Dark Magic

by Sasha Satori

  Chapter 6

  Valentina

  Before conscious thought blooms, I am in front of Gemma shielding her from Axels sure to come retribution. Axel appears in front of us, and his fist is already swinging, until he registers it’s me standing there, not Gemma. He pushes me backwards with his other hand, as a sharp gust of wind follows his fist, where my head just was. Whew, that was a close one. "I am beginning to reconsider my offer of protection to your friends!" He yells, then sharply turns his head, at an unnatural angle. "Dawn is here" he says. Without another moment to waste I turn to Gemma, "Gemma, Axel is offering his protection to us. When Fabio wakes, please tell him not to try and physically assault Axel again." I whisper in her ear, "He's prone to menopausal rage." Axel stirs behind me, "The manopause hasn’t taken my vampire hearing, Valentina." I giggle out loud, "So, you got jokes, vampire." Axels resting bitch face, doesn’t show a hint of a smile, "It's okay sugar, I know your laughing on the inside. Hurry and trace them to your compound, I have to grab a couple things real quick." Axel scowls fiercely, perhaps he is not used to being ordered about, as he begins to protest, I lift my hand threatening magic, "Now Axel, the sun is up!" l say in a rush. He snarls his displeasure but picks up unconscious Fabio and grabs protesting Gemma, then their gone. Sheesh, he really needs to take it easy on his growling and snarling like a damn wild wildebeest who just got a gnarly tittie twister to his man berries. I run inside grab my martial arts gym bag, I take two stairs at a time as I rush upstairs to my room. Once in my room, I grab my last remaining picture of my parents, my biological mothers birth note, baby blanket, and my hello kitty doll. After hastily stuffing them in my bag. I hear a terrified high-pitched scream coming from outside. I run to my window and see a Z-lander clawing to break into the Heffernan’s house down the street. I completely forgot about them with all the chaos. They are a lovely older couple in their eighties. Old but with sharp minds and a brass backbone. I regularly give them some of my canned fruits and vegetables, they basically live off them since their age makes it hard to get around. I open my window, my duffel bag slung on shoulder. I almost trip on my gown, the long slits making it a tad bit easier to maneuver. My vines wrap around me as I jump from the second story and land on my feet with a soft thud. I'm running full speed ahead, as I hear Axels deep voice shout my name from the second story window where I just was. The hot morning sun is beating on my back as I drop my duffle bag onto the street pavement and run up the Heffernan’s long drive way. Axel traces to the side of me, he reaches to grab me as my tendrils wrap around his hands. The sun has quickly risen and it’s unrelenting sunrays beat strongly on Axel, large ugly boils appear on his enraged face, a sizzling sound follows. "Go, Axel!" I yell back, without slowing my run to the Heffernan’s. The Z-lander manages to punch through there triple enforced door. My tendrils wrap around the Z-landers limbs, they tighten like a python to its helpless prey. "Florence! Albert! Are you guys alright," I yell as I peak inside their broken door that is ajar. I duck as a wooden bat swings where my head was a moment ago. Albert looks surprised to see me, "Valentina? I am so sorry my dear child, I thought you were a Z-lander! Come inside, quickly before the monster returns!" Axel, traces into the house, smelling like burnt flesh, his clothes are in pieces, it looks like he caught fire. "Trace them out of here, Axel!" Axel furiously roars, "There is no time! The sun is stronger than usual, I haven’t fed recently. The sun exposure has depleted my reserves." I hold both my hands up, tendrils blooming, some which still hold the Z-lander in a tight grip. "These are my friends, trace them, or leave me here." Florence and her husband, Albert, are huddled in a corner gripping onto each other as if the devil himself is standing in their living room. Axel growls in frustration as his fangs descend, his eyes blazing red hot anger, "My compound is not a motherfucking assisted living facility! You will owe me a boon for this!" he roars, but still traces to the Heffernan’s and disappears with them. I grab Mr. Heffernan's wooden bat from the floor and run outside. I start whacking the Z-lander entwined by my black tendrils with the bat, like a twisted version of a birthday piñata.

