the fae and sent to the goblin’s hill. When he arrived he had to face a series of challenges to prove his worth as a goblin. He had to be quick and resourceful and careful not to take a goblin’s life.
Goblin time moved fast for the young boy and when he mastered his way through the goblin’s village he was nearly a man. When he entered the forgotten forest he had to face the twisted cast outs of the village. Creatures so cruel and vile but again the boy spared their lives. He was rewarded by the spirit of the woods and granted a safe passage through the trees so that he could face the goblin that called himself Lord of Bryn yr Ellyllon.
He faced off against the Goblin Lord in a challenge and banished the goblin away taking command of the great Goblin army and securing his throne. The throne was his seat of power and from it he called a war down on the fae who punished him.
The war was fought with a sharp cunning and immense show of strength until a spell collided and spilled out over the land of mortals. When that happened the great leaders called for a truce.
The noble king agreed to the truce on a few conditions. I read the last lines slowly. The fae agreed to be sealed away, they agreed to give him a willing human child, and they agreed to his bride.
When he found his bride he would send the three tests. If she passed then he’d come for her. I was so tuned out I didn’t hear the knock on the door until it sounded a second time.
I got up and peered out the peek hole. It was the curvaceous coed. I unlocked and opened the door blinking at her. “Yes?”
“Are you Gale Black?” she asked darkly.
“Yes,” I said looking up into her glazed eyes.
“I have a gift for you,” she stated holding out her hand. I blinked down at the tiny silver heart that lay in her palm.
“I don’t accept,” I said flatly stepping back to close the door.
Her free hand reached out snaking my wrist painfully. “You saw the seer, you heard the harbinger, and you opened the door to the messenger,” she growled squeezing my hand until it opened. She placed the tiny heart in until the edges drew blood. “You accept the gift.”
“I do not.” I hissed blasting her backwards and throwing the heart out into the night slamming and locking the door fearfully. Pain stung my hand and I looked down at the perfect heart outline that bled out of my palm
I glanced around fearfully as I felt the weight of power press in on me demandingly. I dropped along the door drawing my knees to my chest as I circled the wind around me like a shield.
The lights flickered going dim before blackness filled the house. “It is the night,” the deep voice rumbled and I stiffened slicing the wind out wildly in the direction of his voice. “You bare my mark,” he bellowed sending his voice around me in all directions.
I tightened the bubble of air around me trying to penetrate the nothingness with my eyes. In the distance I saw a shadow move. A tall frame cloaked in god knows what. “Leave me alone,” I begged. “This isn’t real.”
“Really?” he barked reaching into my space easily and grasping my wrist jerking it forward as I watched the blood pool between us. My palm throbbed in pain and I saw a cruel smile tug his lips beneath an eerie Italian style masquerade mask. “Is this not your blood? Not your pain? Is this not real enough for you?”
“It can’t be real,” I repeated fearfully. “You are no David Bowie.”
He hesitated above me and I looked into those cruel sharp blue eyes. “I am not,” he agreed. “No pop musician could encompass the horror of the true Goblin King. Come with me my bride.”
“No,” I bellowed blasting the air at him sending him back from me as I struggled to get the door open. He was there slamming his hands on either side of me. I flinched lowering my head to the cold oak praying I’d fallen asleep waiting for Hunter. That it was just a bad dream from his damn stories and that stupid book.
The man behind me stepped closer forcing me into the door uncomfortably. “I can smell the truth on you. You have to abide by the treaty or it is war for your people.”
“My people,” I asked hesitantly.
“Did your teacher not tell you?” he queried cruelly. He pressed his body into mine tightly and I shook my head. Tears stung my eyes as I blasted out again but this time he didn’t even flinch. “You my fae are the spawn of the Unseelie Queen and her guard. You are a pure fae and you must abide by your laws ancient or not.”
“I’m not fae,” I gasped.
“Oh you most certainly are,” he promised, “and because you are. You are my chosen. Come now.”
“No.” I repeated fearfully.
“It isn’t a request. It is an order,” he barked pooling his long black cloak around us and I shuddered as I felt things brush over my skin crawling and slithering beneath his darkness.
“I don’t accept,” I repeated heavily. “I don’t . . .”
“Have a choice,” he assured as my eyes drifted heavily. “No one would willingly choose me. That is why we agreed to the treaty in the first place.”
†
I woke up slowly fog clung to my mind as I forced my eyes to open. I was lying in a field and the wind was caressing over me lovingly. I smiled softly as I stretched. The sun was dipping low in the sky casting the most beautiful shades of purples as night approached. I’d fallen asleep training I smirked. Hunter would be home soon. I sat up slowly and blinked around at the environment. I was on a large hill that was covered in soft plush emerald green grass.
