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01 Watching Her 1812 Outside Igonox Something watched her. She looked up at the dark sky. Wishing those heavy clouds would part enough to let moonlight cast over the fields surrounding her hut and let her see what was out there. But tonight, was so dark that even fields of wheat seemed black. Consuming all light instead of glistening in it, as they generally would. Alisa was standing at her window. Breath tight in her chest and grip clenching the wooden sill. She wore her lip thin, as she squinted into the dark. The starless night refused to allow even the merest sliver of moonlight to illuminate the meadow parting her small cottage from the woods which were the only way back to the village. Scents came to her on the same wind that tossed thin tresses back from her face. Crushed alfalfa, wild clover and wet grass. The same as any other night. But tonight was different. Dangerous. She picked up on the ominous feeling as clearly as the cool breeze on her face. She didn’t yet know what it was. But she could feel it so strongly, its presence made the air difficult to breathe. Every time it got close enough, Alisa saw visions of spilled blood tarnishing trees and grass in a bright splash. A watery rush in her ears followed by the sound of steady drops falling from leaves onto the grass. It was a portent of what was coming for her. Unfortunately her visions came in direct images of what would happen, or sometimes symbolically. It was always hard to decipher which it was. Eyes followed her every move. Trailing over her like a repugnant touch. Feeling the same as it had, all day. Making her skin crawl. She’d begun feeling it while at the market today. Once it had washed over her, she'd rushed straight home. As she’d walked the path, she’d heard the faint rattle of leaves, the crunch of a rock or two, behind her. Turning several times, had yielded only the barren dirt path back to the market center. It didn’t change the fact that she knew something had been there. Lurking on huge paws. Padding quietly over her footprints nearly as soon as she made them. Always a mere breath behind her. Standing at the window overlooking the dark field she was sure, that had changed. Now it was closing in. Step by step it stayed just beyond the light, shielded by the cover of descending night. Each hour brought it closer to her front door. Swallowing hard she fought the terrible fear clawing through her. Sensitive to such things she felt this things energy. It was hungry. Starved for violence and excited for the midnight hours. The darkest black of night. Vibrations rose off it. Too fast to be human. Behind her the fireplace spit slightly as it crackled over a thick log making her jump. Warming the cottage, it illuminated her body at the window. Beautiful and slender, Alisa descended from a long line of Dread sorceresses. Her shadow revealed the delicate shoulders tracing into a slim waist. Vibrant yellow and blue skirts framed her hips in gentle waves. A leather bodice pressed her breasts high as was the custom. Which left them straining against the rough fabric of her chemise. Black hair was a shining curtain down her back. Nervously reaching around she fisted it and tugged it over her shoulder where it draped to her thighs. Though she'd never hurt a soul, the people of Igonox still believed her a Devil worker Dread. Years ago, they'd forced her from the protective walls of the kingdom, offering her no choice but to seek sanctuary in the fields beyond the moat. Well aware no one would house her, shelter her, she'd faced the fact that she was completely alone. They wouldn’t help her, even if they heard her. They feared her that much. There was nowhere she could run. So tonight she'd gathered her strength, forced herself to rise from where she cowered in the corner of her hut for so long, and shoved open the shutters. She’d decided to face what hunted her head on. She was no coward. At the window now, she refused to return to the dark. Quaking like a child until it came for her. Her hands gripping the coarse wood of the shutters so tightly they shook Silver gaze studying the sloping field, she watched the silhouettes of trees swaying in that dull breeze, carefully searching for unusual movement. Branches moved against the backdrop of lazy clouds crossing the sky. It was impossible to separate what was alive from shadow. Magic coursed through her, thicker than her own blood. Her abilities to move wind and wield energy were things grown through decades of strengthening her aura like a muscle to be flexed. Power inherited from her ancestors. But this wind was far too weak to save her, tonight. She knew she’d be no match for what waited. Intruding magic bombarded her. Unnatural