Her sanctuary was no sanctuary from him.
In an attempt to take her troubling thoughts from Fredrico and everything that had happened, she walked back into the bathroom to study her face, but her soul didn’t reappear, no matter how hard she tried to focus. Giving up, she retreated to the window seat and looked out into the dark night.
Only now the night wasn’t deserted. Down in the courtyard below she saw shapes moving, twisted and visible even in the dark. Demons walked past the window, their great torsos gleaming.
One of the demons turned to look directly at her and she felt the tug of recognition. Ethmor smiled and it almost horrified her to find that instead of revulsion she felt kinship.
Damn it! Pushing away from the window, she strode to the bed. Grabbing the nightgown from beneath the pillow, she shrugged into it and slid between the sheets. Lying down she closed her eyes, sure she wouldn’t be able to sleep, but as the lights dimmed and flicked out automatically she slid into slumber.
~ * ~
Inner Sanctuary
Spirit Plane
White parted, tendrils drifting soft as gossamer, insubstantial but there nevertheless. Water tinkled from the fountain, and peace filled the space.
::Rani.:: Her name was spoken softly.
Rani looked up at the woman standing before her, her gown the same midnight blue, her hair as white as snow, her skin as clear as running water. Her eyes were as dark as space, and within them glittered millions of stars, both falling and rising, both steady and flickering.
She reached out her hand and Rani unquestioningly placed her palm in hers. The woman raised her from her kneeling position.
This had all happened before, in exactly the same sequence.
::And it will happen again:: the woman said. ::I will always be here when you need me, child.::
::Who are you really?::
She smiled. ::I am me, you are you.::
::I am me. But I’m not complete, am I?::
The star-filled eyes were full of wisdom and compassion. ::You are made of many things. You have the blood of the Reeka in you, the smoke of the demon, and the touch of evil::
::No hope, then.::
Lifting her arm, the woman cupped Rani’s chin and tilted her head back to gaze into her eyes. A shooting star soared across her fathomless eyes. ::And you have a streak of me in you.::
Warmth flooded Rani. ::My only saving grace.::
::You have much work ahead of you.:: Linking her arm through Rani’s, the woman turned and walked across the space. Flowers bloomed in her footsteps. ::Hard work. Distasteful work. Work which you and those tied to you need to do to save thousands.::
Cuddling closer to the warmth of the woman, drawing comfort from her presence as she would a child from her mother, Rani walked beside her. ::I know. I finally understand.::
They walked in companionable silence, passing one fountain and then another, each appearing from the gardens, flowers blooming in the whiteness, the space around them infinite.
::Your sister is safe:: The woman spoke gently. ::Your ties must be cut.::
Pain filled Rani. ::I know. As long as she thinks I am alive, she will look for me.::
::Yes. Even now her soul reaches for you, your blood ties strong. We cannot keep her asleep forever. Ceri’s pathway is not beside you.:: Stopping, she turned to face Rani and laid one hand gently on her cheek. ::The time has come to release her, Rani.::
It hurt so badly and the pain of it would have brought her to her knees, but violet washed through her, filling her with warmth and love, supporting her, and she took a deep breath and nodded. :: Let’s do it.::
~ * ~
Sounds, the murmur of male voices, and a soft female voice whispering from all around.
Ceri drifted through the fog, searching, trying to find a way out, and then suddenly she saw it, a dark shape coming. Coming to a halt, she peered through the fog, the dry white puffiness that drifted around her. And then Rani stepped out from between the fog.
With a cry of relief and pure happiness, Cer Sapppedi ran forward and threw herself into her sister’s arms. Crying and laughing, she clung to her, feeling her sister hug her back almost fiercely.