In the distance of the setting sun was a large and imposing city surrounded by a massive wall. “Where am I?”
“You are at the entrance to Bryn yr Ellyllon,” his deep voice rumbled and I flinched jerking up into the air far away from the dark cloaked man. He was hunched over staring at me through that eerie mask as spiders and insects crawled out from beneath his robe.
“No,” I gasped jerking my feet up into the air afraid of the crawlers that moved eagerly toward me.
“You know I am not lying,” he rumbled stepping closer. “Come down little whirlwind it will not be so bad.”
“Don’t call me that,” I cried feeling a sick sink to my stomach. “Let me go. Let me go back to Hunter. You can’t keep me here.”
“Shall I make this decision easy for you?” he growled holding out a single thin pale hand. In it he held a shinning glass globe. I peered at it as it clouded over and cleared. Hunter was sitting with a lovely brunette at a small bistro somewhere. He tilted the globe slightly and I witnessed the commotion as they grabbed on to the table fearfully.
Hunter’s eyes hit mine from the other side of the glass. “Hunter,” I screamed and his eyes went dark with sorrow before he dropped them turning back to Meredith. “No.”
“He knows the day, he knows the law, he has given you to me,” the Goblin King stated darkly and tears stung my eyes. “You cannot fight it and if you think to try I can shake his world until it crumbles away like your city of Tanks.”
My eyes went sharp with anger and fear. “Please don’t.” I begged.
“Then agree,” he said smiling with an arrogant knowing. His hand twisted and the globe disappeared. “Agree to be with me and his world and the world of your parents will be saved from my wraith.”
My mind flashed to the story, the poor disfigured tortured boy but what did I know of his bride? Was there anyway out of this damnable arrangement? “Why do you need me to agree?” I asked hesitantly.
“It is law,” he said firmly.
“Does the law allow me to challenge this?” I questioned.
His lip twitched slightly just in the corner of his mouth and I saw a flash of marred skin from beneath the mask. “Why would I tell you that?”
“Because you don’t believe I could last through a challenge anyway,” I offered and his flawless lips curled higher.
“No I don’t believe you could,” he rumbled. “I believe that you are too very sweet and naïve to last in my dark world.”
“I’m not that sweet,” I retorted.
“Aren’t you?” he mocked. “You’ve never even kissed a man.”
I blushed darkly and he groaned stepping closer. “I could change that my sweet. I could show you a kiss of such pleasure,” he promised and I glanced at him looking at the ridges of damaged skin hidden beneath the edge of his mask.
“Your eyes are trying to see beyond my mask,” he observed and I stiffened slightly. “Ground yourself and I will show you the face of the man you will be wed to.”
I glanced down at the ground and saw the insects depart from beneath me. I floated down touching my feet to the earth lightly. He stepped closer so that he towered above me. He shook his head dropping the hood from his head allowing his long silver hair to flow free over the black cloak. His hand reached up and jerked the mask up savagely and I stared into the scarred and mangled face that the mask hid.
His sharp blue eyes studied mine with pure rage waiting for my disgust, my repulsion but it didn’t come. I reached up slowly and he slapped my hand away. “Do not touch me,” he hissed.
I stepped back dropping my gaze and my hand from him. Conflict stirred in my stomach. “I’m sorry,” I breathed and he lunged forward grabbing my arms and lifting me to his face.
“Sorry,” he growled. “Sorry that you are imprisoned with such a beast?”
“No,” I whispered breathing hard. “I’m sorry they hurt you.”
He threw me to the ground sharply and I fought to hold his gaze beneath his rage. “The creatures here will hurt you worse,” he promised darkly.
“Tell me then.”
“A chosen can be released if she can face all the challenges I endured during my expulsion here. You will need to kill them,” he stated darkly. “Shall we give you thirteen hours?” he teased and I glanced up seeing his restored mask and a clock way to similar to the Labyrinth. “Make your way through the goblin’s metropolis, past the primordial forest, and into my palace in thirteen hours and I will release you.”
“And if I fail?” I murmured.
“When you fail a challenge I will come for you and you will agree aloud to be my wife,” he said flatly. “Then you will be queen to the goblins.”
“Would you tell me the truth of my parents?” I asked softly.
“I already have,” he assured stepping toward me slightly before hesitating. “Do you truly want to run this gauntlet little girl? This is no movie. The horrors here will stain your mind for all your days.”
“Through the city, past the forest, and to you,” I repeated heavily. “Face and kill the challenges you faced as a boy.” My eyes went to his hesitantly and his blue eyes flared with a dark energy. “I will.”
“You are a fool,” he growled wrapping his large cloak around his body and launching him self high into the air. I watched as the giant eagle moved toward the fortress beyond the city.
“I have made my way beyond the goblin city, you have no power over me,” I smirked recalling the movie before I set off down the hill on light steps.

