Rise of the Goddess (****All proceeds from the Rise of the Goddess anthology will go to benefit the Elliott Public Library**** Book 1)

by Catherine Stovall

  I could see he had this all planned out."Why would you care about the humans?” I wanted to add that humans reproduced fast enough that they could be replaced, but I refrained.

  "They are living beings and not involved in all of this. I do not wish to take the lives of the innocent." He looked at me as if he was trying to figure me out.

  "If they get in my way, I will not stay my hand. I will kill Diokles, no matter what," I told him.

  "I would expect nothing less. I would like to avoid it if we can is all. Take my blood now, so that you can get comfortable with your gained power and so I have a few hours to recover."

  That gave me pause. The only times I had consumed blood was during the act of love. I did not want to do that with him. Something held me back; I could see in his eyes that he understood my hesitation.

  "Just take it from my neck; we will not do the act. This is neither the time nor place for it," he said, leaning before me and tilting his head to the side giving me access.

  I licked my lips, a feral urge roared to the surface of my consciousness as he offered himself to me. My fangs itched to sink into his skin. I knew that his flesh would be hot to the touch. With no more hesitation I ran my fingers along his cheek and held his head. I lowered my mouth to his neck, the scent of smoke and ash filled my lungs. He hummed with power. Then I slid my fangs into his heated skin and his rich smoky blood filled my mouth. It tasted like nothing I had consumed before. With each swallow, I felt his power flow through me. It started within my gut and spread outward.

  After I'd had my fill, I licked the wounds and sealed them closed. Then I stepped back and broke the contact. His eyes and hands were glowing with blue hellfire. He had a dazed look upon his face. I looked around. Everything seemed brighter and more detailed. Everyone around me moved slower—even the birds up above. I could make out their beady black eyes.

  Fire raced through my body and I collapsed. His power and mine combined in me, leaving me unable to move. I wanted to scream, but could make no sound. He kneeled next to me with a look of concern. His lips were moving, but I could not hear him over the rushing sound in my head. This lasted for I don't know how long, but when it was over, I lay on the deck of the boat trying to catch my breath. Alkaios was holding me.

  "Can you hear me now?" he asked, his voice strained.

  I couldn't speak yet but was able to nod my head.

  "I did not know it would harm you. I truly am sorry for causing you discomfort." His eyes held regret.

  I managed to whisper, "You couldn't have known."

  The regret did not leave his eyes. "How may I help?"

  "Just let me lie here," I said, my voice still a whisper.

  He sat with my head on his leg and closed his eyes. I let the boat rock me into a slumber as my body adjusted to the new power I had received.

  Chapter Three

  I woke to see the sky beginning to lighten from the dawn. I felt a warm body pressed up against mine and a blanket draped over me. From his scent, I could tell it was Alkaios. My sword had been removed but was within my reach. I moved my limbs feeling different, almost lighter.

  "How are you feeling," Alkaios asked me in a sleep-ridden voice.

  "Strange," was the only way I could explain it.

  I stood and almost fell over because my muscles overreacted, but Alkaios steadied me.

  "Easy there. You might want to move a little slower until you get used to this." He chuckled.

  "I think you may be right." I looked out on the horizon and recognized the city of Pompeii in the distance. I closed my eyes, and I could feel the sickness that was Diokles. He was definitely there. Excitement, dread and a sliver of fear ran through my mind. I breathed in the salty sea air, letting it out slowly to calm myself.

  Alkaios handed me my weapon. "We will arrive shortly."

  "He's there. I can feel him. He's angry, and I think he is a little scared. I've never felt that emotion from him," I said, analyzing what I was getting. The fear was not coming from me.

  "He should be scared. This is what he has feared since the day he realized you were not under his control. His plan had failed; he created the thing that would destroy him. This moment is why he has tried so hard to kill you."

  "What do you mean," I asked.