and powerful it stole her breath. Fine hairs on her neck went erect, those on her head tingled with awareness and her breaths came in terrified huffs. Sending her aura in smoky tendrils, she made a last effort to see if she could find what was out there. If she knew what it was, maybe she could fight it. A projection of her spirit emerged in a burst of energy only she could see. An image of herself floating on light, feet running beneath a willowy skirt across a moonlit field she followed the remnants of the intruder's energy like footprints. Trailing after it she entered the forest. And found it hunkered behind shrubs, a huge black feline with silver stripes. Following its gaze, she found she was in direct line with the cottage staring at her body posed between the shutters. Moving its paws restlessly, its sleek muscles rippled. Yellow eyes flicked to her. Staring at the puff of energy standing next to it, the tiger gave a snarl and leapt toward her foggy projection. 02 Real Intent Alisa lunged back in terror. How'd it see her? Energy dissipating, she rushed back to her body in an attempt to protect it from what stampeded across the meadow. Her physical body blinked rapidly. Trying to gather composure as her spirit lodged back inside her with a jolt. Attempting to focus her blurred vision, she saw the reflective yellow gaze floating over the field. Heard the swish of wheat being smashed beneath heavy paws and heard the huffing breaths of the monstrous creature. Despite all her vows to herself that she’d not hide from what came for her, she was unable to resist her instinctive response. She slammed the shutters closed as if to ward off the very presence of the beast. She slapped the bolt in place across the wood flaps. Fleeing to hide next to her bed, she crouched as close to the frame as she could. Slumping down to hide behind it. She made her body as small as she could, curling into a tiny ball. Once positioned, a wave of her hands built a protective barrier around her bed and fireplace. Magic shivered in shimmering wave. Making her image seem to sway slightly beyond it. She knew survival behind the wall would be possible for a few days...As long as she could hold it. After that she'd weaken enough, that if the creature hadn’t gone by then she’d be eaten. She didn’t have the power in her terror, to protect her entire hut. Tightening her fingers around an imaginary ball, she made the fireplace react. Spitting steam as it bloomed into full life. Peeling open the shadows and shredding every hiding space the thing might try to lurk in. Let it fear the fire, she willed. A heap of poached furs were piled on her cot. Sufficing as her covers. Leaning just high enough to peer over them, she saw the still shutters. Peacefully closed. She felt only the hint of relief before she realized that everything was horrifically silent. Even night birds had ceased chirping. Fear touched everything around her. Hoping something had drawn its violence was impossible. The feel of evil had not waned. Still pulsing with life, it surrounded the cottage and crawled over her flesh like fondling hands. Swallowing hard she barely breathed. Trying to slow her hammering heart. Knowing that the faster her body exhausted or the more afraid she was, the weaker her barrier would become. Her fears were realized when the shutters splintered in an explosion of wood, sending the bolt spinning toward her. She ducked her head enough to dodge it. An involuntary scream erupting from her throat. Metal clanged against the wall above her and plopped to the furs. Leaping through the window, the beast landed gracefully. Trailing through the room on soundless paws. Yellow eyes flicked around the room until landing knowingly on her hiding place. Its lip curled maliciously. Baring spiked teeth. Slouching further against the wall, she clenched the frame. Eying the gap between the cot and floor, she realized she couldn’t fit beneath the bed. Even as she prayed the wood frame would shield her from view, she was aware how pathetic a hope it truly was. Closing her eyes, she held her breath and concentrated on holding her magic barrier. Blinking her eyes open she saw the thing just outside her barrier. Near the foot of her bed, it stared at her hungrily. It’s white and black image skewed by the barrier hovering around her. Moving like the surface of a pond and obscuring the images beyond it. Huge paws slid over the floor as it moved toward her. Thick claws skimmed the wood as it crouched. The pale tiger lowered its head threateningly as it moved. Alisa watched in horror as the barrier quaked before it. The white tiger pressed against it. Shouldering into the magic wall. Alisa felt sick. Feeling as if the pressure was physically against her. Wearing her