::I don’t believe it!:: she cried, placing her hands on Rani’s shoulders and pushing her back to look her over. ::Rani! Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you for so long!::
::Sister.:: Laughing, Rani cupped her cheeks, but her eyes were shadowed. ::
::Where have you been?:: Ceri slid her hands down to grasp her sister’s hands. ::I’ve been so worried!::
::I am fine.:: Rani smiled. ::Safe.::
::Safe? That’s an odd word to use.:: Frowning, Ceri studied her more closely. ::What’s wrong?::
::Ceri,:: Rani replied gently, ::I know you’ve been looking for me.::
::You knew? Then why didn’t you contact me?::
::Some things aren’t so easy.:: In a movement that only her sister could make gracefully, Rani held her hand out and moved it in a small arc. ::What do you see, Ceri?::
Ceri glanced around. ::Fog of some kind. It’s white and sort of peaceful.::
::Have you ever seen anything like this before?::
::No. have you?::
Rani’s smile was a little sad. ::Yes, I have. In fact, there are other places so much more beautiful than this that I have been to.::
::Beautiful?:: Ceri looked at her warily. “It’s nothing but whiteness and—oh!:: Stunned, she stared as the whiteness withdrew and bright sunlight flared, flowers springing up in abundance, the scent of their floral bouquet light in the air.
Nearby a fountain tinkled merrily, trees thick with green foliage cast their shade, and the brilliance of beauty in nature was everywhere to see.
::So beautiful,:: she murmured. ::Rani, is this where you’ve been?::
Instead of answering, Rani asked softly ::What do you think this place is, Ceri?::
::About as close to Heaven as one can imagine.:: Ceri laughed in delight, but when her sister didn’t join in, she turned her gaze from the multi-coloured flowers to see her sister watching her with a small smile and shadowed eyes.
Fear struck her and she gripped her sister’s hand tighter. ::Rani... what is this place?::
::Did you not just say so, beloved sister?::
::No.:: She wanted to deny it. ::Heaven? No, Rani.::
Rani didn’t say anything, she just continued to watch her with that small smile on her lips and sadness in her eyes.
Fear clutched at her. ::This can’t be... Rani, you’re not dead!::
Her sister squeezed her hand gently.
::No! No, I won’t believe-::
::Ceri:: Rani said softly. ::I can’t come back with you.::
A little piece of Ceri’s heart crumbled. “Rani, don’t say that.::
::Ceri, you have a life to live. Our paths are no longer the same.::
::You’re saying…No, you’re telling me you’re dead?:: Releasing Rani’s hand, Ceri Ss h widthswung away, but fear that her sister’s ghost would slip away if she didn’t have hold of her, made her swung back just as fast to grasp her hand once more. ::Rani, don’t say it. Don’t say it and it won’t be true.::
Rani laughed softly. ::Stubborn chit! You never change.::
::I don’t want to change. I don’t want you to change. I don’t want me to change!:: Wrapping her arms fiercely around her sister, she hugged her close, burying her face in her hair and inhaling the familiar scent of her. ::Rani, don’t say it.::
Her sister hugged her back, her hand smoothing down Ceri’s blonde hair as she spoke soothingly. ::There’s nothing that can be done, Ceri. Accept what has happened. I can’t come back with you.:::
A tear slipped from Ceri’s eye as sadness trickled through her. ::I can stay here with you -::
::You cannot stay, sister. It just cannot be. Please try to understand.:: Tears made Rani’s voice husky. ::I wish it could be otherwise. I would do everything in my power to change things, but what is done,
is done. Ceri...:: Pulling back a little, Rani framed her sister’s tearful face with her palms and smiled at her, her green eyes sparkling with tears that she wouldn’t allow to fall. ::You have a life to live. Make me happy by living it.::
::While you stay here in Heaven?::
Rani’s gaze wandered around the beautiful forest with the green trees and colourful flowers, and when she again met her sister’s gaze, her smile deepened. ::Someone has to do it.::
It was so unexpected yet so like Rani to say something like that, that a half laugh broke from Ceri.
::Come now:: Rani wiped the tears from her sister’s face with her thumbs. ::You have the harder pathway, yes? For me, trouble is over. For you, well, life has some funny turns. I want to know that you’re living your life, not wasting time looking for a ghost.::
Ceri rubbed her sister’s arm. ::You don’t feel like a ghost.::
::Surprise.::
Ceri gave another broken little laugh.
::Now, dearest sister, hug me and say ‘until later’. You have a life to live and I...::Rani faltered.
::Have Heavenly things to attend?::
The wry twist to Rani’s lips was so achingly familiar. ::You could say that.::
Ceri looked deeply into her sister’s eyes. ::Is this just a dream? Will I wake up and you’ll still be alive out there somewhere? How do I know this just isn’t a dream?::
::When you awaken, dear sister, you will know. Deep in your heart, you will know this isn’t a dream.:: Rani touched her lips to Ceri’s brow and drew back to gaze intently into her eyes. “Farewell, sister, until we meet again. I love you, I always will.::
Ceri cried out as Rani faded before her eyes. The forest vanished, the flowers disappearing, their scent the last thing to go. She spun around quickly, but there was only the white fog.
