The Bewitched Box Set

by W. J. May

  “Shh... Karis I don’t have long. If the council finds out I’m here, it will mean certain death. Things have changed in Shamike. Your necklace is a way for me to communicate with you, but you must use your powers to receive the message. Your father had it enchanted to respond to your inner energy, and since I'm still linked to you, I’m able to encrypt messages to you through that channel. You have to have Brady around you in order for your powers to harness enough power to talk with me this way.”

  She stood straighter and wiped her tears away. “I don’t understand. How do you know about him? Why tell me now after all this time? I almost went insane by myself.”

  “I tried. That thing doesn’t hum or heat up for no reason. Today I attempted to communicate the hardest. The harder I try, the more the pendant should react in your presence.”

  She hung her head to the side. “That explains why it almost burned me.”

  He nodded. “I think I understand why it worked now and not before. A long time ago, things were set in play that I don’t have time to explain, but I believe that because of that you need Brady to fully use your powers.

  “Brady is strong, and you have changed him. He isn’t mortal, he never has been, but even you know certain things can kill an immortal. I found a way to open the barrier long enough for him to slip through without certain death. In a way, you can say I sent him to you. You’ll need him. Don’t give up. We need you.” He hesitated. “One more thing, he doesn’t know anything about his heritage. His whole life is a secret that he won’t remember.” His body began to flicker and fade as he fought to stay with her.

  Karis shook her head. “Don’t leave.”

  “I must. It’s already been too long. There are some who want this necklace. It’s extremely powerful, be careful of who you trust with it. I have passed on our link to someone trustworthy in case something happens to me. Just wait for your message. You are never alone, Karis.” He hugged her once more, and then he was gone.

  Karis wrapped her arms around herself, feeling more alone than ever. After collecting herself, she used her power to sense her pendants energy. She found it in the small creek that ran down the mountain and placed it back around her neck.

  “I wasn’t sure I’d find you.”

  She twisted and spotted Brady leaning against a tree. “It’s not like I can leave,” she said dryly.

  “There’s another boat. Will the same thing happen?”

  She nodded and started walking back to the house without speaking.

  “Wait up.” He jogged to catch up with her. “Will you watch with me?”

  She raised her eyebrow. “You want me to watch someone die because of me, again?”

  “I have to see it again. This is a lot to take in. You have to understand that.”

  “Oh, I understand, more than you know.”

  He touched her shoulder. “So you’ll watch with me, right?”

  She slowed down. “Yeah, I try to watch all the boats, in case someone survives.”

  He paused for a moment and stared after her. “Am I the first one to survive?”

  She glanced over her shoulder. “Other than me? Yes. But I told you why.”

  He picked up his pace again, catching up to her in three long strides. “About this morning. You touched my rib, and it hurt like hell, but then all the pain was gone. Was that real?”

  Karis sighed heavily. “Yes. I can heal almost anything if it’s not too late.”

  They made it to the top of the knoll that overlooked the sea. A large white, private boat floated on the gray water. The sun began to set, filling the sky with deep reds. A foreboding for the sailors on the ocean.

  Brady sat next to her as she stared out across the ageless sea. He watched; she closed her eyes and almost at the same time the waters opened up and swallowed the boat. As if on cue with the setting sun, the world around them became dark.

  Chapter Four

  “What is that?”

  Karis looked up from the fire with a scowl. “Dinner. What did you think it was?”

  “Oh no, I’m not eating that, that thing.” Brady pointed at the sea urchin she held in her hands.

  She let her shoulders droop. “We don’t eat the whole thing, just this part.” She dangled a small portion of it with her fingers.

  “Oh hell no!” He held his hands up. “I won’t eat Rocky Mountain Oysters, what makes you think I’d eat them off a sea creature.” He placed a hand over his mouth. “I think I’m gonna be sick.”

  She laughed. It never crossed her mind that eating that part of the urchin would be distasteful to him. She’d eaten them for so long it was like second nature.

  Karis shrugged. “We could go fishing if you prefer?”

  “Yes, I prefer.” He glanced at the urchin one more time and cringed. “Can you please just toss it out or something? I can’t believe you eat those.”

  Karis rolled her eyes at him. “For such a strong guy, you’re sure weak.” She picked up the basket of urchins and laid them aside. “So are you fishing or am I?”

  He grabbed the fishing basket and started down the trail. “I think I can figure it out.”

  “Wait for me.” She got up and ran after him.

  They sat in Karis’s favorite spot in the cove and watched as the gentle waves rolled in.

  “So, this other world of yours; what’s it like? Assuming I believe it.”

  She gave him a small grin. “It’s much like Earth, except we’re immortal. All of us from other worlds have a power and some have many. Just like Earth, we have buildings, vehicles for transportation, homes.”

  “Kinda like flying hoverboards?”

  She chuckled. “No. Our cars are like your cars, but they require a distinctive energy to run on. And we don’t need keys. Each car has a numeric password that starts the engine.”

  “Really? So no keys to a Chevy, no clutch or dusty back roads?”

  “Nope, no keys, and I’m not sure what a Chevy or a clutch is, so I’ll say no.”