down. There was a long war raged, before she had to ease and take a long breath. The creature took advantage of the moment. Slamming against her unprepared barrier. Making it vibrate and give while she shouted in horror. Parting like curtains, the flimsy magic made way for the superior power. The tiger never blinked, never looked away. Eyes shining with evil, it crept closer. Nearly crawling on its belly. Saliva frothed around razored teeth and glistened on the fur of its whiskered jaw. The low growl tore across her frayed nerves making her jerk in terror. “Go away! Just leave.” She whimpered. Wincing, she drew a shaky breath. Reaching next to her she gripped the cot trying to prepare herself to be killed. When it lunged, she instinctively crossed her arms over her face. Instead of tearing her apart, it landed only close enough to catch her skirt. Gripping enough fabric to drag her to the floor it yanked her from the wall. Hands flying out she tried to hold on to something. The only thing near was the wooden frame of the cot next to her. It wasn't enough. Splinters broke loose and embedded in her palms, tearing one open. Crying out would be useless. She knew, but that didn't keep her from trying. She was aware no one was close enough to hear. Even if they did, who would help her? A niggling voice in the back of her mind tormented. Whimpering pitifully, she tried a barrage of magic that did little more than blow back his husky striped fur. Every step it crept was slow and excruciating, as she waited for it to kill her. Straddling her, it stared at her as it growled. A gravelly sound which emanated from its chest. Alisa tried to push it back, but she was too small, and it was too heavy. Preparing to be slaughtered she forced herself to stare into the eyes of the thing that would kill her. Some strange light in its eyes made her brows draw together as she turned her head to study that steady gaze. Suddenly she was certain it hadn't come to kill her. 03 A Fate Worse Alisa stared into the beast’s evil yellow gaze. Its gaze locked on her, unblinkingly. She was more afraid now, than she was before. When she’d quaked in here. Terrified and alone in the dark. What did it want? She blurted the question. It gave a yowling growl. “What do you want?” She cried over and over until its eyes began to change. Going from reflective yellow to rich blue. Human eyes. The straight brow bones curved, and a human face began to form. Surrounding them with a face just as mortal as those eyes. Lowering its lumbering weight on her, it pinned her to the ground. Struggling to breath she tried to wiggle from under it. Which was impossible. She screamed for help. No one is coming for you. That small voice inside her was so very cruel. Feeling helpless, she clawed at the attacker. Black and white fur fell from his body in dense chunks. His shape reducing as his body thinned into the smooth hairless skin of a man. “Wh-what are you doing?” Over and over, she asked the question. He would not answer. Adjusting his weight to yank her skirts out of the way, made his intentions clear. “No!” She tossed her head side to side. Her grip on the wood frame next to her tightened and fingernails broke off as she clung to it. “Please don't!” When it became apparent all the pleading, wailing and screaming in the world would not stop him she went silent. Still as the dead. Refusing to acknowledge she was being taken on the floor of her cottage by a half-human, she memorized a point on the wall. Finishing, he rose. Glimpsing his profile in-front of the fireplace, as he moved to darker shadows, she made a small sound in her throat. Recognition making an unholy light bloom in her gaze. Going to the window, he stared silently out the hollowed square. Yanking her skirts down she dragged herself onto the bed. Clutching her thighs, she tried not to think about the pain as she made her declaration. “I know who you are.” She spun her head to hiss accusingly. “My King.” Her eyes narrowed with hatred. His back stiffened. “You will have to kill me now.” Rage forced her words through gritted teeth. “I won't be your woman! And I will not keep your secret.” She raged. Her passionate declaration caused him to casually glance over his shoulder. She saw through the shadows, that his eyes had reverted to reflective yellow and his lip curled in a cruel sneer. “It’s no longer my secret.” He enunciated each word, exuding as much passion as if he'd just thrown a rock. She followed his eyeline to her belly and his meaning was clear. Her hands reflexively floated around her womb, in horror. “No.” Softer this time than the times before. Filled with horror she began rocking herself. Without a word more he turned back to gazing out the window. As if she meant little more than