Dreams of Darkness

by D L Pitchford et al.

  “I really must thank you, with the loss of his dear daughter, the King will be devastated. I’ll finally take my place as rightful ruler.” A statement like that could only be followed by a maniacal laugh, and he didn’t disappoint.

  If I somehow manage to get out of this, I thought, that dick is going down.

  Artemus screeched a warning cry, and then there was a sound at the entrance. This is it, I’m going to jail. And after that… I would’ve shuddered if I were able to move.

  I watched in amazement as a potion hit the opposite wall. Rich purple smoke filled the room, and I felt my muscle control return.

  “Quickly, there isn’t much time!” Gabriel shouted.

  But there was no way I was leaving without saying goodbye to one dickhead warlock. Gerod appeared to be frozen in place, so I surmised the purple potion was a counteraction one.

  I slapped his cheek and rested my hand there. “Nice working with you.”

  Gabriel pulled me out, denying me the satisfaction of watching Gerod’s glorious demise. Still I couldn’t contain my smile.

  “You touched him, didn’t you?” he asked, as we made a run for it. Outside, the sound of horses galloping toward us was not far off. We headed for the top of an adjacent hill, followed by Artemus flying overhead, and only stopped when we were obscured from view on the other side of the hill.

  “One less warlock asshole.”

  His expression started out disapproving, but then relaxed. “I can’t argue that, with him at least. He really was an asshole.”

  I smiled and seeing him return the smile only made me desire him more. Which made zero sense. I should be trying to get away from this man, not trying to get it on with him.

  “Let’s call it self-defense, shall we?” He brushed some errant strands of hair that had escaped my ponytail away from my face. I wanted nothing more than to melt in his arms, like a lovesick schoolgirl and her first crush.

  “We? I thought you were supposed to bring me in.”

  He looked down. “Yes. But I can help, when the Council is in judgment. I can tell them everything you’ve done, how you saved my life. Surely they’ll take it into consideration.”

  I wasn’t as hopeful. I had enough kills under my belt to negate anything good I’d done. Add that to being a female, and it was an open and shut case.

  “She can’t have gone far,” I heard someone call out below. “Fan the area, find that woman!”

  “Screw it,” Dave muttered, as he fished in his satchel.

  “They’re going to find us!” I whisper shouted. “How will we—”

  I didn’t have a chance to finish the thought before I was surrounded by blue smoke. Gabriel grabbed my hand, and in a flash, we were transported. Artemus didn’t go through with us, but I didn’t think he’d be in danger. The authorities searching for me probably didn’t know I had a hawk. Hell, they thought I was a man for the longest time, so it wasn’t like I was dealing with master detectives.

  “A teleportation potion?” I asked. Looking around, it seemed as if we were in a cottage of some sort. “Where are we?”

  “My home.” A small, mischievous little grin appeared on his face. “I was supposed to use it to bring you in.”

  “Are you serious?” My heart pounded in my chest. “Does this mean…”

  “I don’t care about the Council. Even with your curse, you still have more humanity than half the fossils who serve on it.” He took my hands as he looked into my eyes. “I want to be with you.”

  My eyes watered. He would forego a normal life to become a fugitive with me? I never felt so loved.

  I kissed him with all my might, tilting his head to get deeper inside his mouth. He moaned, kissing me back with the same intensity, pressing up against me until my back was against the wall. The weight of his body on mine, the feel of his massive erection, his strong hands cradling my face, all of it threatened to push me over the edge. I wanted to savor it, take my time with him, but we were both too excited. His hands moved down to my ass, squeezing it once before moving to my thighs and lifting me up. I wrapped my legs and arms around him, still kissing him. He moved me against the wall and we eventually ended up on a mattress, I presumed in his bedroom.

  We couldn’t take each other’s clothes off fast enough. Touching his naked chest was as incredible as I’d imagined, and as he kissed from my neck down to my breasts, I nearly lost it. I guided him inside me, unable to hold out any longer. The feel of him inside was pure pleasure, beyond anything I’d ever experienced before. He intertwined his fingers through mine, and I could feel he was close. That simple touch, his warm hands on top of mine, clutching them…it was all I needed. All I ever wanted. I screamed, finally feeling the satisfying rush of release. He climaxed as well, and then collapsed next to me.

  I rested my arm on his chest, feeling the steady accelerated beat of his heart. He wrapped an arm around me, pulling me in close. I would’ve sold my soul to stay in that moment forever—feeling the bliss of the afterglow, my body still throbbing from that incredible orgasm, and the heat of his warm skin next to mine.

  But that moment ended, much sooner than I’d hoped for.

  A banging on Gabriel’s front door startled me out of that quiet embrace. “Open up, Gabriel. We know she’s in there.”

  “What’s going on?” In seconds, we were both fully dressed. “How did they know?”

  “Gerod,” he said, which came out more like a curse under his breath. “He must’ve told them before he died.”