Stary Night Saga-Inferno

INFERNO

           My name is Inferno Bell. I know my mom had one hell of a sense of humor before she vanished.

            My dad did the best he could in trying to raise me even called me by my middle name Katherine to give me a normal life. It wasn’t easy being raised as the executioner’s daughter but he did his best until the day a dead man walking got the needle and ended him.

            I spent the next four years following every dead end in the cold case file my dad’s buddy gave me on my mom. I ended up taking a freelance photo gig to stay floating and survived off my dad’s inheritance. It wasn’t easy but I made it work.

            So I sat here waiting to meet the man who last saw my mom. He went by the name Puck and I couldn’t tell if it was a hockey thing or fae. I took another long swig of the Smirnoff in front of me and gave weary glance around the run down bar.

            Several of the guys gave me a half snarl as my eyes passed but beyond that the only thing that stood out about this dive was the name, Unseelie.

            I glanced back at my watch, five minutes to midnight. Puck had left me waiting over an hour. I tipped the bottle back finishing the liquid and gathered my things to leave when the door opened wide.

            The man entered and the energy of the bar changed dramatically. His eyes hit mine and held me beneath a dark power. I set down my purse and fought the tension in my spine. Ok definitely not hockey.

            His skin was bronzed from the sun, his dark hair lightened to an almost spun gold and his eyes were the same color as climbing ivy.

            “Miss Bell,” he smiled holding out a single hand.

            I stood from the booth slightly and gave him my hand smiling tightly as pulses of shocks traveled up my arm. I withdrew my hand and motioned for him to sit.

            “They tell me your name is Puck,” I admitted when he sat down.

            “And that yours is Inferno,” he replied smiling slightly.

            “Kat,” I replied absently.

            “Inferno Katherine Bell,” he stated formally capturing my gaze. “Kat Bell,” he smirked.

            “You are very well informed,” I said smiling a pleasant meaningless grin. “Do you mind if we skip the small talk?” I asked looking at his eyes briefly before studying the bottle in front of me.

            “Not at all,” he retorted sounding amused.

            “When the police questioned you, you said my mother asked for the meeting here in Tanks, nearly fifty miles from our home in Rosewood.” I recounted and he gave me a single nod.

            “Why did she want to meet you here?” I demanded meeting his strange green eyes.

            “I believe my answer was recorded,” he stated flatly.

            I studied his unyielding form and nodded. “She received your name from a mutual friend regarding a possible divorce from my father,” I continued and he gave another nod. “Is there any reason you would have lied to the police about the reason for the meeting?”

            “None,” he said firmly.

            “Do you know where she went after your meeting?” I asked.

            “No Kat. I don’t know where your mother is,” he replied and my spine stiffened sharply. He was lying every fiber in my body knew it.

            “Thank you for your time,” I sighed glancing down at my watch, midnight.

            “So this interview is over?” he queried sounding amused again.

            “If there is nothing new you’d like to add to the police report . . . then yes this interview is over,” I assured reaching for my purse again.