a few leaves twisting across the grass in a fall wind. She fell sideways onto her bed. Clutching her abdomen and sobbing. She didn't know when he'd gone, left her staring at the floor without a word more, she was simply grateful he’d left. She only knew because she glanced up and found she was once more alone. Still shaking her head side to side, she gave a sob and covered her mouth. When her broken mind finally registered she was safe, she freely wept. Continuing on throughout the night and only stopping when a new sun took to the sky. Then she banished the pain. She was done grieving what she was before she was ravished by a shapeshifting king. Not another tear would be shed for the past night's suffering. She vowed it in that empty hut. And her word was her bind. Going to the lake down the hill in back, she scrubbed herself until sores formed from the rough linen. Refusing to succumb to the urge to weep again, she stepped from the water and dried her body off with scraps of fabric. Still feeling as though she’d never be clean again. An hour later with arms crossed, she watched her clothing burning in the fireplace. The reflection of the dancing flames shined in her hollow eyes. She'd made a decision. There were problems far bigger than her pain. What the king had done to her would have lasting consequences for the Igonox Realm. Perhaps for all of Ardae, if she didn’t act fast. It was a fracture in a delicate balance between mortals and demons. One she would have to do her best to restore. Alisa now knew she was going to birth true evil. She bit her lip until it bled, clawing at her stomach restlessly. Knowing it would do no good. The thing inside her had already taken root. That was, afterall why the king had sought her out. Her magic lent her a womb durable enough to bear his shapeshifting kin. Her spell book thumped heavily onto the little round table sent up a cloud of dust that filled the corner of the room. Oblivious she crossed her arms over her stomach as her dark eyes narrowed on the pages. They flipped faster and faster until her hand shot out and slapped one open. Leaning over, she read it attentively. Her finger trailing the dusty old pages, reverently. Straightening, she turned to pace. The book slid off the table to float before her as she walked to and fro. At one point, her eyes lifted to the wall, thoughtfully. Causing the book to thunk to the floorboards, crinkling the fur used as a makeshift rug. Alisa was distracted by the realization that she'd found it. The spell she was looking for. Soon after that, she located the second one she needed. One for summoning. One of transformation. 04 The First Flicker The first flickerings of energy emerged inside Alisa. Telling her what she’d dreaded. The vile king had been right. His evil had taken hold in a body powerful enough to bring it to fruition. Teeth grinding, she rubbed her flat stomach. The walls of her cottage quaked in her fury, sending dust pouring in through the ceiling. Trying to will the child to inexistence was now proven ineffective. She reminded herself that all things must have balance. She'd already formed the first shimmers of her plan. She needed a moon fat and round to bring her plotting to full light. So, wielding her energy she pressed it into her abdomen. Effectively, freezing time around her fetus. Wrapping her aura around it to keep it sealed. Suspending the life inside her. Keeping it from aging beyond that moment. The spell was temporary at best. Perhaps it would get her by until the Full Moon. She just needed to buy some time. An agonizing seven night passed before it came. The full silver face of the moon. When it did, she was prepared. Standing barefoot in the forest with a purple gown draped loosely over her supple curves, she waited for the tiny rays of moonlight to seep through the gray green tree canopy and spill down around her. All afternoon she'd studied the pages containing her dual spells. Now the words flowed freely over mind and from her lips. A soft chant at first. Which grew into a commanding scream. Aware that keeping herself shifted would expend her magic quickly she did the spell for summoning first. As she whispered the words, her silver eyes darkened with a surge of magic. Sentences trailed from her lips, hardening into something tangible. A mist that seeped from her lips and spilled over the forest floor. Blooming into a cloud that blocked most light. Thickening until it was difficult to breathe. Clawing from her mouth like cloying hands it lowered to coat the ground. An inch or so thick, and completely white, it wove through trees like a serpent before settling in a heavy sheet over everything. She hummed softly. A beautiful call for him to come to her. The beast she was summoning. An