I pulled into a parking lot few blocks down from "Leon's Original Designs". Remi stayed glued to my side as we walked to the back entrance. I held my hand over the key pad and whispered "Reveal," as I sent a bit of energy into it. Purple glowing bits of oil from fingerprints rose off the keypad in order. I pressed "6490". The light turned green so I opened the door.The back entryway light popped on when the door closed. It was a tight hallway that led to several rooms. I poked my head into each room until I found one that looked to be a storage room. Locked boxes of gems lined the walls."Open," I said. I sent power out into the room. I couldn't see it, but I could feel it. The locks clicked open all at once. I started opening lids and peering inside with my flashlight. Whoever owned this place was incredibly organized. Each box was felt-lined with dividers. The dividers were labeled with gemstone, lot number, size, and other information. It didn't take me long to find the alexandri
I stood in front of the bathroom mirror staring at my skinny yet muscular figure. I had pulled my shirt off and was looking at the weird bump that should be my shoulder. The naked skin beneath the black bra was pale and purple. My left was striped with a red spiral up my arm. It started close together then widened as it went up. It still burned. The thought of that dark cloud sent a shiver down my spine."Remi," I shouted over my shoulder, "Help me with this."Remi strolled into the bathroom. The edges of his lips twitched into a slight smile. "We could do this with your shirt on.""Remember what happened last time? Mom ruined my shirt. Just do it."He walked over to my left arm. His finger traced the line from my hand up my arm. "What is this?"Goosebumps from his touch lit my arm. "I think it's from the cloud thing. What do you think it is?"He shook his head. "It could be what is lifting the Veil." He stood in front of me and grabbed my shoulders. "Are you ready?"I nodded.
I woke in the afternoon around two 'o clock. My shoulder ached, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. My back actually felt fairly relaxed. I ate a blueberry muffin for breakfast then dressed in a pair of jogging pants and a tank top. After my daily run, I rinsed, dressed in my normal jeans and a t-shirt then hopped in my truck. It didn't take me long to get the normal herbs, but the home improvement store looked at me funny when I drove off with thirty small rose bushes.By six, I had the plants unloaded in the backyard. Various people, some naked, some robed, came in then disappeared with them back into the forest. I was starting to notice strange features about some of them. One robed figure had goat feet. Another woman had pointed ears. There was a naked man that was completely pink. I tried not to stare, but eyes probably lingered longer than was normal.I had some time to kill while I waited for the mystical herb shop to open, so ate some dinner. I cooked up a bit of inst
I pulled the truck into the small parking lot. The store looked like one of those hippy bong stores. I jumped out then stuffed my wallet in my back pocket. Remi walked with me to the door.As soon as we entered, the strong smell of herbs and other plants overwhelmed my nostrils. Remi split away from me as I browsed the numerous shelves. They were laden with glass apparatus, herbs, plants, crystals, gems, chicken feet, and a host of other items. It was the biggest magical supply emporium in the west. I was sure it had something to do with being so close to a major nexus point.I wandered through the cramped maze of shelves. One man stood staring at a shelf right next to the dragon's tongue. I moved in closer. The man looked up at me. He was short with purple skin and rounded mousey ears on top of his head. I tried not to stare, but I caught him looking at my left arm.I reached over to get the dragon's tongue. He stared hard at the red spiral on my arm. His mouth gaped. I realized he
I woke up back in my bed. I was fully clothed, but with no shoes. The covers were tucked up tight under my chin, which was sweet of Remi, but I was boiling hot beneath. The sudden thought that he was sweet wasn't helping that heat either.My limbs felt heavy when I tried to move them. It was similar to when I did a rigorous training session, but without all the soreness. My shoulder still ached though. I pushed the covers back and sat up slowly. It felt like the room was spinning. I don't think I had ever used up so much power at once. I knew it took a while to regenerate. A weight settled down next to me on the bed as the shadows grew into a shape. I flipped the nightstand lamp on then turned to see Remi looking rather serious."What's wrong?" I asked."I think your mother has something planned for you."I quirked an eyebrow. "That's nothing new. She always has plans for me.""No, I mean with this ritual. I think it's about you.""Really? She's never included me in anything like
I didn't see Remi for the rest of the evening nor for the next two days. The solstice was tomorrow and my birthday was today. I spent my time studying books upon books. I focused on anything that said fracture. I had a feeling I was on my own for this. After day one, I was still hopeful, but on day two, no matter how many times I called, Remi did not appear.I flipped open the book I took from my mother's library. It was getting harder to call her Mother. She never really treated me like a daughter. There was no love between us. I was more of a slave. And now my distrust in her was growing. I sat in my truck in front of the emporium as I poured over the pages. I really hoped I was getting this right. I had found a fracture spell to split a person into mind, body, and soul. It was close enough to the solstice spell, all I had to do was reverse it, at least that's what it looked like.I squeezed my eyes shut. My brain hurt from all of this. I wanted so much to be able to do this, but I