            “Can’t I tempt you to join me for dinner?” he queried. “My last appointment went long and it’s still a drive for me to get here as well.”

            I looked over the table at him hesitantly then nodded. He was the last lead to my mom I had to do this. His smile went wide and genuine as he waved the waitress over. He ordered a burger and a fruit plate without breaking my eye contact.

            “Anything to drink Puck,” the waitress asked sounding annoyed.

            “Two more of what she’s having,” he replied dismissingly and she strutted away without a word.

            She came back with the Smirnoff’s and slammed them on the table before retreating away. He lifted the bottle in salute and I raised mine in return.

            “Can I ask you something?” Puck questioned and I gave him a nod taking a long drink. “Why the sudden interest in your mom? It’s been twelve years.”

            I sighed setting down the bottle eyeing him coldly. Most of the bar flies had left leaving it fairly quiet. “I need some answers only she can give,” I stated flatly.

            “What if you can’t find her?” he queried drinking slowly.

            “Then its over,” I said looking at him unwilling to share when I knew he was flat lying to me. “I don’t believe my mom sought you for a divorce Puck, she loved my dad.”

            His eyes darkened slightly. “People fall out of love Kat.”

            “Not my folks,” I grunted taking another long drink. “They had this weird fairy tale love story, couldn’t take their hands off each other.”

            Puck let out a long breath and his energy vibrated along my skin sharply. “Your mom was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen,” he stated softly.

            “Fairest in the land,” I agreed with a sad smile. He gave me a curious glance, “my dad’s hunting buddies used to tease me all the time that my mom was the fairest in all the land like Snow White, ya know?”

            Puck nodded slowly. “When she came here she sat right where you are and asked me for help.”

            “What kind of help?” I asked dubiously.

            “The kind I provide,” he stated enigmatically. “She was referred to me as a divorce attorney,” he said honestly then hesitated, “but she was looking for someone.”

            “Who?” I asked leaning closer to him.

            “I’m not sure,” he admitted. “I wasn’t much help and she left.”

            I nodded slowly as the waitress brought his meal. “Who was the mutual friend that recommended you?”

            “I thought the reports mentioned that,” he said eating his burger and sliding the fruit between us.

            “No actually,” I said eyeing the fruit suspiciously.

            “Her step brother or half brother I guess was his relation, Drake Snow,” he answered around mouthfuls. “You should eat,” he said motioning to the fruit.

            “No thank you,” I replied. “So Drake recommended you?”

            He nodded and I cursed softly, “something wrong with that?”

            “Nope,” I grunted, “just another dead end.”

            “Because it’s not unlikely your mother would go to her half brother for advice?” he offered and I shook my head.

            “Because he died last year,” I stated.

            “And your father,” Puck asked setting down the burger and picking at the fruit.

            “Died four years ago,” I answered keeping my voice neutral.

            “So you are alone?” he asked sympathetically.

            “No.”

            His eyes widened and I let out a long breath. I debated my words not wanting to share my life with this stranger.

            “I’ve got six guys back home who watch my ass, have since I was born. They’re like my uncles and I’ve got a boss breathin’ down my neck to be in my pants,” I answered finishing the drink and leaving the fruit untouched.

            “Won’t you try a bite?” he teased and I shook my head firmly.

            “I won’t eat in any bar called Unseelie, no offense,” I retorted.

            He sat back crossing his arms eyeing me interestedly. “Superstitious?” he queried darkly.

            “Not stupid,” I replied.

            “Just try a piece,” he insisted pushing the tray closer.

            “Won’t happen,” I grunted waiving the waitress back over but Puck held up a halting hand and she stood still watching the debate. I glanced at his darkening eyes and sat still pushing the energy off of me easily.
            I reached into my purse and pulled out a twenty setting on the table.

            “Thanks for the meeting Puck but I don’t believe there is anything else truthful you are going to tell me, enjoy the dinner,” I said sliding out of the booth and sliding the purse on over my neck securely.

He moved with me standing and blocking the path. I glared at him glancing around at the suddenly too interested remaining flies. One guy stood up from the bar stepping towards us.

