It was bewildering and mysterious, like a crystal formation suddenly manifesting. It just materialized overnight, like magic!
“I am not sure why I was attacked,” she admitted. “But I do have an idea as to what this was about.”
The scroll was the absolute proof that Nixie had been attempting to dominate the kingdom all along, and with the scroll missing, there would no longer be any proof to justify Esme’s story or her father’s.
Sheba eyed the mermaid with great curiosity, wondering just what a mermaid could have that would be so appealing to an eel that it would attack her.
Sheba never could understand the darkness. She’d always wondered why someone would act first to hurt rather than to display acts of kindness or love. She’d always wondered why humans often went for the weak spot first and asked questions later.
Somehow people found the darkness enticing. Why explore someone’s light, fluffy soul when their dark skeleton of a heart is glittering with fiery black embers?
It’s simple! People are attracted to the bad. Evil is the very thing that causes that cog in the brain to twist until the mind explodes with hatred.
Sheba knew better than anyone that the black side of magick and evil in general was the more glamorous than doing good. The good was all righteous and full of virtue—people doing what they were told and suppressing what their lusty, contentious hearts told them to do!
Before Sheba’s transition to good as a goddess, she was a powerful mer-sorceress with the keys to the dark realms in her possession at the tender age of just seventeen. The black forces tempted her as her first love cut her deep in her heart. Sure enough, the darkness came knocking and Sheba answered the call.
She didn’t lack authority and although she wasn’t strictly evil, she wasn’t just a do-gooder either! She kept her enemies in check with a range of black spells. She could recite chants of sordid revenge when lovers went beyond the loyal call of the heart, as many of them did.
Some merfolk thought she was a justice server. She was loyal to the cause and respected the spirits and deities, making sure their needs were taken care of before her own. The spiritual side of life was important to her as the beings who played a part in her spells were so very important to her.
Sheba’s own best friend, Keri, fell prey to evil beings and had betrayed Sheba horribly. She’d make up a fictitious story about Sheba in order to destroy Sheba’s relationship with the love of her life. Sheba went mad with revenge, using her magic to wreak as much havoc as she could behind the scenes.
The hatred that resounded in Sheba was void of love but full of passion. She wanted to see Keri lose everything, and she hoped one day that would come. The notion was enough motivation for her to continue on her path of destruction and power, but she didn’t know that the light was working on conquering her!
After three bitter, painful relationships slowly tore her heart apart, Sheba went back to the ways of light, although the transformation was slow and painful.
Sheba had also gone foul of a wiser witch and had an enchantment placed upon her, causing her to lose her mermaid body and forcing her into this oracle figure. She had to spend her final days bound to these watery walls that surrounded her lagoon as a goddess-like being.
Sheba looked at Esme, feeling an inclination to hug the mermaid. Esme was a bright young thing who still had a good heart and was at the vulnerable age where darkness could indeed damage her very soul.
Sheba could see the potential darkness in Esme. For a girl so young, she was burdened with so much responsibility beset the throes of young love.
It would be so easy for Esme to slip into the dark ways and Sheba could see it.
Sheba tried to lighten the grim smile that was forming across her cheeks. “I see. Well, the darkness wants you, child! You have so much at stake right now. I see that this attack was just the beginning.”
Memories of her own fortress-like existence swarmed her mind, sticking inside her throat like a sweet bonbon that had got jammed in, full of bitterness,
“More will follow,” she whispered, lowering her voice. She glanced around as if looking for some invisible being that may have been listening under the bobbing waves that surrounded the lagoon.
Esme’s eyes darted at Sheba. It sounded like the oracle was suggesting that something else was about to occur, something much bigger than an attack by an angry eel. Something much more like a war.
As Sheba disappeared into the lagoon, her warning surged through Esme’s brain. For many hours, she tried with the greatest difficulty to process it all, sitting there for so long that the sky faded from its beautiful gold into the dark of night.
Esme could only wonder what else could be found in the tranquil waters as she watched night fall on the surface for the very first time.
Everything was still and calm, at least for now. But sooner or later, she’d have to return to the sea.
19
Lazarus stared at the empty bed beside him. Esme had not returned to him after he had left her at her father’s chamber.
He groaned. He knew this would happen.
Esme was drifting more and more from him as time passed. Her distance made him anxious, adding to his already existing fear that swirled up and down inside his stomach, doing somersaults as the acid pulsated from that tiny scrap of food he had eaten the night before.
Lazarus’s loss of appetite wasn’t the only change that occurred as Esme’s absence grew longer. He noticed that her presence was missing more and more, and with that came an incredible set of physical and metaphysical symptoms.
His heart beat with rapid fluttering, slowing down at intervals but moments later speeding up again without cause.
He could feel the anxiety in his bones. It was coursing through him. It filtered through the fragile fragments of his mind.
Something tapped on his stone rock door. The raps sent vibrations throughout Lazarus’s hovel. The sensations grew stronger, sending shivers all around his chest. Sweat dripped down his stomach as he felt a menacing sense of dread.