  I wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all. But then I guess I should’ve expected it. Coms don’t get happy endings.

  “I don’t suppose you’ve got another teleportation potion?”

  “Afraid not.” Gabriel locked the door to the bedroom, and then peered out the bedroom window. “We’re surrounded.”

  It took an effort to hold back my tears. I’d found someone, a man who risked everything to be with me. A man I didn’t kill by merely touching him. To be so close to normal, only to have it slip through my fingers… But then I realized how fortunate I was, to have even met him, to have that small time with him that I did.

  I took hold of his hands. “Thank you.”

  His expression was sympathetic more than anything else. “I couldn’t save you, why are you thanking me?”

  “You showed me I’m not a monster. Made me feel something I didn’t think I’d ever feel.”

  He embraced me, and the warmth of body calmed me.

  “And by the Wise One, that orgasm…”

  He laughed a kind of sad laugh, and I noticed as he pulled back, he wiped tears from his eyes. “I’ll talk to the Council. We’ll get through this…”

  I nodded, though I didn’t share his optimism. They made it through the front door, and I knew his bedroom door wouldn’t give much of a struggle. I kissed him one last time, savoring the taste of his mouth, touching that stubble along his jawline, trying hard to sear the sensations in my brain so I could recall it later. His serene blue eyes were the last thing I saw after the door was kicked in and my whole world went black.

  ***

  I awoke alone in a jail cell, groggy and sore as hell. I rubbed the tender spot on my head they’d hit to knock me out. I was lucky they didn’t just kill me outright. But then the council would’ve been disappointed. There was no doubt they were looking forward to sentencing me.

  I wasn’t sure how many days had passed in that cell. With very little food and water, I grew weak. I missed Artemus—I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. I pushed the thoughts of Gabriel away. They only served to sadden me, and sometimes they even gave me a glimmer of hope, which was downright dangerous. My life was coming to an end, there was no way around that.

  They arranged a special council meeting just for me. I would’ve felt honored had I not known it was for the purpose of condemning me.

  Still I felt something akin to pride. Not all the decisions I made were great, I knew that, but I sure as hell made the best of my
ability. I embraced what made me unique, instead of obsessing over being different. And despite my destructive power, I found someone to connect with. It was a miracle as far as I was concerned.

  The council meeting was more of a pseudo trial, complete with loaded questions I couldn’t answer without incriminating myself. I could give you all the details, but I wouldn’t get halfway through it before you passed out from boredom.

  Here’s the gist: Gabriel was good to his word and spoke to the Council on my behalf. Of course, they dismissed his opinion when they discovered his involvement with me. All in all, it was a joke. It took them 2 minutes to come back with a decision after all the facts were presented. As expected, the sentence was death by hanging, scheduled to take place in the morning.

  Maybe it was the dehydration, maybe it was the hunger, but I found myself oddly at peace with the outcome. A quick death had to be better than rotting away in a jail cell. But it was more than avoiding the simple discomfort of starving to death. I committed the crimes they accused me of. Maybe I had changed, maybe Gabriel had influenced me in the short time we’d spent together, but it didn’t change the fact that I had killed all those people, regardless of whether they deserved it.

  The last meal they provided me in the evening had more food than all the meals I’d received combined. I wolfed it down so fast, it made me sick, so of course it ended up on the grimy floor. I had to wonder if it wasn’t intentional when the jailer laughed, one last cruelty for the monster in the jail cell.

  “Mara?”

  I lifted my head at the sound of Gabriel’s voice. As he approached my cell, his expression grew horrified.

  “What are they doing to you?” he whispered.

  “I’m okay.” I was disappointed for him to see me so worn and thin and broken. But there was nothing he could do about it, so I tried to play it down. “I’m fine.”

  “They’re treating you like an animal. I’m going to have a word with—”

  “It’s over, Gabriel. You tried, and I appreciate that. But I have to be punished for my crimes.”

  He nodded, and I could see the sadness in his eyes. “I’m still trying, I don’t care. The Wise One himself needs to know of this brutality.”

  “Sure he’s got better things to do.” I stood with great difficulty and rested my hand on the bars. But Gabriel kept his distance.

  He sighed. “The protection spell has worn off. If I touch you now, I will die.”

  I half-smiled. “It was silly of me to think it was permanent. That we could have a life together.”

  “I still want that. Perhaps they can be made permanent, by a wizard with enough power.”

  Standing required more energy than I had. I slid down to the floor, using the wall to assist me. “I die in the morning. None of that matters now.”

  When he didn’t say anything, I looked up. His eyes were filled with tears. “It’s so unfair. To extinguish the light of such an amazing creature as yourself. But this is what we do, humans, when we encounter differences that frighten us.”

  “I have it coming, Gabriel. You know that as well as I.”

  “I don’t believe that. Not for a moment,” he said, as he lowered his head. “I only wish I could touch you once more.”

