Stone Cold NV: World of Sin, Book 1

by J. A. X. Mikesell

  The Ashen hangs up and tells us to follow him and the other two.

  We walk around the perimeter and then finally into a set of doors leading to a bar connected to the casino, overlooking a shark tank. The Ashen leads us to Levi, who is still holding the raccoon and sipping on a jack and coke.

  “Ah, yes. I do know you two. Did you come back for the jewel? I’m afraid my wife has already fallen in love with it and will not remove it since I had turned it into a necklace for her.”

  “Oh, no sir. My sister has another paperweight that’s almost like it, and she prefers that anyway. It was a gift from our grandmother. This one is just something she picked up somewhere here to put with it cuz they’re almost similar. I’m sure she can find a different one.” Az said.

  “Well then, why the change of heart?” Levi set his drink down. “I thought your parents were waiting for you.”

  “It turns out they’re still busy. So we’ll have to wait until tomorrow. We thought we’d come back and enjoy the party. Maybe score some booze or something.” Az said. “But on the way back, we found another raccoon that looks just like the one we brought in earlier. This one is also passed out. I was thinking maybe we should get animal control out here or something to see if there’s something wrong in the area.”

  I held out my arms while Az removed the jacket covering the raccoon and Levi leaned forward to peer at it.

  “That’s odd. I never knew of anyone having a raccoon as their Anima aside from my Araminta. Especially the exact same color.”

  Levi leaned back and pulled out a big fluffy pillow cushion from behind the bar and set the other raccoon on it on top of the bar.

  “Put that one by it.”

  I gingerly placed the raccoon in my arms on the bar beside the pillow and stepped back.

  Levi leaned over the two and studied them both from head to tail for a few minutes. Finally sighing and leaning back.

  “I can’t tell which one is my wife's. Hopefully somebody didn’t do some type of duplication spell. I don’t know how to reverse those.”

  The Ashen that had led them in cleared his throat.

  “Perhaps Mistress Araminta could distinguish between the two? She would have a better connection to the one that is hers over the other.”

  Levi regarded him for a moment, making the Ashen shift his stance nervously.

  “Perhaps… I hate to take her away from her project. She’s almost done. She’s been working on it for too long.” He looked at the identical raccoons again and sighed. “How many more does she have left?”

  “From my last report, there were four remaining sir.” The Ashen said, glancing at me and Az before looking back at Levi.

  “Only four. We’re so close.” Levi murmured with a faraway look and a tentative smile. “When was this?”

  “Just before these two showed up.”

  Levi looked at Az and me as if he were calculating something.

  “Go get her and bring her here. This will only take a moment for her to do.”

  The Ashen turns and opens a door, letting in the muffled sounds from the casino. Az and I stiffened when we heard a scream from a man that was long and drawn out.

  “Should I call an ambulance?” Az asked.

  Levi waves off his question, muttering that he’s already being taken care of, still looking at the two raccoons. Az and I stood around awkwardly while we all waited. Finally, Az stepped forward.

  “Can I just grab a drink or something? Just a small one before I’ll have to go…” He trailed off when the door burst open, letting in the now silence of the casino.

  I glanced over at Az, giving a worried look before unobtrusively moving in front of him, blocking Az from the view of the woman storming in.

  “What is this I hear that there are two Kavan’s?” She asked with a look of daggers scanning the room.

  She caught sight of the two raccoons on the bar and gasped. Her dark green Madgie mist enveloped her as she walked over, changing her outfit from the leather to a flowing toga wrap. Her hair pulled back with a circlet of silver.

  “Where did the second come from?” She asked, looking over at Levi. “Someone has obviously tried to deceive us. Get rid of the fake. Kill it if you must.”

  Az stepped forward, drawing in a breath to speak before I put my arm out to stop him.

  “I beg your pardon, Mistress Araminta.” I said lightly, “But as far as I’m able to tell, the two are identical. I am unable to detect any differences in their scents at all.”

  “And who are you? You’re not one of my normal Ashen guards.” Araminta said, eyeing me.