  My complete concentration is on my zombie piñata. I must look like one of the golden year’s movie called Carrie, in my luscious gown covered in Z-lander blood spatter. Cute but psycho. I hear a Z-lander snarl a hairs breath from my back, instincts have me ducking and pivoting to the side, as a loud teeth snapping sounds where I was standing a moment ago. If I was one air molecule slower, he would have ripped my neck to shreds. I twist my torso as I whack him ferociously with my bat. This was the same Z-lander that appeared to be the leader with an unnerving interest in me. My dark vines shoot from me with a cobra quickness, completely immobile, he begins biting the air ferally. His gravel scratching chalk board voice startles me, he is saying something I can’t seem to make out in between his intelligible snarls. I look down to his hands and see him gripping a potion vial. His fist crushes the glass, my vines rapidly shrink away. What the actual fuck? This is impossible, he shouldn't have had the cognizant ability recant anything, much less have what must be an advanced magic nullifier potion. I am regretting not trying to more actively explore my magics potential from fear of losing control with Gemma or Fabio. Once the last vine frees his leg, he pauses and looks down the street behind me. He flashes his teeth in what is by far the most terrifying smile I have ever seen. Black shark teeth protrude in double rows, vile yellow saliva drips down his chin. "Zou minez!" He grates as I hear a ruckus down the street, dozens of Z-landers are avalanching like hunched gorillas at full speed. Right at me! Instincts has me doing something I have never tried, my magic suffuses the bat I'm holding, it glows a fierce dark murky green, I swing it with every ounce of strength I have at the Z-lander's head. His head whips back so hard I wonder why his head didn’t come off. The deafening loud crunch is followed by his body falling to the ground. I don’t stop to think about how the hell I whooped ass like that. My other hand grabs my skirt, as I run full speed in the opposite direction of the hungry Z-lander horde. They are almost at my heels and I don’t know how to send my vines out to all of them at the same time. I hear Axels deep rumbling roar coming from where the Heffernan's house is. He is screaming my name with blatant panic and fear. How odd. I manage to turn around and lob a magic ball at the closest Z-lander behind me. As I do, I see several of their heads burst like popped grapes. Axel snarls are coming in intermittent spurts. He must be tracing in and out because of the sun. He said the sun and lack of feeding weakened him drastically, all that tracing probably isn't helping. My legs feel invigorated, I feel my magic suffusing me with supernatural speed that even the fast Z-landers are having a hard time keeping up with. If I wasn’t running for my life, I would soak in this delicious feeling of freedom, the wind whipping my hair back, as if I was flying high in the sky. A glance back shows the horde a small speck behind me. I make a sharp left into a dilapidated three-story building with crumbling walls and roof. Once inside, I plaster myself against one of the crumbling, concrete walls, my deep heaving breaths don’t diminish my exhilarated smile. The depth of my magic is surprising me in the best of ways. I take in my surroundings, the walls are graffitied bare concrete, dark alcoves and rooms all around. I hear Axel's gravel voice say my name from outside. I peek out to see him standing in the street, his clothes are partially on fire, his skin is a deep charred onyx with painful blisters all over. With fear cinching my chest, I rip a piece of my skirt, suffuse it with magic as I try to pat out his burning clothes. Axel collapses on the street, the sun still relentlessly burning him. I grab him by his wrists and pull him inside the building, even with help of my magic, I am out of breath with the strain of moving his dead weight behemoth of a body. Steam is rising from his charred skin. "Their all dead." He grates out in a hoarse whisper. As his eyes shut closed again and his head slants to the side. Worry and fear hit my gut like an atomic bomb. Nausea and the urge to vomit from the worry follow in its wake. My hand clasp Axels hot cheek, I yelp as his skin burns them. I know what a dead va
mpire looks like, an ashy husk, so I know he is alive, but just barely. I look over Axels charred body covered in open wounds, blisters and burns. My fear intensifies as they are not mending themselves. I gently shake Axels shoulders, "Axel! Wake up! Why aren't you healing?" Blood. He needs blood. Before all the reasons of how stupid this is echoes in my mind, I spot Axels ruby encrusted dagger at his hip. I unsheathe it and slash a large cut on my forearm. I bring my arm to Axels lips, as I open his mouth with my other hand. Blood begins pooling in his mouth, still nothing. A sharp pang of pain is all the warning I get as Axels fangs latch onto my forearm in hungry desperation. Both his hands are gripping my forearm to his mouth in a bruising grip. The same intense relaxed feeling of euphoria has my body feeling heavy. My other hand catches my falling body. Axel is still lying supine his hunger still unsated. His eyes are closed, as he moans in delight. Dark specks start to twinkle in my peripheral vision. Alarm releasing a heady dose of adrenaline. I see Axels wounds beginning to heal themselves. My black tendrils pry my arm from him, "Enough." I barely audibly whisper. Axels eyes pop open, green blazing brightly, fangs descended still hungry for more. As he meets my eyes the green glow subsides, his eyes take on a worried look, as he watches me stumble back blood streaking my gown, "Valentina?" He has a look of complete horror and disgust on his face. My mind is a fuzzy pool of thoughts, "I'll be fine," I try to assure him. Axel eyes begin drooping as if thousand pound weights are pulling them down, "I am sorry, my heart…" He finishes as his head falls back with a loud thud and his eyes seal shut.