“’S there a problem?” he slurred studying us.

Puck’s dark eyes flicked to the tall man irritably. “What are you doing?” he demanded.

“Da lady seems to be given ya da kiss off,” he replied and I caught his dark crimson eyes hidden beneath the thick sable bushy hair. “I reckon you should move on little lady. Dis ain’t a place for lingering.”

I gave him a single nod going wide around him as he kept Puck in place by his sheer size. “You will regret this,” Puck promised to my retreating back and I wasn’t sure if he meant me or the man that aided me.

At that point I really didn’t care. I grabbed my keys and ran across the parking lot to my truck. I got in and started it shakily. My eyes flicked up and I saw Puck standing in the bar doorway. His ivy eyes were illuminated beneath the overhead halogen. I backed up fast and took off down the dark road back to the motel I was staying in.

I breathed out raggedly turning the radio on loud drowning out my lingering anxiety. “What a creep,” I sighed navigating through the small town turning down the down the dirt road and into the derelict motel. I killed the engine and sat in the dark breathing slowly calming the burning rage in my veins.

I glanced around making sure it was safe and got out key in hand as I entered the motel. The old man glanced up from his TV giving me a dark look as I passed by the desk. “In late,” he grunted.

“The lawyer kept me waiting,” I stated and he gave a nod.

“Lawyers are soul stealing leeches feeding off the ass of society,” he grumbled flicking his eyes back to his program. I smirked walking away. “Miss,” he called and I stopped glancing back at him. “I forget you had a message left,” he said holding out a paper.

I took it eyeing the chicken scratch. “Was this a phone call?” I asked reading the single line again.

“Nope,” he muttered wearily. “Some punk came in asking ‘bout cha.”

“Punk,” I repeated rereading the sentence. The little lost kitten was looking for her mama, here kitty, kitty. “What did he look like?”

“A punk,” he snapped irritably, “ya know those idiot kids with their freaky two tone skunk heads,” he went off in a rant and I walked away. I walked down the hall and saw a man unlocking the door across from mine.

He lifted his eyes and smiled warmly. “Howdy,” he greeted.

“Hi,” I murmured walking towards him. He entered his room giving me a wave and closing the door. I unlocked my door and slid in closing and locking it. I tossed my purse and the note on the bed and went to the phone.

I dialed the number by heart. “’Ello,” a deep voice murmured.

“Hey it’s me,” I breathed.

“Kat,” he sighed. “What’s going on? Did Puck tell you anything?”

“No but he definitely knows where she is,” I said sitting down heavily rubbing my weary eyes. “I don’t think he’s the only one in town who does either.”

“What do you mean? What happened?” he asked and I could hear him sitting up in bed.

I told him about the note and the description of two-toned skunk headed punk. “What do you think it means Gabe?”

“I’m not sure kid,” he grunted. “Do you want us to come there?”

“No,” I breathed. “Someone in this town knows what happened to my mom and I don’t think they’ll talk if you guys show up again.”

“So you’re going to use your feminine wiles,” he chuckled.

“Something like that,” I agreed.

“I wish you’d let one of us come up there and at least keep an eye on you,” he rumbled.

“I know Gabe but if they spot you, any of you it will be twelve years ago all over again,” I stated lying back on the bed. “This whole damn town is covering up what happened to my mom. I can see it in every face I pass by. It’s like some damn unspoken whisper. I know she’s here. I can feel her.”

“Then you’ll find her,” he agreed softly, “just promise me you’ll watch your ass.”

“Always,” I promised, “tell the guys I’ll check in when I can.”

“Will do sprite,” he murmured.

“Night,” I breathed.

“Night,” he repeated disconnecting the phone.

Stary Night Saga-White Out

Whiteout

            Skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood, and hair as black as a raven’s feather. Yeah right!  I ran through the snow cursing my aching muscles as they constricted and refused to move in the frozen field. A blood-curdling howl sharpened my senses and my legs finally responded with the only thing that would move them. Fear for my life.

            My pants caught around twisted branches and bramble hidden beneath the snowdrifts. I tripped and fell hard head first into the snow. I used my hands to block my fall but my palms were already chapped and raw. I jerked my head up whipping back my too long black hair that my mother refused to cut and it got caught in the nearby trees.