  “I’m one of the people that found the raccoons. The first was chance that we happened to find it close by and my friend was so worried that she brought him in and Mister Levi here said it was your Anima. Which, I must say, you certainly do exude power. Can I ask what you’re a master of? Only masters have an Anima, of course.” I replied.

  Araminta broke out in a big smile, blushing profusely from the compliment.

  “I’m a master of elemental magic. I once created a giant tornado of fire while making the earth shake. It was the biggest the area had ever seen.”

  "That sounds pretty amazing.” I said to her. “To have three different powerful elements working together at the same time. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone doing that before.”

  “Yes, well, it was a very long time ago.” Araminta replied. “That doesn’t mean that I’m not the most powerful elemental master though.”

  She finally stops by the raccoons and places a hand on them each, one at a time, frowning when she touches Cory.

  “This one…” She starts, “This one is the same, but also different. Almost like it’s human as well as a raccoon.”

  Levi stands and turns to Az and me.

  “What are you trying to do here? Spy on us?” He asked, nostrils flaring. “Bringing in some charmed halfwit to get information on me and my wife?”

  “No, of course not. We just wanted to make sure they would be safe and cared for.” Az said, “I don’t even know how to change someone into an animal. I’m fresh out of camp, I didn’t even get a mediocre rating.”

  “Miss Araminta, if I may.” I said, “I was there with young Asril. He’s correct, he can barely even make waves in a puddle.”

  “Hey, wait a sec.” Az said, affronted.

  “Would you mind showing us something of your mastery? Maybe he can see just how something is supposed to work and can learn.” I talked over Az’s protests.

  Araminta smiles and blushes again. “How about I reverse the spell on this fake Kavan? Then we can take care of the spy from there.”

  She picks up the real Kavan and her eyes start to glow a deep green. A hazy emerald mist envelops Cory and expands to show her lying on the counter rubbing her eyes.

  “What happened?” She asked groggily.

  “You were trapped in an animal's body, my dear. Seemingly as a curse on you.” Araminta said before her gaze grew cold and she said just as frostily, “I see through that though.”

  Cory stiffened, “What? I just brought that raccoon in not that long ago. Then left to go see my parents.”

  “Oh, I remember. Why would your brother and friend here bring you back as an exact match to her Anima?” Levi asked, glaring at her.

  “Why would we want to trick you? And even if I did, why would I give you that nice paperweight as payment for taking care of it?” Cory asked, glaring right back at him before her face took on a horrified look. “Oh no. It wasn’t completely useless, was it?”

  Araminta pulled the necklace out from seemingly thin air.

  “Of course not. I know real jewels when I see them.” She smiled nastily, “But you’re not getting it back if that’s why you’re here.”

  Levi stepped up behind her and clasped the necklace in place. Then placing his hands on her shoulders, he whispered in her ear making Araminta smile wickedly.

  “Yes, I think I have waited long enough. I o
nly have four remaining, I’ll use these three. And then the Ashen will bring in your whore, Ellie.” She said as she pushed away from him. “Don’t think I’ve been being fooled by your pathetic attempts at keeping me happy. Getting me gifts, keeping me busy with killing while you go and bloody hag wash her brains out every other time I turn my back.”

  Levi stiffened, a shocked look on his face.

  “Minty, honey.” He said, holding up his hands. “She’s nothing. Just a stupid little maid.”

  “I don’t give a shit what she is. She’s a whore, and you’re no better.” Araminta shouted at him. “In fact, I’ll start with her. You, bring the little troll loving worm in.”

  She pointed at one of the Ashen by the door who looked like he was about to puke as he backed out of the room and returned a moment later, a woman tied up and gagged in front of him.

  “Put her over there, in that chair by the tank.” Araminta said, and the Ashen moved quickly to place her there. She spun back to Levi and pulled out a gun, pointing it at his chest. “You get to hold her hand the whole time I’m killing her. Move.”

  The raccoon in her other arm stirred and chittered a moment before its head flopped back down again.