hour passed before she heard the sound of great wings beating. Knowing that it was the response of the creature. One different than the last. The mist instantly drew up to several feet, immersing her completely. As if it was now controlled by something else. Unable to see, she focused on the sound of twigs and low branches cracking. Gasping at every sound, she clenched her fists until nails bit into her palms. Suffering a terrifying moment of fear, she worried the black tiger had returned to toy with her. “I am not that King.” Smooth and rich the voice rose like the caress of satin...in her mind. “You have called for me.” It wasn't a question. Nodding anyway, she realized he couldn't see it. “Yes-Yes.” Swallow. Branches behind her snapped. Turning quickly wasn't enough. The fog was too thick. Blinding. And the creature was moving. Circling around her as it watched from the cloak of fog. Breathing raggedly, she heard her heartbeat throbbing in her ears. This was an ancient thing. A revered creature that rarely spoke to mortal ears. His powerful voice boomed again. His tone was confident. Almost proud. “You want my magic to combat the evil already inside you?” “Yes.” She waved her hands through the fog trying to disperse it enough she could see if something was close enough to hurt her. “Yet most of your people believe me eviler than that.” His tone was contemptuous. But the hint of a query lie behind it. He was speaking of the thing inside her. Another branch. A different direction. “You are not this. This is evil.” The ancient thing was still circling. He sounded huge. Heart jerking in her chest, she wondered if she'd invited a repeat of the horrific night. Though she should’ve known better, instinctive alarm warned her that she was dealing with something that could easily make a snack of her. Or worse. Reading her thoughts, he raged. “I am nothing like that creature! I'm more powerful than you can imagine!” He spat, growling low in his throat. An ominous sound. He added more calmly. “And unlike that one, I have my honor.” Honor, it seemed something so rarely spoken of any longer. In these lands. Igonox had become separated from the main countries of Ardae. More of a water country for the seafaring. And with that, it had become isolated. More demonic. Drawing a long calming breath, she explained. “It's said in my family that we descended from a child carrying your blood.” She paused. Shifting her weight. “I need a purer version.” Despite her efforts her voice was tinged with shameful fear. “Hmm.” He grunted. Considering her proposition. “He'll not be a tool of vengeance. He will be a child like any other.” Pausing grudgingly, he added. “Mostly.” She drew a deep shaky breath. “He will be to me. I vow to love him. I only seek balance to this thing already in me.” She gave a pained gesture to her abdomen. “Then show me what you offer me.” His voice was decisive, silken. The husky meaning in his voice was clear. He was tempted. Willing to indulge her. At least, thus far. Hesitantly untying the satin belt at her waist, she let it flutter to the ground. Undoing the clasps at her shoulders was harder. With shaking hands, she let the fabric fall into a shimmering pile at her feet. Baring her for his perusal. Still, she couldn’t get a look at him. Locating where his voice moved through the woods was like defining the home of birds twittering from the treetops. Cold and damp, the mist gathered along her bare skin. Biting her lip, she looked to the ground as she struggled to ignore the flush suffusing her face. “No shame.” He ordered. “Not in my lands. Not when you come to me!” 05 Effortless Swallowing hard, she lifted her chin and stared ahead. Beginning the spell of transformation, she prepared for the pain of turning her body into a lioness. Whispering the words that would will her into a new form. His voice in her mind interrupted her. “No need. It's effortless for me.” Before she could respond, the fog receded instantly, and a man emerged. He had shining black hair, and the palest green eyes she'd ever seen. Flesh was brown and flawless on his well-muscled body. He wore no clothes but showed no instinctive qualms about his bared skin. He’d said no shame. He held none. Head lowered, his eyes were unblinking as he watched her. His movements betrayed him though, still carrying the lithe grace of an animal. He twisted his head right and left. Scanning the forest around them. As if he thought she might be the lure for a grand trap. He had good reason to worry. There had been a time when his kind were hunted nearly to extinction. They had once flown over the skies, in flocks. Now, hardly any remained. Alisa knew the old tales. Never in her life, had she glimpsed one. To meet him now, she’d never have guessed