He inched towards the door, peering through a tiny crack in between the solid, rock boulder that held everything in.
Lazarus took a deep breath and pushed the door aside, revealing a smiling enchantress, dazzling with her bright red hair and black glittering eyes.
“You must be the mysterious Lazarus. Oh, how wonderful it is for us to be acquainted!” She beamed triumphantly, her face glowing with peach hues as she admired Lazarus.
She studied that delightful green fishtail of his. He was tall and well built, and she even found that speckled silver hair of his transfixing.
He had something, some attractiveness, and it was clear to her why Esme had fallen for him and his delicious body.
If only I were still in my prime, she thought. It had been years since she’d had a handsome merman in her grasp. Oh, the fun that she could have with this one! But first she must play her charade. Lure him in, and little by little gain his trust, and lead him in a wicked trap.
Lazarus stood back in awe, beguiled by this magnificent creature standing on his doorstep. No stars could be seen, the light vacant as shades of black dominated her, covering her. Not even her eyes showed a tiny glimpse of color. The only thing that wasn’t black was that hair of hers, standing out in a deep rose-red, cascading all the way down to her bottom.
“I don’t recall us having met before,” he said.
Nixie licked her lips as she chuckled. “Oh, but I’ve met you! In a way,” she said with a wink.
Her charming exterior was far from fading. Nixie’s wonderful glamour showed no signs of diminishing with age as the majestic sorceress twirled her fingers through her hair, smiling flirtatiously at Lazarus. He guessed that this beautiful stranger as a friend of Esme’s. Oh, just how wrong was he!
“You know Esme?” he posed.
Nixie laughed once more. The evil glittered through her eyelids as she studied Lazarus in the flesh. For such a long time she had want
ed to get a close look at this merman, to meet him in person, and now that time had come!
She had wanted it to be sooner, but magic had not allowed it to be so. She had been patient, waiting as Esme’s descriptions of the mighty Lazarus and the chaotic forces of darkness lurked within her murky heart.
But Nixie considered herself to be in control of her own destiny. Yes, she believed in fate and the lore and wonder of magic with ancestors going back to the ancient goddess Yemaya, ruler of the seas. Nixie did as she pleased in the leagues of magic, divining with the ancients and rejoicing in her power.
Lazarus was really in trouble because Nixie’s visit could only spell chaos. If only someone was able to tell the poor merman. Ah, but no such luck was bestowed upon the once merciless Lazarus!
Stupid, gullible man, Nixie thought. What a shortsighted idiot! Of course he would assume I have something to do with Esme. She’s the only creature he thinks about. He’s entwined to her heart, roped in tight with the cords of love! She’s his weakness! And he is hers.
If I take that silly mermaid away or put her in danger, this merman will do anything for her. He won’t want to lose the sweetest thing he’s ever tasted in life! If she was to perish, there is no telling what dismal state he’d end up in.
What a poor soul, feeling all this pain of love, she thought. It won’t take much. All I have to do is threaten her life, make him fear my wrath, and he will do anything I ask him.
Aha! Why didn’t I think of this sooner? All this regal formality standing in my way, blocking me from reaching my true potential—where I was always destined to be!
Silly old Nixie, she cursed to herself.
But then she paused, remembering Lazarus was standing there.
“Oh, I know her,” she answered. “I know your Esme very well!”
Lazarus lit up. His face tingled as if bubbles of happiness had just tumbled upon him. He wasn’t even aware that this feeling was a trick designed to ensnare the merman to his doom.
“Really? Wow! Is it possible for you to take me to her?” he asked.
Nixie thought for a moment. She hadn’t expected Lazarus to be so eager.
What could she do with this latest opportunity? Her plan was working swimmingly. He was hooked on her every word, even appealing to her for help, but he had no inkling as to what was really happening here. Nixie would use that to her advantage.
Nixie placed her fingers below her lip as if in strategic thought. “Well, I might be able to show her to you. I am not sure if my powers can bring her to you or more precisely, to us.” She frowned sagely. “But let us see what can be accomplished with the little means we have!”
Lazarus stayed quiet but his face said it all. Cheery and full of joy. His eyes brightened at the prospect of seeing Esme again. He didn’t suspect a thing.
She held out her right hand in a gesture of friendship, friendly and accommodating, as she willed the merman to take it.
“Come,” she beckoned. “Let’s go to my place where we can have a more intimate chat!”
Lazarus placed his own hand in Nixie’s and before he could change his mind, Nixie held onto it with a firm grip, affixing another false smile on her face as she led him away.
Lazarus happily followed her as Nixie’s graceful tail swished and swayed in the rapid current.
A snide smile reappeared on her face as she took the merman away. She was just biding her time. This merman was falling for her trap now. All she’d have to do is lead him there. And he’d come running with no fear of Nixie or her dark intent.
The smile on Nixie’s face could only mean one thing: Lazarus was about to find himself in a black hole and that hole was about to widen some more! Only time would tell if he would get out of it alive.