  "There was a prophecy given by an oracle not long after you were created. From what I understand, it stated that his creation would be his demise."

  "No one ever told me," I said in wonder.

  "This bred fear among our kind. In their minds, if you could kill such a powerful being as him, then you could destroy any of them. This is why they fear you."

  "You don't fear me?"

  "I have been watching you over the years. You have a lot of your mother's goodness. Look at the humans around you. They are of no real use to you, and still you treat their illnesses. You look after them."

  "They make my life comfortable," I said not understanding his meaning.

  "You treat them well when you do not have to."

  I still didn't understand what he was trying to say. I took care of them so they would be around to do my bidding, not because I had feelings for them.

  "I see you do not comprehend your own actions. I believe some day you will."

  "When we land, will we go straight up Mount Vesuvius?" I changed the subject.

  "Yes, I want to draw them out of the city. If you are able to feel Diokles, then they are aware of our presence."

  "Won't they attack us as soon as we step foot on land?"

  "They will wait to see if we come to them." His confidence was unwavering.

  "You seem to know both of them very well."

  "Yes, I knew Diokles for a long time. He was not always evil. When his mate was brutally murdered, she took every ounce of goodness he possessed with her. Since then, he has reveled in torture and chaos. He has become disturbed and a danger to all of our kind. Palden has joined his plight, I know not why. I am thinking that he spoke to the side of her that seeks to gain power. She has always been greedy in that respect."

  "The hellhounds and the fae aren't the only ones that sent you to me then."

  "No," he said.

  "They figured that if I got killed trying, then it would be no loss and they could just blame me if I failed. If I succeed they will be safe." I suddenly felt ill.

  "Some of them, I don't agree. Remember, I will be with you the whole time. Your fate and mine are the same," he said, reminding me that he was not among the ones that thought of me as a threat. I still didn't understand that, but I was done questioning it.

  As we approached the dock, the waves of emotions coming off of Diokles grew stronger. His fear was making me feel euphoric. If he dreaded me this much, that meant I was going to be victorious. I ran my tongue along my fangs and felt their sharp edges. The power within me balanced as I got used to holding onto the energy of a hellhound.

  "What is that wicked smile on your face for," Alkaios asked.

  "He's scared and knows we are here. I can taste his fear." my voice came out in a feral growl.

  He laughed, "Good! Your eyes, they are black and yet sparkle with color all at once—it's amazing."

  "I've heard before that they change with my moods. I have never heard of them being black before."

  "Must be the, ‘I’m about to smite Diokles’ look. It’s a good look for you, too bad you can only kill him once.” His own eyes glittered with anticipation.

  The boat docked and I took a deep breath. I could smell the people intermixed with the hellhound and vampire. My mouth watered at the thought of the blood of the latter two.

  The sun was just going down in the eastern sky as we stepped off the boat. It was just another day to the people of Pompeii. Not to us though. People were going to die. The death I was about to hand out must have been coming off me in waves, because people got out of our path as we made our way through the city.

  Alkaios walked on my right and stayed silent as we went up to the base of Mount Vesuvi
us. No humans followed us, nor were there any around. We waited. No matter how scared Diokles was, I knew he could not let me enter the city without confronting me. It wasn't in his nature to let something like that go.

  We did not have long to wait, the sun had gone down and little light remained in the sky when Diokles and Palden approached. I pulled the sword from its sheath. Even though I'd never used it, I knew I would be able to. It was enchanted for use by only me. If my mother's people gifted it to me, that meant I was the only one that would be able to wield it. I felt Diokles and Palden's fear. It calmed me knowing I would be victorious.

  "Daughter, you have finally come to face me," Diokles said with false bravado.

  "No, I came to kill you," I corrected him.

  "How does one such as you think you will manage that with such a tiny sword?" Palden's sultry voice made my skin crawl. I glanced at her. Her eyes were not blue like the other hellhounds I’d met, but glowed with yellow flame. I instantly knew that I could kill her with little effort. This feeling was new to me and it almost gave me pause. I shook off the sensation and concentrated on what was before me.

