by Tish Thawer
Tossing in a pinch of sulfur, Zakrill chanted, “For what was lost, but has now been found, draw me to you, our blood be bound. Darkling magick, hear my call, recover the books, lost to all.”
The flare in his cauldron sputtered yellow then turned an angry red, as a plume of thick smoke rose into the air. Within the cloud, a shiny dark green, almost black, trunk appeared. It was sitting open atop a lone dais, surrounded by dark, billowing curtains. “That’s it!” The Book of Shadows Fayln had taunted him with was clearly being kept inside her main castle.
The lines in Zakrill’s brow deepened as he stared into the foggy vision. Suddenly, the book on the dais began to change, morphing from the tome he so desperately desired, into a thick, tattered leather-bound book he didn’t recognize. Across it, the letters ‘A’ and ‘H’ stood out as the beginning of two words he was unable to clearly make out. Zakrill gasped when the book took on a golden glow, then disintegrated as if being scorched by the sun.
The vision cloud dissipated, along with Zakrill’s enthusiasm. If the second image was that of the other missing tomes, his plans to find them just went up in smoke. Literally.
Chapter Six
Black fabric flowed around the secret chamber as Falyn approached her most prized possession. Visiting the deserted demon world of Abrinthill had not been fun, but it had been productive. She’d located one of the Darklings’ precious Book of Shadows and was now determined to understand its power. She hated having to depend on Zakrill for her magickal boosts, and if she could only finish deciphering these spells, she was sure she’d no longer have need of him.
Stroking the cover, Fayln turned to the furthest point in her research and waved a hand over the page. Green fairy dust––laced with just enough Darkling magick––fell onto the parchment, causing the ink to twist and swirl, revealing the next spell within its arsenal.
“Tempest Confusion. Ingredients: ground demon bone, a pinch of Obscata, one drop of vampire blood, and a pinch of black sand from Hallows Bay.”
“Dammit!” Fayln slammed the book shut. Hallows Bay no longer existed, and there was no chance of getting a demon bone or vampire blood. The fae flower, Obscata she could manage, but the rest was simply pointless to try.
“Madame, is there anything I can do to help?” Tonk, her dedicated assistant asked.
She reached down and patted his balding head with an affection reserved only for him. “No. The tasks required would be far too dangerous for a fae like you. I won’t risk it.”
Tonk shuffled his over-sized, club feet and moved to draw back the curtains for his mistress. “Will there be more visitors coming today?” he asked as he led her from the secret chamber, back into her private room.
Fayln spun at the miniature-orc’s question. “More visitors?”
“Yes, madam. The Goddess Diana awaits you in the main chamber.”
Black smoke seeped from the queen’s mouth as it hung agape. “Excuse me? The Goddess Diana is here?”
“Yes, mistress, that is why I entered your chamber, to announce her arrival.” Tonk cringed.
Gathering her wits, Falyn waved a hand in front of herself, instantly changing her attire from that of a busy schemer––a plain black dress and a tattered gray shawl, to one of Unseelie fae royalty––a green satin, curve-hugging gown with a high collar and the accompanying crown.
“Lead the way.”
Chapter Seven
“My Goddess, how surprised and pleased I am to see you here.” Fayln greeted Diana through gritted teeth.
Diana stood stoic, glowing in white and silver, her trademark belt and athame hanging from her waist. “Fayln, it’s been a long time.” Diana refused to use her given title of Unseelie Queen; for a queen who plots against their goddess deserved no title at all. “There are things we need to discuss.”
“Such as,” Fayln asked. Motioning for Diana to come closer, she took a seat upon her throne.
The Goddess countered the arrogant display by lifting herself into the air and hovering above the queen. Diana floated forward until Fayln was forced to look up to meet her gaze. “I think a Darkling has returned to Ovialell, and I want to know if you, too, have felt his presence.”
Fayln gasped. “A Darkling? Returned to Ovialell? No, that just can’t be.”
Fayln shifted upon her seat, the motion not unnoticed by Diana. That, plus the smirk Fayln was attempting to hide, were all the answers she needed. “I feel his magick here, odd that you cannot. Hopefully he hasn’t turned his sights on your court. I’d hate for you to be caught unaware,” Diana said, feigning concern.
Fayln’s nostrils flared. “Thank you for your...worry. I’ll be sure to put extra wards in place. I will not tolerate just anyone appearing in my realm uninvited.” She inclined her head. “Except for you, of course.”
“Of course.” Diana sneered and splayed her arms wide, letting her inner magick fill the chamber with blast of silver light. “Stay alert, Fayln. For you never know when something from the old world may return.” With the veiled threat lingering in the air, Diana disappeared. She’d gotten the answers she came looking for, and it pleased her immensely to know that something from the old world had already returned. Her daughter, Aradia, had been reincarnated and she was already putting her to good use.
* * * * *
“Aryiah, please,” Damarius pleaded, “we’re going to get caught if you don’t slow down. You’re making too much noise.”
Aryiah spun to face her husband, snapping another branch under her foot as she did. “All right, my darling, if my lack of stealth in this body concerns you, then let’s slip into our wolves for the rest of the journey.”
