by Lora Darc
Danielle slowly stood up and watched him walk off, then turned and saw the crowd—and the Night Lords—watching her.
“Bring her to me,” she heard Lord Tyris say. From out of the crowd, guards came and grabbed her arms and brought her forward. The Night Lords gazed on her with a mixture of amusement and annoyance. Lord Tyris was not among the ones that were amused.
“You’ve only been here a few hours and you’re already a menace,” Lord Tyris hissed. His fingers tapped on the arm of his throne with impatience. “Should I punish you already?”
Danielle turned cold and silently shook her head.
Lord Tyris growled. “Get her out of my sight before I change my mind.”
The Night Lords watched her with great interest as a shrouded servant pulled her away. She saw the devils smirk, their hungry, cat-like eyes shifting down her body. The snake lord observed her with an icy, hypnotic stare, and the wolf lord glared, his deep brows furrowing.
Danielle caught Lord Tyris’ gaze last and saw his eyes flash dark once again as the door closed soundlessly behind her.
Chapter 5
For several moons, Danielle was made to serve the people of the mountain. She learned from the others how to carry herself more gracefully and how to always watch her surroundings. Quickly, she became accustomed to the routines of the mountain which the people called the Onyx Pass.
Danielle also learned the inner workings of the tunnel ways, the chambers, and the Pass as a whole. Soon she was able to recognize and follow certain paths on her own and knew which chambers were public and which belonged to the Night Lords as their own private quarters.
Every moonrise Madam Bree sent Danielle out to serve in some task whether it be a messenger or a wine and food carrier; but never more than that. Danielle had seen the other servants entertaining or pleasuring guests. Many would go into private chambers and not be seen again until moonset.
Sometimes she was permitted to enter dwellings to refill canteens or plates, forced to ignore the couples making love or groups of tremendous orgies that were taking place. Danielle could only watch and keep to the shadows.
She kept her head down and tried to remain silent even when a part of her would ache or grow hot at the sights. Deep down she felt an urge to join them. Only after would she shake away the want, telling herself it wasn’t right.
I need to get out of here. I can’t let these urges take control of me.
But seeing the people together made her long for someone to touch her. Visions of the princes swam through her memory all over again and her heart ached to remember the pleasure they had given her.
When her job was done for the night, Danielle would lie on her little bed and dream again of the princes. She would wake up in a cold sweat, her center throbbing, and—with the urge too great for her to ignore—would silently pleasure herself in the darkness of her little room. Her orgasms, she had noticed, were growing more intense. Like little bursts of fire and electricity, shocking and burning her whole body. After the first, she could go again and again and for longer, and the ache would only grow worse. Never had it been so easy and yet so painful before.
Only after complete exhaustion would she finally fall back asleep. Danielle knew her own touch soon wouldn’t be enough.
When she wasn’t growing more frustrated with her want, Danielle would try to decipher the recipe Sheek had given her. She noticed books sitting around in places. When she got a chance, she would steal a look through them, but none of them gave her an answer.
Eventually, she got the courage to ask one of the other servants.
“Looks like sorcerer text. Few can read it,” said Yuli, the lithe female in the black and silver attire.
“Is there anyone here who could?” Danielle asked.
Yuli shrugged. “Possibly. Probably. But I wouldn’t know. I don’t talk about such things with guests. Sorcery and Witch-magik aren’t extremely common and aren’t typically brought up in normal conversation.”
Danielle thought that odd considering everyone in the Nightlands seemed to have their own natural abilities and could harness some sort of power. When she mentioned this to Yuli, the nightwoman merely laughed.
“There’s a difference, little human. Yes, many are born with abilities and powers of their own. But that is the farthest their power will ever go. Sorcery and Magik are more extreme, more advanced. And much more unstable. Only the most powerful learn to harness such things.”
Danielle tucked the recipe away with disappointment. For the rest of the evening, she felt down and defeated, her hope of ever returning home diminishing.
***
“Danielle, come here, girl,” Madam Bree called to her. Danielle, who had been sitting alone on a cushion, nibbling on a piece of fruit, got up and came over. Madam Bree went into her study and came back out with a stack of books. “Take these to the library and give them to Hydric. Just knock twice and he will open the door for you.”
Danielle took the books without protest. Madam Bree didn’t have to tell her where to go as she’d been by the library before. Every time Danielle went passed it, she’d try to sneak inside, but it was always locked. Even after sneaking into Madam Bree’s study she tried looking for a key, but with no luck. The books in her arms she had skimmed already and—just like the other books she had found lying around—held no more information that could help her.
As she exited the servant’s hall and made her way down the tunnel, a pair of guards watched her as if waiting to see if she would finally try to run. But Danielle knew better. Though she knew now where the main entrance and exit were located, she also knew that they were heavily guarded. It would be a waste of energy to attempt to get past them.
Coming up to the door of the library, Danielle shifted the books to one arm and knocked twice on the heavy wooden door. She waited and heard footsteps followed by the turn of the lock. The door cracked open and all Danielle could see was an eye staring up at her.