  “Hey, we had some good times. I came. I mean that’s a miracle in and of itself, right?” I tried to laugh but it came out dry and hollow.

  “This isn’t over,” he said. “I’m not giving up on you, Mara.”

  I nodded, mostly because I didn’t have the energy to argue the futility of it. He left without another word.

  ***

  They didn’t bother to give me breakfast or water the following morning, and when they came to get me, I couldn’t stand. But that was no problem, as the jailer was more than happy to drag me to the gallows. On the way, an obnoxious squawk sounded, and I smiled to see Artemus flying overhead. He dive-bombed the jailer, pecking at his face. I would be lying if I didn’t say it brought more than a little joy to see the bird draw blood. But then the jailer got in a good swing, knocking Artemus against one of the platform beams. I gasped. Artemus stood and flexed his wings, and I wondered if he were injured.

  An ancient relic that resembled a troll more than a man began to speak. “Mara of Excelsia, you are hereby condemned for the crimes against humanity in the form of…”

  It was hard to keep conscious, I found myself slipping in and out. I’m sure the monotone low voice of the councilman didn’t help, but my money was on dehydration. If it went on much longer, they wouldn’t need a noose to kill me.

  Finally, the little troll man finished. I was led to the noose, and a hooded executioner fitted it around my neck. Glancing around the crowd, I let out a disappointed sigh. Gabriel wasn’t there. But then I understood, I mean, who wants to see someone they care about executed?

  “May your soul rest in peace,” the troll man said quietly. It was a pleasant sentiment, and I hoped he was right. Peace, after the shitstorm that was my life, would be a welcome change of pace.

  Troll man nodded, and the executioner lifted his giant hammer, ready to swing to remove the support underneath, the only thing holding up the trapdoor under my feet.

  Was I scared? If I’m honest, yes. But only because I didn’t know what to expect. Most of me, though, believed whatever happened next had to be better than this. Hell, at least I wouldn’t be thirsty or hungry anymore.

  The sun was burning bright in the sky, blinding me. I couldn’t help myself, I laughed. For some reason, the whole thing seemed absurdly funny. I thought I saw movement in my peripheral vision, someone fighting through the crowd, but I wasn’t sure if it was real or just the bizarre delirium that had set in.

  The hammer swung down, but right before it hit the support, the most booming voice I’d ever heard spoke.

  Chapter Six

  "STOP!”

  The executioner, in fact, didn’t have a choice to stop. He was frozen in place, and then moved away, like a giant deity was using the earth as one big chessboard and simply moving one of the pieces.

  “The Wise One!” a chorus of whispers sounded throughout the crowd. They dropped to their knees, out of reverence or fear I wasn’t sure. I’d never seen the Wise One in person, and he was every bit as glorious as I had imagined—flowing robes, a long white beard, and even an ornate staff in his hand. The way he walked, his confidence and natural power commanded respect and awe. It was easy to see why his status had been elevated to that of a god.

  Gabriel made his way to the platform and removed the noose from around my neck. I couldn’t stand on my own, but he caught me before I fell. “You’re safe now,” he whispered. I managed a small smile.

  Artemus walked up the platform and joined us. He must’ve sensed how very broken I was, as he climbed up on Gabriel’s shoulder instead of mine, and leaning over, he nuzzled my cheek.

  “What are you doing?” troll man yelled at Gabriel. “This woman is condemned!”

  “Condemned by you?” the Wise One said. And then he laughed a big hearty laugh only a powerful wizard can pull off—threatening yet genuine.

  “You don’t understand,” he continued. “She does not belong here, you have no right to condemn her!”

  “Oh Wise One, we concede to your will,” troll man said, bowing. “We apologize if we have offended you.”

  “Yes, yes. Go about your business,” he said, shooing them off as if they were annoying flies. He floated over to where Gabriel and I stood on the platform. “Let’s leave, shall we?”

  Blue smoke surrounded us, and when it finally cleared, we had arrived somewhere I’d never been before. Somewhere magical and beautiful and clean. It was a wizard’s lab, like Gerod’s, but 200 times nicer.

  “Wh...” I tried to speak, but my throat was so dry the sound was more like a wheeze than a word.

  “First things first,” the Wise One said. He waved his wand, and in his free hand appeared a glass of water. “Drink up, my dear. I’ll see about getting you some food.�
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  I gulped the water feverishly. It burned and cooled at the same time, my throat as scratchy as sandpaper.

  “Slow down,” Gabriel said, in a gentle tone. He placed his hand on my shoulder, and his touch was so welcomed.

  Touching me? “Another protection spell?” I managed to whisper.

  Gabriel nodded. “Courtesy of the Wise One.”

  “Savages,” the Wise One muttered. “It’s hard to teach compassion.” He eyed me curiously, as if I were an alien creature. “To be fair, you didn’t make it easy for them, did you?”

  The warmth in his smile put me at ease. He conjured up a small piece of bread and handed it to me.