  My back falls back to relax against the wall, as a tired sigh escapes me. In recap, I am stranded in a Z-lander infested area wearing impractical fighting clothes and will have to baby sit a two millennia old senior citizen vampire king until he wakes at night fall. At least I know Gemma, Fabio and the Heffernan’s are safe, for all his snarling and griping Axel came through when it mattered. He has my gratitude, I won’t leave him in such a vulnerable state, no matter if the moody jerk deserves it. A flutter of worry of our circumstance has me biting on my lower lip. Besides the human gangs, there are many magical creatures and beings that roam during the day. I need to get Axel in a dark space and ward him just in case I need to fight. Standing up with a defined wobble, I peruse the area, I see an aluminum garbage can that was used for a bon fire in one of the rooms, the dirt and filth in this place is disgusting. With Axels current condition moving him to another building is out of the question. I spot a darkened alcove blocked by splintered wooden planks. I clear some of the planks to the side and move small debris with my hands. With Axels sleeping spot ready, I walk back to him and see his sleeping face. Even in sleep he manages to portray an ominous vibration of danger. Yet, with the absence of centuries of darkness and death twinkling in the light of his eyes, he looks almost like the kind of Axel who is more than just a broody vampire king. Almost by magical strings, I find myself on my knees bending over to graze my lips against his. A slow smoldering passion builds as I kiss his unmoving lips. "Sweet dreams, sleeping beauty," I whisper against his mouth. Standing up, I grip his wrists with my vines and pull him to the alcove, I push him as deep as I can into the darkened alcove crevice. I have used my magic more today than I think I ever have. A feeling of fulfillment overcomes me, not denying my true self feels amazing. Whatever I am, I know I'm not human…and I think I like it. Closing my eyes, I dig deep into my magic reserves. I mentally incant a triple woven protection ward, with Axels dagger I prick my finger and place a droplet of my blood on the glowing murky green orb around Axels body, it shines blindingly bright and then disappears. With my bullet proof ward protecting Axel complete, I crawl out of the crevice and replace the wooden planks to cover the alcove. I stand and dust off my gown, taking inventory of myself I see some gems have fallen off the gown. In the safety of Axels castle this dress was a peachy delight to wear, now I fear I these gems are the cherry on top, to any potential predators looking for trouble. My mind goes to all the helpless humans that don’t have any defenses against the Z-Landers wreaking havoc on my town, I must go and try to save some. As I'm about to exit the building, I hear voices. Instinct has me ducking into a small room to my right and ducking behind some rotten wooden crates. The footsteps stop by the entrance to the building, through the gaping hole where a window once was, I hear one carry on, "I reckon those Z-Lander fucks got shot in their motherfuckin' head by Killer Bill wit his sniper gun. They look like ground meat splatter all on the street. They've been killing all our meat sources, boss man said we need to scout any potential hideaways and capture them. He's been thinning the crew, saying only those who can contribute to the prosperity of our crew will be allowed to live. Henry and Jackal got shot and recycled last night. Who knew those two dirty fuckers tasted good with a little herb vinaigrette." Oh. Sweet. Giuseppe. They must be part of the human cannibal gang. Those disgusting fuckers. "I know man, I was lickin' my fingers clean. If the Z-landers don’t leave sooner than later, Boss man will be doing a lot more recycling if we don’t get fresh meat in. Let’s keep going door to door. Don't fuckin' cackle when we pretend to be out to help dem’. I swear people take one look at your fuckin' ugly mug and start running for the hills." I hear a scuffle, "Shut your bloody fuckin' trap, before I recycle ye fuckin' tongue!" The footsteps continue at a sedate pace and then fade away. I stand up and try to think of a strategy to end these fools without becoming a cannibal gangs sloppy joe sandwich. I need my LF. Fabio tried to shoot Axel, then Axel grabbed it and pistol whipped him. I think he dropped it to the floor after that. I'll go home to get my gun and ammo, then change into some more suitable clothes for fighting. From there I'll just have to try and track tweedle dee and tweedle dum, or follow the sounds of screams.