  "I will just have to show you," I said with a smirk. I could feel Alkaios beside me, the power between us growing.

  "I am here to inform you, Palden, that you are no longer master of the hellhounds. You can leave quietly or die," Alkaios said.

  "I see you have a lapdog, Kalypso," Diokles said ignoring Alkaios's words.

  "Think or say what you like. I do not care. I came to kill you, and I shall do that now," I said, rushing him with my sword. I held back, not using the extra power that Alkaios had given me.

  He blocked my attack, grabbed my arm, and then threw me. I flew through the air, twisting and landing on my feet, kicking up dirt. With one knee and hand on the ground I looked up and grinned at Diokles. We were just getting started. I was just beginning to get a feel for his fighting style. He came at me, claws out, eyes red and fangs showing. I quickly leapt out of the way, managing to slice into him with the sword. Not a killing blow, but his blood spilt onto the ground.

  We were fighting on an incline and he had the upper ground. He swung at my throat. I leaned away and almost fell. I caught my balance and swung the sword at him. He knocked it out of my hands, sending it flying as I rolled away from him.

  The rage built. I would not lose. He would meet his demise this day. Power surged through me, and I knew it was time to unleash the full fury of my abilities. When he leapt at me, I put my hands out. Energy, like wind, exploded from my fingertips, knocking him to the ground. I moved on instinct, and before he could recover, I gathered up the power within me, pushing every ounce of rage out of my body. The force detonated in light and blinded me. I screamed in frenzied pain.

  Then everything went black.

  Chapter Four

  Awareness slowly came back to me. I couldn't open my eyes, but I knew I was inside a building. I breathed in deeply and could smell Alkaios nearby.

  "Good, you are waking, I was beginning to worry." His voice traveled over me like a warm blanket. Strangely, I felt safe.

  I blinked my eyes and found the room lit by a few candles. He lifted my head and pressed a cup to my lips. I knew it was Faerie Wine as soon as it touched my tongue. I looked up into his warm blue eyes as I swallowed.

  "You have been asleep for over a week. I thought I was going to lose you there for a while," he said.

  "What," my voice came out scratchy, and my throat felt like it was on fire even after swallowing the wine.

  "You turned Diokles into dust. I beheaded Palden moments before and turned around just in time to see it happen. Then the earth started shaking. As near as I can tell, whatever you did woke the sleeping mountain. Now the city of Pompeii, the surrounding area and all the people are buried under ash and stone."

  I blinked, trying to take it all in as I swallowed again. "He is dead then," I asked.

  Alkaios laughed. "Yes, he and Palden are both dead. Our pact is complete."

  With those words I went back to sleep. When I woke again, I felt stronger and was able to sit up. I glanced around the room. It was a luxurious, gold and colorful stones covered the walls. The room sparkled in the candlelight. My sword was on a table within reach. The bed was so large, I felt lost in it. I tried to stand and fell back over. I was just about to do it again when the door opened.

  "Would you like some help," Alkaios said.

  "I can do it. I just need a moment," I said, irritated.

  "I brought you some more Faerie Wine." He handed me a goblet.

  My hand shook as I drank. The sweet liquid felt good as it strengthened me. I was of the high fae so the wine did not get me addle-headed like most creatures. I was about to stand up and leave, but sat back down hard.

  Where would I go?

  The realization that all that I had been fighting for throughout my life was over. Diokles was dead. I was safe. Now what did I do?

  "I have another proposition for you," Alkaios said.

  In a daze, I asked, "What, is it?"

  "Now that Diokles is dead, I am thinking that you have nothing pressing. How would you like to work for me as an enforcer?"

  What he asked forced my attention to focus. "What?"