            I yanked the hair not caring how much of it stayed in the branches. I fought the tremor of my thighs and bleeding of my lips as they cracked open spilling them with the crimson fluid they were constantly compared to. A pale white girl with black hair and suddenly the Snow White jokes were in abundant.

            I heard a single branch snap and took off in a jolted panic bursting through bushes as the hellhounds drew near. I could hear my bastard of a stepfather laughing as his hunting dogs ran me down like a scared rabbit. He liked the fear, the terror of the hunt. It’s how he killed my poor naïve mother. He forced her to run as he chased her down with his bowey knife.

            Her screams echoed in my ears. “Run Tatyana! Run and don’t look back.” So I ran like the hounds of hell were after me but they were so fast. I twisted around just a second to slow as one hit my shoulder hard snapping down and tearing through my jacket and into the meat of my shoulder as he rode me to the ground.

            I could hear the snap and break of bone and sinewy tissue as he tore into it hungrily. Rune always starved the dogs, like I said BASTARD!  But I was too cold to feel the pain, too numb to cry out.

            “Hut, hut,” he called as he broke through the last bush. The dog shook his head breaking my shoulder completely before he released.  “You shouldn’t have run Snow,”
 he teased. “It only excites me,” he said rubbing down the front of him suggestively. I spit blood out into the snow as the ravens shrieked above us. “Skin as white as snow, lips the color of blood, and hair as black as a raven’s feather,” he recalled savagely and I dug into the snow with my feet forcing myself away from him. “A beauty right Snow, the fairest of them all.”

            “Screw you,” I growled kicking further back until I felt the ledge of the ravine in my hands.

            His eyes widened in wonder. “It’s over three hundred feet straight down Snow you won’t live.”

            “And yet still the better alternative,” I hissed. He jerked forward in panic trying to stop me but I kicked out one last time and sent myself flying through the air.

            My hair whipped outward around me and the ravens took flight circling like vultures as I kept my ice blue eyes locked on him. He was howling in anger and I felt the pleased smile tug my lips before my body hit the icy water and my mind went black.

Mezzarazza Series-Melee

Prologue:


I walked the streets of the Deminoir city Ithaca seeing it through my new eyes after so much had happened it felt like I was seeing it for the first time. Who knows maybe I was? I thought I’d just gotten used to who and what I was and suddenly with one good jerk my rug was tugged so hard I’m pretty sure I snapped my ass bone with that little fall.
I am Seraphim Astari Dekar, apparently the reborn soul of the Legendary Goddess Astari and currently born daughter of the God Monaco and a Seraphim mother. Think they were trying to tell me something with my name? Nah! Any-who, not only was that a new revelation to my long journey of you are a destined weapon to end the ‘great’ war, but now I no longer knew exactly who was good and evil in this little tussle.
I’d followed the rules, found the Mezzarazza (half-ling) children of Monaco, gained their powers and now here I stood back at the beginning strolling leisurely to a home I had once ran to trying to escape the murderous bastards who stole my human life. This time I was stronger though, I admitted smiling happily. I flexed the powers that flowed through me Deminoir, Lumazi, Naiad, Ryujin, Aurai, Dryades, Fiyarite, and Fantôme.
A small tightening across my chest reminded me of a special little extra gift from Death himself. I looked down at my exposed breast and saw his kiss predominant against my pale flesh. The kiss of death, I grinned lovingly.
Using my power I sent tendrils out searching the surrounding areas. The city was pitch black and empty of any movement, creepy. You’d think being filled with all this amazing godly powers being alone on a dark seedy street wouldn’t give me the willies, who knew?
“You know you don’t have to do this Sera,” Arturo said stepping out of the blackness of an alleyway beside me.
“Actually I do,” I said flatly relaxing my powers and focusing on only him. “I made a promise that I’d go back and talk to them. I keep my promises.”
“Is that all you’re going to do? Talk with them?” Arturo queried suspiciously.
“I’m not sure,” I admitted sighing heavily letting the Aurai power seep from my lungs and frost in the cold night air. “Did he send you to stop me Arturo?”
Arturo’s eyes went skyward before leveling back on mine. “I am the Commander of the Lumazi,” Arturo stated supplying a vague non-answer. “If you go against Monaco, you and I will fight,” he assured knowingly.
“Do you really think you’ll win?” I asked eyeing him darkly.
He rolled one shoulder in a Gaelic roll that said nothing. “Do you really plan on joining with Mithras and Vladimir?” Arturo’s eyes swam nervously, shining aqua against the night.
I returned that Gaelic shrug making him smile. “I plan on having an honest chat,” I told him slowly. “I want to hear what he has to add to all this.”
“And then what?” he questioned hesitantly.
“And then if I don’t like what I find out,” I paused pulling the icy vision of death in to my retinas, seeing flawlessly in the lightless area. “Well Arturo, if I don’t like it I can guarantee you one thing.”
“What?”
“I guarantee you won’t have to come down here to find me,” I growled casting my gaze up to the billowing clouds filling in the midnight sky. “I’ll be busting in the gates of heaven,” I blazed power deep into our connection letting him feel what he would truly be facing if this went bad.
“And I will have to stop you if you intend to harm Monaco or any of the Lumazi,” Arturo stated softly.
“You will try,” I agreed.
“I hope you know what you’re doing Starlight,” Arturo murmured stepping back into the alleyway and vanishing into the solid black mass.
“Yeah me to,” I uttered.