20
Esme nursed the throbbing wound on the base of her fishtail as she took yet another rest while she made her way back home.
She gently peeled back layers of scaly skin to reveal a hot, pasty-looking mess swirling with red liquid. She’s already lost a lot of blood and would lose more if she didn’t get herself fixed up. But there was time for that, and she had a more important task to take care of.
The curse! Fighting it and then destroying it, if such a feat could be accomplished. And by golly, Esme was going to try her utmost to do just that!
She swam wearily, wondering how she was going to carry on with her mission.
Sheba had been very resourceful, filling in the blanks to Esme’s predicament, but something was missing. How had the curse originated? How was it activated and how might it be destroyed?
If she was honest, she had to admit that she was lost.
And if she wasn’t careful, she would be dead as well as lost.
Lazarus seated himself in Nixie’s domain. He couldn’t relax despite all her efforts at hospitality.
Nixie lounged by her sphere, her tail hovering below her just above the floor as she stared into that glowing crystal orb. Images of rainbows and tricolor spectrums beyond anyone’s imagination swirled in its center.
Lazarus couldn’t help but peer into it, lured by its color. It hummed like a homing beacon until its screeching and wailing grew louder. It was alive, responding to Nixie’s every action. Lazarus could hear her whispering and could observe from his spot that it was obeying her commands.
Nixie looked up as she realized Lazarus was staring at her from his seaweed chair. She laughed, “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m just getting connected. I might be a little absent in communication while I get this wonderful piece of machinery going.”
“That’s fine,” he answered. “I was just intrigued by all the colors and pictures coming from it. I’ve never seen such an object!”
In his childhood, the only magic tools he witnessed were sacrificial altars stained with the blood of merman and mermaids and etched with sacred symbols.
Nixie ignored him, maintaining her concentration.
Lazarus was abuzz with questions. He had once been linked to magic, and magic had always been a part of him, but the mystery remained: why wasn’t magic present in his life anymore? Lazarus clearly wasn’t telling, but his own treasure chest was filled with ghastly secrets that no earthly soul would want to uncover. If only they knew.
“That’s magic, is it not?” he said.
Nixie didn’t look up but she had heard him.
Oh yes, my dear, that’s magic, alright—not that it’s any of your business, she thought.
Nixie didn’t know too much about Lazarus yet, but already she could sense he had strong interest in her ways, that the power she wielded wasn’t completely unknown to him. She felt a little intimidated by that. She hadn’t expected her unsuspecting visitor to be so full of otherworldly knowledge, but she continued working away at that ball of hers, ignoring Lazarus’s piquing interest.
He persevered, noting her ignorance.
Rancid, tempestuous witch, he thought, being careful to not allow words to escape from his lips.
If she had heard him, she would have been snarling by now, meeting him with a ferocious glaring stare to match it!
“The crystal, is it magic?” Lazarus ventured.
He sat across from her on the other side of the room, but despite the distance that lay between them, Lazarus was still able to see everything that moved or swam from Nixie’s end.
Nixie looked up, trying not to show her irritation as Lazarus pried into her affairs.
That curious merman is going to get himself killed one of these days with a nose like his always probing into things, she thought.
“Yes, it is,” she bit out as a vacant yet irritated look flashed across her face. “It only responds to me,” she said quickly, hoping that would end of Lazarus’s questions.
“How interesting!” he remarked. “I am sorry to pry, but will this wondrous device tell us where Esme is to be found?”
He was banking on hope with this one. He didn’t know enough about the crystal sphere that lay in front of him. All Lazarus knew was that it posse
ssed magic and that would be enough for him to find Esme, and if he had the will, to drag her home, forcing her to stay there. Forever.
“It may be able to give us an insight,” Nixie said, frustrated that Lazarus had made her lose her concentration.
The ball now showed a pasty, dull gray, almost matching Lazarus’s hair, something Nixie found amusing since she believed he had caused this error.
The colors inside the sphere faded away. Nixie’s hands felt heavy and lifeless as they clutched the sphere, trying to revive the visual images once more.
21
Esme watched the waves sweep up against the riverbank as she thought about her predicament.
She rested on a marble rock situated in the middle of a wide, open river. She would have carried on with her dangerous mission to get home, but since the attack by the eels, she’d had to keep stopping during her to journey to rest her fins awhile.
One might pose the query as to why Esme had not returned to the ocean floor but the mermaid was keeping to herself.
She had not mentioned any of this to Lazarus. She was hiding so much from him, it was almost like she was betraying aspects of herself.
Esme’s adventure was not discussed before she went gallivanting through the ocean, and for good reason. She suspected the merman had reservations about her seeking out such a quest. He was possessive with her and tried his utmost to keep her on a tight leash. Nonetheless, Esme had gone scampering off on her own.
When he had left her at her father’s chamber, he had assumed she would be returning home. He had thought nothing more of it except that her vacant bed continued to lie empty, and he was beginning to become concerned.
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