at his true form. He looked like a man. Strong shouldered with sinewy muscle moving over his lithe body. His bare footstep was soundless. His neck was lean, moving his head in an undeniably predatory way. “You must understand creatures such as I hold no responsibility for our young. It will be unto you to love him. Raise him kindly. Fail me in this and he will grow into the most powerful evil you can imagine. And it will be your fault.” The words sank through her. Embedding in her very soul. Meeting the intensity of his gaze, she nodded slowly. What had she gotten into? Spine straightening, she lifted her chin. She'd made him a promise, and she now vowed to keep it. Nothing was as she'd braced herself for. He came out of the mist. Deeply tanned and strikingly handsome. His long fingered hand rose, making her jump. But when he touched her face there was an instant warmth in it that had her rubbing her cheek on it. Catching his hand between hers as she savored his touch. There was a gentleness in his caress that she’d never known. He fingered her lips. Tracing the smoothness of them. One hand weaving into her dark locks as he tugged lightly at them. As though they too, were foreign to him. He laid her on the ground, smelling the hair along her forehead as he set her on the forest floor. Though he did not kiss her, his caresses were accompanied by soft assuring murmurs that filled her mind with warmth. That banished the chill of the misty forest and turned her molten. The sound of his husky whispers in her ear. Murmuring how she looked and how she would feel, were igniting her. When he slid along her lower body, his rigid length found the slickness marking her hot channel. He followed where it would lead. Taking access to her center and making her swell inside until there was a bit of discomfort. She shifted to ease the tenseness and soon he was fully immersed in her. Their bodies united at the root. His branching into her as he cradled her lower back over one forearm. And braced beneath her head with the other. His green eyes locked on her gray ones as he took in the sight of her. Every nuance in her expression as he glided in and out of her. Her legs found their way around his. Her arms circling his back and hanging onto him until it was almost only where their pelvises connected that moved. Something in her, fractured at his tenderness. Framework built around her mind to get her through the last sevennight, crumbled. All the cruelty she’d known her entire life was shared with him in those few mere moments. As she offered herself, wholly and entirely. As her walls came down so did everything gluing her together. She wept freely in the power of his strong arms. His only response was to caress the back of his hand down her cheek as he smiled fondly down at her. “You are kind. And you are good. You have been right, all along.” It wasn’t long after that, that her heels hooked along the inside of his calves. She shuddered, clinging to him as if he could keep her sane. Vibrations quaked through her. Sweat marked her body in the chilly night air, but she wasn’t cold. Instead, heat suffused her entire body. Bathing her in a wave of lava heat that cast her adrift. Swaying as she came back to reality. The bliss of that deep connection still washing over her in smaller ripples. Somewhere near the same time, he too had risen and fallen. They stared at each other in a long moment of wordless wonder. He rolled from her and turned her onto her side away from him. She expected he would go then. He had given her what she had requested, what he’d promised. But he folded her legs up toward her stomach, by guiding them with his own long limbs. One arm snaking around her waist as he held her. Enveloping her in steamy heat that rose through the woods, creeping skyward and parting the fog. Exhausted from days of mental stress, an aching body, and the use of her magic, she promptly fell asleep cradled against him. Peaceful after so long. Awaking, she found her body no longer ached from the night so long ago. Places bruised were not tender to the touch, any longer. She was wrapped in one of her furs. One she recognized she’d left back in her hut. How had it gotten out here? She knew she hadn't brought it with her. A white rose lay on the ground in-front of her. Resting near the tip of her nose. It was a pure contrast against the lush green of forest grass. Seeming as stark and bright as the moon had in the sky during the night. A reminder of the kindness an ancient creature, had once shown her. A tear trailed down her cheek as she reached out and gripped the stem of the precious flower.

DON'T YOU DARE

Cautious

Bird at the Gate

Whose Chest

Waiting

177 What We Do

Ram It

The Letter

Forgiveness and Surprises

Messiness