Mezzarazza Series-Fiyarite

Prologue:



I stood in front of the fireplace uncertainty lining my stomach. The two Fiyarites studied me carefully. Kallai, the goddess of the Fiyarite Mezzarazza and her son Gibil were to take me to the land of Ifrit to finish my training with the seventh member of my necessary eight to become the armé or weapon of the God Monaco, or as I like to call him Dad. Apparently the only way to get to Ifrit was through the flames and jumping into a raging fire wasn’t exactly the safest sounding thing to me.
Granted I haven’t been human in sometime, but still fire’s hot, fire burns, and all over jumping head first into flames, damn! “It’s the only way Sera,” Gibil reminded me crossing his arms over his bare chest in challenge. “Just breeze out and we’ll take care of the rest.”
Kallai giggled stroking the flames higher with her power and stepped forward letting the flames consume her until she stood in the hearth a flame with a female figure. “My son will lead you, have faith.”
She blasted upward and was gone, which left me standing with Gibil who was guard and son to the Goddess Kallai, and my council appointed next lover. Problem was we are in the middle of a small tiff, you see, he doesn’t like the fact that I wiped the Dryades leader, the Erlking’s mind of me. But it’s not like a common practice, shit the man asked me point blank to do it and I obliged.
“Take my hand Sera,” Gibil said drawing a low heated breath down my already naked body. Clothes apparently not wise to wear while jumping into consuming flames.
“Tell me why you’re so pissed first, the Erlking asked me to wipe his memories and I did. I’ve already told you that he was the only one, and he friggin’ asked,” I remarked ignoring the repetitiveness I felt at stating it yet again.
“I know, I know,” Gibil growled stroking the flames up behind him. The Fiyarites were real swift at jumping through emotions, fiery tempers and all that. “I just don’t like the idea that you could, what’d ya call it, tie into me and switch my channel like I was watching C-SPAN instead of Cartoon Network.”
Part of me wanted to laugh at the analogy, he was raised human, and I loved that about him. But enough was enough, “Ugh, I promised you I would never, ever, do that to you, and you need to get over this hot-head.”
His eyes burned a trail into my bare skin, reminding me what a fraction of his true power felt like to my pale flesh. My lust stretched long and low in her earthen grave, shifting so slightly at his power. I wanted to taste him again, to lick the sweet cinnamon flavor from his mouth. I wanted that and so much more. Damn! “Fine, we’ll discuss it later,” I growled extending my hand out.
He grasped it firmly and pulled me to him in a swift jerk. “You really should have tried to sleep.” His tone softened slightly.
I lowered my head to his bare chest and enjoyed the soothing warmth I felt. “I really didn’t want the nightmares that would have come.” I retorted, “Besides this war has gone on long enough.” I told him drawing back on my earlier vow to be stronger.
Gibil nodded but remained silent. “Release the Aurai power, let your airy state take over your whole body,” he instructed.
With a heavy sigh I did as I was told, releasing the wind and marveling at how fast my essence was drawn around him. “Fire needs air to burn, air moves to and through fire without harm, but too much air and fire can go out,” he explained releasing his body to the pure flame and drawing me into him. The heat was overwhelming but didn’t hurt, as he wove us together in tight bond.
With a pull he moved us to the fireplace and we were exploding through the flames tied tightly together as we moved from flame to ember, burning and glowing, until finally he pulled us back out. He withdrew his power from around me and with a shake returned to his human body.