  "I am offering you a position as an enforcer. You will perform only those assignments that you desire and you will be well compensated. You can leave at anytime. The only stipulation I have is that we agree, as long as you work for me we do not war against each other."

  I was speechless. Had he read my mind? I didn't think that hellhounds had that ability. Maybe he just knew. It didn't matter; this was something that would give me purpose. It would keep me from being bored.

  I looked at him, "That is a good proposition."

  "I thought you might like it. The question is: are you going to accept it?"

  Without a second thought, I answered, "With the understanding that I may leave at any time without any questions. Plus, I only have to do the assignments I desire."

  "It is as you wish."

  "Then we are in agreement."

  "Very good. I will have your first assignment when you are well." He stood and left.

  For the next millennium, I worked for Alkaios when the mood struck me. It wasn't until years later that the thoughts of what I had done and the lives I'd taken started to weigh on me. That day I had not only killed Diokles, but had been responsible for the deaths of an estimated sixteen thousand innocent people. I was sure the body count was higher, but I would never know for sure.

  Falling for You

  Cecilia Clark

  *This story contains UK English*

  She knew who she was as soon as her foot touched the grass. Holding out her arms, she admired their smooth slimness and wriggled her fingers experimentally. A smile moved her lips and she took a moment to ponder the effect, touching her face with her fingertips to feel the wholeness. The air lifted the silken strands of her hair, and she tilted her chin to let it slide across her cheek, closing her eyes to fully experience the soft caress. Long lashes swept up over eyes alight with an inner glow of life and energy. It had been a very long time since she had been corporeal.

  “There is not enough time to admire his handiwork, but he certainly has a good imagination.” She enjoyed the timbre of her own voice and the vibrations of the sound through her throat.

  She tilted her head to listen to the sounds in the new era, and a frown touched her unlined brow. “What an interesting time we have come to, all that buzz and hum and the aromas are so,” she sought a modern word, “… pungent.” She sniffed with her neat symmetrical nose and wrinkled it a little.

  “A great deal of death and decay here, and more if I don’t do something with this man.”

  She moved into the alley using the patches of grass, which sprang up to cushion her bare feet, between the shards of glass and broken detritus. She surveyed the crumpled man on the pile of old furnishings and split garbage bags. He was more bruise than not and his
arms looked out of place. The bend in his legs boded ill and the blood oozing down the dark plastic into a pool on the greasy concrete ticked time more reliably than an hourglass.

  She knelt beside him and ran a cool elegant hand across his cheek, “You called and I came.”

  One swollen eyelid cracked open a mere sliver and she could see the glistening orb beneath.

  “Who?” the sound managed to force its way out of his puffed lips along with red spittle.

  “It doesn’t matter who I am, it matters who you are.” She smiled at him and his sight focused on her lips for the length of one breath before a groan of pain burst from him. Liquid trickled down his cheek from the one partially open eye. She touched it in wonder and tasted the liquid on her finger with the tip of her pink tongue.

  “You’ll do. Look at me now.” She put her cool hands on either side of his battered face, pried open the sealed lid of the second eye, and held his head as still leaned her forehead on his. His protests of pain ignored, she held him fast in a pair of surprisingly strong hands.

  “Look at me now,” she ordered in a voice he had no will to resist.

  He looked into her eyes and could not look away, even if he had been physically capable. His mind exploded into a kaleidoscope of images in high-definition, digital clarity. Every moment of his life crashed into his awareness, screaming at him for attention. Every embarrassment, every humiliation, every grief and poor choice, every cruelty, every lie, every small and insignificant negative action spun through his mind in overwhelming colour and sound. The pain in his body receded from his awareness to the maelstrom of moments vying for his focus. His heart raced madly, sweat slicked his skin, shudders ran down his nerves and he cringed from the onslaught of actions and inactions lived in an instant of though for the first time.

  He wrenched his gaze from hers, panting with effort. “No more,” he somehow managed to croak from the extreme of his mental distress.