“Yes?” said the figure eyeing her.
“Madam Bree wishes to return these,” Danielle said, holding up the stack.
The eye blinked and then opened the door further. Danielle stepped into the dim-lit library. The room was small but well stocked. Shelves lined every wall, filled completely. Stacks were laid out on tables along with maps and a strange contraption Danielle could only assume was some sort of clock, or maybe a compass. Large, paper lanterns hung together in the center of the domed ceiling where Danielle could see a unique portrait of the night sky.
As she stared upward, Danielle felt something poke her thigh.
“Down here, girl,” said a voice. Danielle looked down and saw a short figure that looked very familiar. He had a bat face with a scrunched nose and flat ears.
“I’ve seen you somewhere,” Danielle blurted, then clamped her mouth shut, remembering Madame Bree’s stern talk with her about making idle conversation with others.
“Aye. From the party a few nights back. I believe you spilled some wine on Lady Gwin’s dress.”
Danielle thought for a moment, then remembered. She recalled him winking at her as he handed her the tray. She also remembered him making the stain on the woman’s dress disappear.
“Oh... yes, that’s right.” Danielle set the books down on the table but didn’t immediately move to leave.
“I am Hydric.” The creature bowed. “Resident bookkeeper and knowledge-holder.” He righted himself and looked up at her as if waiting for some response.
“Oh, I’m Danielle,” Danielle said, caught off guard. None except Prince Morgin had properly introduced themselves to her since she had fallen into the Nightlands and it felt strange to be acknowledged in that way.
Hydric took her hand and shook it. “I must admit this is my first time meeting a human. Quite fascinating for me, really,” he said, releasing her hand. “Perhaps, if it isn’t too much trouble, I could ask you a few things about your world.”
Danielle’s eyes shifted over to the door uncertain.
Hydric caught her gaze.
“Not to worry, you won’t be in any trouble, I’ll say I asked for your service that is all.” Hydric gestured to a chair nearby. Danielle hesitated for a moment, then went to sit down.
Hydric sat down at a chair beside hers. “Forgive me if it is rather forward. I know many here seem to distrust or consider humans weak, strange creatures. But it is my business to think otherwise and learn. Seeing as you are the first human to show up here in five hundred years, I haven’t exactly gotten the chance.”
“It’s fine. What would you like to know?” asked Danielle.
Hydric asked her about the sun and about how things grew. He asked her about the types of creatures dwelling there and about human technology. Each time Danielle answered his beady black eyes grew wider and brighter.
“Fascinating, truly,” he said. “It is a shame we have lost the means to go back there.”
Danielle straightened. “Maybe the way isn’t lost. Maybe there is a way, but it’s just hard to get the key in order to do so.”
Hydric arched a brow at her and Danielle blushed, afraid she said too much, giving her plans away.
“Do you remember how you came here?” Hydric asked.
Danielle looked down and nodded her head. “I found the key in my world and it transported me here.”
Hydric stood up and observed her closely. “Was this key purple and spherical?”
Danielle nodded.
“Morgin’s key,” Hydric whispered in shock. “Dark Gods, they said that it had gone missing, but they never said where. It didn’t use to be a key you know. It was supposed to only be a communicator—”
“Yes, I know.”
Hydric laughed. “And people here think a witch summoned you. Ha!”
Danielle leaned in and looked at Hydric with pleading eyes. “Can I trust you not to tell anyone?”
“On my word, with knowledge comes secrets and I have many that I keep.”
“Then there is more.” Danielle took the key recipe she had hidden in her bra and showed it to Hydric. Hydric took it and unfurled it. “I want to make another key. Or maybe just fix the one that brought me here. It broke when I fell here.”
Hydric eyes went wide. He stumbled back to his chair and plopped down. “Where did you find this?”
“The witch of the swamp gave me a copy. Can you read it? I need to find the items it mentions, but I can’t read it.”
Hydric stared down at the paper, clutching it tightly. “Yes... I know what it says.”
Danielle’s heart leaped. “Please, will you tell me? Will you write it down?” Danielle got up and searched around the tables for paper and something to write with. When Hydric didn’t respond, she glanced at him and froze. “What is it?”
Hydric shook his head. “Getting all these ingredients will be near impossible for you, girl. It might be best to just forget it.” Hydric gave her back the paper and Danielle frowned.
“What are they?”
Hydric glanced at her then stood up, went over to a nearby table and began sifting through papers. “How much to do you know about this world, Danielle?”
Danielle’s brows furrowed. “I know that it’s always night and that the princes rule.”
Hydric shrugged. “Yes... and, currently, no. The princes have been locked away in the palace for a long time. In that time others have claimed the lands of this world.”
“The Night Lords?” Danielle asked.
Hydric nodded. “But now that the princes are freed, and the palace unlocked, they will want to regain their rule. Before they had been locked away, the Night Lords had been their seconds in command. Course now, after so long, they have broken their oaths.”
“I don’t understand. What does this have to do with the items needed to make the key?” Danielle asked, growing a little impatient.