I drifted in the Aurai state marveling at the room we entered. Reluctantly I pulled back and dropped down my feet warmed by the heat of the marble floor. The fireplace we exited from was enormous. A family of ten could have walked in and out of the thing. My gaze drew around the bedroom taking in all the fiery tones and elements, and pure warmth the space gave off.
With a thought I dressed myself in a long cotton gown, but it evaporated as quickly as I drew it together. I heard Gibil chuckle softly, “the no clothing thing wasn’t just for jumping into the fire Sera, clothes burn up to quick here in Ifrit.”
I turned and looked at him, my body thrilled at the pure nude sight of him. “Where are we?”
“My room,” he replied with a mischievous smirk.
“I can’t walk around nude Gibil,” I crossed my arms leveling a hopefully strong determined gaze at him, but I felt it falter as he stepped closer. Oh saints preserve us, my body raged to run to him, to kiss him and feed from him, and damn did he have to keep looking at me like that?
“All Fiyarites walk around nude Sera,” Gibil stated matter-of-factly.
“I’m not a Fiyarite.”
“Yet,” he murmured.
“Yet,” I agreed hesitantly. “So what’s the game plan?” I asked wondering if they held formal ceremonies or paraded me around like most the others.
“This is it,” Gibil assured me. “You need to state out loud that you agree to take me as your mate by council’s request and that’s it.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that,” he said stepping closer drawing back some of the heat that was billowing around me.
My body ached to retreat from his powerful approach but the only thing behind me was the bed. A step backwards and I’d land on my butt, so I stood firm. I licked my lips trying to draw moisture across their heated surface. “Shouldn’t you show me around or something?”
“Nope,” he shook the spikes on his head making them flicker with power. “You don’t want to walk around naked and you’ve already meet the mate they lined up for you, you just have to agree to it.”
“Gibil, uh, fine . . . I agree to take you as my mate per the council’s request.” I said at last. He smiled deviously at me and nodded to an unspoken force.
“That will do Sera,” he cooed stepping forward until we barely touched. The heat of him was incredible and my body struggled to remain still and not close the distance, sealing his heat to my flesh.
“Gibil,” his name left my aching lips. “How do I gain the powers of a Fiyarite?”
“Good question,” he murmured softly. “All’s I know is we are to mate, and that I know I’ve wanted to do since I first saw you.”
Shit! My body ached to submit to him, to burn with him, but damn it we just walked in and bam, sex now, no warning, no get to know each other, just we’re here lets have sex. Ugh! I shifted anxiously, and Gibil’s smile widened.
“You’re nervous about being with me?” he beamed an almost arrogant smirk. His hand reached out and his fingertips skimmed my shoulder lightly making me shudder beneath their faint heat.
I fought to argue, to deny, to vehemently insist, but nope. “You’re right,” I admitted lowering my gaze. I didn’t know what making love to Gibil would be like, how I could endure his sweet fire.
“Ok Sera, I’ll show you around town first,” he grinned happily drawing up his other hand and brushing his artisan fingers down my shoulders and around my breasts. His sweltering palms lingered as they stroked over my nipples. His hands pulled back and dipped down to my hips expanding out over my ass, before curving back forward making me arch against his touch.
“Well, you sure you want to go out for a bit?” Gibil questioned his voice heavy with desire.
I nodded, unable to speak any further.
“Ok, those should last for a little while,” he said drawing his fiery blue eyes down across my body. My eyes followed seeing he had dressed me in that bronze fabric, granted as little as possible, but my chest and ass were covered so I was dressed.
“Thanks Gibil,” I murmured.