Damarius kissed her cheek, then dropped to all fours and shifted into his wolf form. As the leader of the goddess’s Wild Hunt, his prowess was unmatched. His black pelt shimmered in the dying sun as Aryiah pulled on Aradia’s pool of magick buried deep inside of her and transformed into her wolf as well. Once in the same form, she and Damarius could share thoughts again, which would also help with the noise problem. “There...happy?” she sent into Damarius’ mind with a chuckle.
“Very.” He nuzzled her fur just behind her ear with his snout.
“Do you remember the first time I shifted?” Aryiah asked coyly.
“How could I forget?”
. . . . .
“My God, Aryiah, you never cease to amaze me. How is this even possible?” Damarius asked as she stood on all fours, shivering under the blanket of her now silver fur.
She couldn’t respond. She didn’t know how.
“Don’t worry, baby. You’ll shift back as soon as you can calm down,” he said.
Ha! Calm down?
“I don’t understand how this is possible, but since we are headed to meet the goddess, I’d say this is reason enough to leave early. I’m sure she’ll be able to shed some light on what’s happened.”
Aryiah nodded, sending her senses alight. In wolf form everything was heightened. The feel of the carpet under her paws, the intensity of the light shining from the overhead fixture, the sound of the swirling blades from the ceiling fan, all amplified to a level of extraordinary detail.
Damarius approached her with firm steps and ran his hands across her soft pelt. She lifted her head and huffed through her nose. She was pissed, but he couldn’t help but be awe-struck.
“I have to continue to touch you in order to take you through the Shadowlands as we shade,” he explained.
Upon hearing his words, Aryiah pressed close to his leg. He pulled her tight and immediately shaded into the goddess’s chambers.
“My lady, we are in need of your guidance,” Damarius called to his goddess, patiently waiting while stroking Aryiah’s fur.
The shimmering light and gentle breeze that flowed into the room announced Diana’s presence.
“Oh my!” was her stunned response to Aryiah’s current form.
“My goddess, please explain how this could have happened. While Aryiah is my mate, she is human, a
nd this miraculous event has left us both shaken.”
Diana approached Aryiah without fear, then knelt and gently wrapped her arms around her. Damarius watched as Aryiah rested her head on Diana’s shoulder as the goddess stroked her back.
Within seconds the green light pulsed and Aryiah shifted back to her human form.
Aryiah rose from the floor while trying to cover her nakedness. “And here I was worried about what to wear.”
They all laughed at her attempt to diffuse her embarrassment. The goddess waved her hand in the air, graciously providing a stunning white robe that wrapped around Aryiah’s body.
“Thank you,” Aryiah replied, bowing her head.
“I’m so glad you’re both here, as it’s obvious the time to discuss your magick is upon us.” The goddess gestured to the alcove beside her throne. “I’m sure what you’ve just experienced was a complete shock to you both, but I believe I have an explanation.”
Damarius reached for Aryiah as he parted the white gauzy curtains that surrounded a small sitting area filled with all white furniture. He continued to hold her hand, trying to provide a small measure of reassurance that everything would be okay as they took their seats and listened as the goddess continued. “But first, I have to present Aryiah with something that will solidify my theory.”
He felt Aryiah tense up, but he was relieved when she relaxed as the goddess picked up a large leather-bound book from beside her seat. The tome looked as ancient as he was, and he could feel a strong magickal current emanating off it from where he sat.
“This is the second time you’ve tried to give me a book.” Aryiah smiled as she scooted to the edge of her seat.
The goddess chuckled and inclined her head. “I assure you, Aryiah, you have nothing to fear. Simply take the book and let’s see what happens.”
The anticipation clearly etched on the goddess’s face had Damarius’ nerves firing in rapid succession as Aryiah took a deep breath then reached for the book.
The air in the room whipped to a crescendo, leaving them all speechless. The goddesses smiled, practically beaming, as she nodded at Aryiah to open the book.
As Aryiah slowly lifted the heavy cover, the silver light that poured from the book caused them all to squint. Damarius watched, amazed as the book suddenly came to life.
The pages began flipping themselves and a voice resonated from within. “Aradia awaken, for you are she, returned to us by the powers that be. Strong and reborn she resides within. Embrace your role as beloved daughter again.”
. . . . .
All had been made clear at the book’s proclamation. Aryiah’s mind was flooded with the knowledge that she was Aradia reincarnated––the daughter of the Goddess Diana who had been sent forth to teach the mortal world of her mother’s magick. She was the Queen of the Witches, the creator of the wolves, and the one who died putting an end to the Great Rift.
Smiling at the memory the two of them just shared, the pair of large wolves set off back down the Seelie trail that bordered the city of Karistan. At its end, they would cross the line into Unseelie territory and head toward Queen Fayln’s castle. Diana was providing the distraction they needed by forcing the queen into an impromptu meeting, allowing them time to shade to the edge of her kingdom unnoticed. It was the goddess’s goal to find out what Fayln was up to without openly accusing her. For igniting another feud was not her intent. The Goddess Diana ruled Ovialell with a peaceful hand, until she was forced otherwise.