  I exit from a back window and begin running as close to the buildings lining the back alley as I can. Overhead I hear deafening surreal sound, a dragon’s screeching roar. What the hell could draw a dragon here? They are so rare to see and from what I know of them, they prefer to be in an uninhabited natural environment or in their native magic realm, never cities like this. The high-pitched screeching roar sounds again, goosebumps line my flesh, it sounds like nails scratching a chalkboard. The dragons large shadow moves over the alley and buildings as it flies over head. It seems to be flying low and in a large circle. I slow my run to a cautious jog while trying to keep an eye out for the dragon. I pass two flying pixies. They are each about the size of a watermelon and have zero similarities to a cute pixie in a golden year’s movie called Tinker Bell. These pixies are vicious and have deeply wrinkled faces kind of like a shar-Pei dog. They are like pest, when you see one, there is usually a posse of them nearby. As a group they are quite formidable, their razor-sharp teeth and poisonous pixie dust can render someone unconscious. Their greedy beady eyes lock onto me and then my gem encrusted silk dress, simultaneously they begin chasing after me, their wings working overtime to catch up to me. I suffuse my magic into my legs and start running at a speed many magical beings would have a hard time keeping up with. I take a sharp left, then right and I'm back on my street. I can’t wait to get this gown off. The twinkling gems and fine satin silk are drawing too much attention. I rush up my porch and see my beloved LF on the floor near the door. Scooping it up I rush upstairs and rummage for my knife and gun holster, I spot my favorite shiny black leather pants that fit like a second skin and look fabulous on me. Getting my dress off is proving to be a challenge, after several minutes of contorting and reaching back to undo the ribbon corset, I finally manage to wiggle myself out of it. I quickly put on my leather pants then grab the first thing in my shirt drawer and shrug it on. I glance down and roll my eyes. I picked my short sleeve baby pink crop top with a large sparkly Hello Kitty holding a flower in the center of it. Let’s hope the badass vibes of my tight shiny leather pants compensates for such a girly shirt. With no time to waste, I quickly put on my favorite worn pair of pink converses sneakers. Once my harness is secured on my waist, I tighten the leg garters on each leg. I stock
it to the brim with silver knives, my Lf, as well as extra silver bullets in the side pouches. Going to my dresser I pull my hair into a ponytail with my lucky pink scrunchie hair band. I didn’t see my martial arts gym bag out front that had my most cherished possessions. A sharp pang of hope aches in my chest that maybe Axel got it. Well, I'm off to see the wizard.

  Valentina

  Ugh, boob sweat is so annoying. After catching up to tweedle dee and tweedle dum, I had to endure these two idiots make bets on who would bed their 'butterface' cook named Gretchen, who apparently looks like a Gremlin but has a decent rack. These two fools didn’t notice me following them back to their home base or even try to be discreet in hiding their point of entrance. Crushed automobiles are piled on top of each other creating a massive wall with welded metal scrap filling in gaps. Several guards are posted on top of improvised watching towers and a couple walk the wall on top of the crushed cars. Most of the guards are armed with long range rifles. For the past two hours I have been doing recon and gathering as much operational intelligence as possible from my hidey hole in a nearby building that faces their base. The sun feels at its peak, I'm guessing it's about noon time. I have no idea how many are behind that wall, but I'm assuming at least several dozens for them to have built such a strong hold. Going in guns blazing will get me dead quick, as I am most assuredly out gunned. My magic can help, but I haven't mastered directing my vines onto a horde of people simultaneously. But…If I can bring the Z-landers to their doorstep, they will be busy fending them off, while I sneak in and rescue any captured people and detonate some military grade bombs I've been hoarding for just this occasion. With that decided I take two steps at a time down a concrete stairway, as I pass the threshold of the building’s door, a hard object smashes into my temple. My vision instantly tunnels as I feel my body drop hard onto the hard concrete, then blackness.