  “Seriously? That seems like a waste.”

  Karis stared at him. His clean shirt fit tight across his chest and arms. She blushed when she realized she was openly gawking at him and turned away. “Why is it a waste?”

  He scoffed. “I got a sweet truck back home. If we ever leave this island, I’ll show you.”

  She gave him a bitter smile. “That’ll never happen.”

  “Then I guess you don’t need to worry about it.”

  She tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “Yesterday, when you told me about you and your friend, and how you fight underground, can you tell me more?”

  “Sure. What do you want to know?”

  “I don’t know. I mean, why do you fight? Do you get hurt?”

  Brady gave a small chortle. “For real? Okay, well, I started fighting when I was small. My old man was kinda pushy and started me in private fights they held inside the old barn. He said I needed to learn how to defend myself. He trained with me every day. I just never stopped.”

  She felt a twang in her heart for him. “What about getting hurt? Doesn’t that scare you?”

  He gave a half smile. “Naw. I mean when I was ten it did a little, but after a while the fear went away. Now I just get pissed when someone gets a good hit in.”

  Karis tried picturing him in a fight, but cringed at the thought of him being hit. “What about your scar? How did you get it?”

  “This?” He pointed under his eye.

  “Yeah.” She stared at the small jagged scar as if to paint it into her memory.

  “There was a fight in Las Vegas. The guy was mad as hell that I beat him. After the match and the money had been collected, he came after me. I didn’t see him til he slammed a beer bottle in my face.” He chuckled. “But like I said, I get pissed when someone gets a good one on me.”

  She leaned in closer to him. “What did you do?”

  “I made sure he never fights again. I broke his hands, nose, ribs, whatever cracked under
my anger.” He looked away.

  She couldn’t imagine that kind of aggression coming from anyone. “Did you...” She wasn’t sure how to finish her question.

  He tensed up. “Did I kill him? No. And after that, I watched how angry I got with people. I fight for a living, but I’m not a killer, and don’t want to be.” He emphasized the last part, making his point.

  “I’m sure he’s on some island right now telling the exact same story to some other girl.” She smiled and tried to lighten the mood.

  “Ha! I bet his girl ain’t as pretty as mine.”

  She blushed. She hadn’t been called anything in so long that she forgot how it affected her. “I bet she doesn’t have healing powers either.”

  He winked at her and let out a sigh. “I wonder if they think I’m dead.”

  “I don’t know, but eventually they will.”

  “I honestly thought I’d get more out of my life. You know?”

  She couldn’t help but laugh. “I know. Trust me, I know. I was supposed to lead my people, but instead I got banished.”

  “Lead your people?”

  She chewed on her bottom lip.

  “What are you not telling me? Seriously, if you want me to believe you, the truth matters.”

  “I was the Princess. My father, the King, died, and since I wasn’t married our law states that Shamike will be ruled by my closest cousin.”

  “Ouch. And this cousin, this is the King they think you tried to kill?”

  She nodded. “Only it wasn’t me. Marin set me up. He has dark powers and wants to rule. He used me to get close to the royal family, and then when his plan to kill the King, my cousin, failed, he set me up to take the fall. I just know it was him. I think he hated being the son of a handmaid with no father.”

  “Why didn’t anyone believe you?”

  “Oh, plenty believed me, but not enough of the council. I still have faithful supporters who wait for me and believe me to be the true Queen of Shamike.”

  “Wow, not only am I stranded on a cursed island, but I’m also with royalty, and one who does magic. Are you sure I’m not in a coma dreaming this?”

  She shook her head. “I promise you’re not. I saved you, but I’m still not sure at what cost. So a coma is definitely something you won’t have to worry about.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “When I used my powers to keep you alive...” She waved him off. “Long story, but anyway, a light flashed and a surge of energy flew out from between my hands and your chest.”

  “All the trees around the plane?”

  She glanced at him. “Yes.”

  “Okay, well, what do you think happened?”

  She swallowed and began to bring up the basket from the water.

  He placed his hand on hers, making her stop. “Karis.” His voice was serious and deep.

  “I might have changed you.”

  He cocked his head. “What do you mean changed me?”

  “Awakened your dormant abilities. Tarine believes your family line comes from another world. He thinks you’re immortal as well.”

  “Holy shit.” He sat back down hard on the rock. “Is that why I feel so alive, so energized?”

  She chewed on the inside of her cheek and nodded.

  “That’s freaking awesome!”

  She snapped her head at him. “What?”

  “Well, yeah. I mean how many fights can I get into and not have to worry about dying? That’s tight.”

  “How old are you?” she chided him. “You discover that you could be immortal, and all you can think of is fighting? You’re not scared or freaked out?”

  He grinned at her. “Hey, I am probably older than you. And I’m a fighter, remember? I eat, sleep, dream, and breathe fighting.”

  She let out a short sigh of relief. “Yeah, I get that.”

  “At any rate, I’m immortal. Really? You’re not joshing me are you?”

  “Joshing you?”

  He stood up and held his hand out for her to take. “Never mind. Come on, let’s take a walk.”

  “A walk? What about dinner?”