Chapter Eight
Damarius and Aryiah crept deeper into the woods, slinking just off the normal path, when suddenly, Aryiah stopped dead in her tracks.
“What is it, my love?” Damarius asked through their bond.
Snout lifting, Aryiah shook her head, concentrating. “There is something wrong with this forest, and I believe the source is just over there.”
Damarius padded in front of her, weary of a surprise attack. “Are we still alone?”
“Yes. But we need to find out what’s causing this.” Aryiah pawed at the dirt, revealing a black, sludge-like substance veining the ground just beneath the leaves.
“Okay, let’s go, but stay close,” Damarius instructed.
The leader of the Wild Hunt continued his prowl on high alert, his massive size a sharp contrast to the stealth at which he hunted. Aryiah, still somewhat new to her wolf form, wasn’t as quiet as her mate but still moved with a graceful ease as they stalked forward into the unfamiliar woods.
“There...do you feel it?” Aryiah asked, heightening the energy of their bond.
“Yes, I can feel everything, so tell me this––why are you feeling scared and angry at the same time?”
Aryiah growled, showing her teeth in the struggle against the sensations crawling along her veins. “That’s why.” She lifted her snout toward a small pond lying a few feet in front of them. “There’s dark magick at play here, and I’m afraid we’ve just walked into its trap.”
Damarius shook his head, fighting to dislodge the dark seeds effects, while Aryiah quickly shifted back into her true form and began to chant. “Dark magick here at play, tainting this forest I do forebae. Dissolve your vile essence within, I cleanse this lake from Unseelie sins.”
A silver fog rolled across the tainted ground and infected lake, hissing and spitting the instant it came in contact with the dark seeds poison. Aryiah watched through glowing eyes as her magick cleansed the fae forest around them.
Damarius shifted and walked to her side. “I think you just saved an entire race of people, my love.”
“I think so too. And it’s something the goddess should be informed of. These seeds were planted here to cause strife and fighting amongst the fae,” she turned to Damarius, “on both sides––Seelie and Unseelie. Which means, I think we’re back to needing to find this Darkling first and foremost.”
“I couldn’t agree more. This discovery has altered our mission,” Damarius said as he knelt down. “Are they safe to touch?”
“Yes.”
Damarius walked toward the edge of the water and scooped up the smaller of the two seeds. “Maybe the goddess can get a read on where the spell originated from.” He reached for Aryiah’s hand.
She nodded and thread her fingers with his, shading them both back to her mother’s throne room. “Do you think her meeting with Fayln will have already concluded?”
Diana appeared, answering Aryiah’s question, and motioned for them to join her in the alcove beside her throne. “My children, why have you returned so soon? I thought your mission would at least extend for another night.”
Parting the white gauzy curtains to enter the small sitting area, Damarius squeezed Aryiah’s hand. They both took a seat upon the plush couch across from the goddess. “We found something in the woods and thought you should know about it,” Damarius explained, handing her the seed.
“Well, well. I haven’t seen one of these in a very long time.” The goddess rolled the smooth ball between her hands, noticing the sparkling tendrils of blacks, blues, and grays shifting within.
“So you recognize it?” Aryiah asked.
“Yes. They were utilized by the Darklings during the Great Rift, but they didn’t contain the dark magick within them now. Clearly, their purpose has been tainted and morphed into something else.”
“What were they originally used for?” Damarius asked.
“They served as a sensor upon a battle field, notifying the Darklings whenever a certain enemy passed by.”
“Like an early warning system? A trigger?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“So, it’s clear that the Darklings are behind this then,” Aryiah surmised.
“No. I don’t think that’s clear at all,” Diana said, staring deep into the seed. “I do see Darkling magick here, but it’s also somehow been touched by the fae.” Diana met Aryiah’s eyes. “Unseelie fae.”
“So we’re back to Fayln.”
“Yes. I think we are. After what I felt during my brief v
isit, it’s clear she’s working with the Darkling we’re seeking, and this just proves it even further.”
“Do you want us to return and continue on to her castle as planned?” Damarius asked.
“No,” Diana’s eyelids fluttered as she continued to read the sphere. “I have another mission for you in mind.”
Chapter Nine
Zakrill gathered his things and set out from his cave, timing his arrival on Karistan for daybreak. He was going to get that book back no matter what stolen power Fayln now possessed. “It rightfully belongs to me,” he muttered as he made his way back to the center of town. Nearing the portal, he hissed and let the skin stretch tight over his jaw, casting a demented smile in the direction of the vampires who waited in line. They quickly scattered at his approach.
Stepping through the mercurial surface, Zakrill felt the pull of the book as soon as he emerged on Karistan. “No wonder she didn’t want me visiting her here any longer.” Bitch, he thought. “How dare she betray me!” Zakrill, pulling his cloak tighter, walked along the black stone path toward the castle. He passed the guards unnoticed thanks to the glamour he’d put in place. Shuffling along as a crippled old woman would hopefully grant him the access he needed. As he rounded the last corner and descended the castle stairs which led to the kitchen, Zakrill whispered a spell and produced a basket full of ripe apples to present to the cook, then reached for the door.