Hydric turned to look at her. “When the princes ruled, Prince Morgin was the most powerful sorcerer in the land. When they’d been shut out from your world, Prince Morgin grew bored and thought to make a device that could at least see into your world, to watch as mere entertainment. Until he realized he could also make it a way to communicate. Funny enough, as you know, it could do much more than that. To make such a device however, he needed more than his own Magik, he needed other’s power.
When Danielle shook her head, not understanding, Hydric continued. “He needed the energies of the most powerful beings in this world. Namely, his brothers.”
Danielle’s heart sank. “The items... they have them?”
Hydric nodded. “Them. And the Night Lords.”
Danielle sank back in her chair.
“Back when Prince Morgin had the power and the station to demand they give up their energies, it was rather easy. But now…” Hydric put out his hands in an apologetic gesture. “The Night Lords would never give up a part of them a second time. And certainly not to a mere mortal as yourself.”
That’s why Sheek said they were almost impossible to acquire, Danielle thought.
Then she remembered the gift Sheek had bestowed on her.
“I... may still find a way. Please, write down the items and the directions and, in return, I’ll give you more information about my world.”
Hydric hesitated for a moment. He searched around again through the stacks of papers and took out a blank sheet along with an ink pen. “It’s your call, girl.” He took the recipe from her again and went over to the table. Danielle got up and stood beside him as he copied out the recipe.
When he was finished, he blew on the paper and gave it to Danielle who took it and stared at each item on the list.
The fire of a devil, the thunder of a dragon, the hair of a beast, the venom of a great serpent. The feather of a nightbird, the scale of a merman, the web of a great spider, the blood of a vampire, and the spike of a horror.
Danielle swallowed hard and tucked the paper into her bra. “Thank you, Hydric.”
The bat bowed again. “Good luck to you. Not all of us hate humans or think ill of them. I truly hope you find your way.”
Danielle gave him a soft smile and turned to head for the door.
“Oh, Danielle,” he called. Danielle looked back and saw him holding up the original copy of the recipe. “May I keep this?”
Danielle nodded. “I’ll write out more about my world for you as promised. When I have the chance.”
Hydric waved a hand. “No need.” He smiled. “This recipe will suffice.”
Chapter 6
In order to go through with her plan, Danielle first needed to find the means to store such items. She wasn’t entirely sure how she was going to contain fire of a devil or thunder of a dragon but, with a little help from Hydric, she learned she could use small vials and have them spelled to contain non-solid elements.
Of course, Danielle didn’t know Magik, but she knew where to find vials. When the servant’s hall was nearly empty, she slipped back into Madam Bree’s study and stole a dozen small vials from her cupboard.
It took some convincing to have Hydric spell them for her. The bat, though curious about her, wasn’t entirely willing to help her with her scheme. It took a drop of her blood and a lock of hair to convince him otherwise.
“Not a peep about this to anyone,” he said one evening. “Or I could lose my head!”
Danielle promised not to. Though she knew Hydric was capable of defending himself, or likely able to disappear out of harm’s way, she couldn’t bear to see him killed for helping her.
When she went to leave the library for the last time, Hydric laid one last spell on the vials, creating a set of thin chains, connecting the vials together into a necklace where they could be hung around the neck; then disguising them to look like dark blue gems in the shape of teardrops.
“Now you can wear them around and no one will think otherwise,” Hydric said. “People tend to steal around here and I’ve heard that Madam Bree doesn’t allow servants to keep personal items in their rooms. Best not let her find them.”
Danielle agreed and thanked him thoroughly. She was also thankful that Hydric didn’t ask her how she planned to take the items she needed from the Night Lords. She had a feeling if she told him, he might not have been as willing to aid her.
***
At moonset Danielle once again was made to serve in the great hall. As she went around picking up trays and handing out mugs, she carefully spied the Night Lords seated on couches around a fire pit, drinking and conversing.
She watched them for most of the night, making sure no one noticed her.
Two out of the three Night Lords had several nightwomen at their side. The twin devils had two each and the snake lord had at least four. Stealing the things she needed from them would obviously be much harder if others were there. If she were to attempt anything, the other servants would quickly tell on her and Madam Bree would punish her. She needed to get them alone.
The wolf lord, she noticed, might be her best chance. Although he had one nightwoman with him in the circle, he seemed almost disinterested or even bored. He got up and looked ready to leave without her.
“Not taking your woman to bed, Grabril?” the red devil asked.
The wolf lord shook his head. “I‘m tired and have a lot of work to finish. I don’t have time to play.”
The red devil laughed. “There always time to play, my friend.”
The wolf lord huffed and the nightwoman pouted prettily before him. “I am weary and have more important things to do,” he said.
The devil shrugged and gestured for the nightwoman to sit in his lap. “I think you’ve just become jaded, Lord Grabril.”
The wolf lord made a gesture of indifference and left them.
Danielle followed him a little way out of the hall, stopping by the door to watch him turn down a tunnel way. She knew where his quarters were kept but was too nervous yet to follow, afraid she would be caught.