  “Don’t worry, baby, mommas got you. I just need to take out the trash real quick and then we’ll get you fed.” She said, looking down at it for a moment.

  Once Levi was in a chair beside the distraught Ellie, she ordered the Ashen to tie them together side by side.

  “What is this going to prove Minty?” Levi asked her with a sarcastic lilt to his voice. “That you can kill someone I looked at? I never enjoyed her. You’re the only one I want.”

  “Oh, I know just how much you ‘didn’t enjoy’ her. Certainly enough that I can see you will continue doing so with others.” Araminta said. “Now, you get to be with those that you emulate.”

  Levi followed her gaze behind him to look into the tank before he started laughing.

  “You do realize that I’m immortal right?” He asked, rolling his eyes. “These simple little fish couldn’t hurt me if they wanted to.”

  “Oh no? Are you sure about that?” Araminta asked as she held out a hand towards one of the Ashen. He walked forward and put a small piece of cloth in her hand. “So this little spot of blood that the police chief drew from you is perfectly harmless?”

  Levi’s face went pale, but his emotion didn’t change.

  “Of course it’s harmless. I’m immortal. You can’t kill me.” He said.

  “Oh, I plan on you not dying.” Araminta said. “In fact, I plan on giving just enough of my own immortality to little Ellie here, so that she can feel the same pain you will for quite a while.”

  A muffled scream came through the gag around Ellie’s mouth.

  “Shut up, you stupid girl!” Levi yelled at her. “Darlin’ please, you-”

  “Don’t give me that ‘Darlin’ bullshit Leviathan. You brought this on yourself.” Araminta told him. “You may have made me what I am now, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get rid of you.”

  “This won’t do anything, Minty.” Levi said, almost pleading now. “Let’s stop this farce and just finish what she wants us to do.”

  “Oh I’ll be finishing what she wants.” Araminta said with a smug look on her face. “First, I get rid of you two. Then I get rid of these idiots who thought of bringing in a fake Kavan. Their deaths will be nowhere near as sweet as yours.”

  Az, Cory and I tried inching to the doors, but were stopped by the two other Ashen.

  “Don’t you want to see how these two die?” Araminta asked suddenly. Making us jump. “It’ll be so much fun. And they get to feel the pain of their torture forever.”

  “Um, no, I think we’re good without seeing something like that.” Cory said, shaking.

  “It will be quick. I promise.” Araminta said, gliding over to Cory and pulling her forward, then shoving her onto a bar stool. “Then you and your friends here will have a quick death as well.”

  “Minty, Darlin’, please.” Levi said softly.

  Araminta ignored him and kneeled in front of Ellie. She set Kavan down on the ground in front of her and took the gag out, smoothing her hair back.

  “You know this is only personal in a small way, right my dear?” She asked the trembling woman. “Leviathan is a disgusting pig of a man. Always doing CHADOC, acting like I don’t know about his betrayals. He needs to die anyway. But I do still need to kill you as well. I have to fill my quota.”

  The woman began whimpering softly, and Araminta held out a hand, creating a sharp blade that she sliced through her hand. Wincing at the pain, she went to put her hand on the woman's forehead and hesitated.

  “No, I’m not going to make it that personal.” She said, pulling her hand back and coating it with her mist, leaving a bandage over the cut. “You’re really not that important to me. Just your soul. The only mercy you will have is a quick death.”

  Araminta swung her hand forward quickly, slashing the woman’s face from temple to chin on both sides of her face, making the tears fall faster along with a scream of agony. Moving the blade down a bit, Araminta cut the clothes away from the woman, leaving her naked and shivering in cold and pain. Then she moved the blade back up and cut a long, deep line from shoulder to shoulder, making crimson tears mix with the regular tears falling from the woman's face. Moving to the back, Araminta made a few more cuts from her shoulders down to her waist.

  “There we go.” Araminta said, pushing a stray hair back behind an ear. “You’re all ready. Let me just do the same to Leviathan first, and then you two can share one more moment of ecstasy as you die… My ecstasy, that is.”