  “I’m not hungry right now, and besides, it’ll be here when we get back. It’s not like anyone’s gonna steal it. I just have so much adrenaline flowing through me right now that I can’t sit still.”

  She took his hand. “Okay. Where to?”

  “There’s a little beach I know of. And from what I hear, it’s pretty secluded.”

  She chuckled. “Well then, lead the way.”

  Karis tossed and turned in bed. Her nightgown twisted around her legs, and she fought the dream that ensnared her in sleep. She’d had the same nightmare for the past week. Familiar faces filled her mind. One of them she knew all too well—Marin. He was planning an attack, but this time was different. In the background, she could see Tarine and others crying out for her to help.

  Her breathing quickened. Marin wanted to kill her people. But why? She wanted to save them, but was trapped on an island.

  She woke and sat up in bed. Her pendant hummed loudly, and the heat radiating off it burned her skin. “Tarine,” she whispered.

  How was she supposed to communicate with him? She knew something wasn’t right back home, and he was trying to send her a message through her necklace.

  She let out deep, calming breaths, attempting to slow her heart.

  “You okay?”

  Under the glow of the moonlight, she could see Brady sitting up on his side of the bed. She didn’t have a spare net, and sleeping without one would be painful with all the small critters that ate away at flesh. Immortal or not, it would be excruciating.

  “Um, I think so. Just a bad dream.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Yeah, go back to sleep. I might go get some fresh air.” She threw back the net that surrounded them and slipped out of bed.

  “I can go with you.” He moved to get up also.

  “No, it’s okay. I’ve been here this long by myself. I think I’ll be alright tonight.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  She smiled at him and closed the netting around the bed, then shook her head. It was strange to have another person in her home, especially a man. A man who was in her bed nonetheless.

  Once outside, Karis took off her pendant and held it in her hand. She stared at it, willing it to show her some marvelous message. She didn’t know how she was supposed to use the necklace, and wished her father would have told her about its power when he gave it to her.

  She cleared her mind as much as she could. “Tarine, I am here.”

  The necklace heated up against her palm. It worked. He heard her, she knew it deep down.

  “Tarine, what is your message?” She was convinced there wasn’t a lot of time left to receive whatever it was.

  Nothing. Ugh. She raised her head to the starry night sky. “Please tell me how to use it.” What did he say she needed to do in order to speak with him? She couldn’t remember.

  “Maybe I can help?”

  She spun around to Brady standing behind her with his shirt off, showing his well-muscled torso. Her mouth hung open.

  She hesitated. “I’m sorry, did I keep you up?”

  He shook his head minutely. “Naw. I had a strange dream that I can’t explain and was awake before you woke from yours.”

  She opened her hand and showed him her necklace. “Somehow this pendant is supposed to help me communicate with Tarine, my father’s Constable. I just recently learned this, but haven’t a clue how to do it. It heats up when he is trying to tell me something. It’s hard to explain.” She looked back down at her hand.

  “Well, you said everything in your world takes power to operate. Would this be any different?”

  “It does take power, and I’ve tried.” She let out a deep sigh. “He came here, when I was on the top ridge, without the council knowing. He told me you were here for a reason, that I changed you, and not to give up.”

  “When did your necklace start
heating up?”

  “When you crashed here...” Her voice trailed off and she became lost in thought. “You.” That was it. Tarine said she needed him. Hope filled her.

  He shrugged. “I don’t know, but you said I’m here for a reason, and it didn’t start till you healed me.”

  “It can’t hurt to try. Come here.” She reached out and took his hand before he could object.

  Tingles of energy raced through her hand. She looked into his eyes and could tell he felt it to. “Ready?” She closed her eyes and focused. “Tarine, we are here. What is your message?”

  “Open your eyes, Karis,” Brady whispered.

  She peeked at him. His face went pale, and his eyes widened. She followed his stare and gasped. The pendant began to glow red and a faint voice began to speak in the air around them.

  “You have figured it out. I am proud of you both. Brady, I know this must be difficult for you to understand, but trust me when I say you were in this long before you were born. Your family lineage originates from Aridam. That is why when Karis healed you, it awakened your inner energy. I don’t have time to go into detail right now, but know that you are a true fighter. A warrior, a protector.”

  Brady looked at Karis and grinned, all fear washed from his face save for a small glimmer of doubt that shimmered in his eyes. “I told you I was a fighter.”

  “Shh,” she scolded and returned her attention back to her necklace.

  “Karis, you are the rightful ruler of Shamike, and there are many of us willing to fight and die if necessary to bring you back. Marin has threatened all the common citizens of Shamike. Everyone in the city is scared to go against him for fear of dying. The Lord is under the belief that there's an immortal without royal blood who will overthrow him. I personally think something else is going on, but haven’t been able to find out.”

  Karis’s breath caught in her throat. The Lord? Didn’t he mean the King? “I have to help them. My people need me.” She squeezed Brady’s hand.

  The pendant stopped humming, and the glow disappeared. “That was the freakiest thing I’ve ever done sober.” Brady blinked and stared at the necklace she still held in her other hand.

  She shook her head. “Brady, this changes everything for me. I need to get home.”