I found myself in the dark. I felt strange. I tried to feel. I tried to tap my chest, but there was nothing there. I couldn't touch anything. My feet weren't on anything either. I was floating, like I was in water. But I as breathing. Or was I? I looked around. The more I strained my eyes, the less a saw. It was just dark.I tried to will myself to move. I couldn't tell if I was or wasn't, there was no sensation. I gave that up pretty quick. The last thing I remembered was seeing my soul leave my body. Maybe this was it. Maybe this was death. I reeled. I recounted all the events. When I finished, I did it again. When I finished with that, I had nothing to do. So, well... I did it from further back, until I was recounting my whole life. And then I did it again. It was all I had to do. I just contemplated my whole just barely fifteen years of life over and over again. With each iteration, feelings flared to life. With every repeat they grew stronger.At the end of each iteration, I was
KiraI packed the laptop and book in my bag. I needed to find Lanie and apologize. I wasn't trying to push her away. I was just afraid to make a decision. Of all the people I had talked to, she seemed to be the one to always tell it to me straight. She seemed like the best person to trust. She really had no vested interest to help me, yet she stuck around. Either I didn't see what she wanted from me, or she was being genuine.I hit the sidewalk trying to decide where to go. If she were me, which she sort of was, I would go to the library to research more. But... she had been researching so much, and if it were me, I would go to a park and find some nature. So, I headed west to the park where I had summoned her. It was either that one, or the small one with the playground, but there were too many people there for me to feel comfortable. I would try that one next if I couldn't find her. The park I was headed was big, and full of trees, but I hoped if I stuck around long enough, I would
I don't know how long I lay there crying and wailing and sniffling. I couldn't believe he was gone. I'd been played. I'd let the darkness use him and use me. I needed to be smarter. I needed to figure out what she was doing before it happened. How did one even learn those sort of skills? I was no hero. I was nothing.The deep pit of depression pulled at me throughout the hours as I lay on the cold hard ground. I couldn't pull myself up. I couldn't go on. I had killed Mila and now I had killed Remi. I let Kezia and Matei die. No matter what I did, I was never good enough to save the people I loved. I'd even killed my own mother. What was wrong with me? I was living ball of bad luck. Bad Karma.I raised my head. Had Karma done this to me? Was that the reason? I slowly pushed into a sitting position."Karma!" I screamed. I had nothing left; otherwise, I would have pushed so much power into her name; it would have knocked the rest of the castle over. "Karma! Did you do this to me!?" M
Yes, I was looking at a freaking Dragon in front of me. It must have been three stories tall. What is that, thirty feet? It was freaking huge. Its black scales glittered in the moonlight, and if I weren't shaking in my boots and worried about being eaten alive, I would have thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Atlas, it was terrifying. Complete and utter terror gripped my throat, even more than the ominous darkness that used to chase me home from work. This thing had fangs and claws and wings! It was the embodiment of a predator and it was assigned to kill me.The thing reeled back its head after in a great roar as if to bellowed out fire on me, the tiny figure standing in front of it. I instinctively rose the Aurora sword in front of me. Instead of normal flame, it blew out a steady stream of black and purple fire. The sword sliced it in half, protecting me. After the breath, it turned its head and gazed at me with one bright golden hazel eye. The fearsome intel
I woke up bound and gagged in a very cold and dark place. I could hear water dripping somewhere far off. The smell of mold and dirt filled my nostrils while the wet, cold air penetrated my clothing made me shiver. I pulled at the power I had stored inside me, but it was gone. It felt as if I had been completely drained. I even felt drained of life.I wiggled in the grime until I was able to free my gag. "Hello?" My voice echoed off what sounded to be stone walls.I could be anywhere. For a moment, I thought I was dead, but I think I was too uncomfortable to be dead just yet. After much struggling, I was able to sit."Remi?" I whispered. "Angie? Sandriel? Natalia? Anyone? Can anyone hear me?""No one can," a familiar voice echoed.It surprised me at how close it was, maybe only a few feet in front of me. The deep smooth female voice was easy to place. The water dripping in the background grew silent. Even the air around me stopped."Karma," I said."Oh, aren't you just so smart