  She moved to Levi, making the same cuts in his face as she had to Ellie, then stripping his clothes off and cutting from shoulder to shoulder, then made an extra cut from both nipples down to right above his pelvis before moving to his back and making the two cuts there. Levi just stared ahead the whole time, holding in a scream and sweating profusely.

  “That looks good enough. What do you think, dear?” Araminta asked Cory, then shook her head when Cory just stared at her. “Not even a little acknowledgment of a good preparation. Young people these days.”

  “What are you going to do, Minty?” Levi asked her. “Pull all my skin off? You do realize I’ll still be alive after right?”

  “Oh no, that just wouldn’t be as much fun. You know, all living creatures must survive somehow. And most of them do so by eating other creatures.” Araminta said idly, picking up Kavan and cradling him to her chest. “Did you know that sharks go two to three days in between their meals? And you’ve held the casino for what… Five days now?”

  Levi’s eyes widened. “No, Araminta you can’t.”

  “Oh, but I can.” Araminta replied with a wicked smile. “You see Ellie, a shark can consume a lot at one point. Which is how they’re able to go so long in between meals. And since Leviathan here has neglected to feed them since he took over the establishment, they’re very hungry.”

  The woman started sobbing again, realizing what her death was going to be.

  “I will fight you the entire way to the opening of their tank. You will not feed me to them!” Levi shouted.

  “Who said I was going to take you anywhere? I am staying right here and just pushing you both in. Those cuts you have will give you about ten seconds before they catch your scent and come to eat. You, my dear Ellie, will die instantly. Thank you for your sacrifice. But you, Leviathan. Since you so aptly pointed out, you are immortal. You will not die. You will feel every bite, every tooth in your skin, while being unable to draw in a breath because your lungs will be full of water, and then blood. And once they have consumed you, you will continue to feel them digesting you. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? But wait, it doesn’t stop there. Once they have digested you, and of course, shit you out, you’ll continue on and be food for the bottom dwellers. And the cycle will continue, and continue, and continue until… Well, until forever.” Araminta sai
d, letting out a giggle.

  She motioned for the Ashen to pick up Levi and Ellie and towards the tank, then raised her hand, making her dark green mist shift to cover the side of the tank. After a moment, the glass melted away, the water staying in place with a column of air. Then the Ashen pushed both Levi and Ellie into the hole and backed up. Watching as the first shark started towards the two slowly sinking figures. Cory cried out and twisted away as it bit off Ellie's head. I kept staring, unbelieving, at the cold-heartedness of it all. Another shark came in quickly and bit off one of Levi’s arms, making the man scream in pain. It would have to be a scream, but only a giant bubble came out of his mouth. In a manner of minutes the tank was a roiling mass of red, with dark shadows moving around inside.

  “Now, time for you three.” Araminta said as she turned away from the tank, holding out her gun.

  Az, Cory and I stiffened as a green haze flowed from Araminta toward us. Black streaks of lightning erupting from its surface to strike around the room.

  “What’s happening? I’m not doing that!” Araminta shouted. “It’s out of control. I can’t stop it.” She kept waving her hands toward the cloud, but it just kept growing and getting worse.

  The necklace started glowing and pulling the cloud back, as if it was sucking it in. Araminta was leaning back and away from the storm, unable to move.

  “No!” She shouted, staring at the necklace and then looking at Az. “It was you! You made the potions, didn’t you? One to force my magic to consume me, the other to turn your sister so we’d force our hand to quicken the process.”

  “No, I only did the potion to defeat you. My sister is the one that figured out the spell to change shapes, she's actually a master mentalist now. And that’s all thanks to you two.” Az replied coldly.

  Araminta scowled, she swung her gun up again and pointed it at Cory.

  “I’ll not allow another master to walk free when I cannot. Tineva will prevail!” She pulled the trigger, but the steaming red bullet that shot out got sucked backwards into the necklace as Araminta’s screaming form dissolved into it as well.