The dark forest started to clear as I flew forward on my delicate wings. The first thing to catch my eye in the firelight was Kezia strapped to a pole in the middle of the nexus circle surrounded by what looked to be human bones. The rose bushes that were planted six years ago were the size of people, bushy, and well cared for. Their blooms were just starting to fade as the fall equinox rose. A hundred or so crystals sparkled in the moonlight spread out over the complicated circles drawn in the dirt. Mila stood at the edge of the circle chanting in a language I couldn't make out.Kezia's eyes darted towards me as I appeared out of the trees. Mila immediately stopped her chant as she looked in my direction. A wicked, too big smile gaped open. Pointed teeth spilled across her face. She extended her fingers out and flicked them at me.Dark tendrils of shadows leaped from the trees. They wrapped around my ankles and wrists, pulling me down to the ground. I could feel the familiar fear gr
I stood looking out at the stars in the night sky from the roof of the Ardor bar building. The power from the crystals thrummed beneath my skin as I swirled it inside me, converting it to my pink energy. I needed to do this. I had to go all out like I had done for the brothers in order to save Kezia. It wasn't fair that she was taken hostage because of me.I closed my eyes. I searched deep inside the well of power within me and whispered, "Remi." The word escaped my lips with a deep insistence with power behind it.The night pressed in thick around me like a cloud that descended and hung about in a fog. I realized it was Remi's shadow fighting his summoning."Remi," I bit out. The power behind the word was sharp.The shadows merged into his figure. He stumbled forward on to his hands and knees before me."Kira," he heaved a breath. "Where did you learn that trick?""I need you to take me to Kezia."He lifted his head. "Don't do that. Forget about Kezia. She's lost. Just let it b
The evening died down. I was left sitting alone again, but this time my basket of crystals was full of energy. Their surfaces pulsed with pink light. The elves' energy was different, but it was intense. It wasn't as easy to mix with my own, but when I did, I felt powerful.I collected the basket and went downstairs. I bid good night to Cherry with a nod. I carried my basket through the back then started up the stairs."Beloved," Liam's deep voice drew my eyes up from the stair steps.I nodded. "Liam.""Where are you going with all those crystals?""I was taking them to my room to practice."His eyebrow ridges knit down. "Practice what?"I smiled innocently. "I'm just testing what I can do. Don't worry; I'll be careful."He eyed me suspiciously. I tried not to let my smile waiver. I felt like he could see right through me, but I held firm. I had to do this. I couldn't just let Kezia die, not like Mila."Alright, be careful. Good night, Beloved.""Good night." I inched around h
I sat outside in the parking lot were a bar counter, numerous tables and chairs, and many lights decorated the area. The elves sat politely at the tables, drinking their fancy top-shelf drinks. The Ardor Brothers pretended to be having a good time, but the suspicious glances between the two factions put a damper on the party.Lord Quillion finally strode across the parking lot towards us. He took a seat in front of me with a pained look.I remained silent with a smile on my face. No more plastic smiles for me. This one was genuine."Lord Quillion," I said."Beloved," he responded. He said it as if it tasted bitter on his tongue.That made me smile wider.Cole spread the contract out on the table between us. "This claims The Kingdom will be allies to the Ardor Brothers for the next fifty years. They will aid us with whatever we require, including sharing materials and funds. The territories will remain separate, but the people of either territory will be allowed to move across the
"I accept the terms," Lord Quillion said.I extended my hand to him. We shook, then I backed away. Both armies stepped back to give us space.Liam squeezed my shoulder. "Let me fight for you."I shook my head. "This is my fight."He gave me a worried glance but gave a slight nod. "Good luck, Beloved."Granite gave me a soft punch. "We're counting on you." They both turned and stood to block the entrance to the bar. They watched me with their iron-grey eyes. I couldn't help but smile. For such cold, hardened warriors, they had such warmth in their hearts.I turned my attention back to Lord Quillion. He stood at the center and lifted his long sword to the sky. Dark clouds appeared and swirled overhead. Blue lighting ripped from the sky on to the sword. He held pointed it toward me, then screamed a battle cry.I cringed. It sent a primal surge of fear through me. I stood my ground as he ran forward with the sword. For a moment, I felt frozen, but I calmed my thoughts and felt for
I didn't sleep. I paced the room. I tossed and turned in bed, but I never managed a wink of sleep. Hours ticked by. Painful minutes ticked by. There was nothing. No word. No text or message. I was just stuck in the dark and I didn't dare bother them because it could mean life and death. At seven o'clock in the morning, I stumbled down the stairs on tired legs. I wanted to sleep, needed it, but I couldn't. I made some cereal and sat looking out at the sun in the sky over the city. The harsh sun reminded me of my garden. I let my mind wander to that peaceful place. I thought about the blooms, the sun, and the pink glow. Before I knew it, I was standing in my garden.The plants were still there, but they looked wilted. The ones next to the stream were okay, but the rest looked a little frazzled. I added more of the glittering water next to them and they slowly perked up. I touched others and they blossomed again. The tiredness slowly drained from me as I walked through my creations.I