::No!:: she cried out. ::No, I’m not ready to say goodbye! Rani! Rani!::
~*~
Outlaw Sector, outskirts
Planet Ylan
Witch’s Home
Ceri awoke with her sister’s name on her lips. Jerking upright, she looked around the bedroom. It had been a dream, all just a dream, all just a -
And then she felt it, the warmth on her brow, the presence of something slipping away and then gone, a deep sense of loss. Words and images crashed through her memory.
Ceri looked deeply into her sister’s eyes. ::Is this just a dream? Will I wake up and you’ll still be alive out there somewhere? How do I know this just isn’t a dream?::
::When you awaken, dear sister, you will know. Deep in your heart, you will know this isn’t a dream.:: Rani touched her lips to Ceri’s brow and drew back to gaze intently into her eyes. “Farewell, sister, until we meet again. I love you, I always will.::
And Ceri cried as she realized that her beloved sister was truly gone.
She didn’t hear the door open, but she felt a presence that was at once familiar yet not, but comforting nonetheless. A woman sat beside her, one arm coming around her shoulders. “It’s all right, child.”
She didn’t question her, didn’t think to even try to understand why she accepted the white-haired woman’s embrace. All she could do was cling to her and cry broken-heartedly for all she’d lost.
~ * ~
The Darknen
The Darknen frowned down at the crystal. The black fog that roiled inside had little red streaks running through it. He couldn’t contain the destroyer much longer. It was a little disturbing that such a small one could contain so much power, so much hate and fury, but it was all in his interests so he shrugged.
He could control it when he released it to slay his enemies.
Crossing to the window, he held out his hand and watched as lightening arced through the sky. It sizzled, snapping across open space to spear into his hand, dancing across his flesh in fiery sparks to flick out and snap around the crystal globe.
The crystal shuddered, cracks running through every aspect of it, and little tendrils of black fog trailed out. Red swirls pushed and swelled against the cracked crystal, and he could feel the power pushing at the crystal.
Chuckling, he ran his hands over and around the globe, sealing the cracks and forcing the power back. “Patience, my sweet. Your wrath warms my heart, your fury is a balm to my soul. When you are finally released upon my enemies, it will be awesome.” He wagged his finger at the roiling fog inside the crystal. “Until then, little one, patience is a virtue you have to learn.”
The globe bulged outwards, growing red-hot under his hand, but it subsided as fast as it had swelled.
“Yes,” The Darknen murmured, walking across to the window once more, “releasing you will shock many and delight me so.”
~*~
Inner Sanctum of the Outlaw Sector
Overlord’s Fortress
The dank corridor leading down into the underground rooms that had once been Phemar’s had never been a journey that Fredrico enjoyed. This time, however, he did it with dre Sd ithe undad in his heart, for his friend now occupied these rooms.
Ignoring the little creatures that skittered and snared as they scurried past him, he went down the stone steps and further down, down and down the long, cold stone stairs until he found himself at the bottom. The long corridor in front of him was empty, the doors to each side closed. Nothing stirred.
“Veknor?” He listened but there was no answer, so he moved forward, placing each boot down carefully, his gaze scanning the seemingly empty corridor.
Finally he got to the end room, the one which Phemar had claimed for his private chambers. Reaching up, he knocked on the heavy wooden door. “Veknor?” He heard movement within, but when there was no greeting, he added, “It’s me. Fredrico.” Which was dumb, because his best friend knew his voice.
There was still no answer, and he bit his lip, wondering if he should just go, partly relieved that he wouldn’t have to face Veknor, but mentally lashing himself for even allowing himself to feel such a selfish emotion. Mentally girding himself, he reached out and turned the heavy, iron handle. The door swung open and he entered, stopping just in the doorway to look around in astonishment.
The room was filled with shadows, a fire snapping in the fireplace in the far wall, but what had once been a cold, harsh chamber filled with the bare essentials and gruesome trophies was transformed into something dark but hinting at comforts. A huge bed covered in a deep velvet red drape, a big armchair of brocaded gold, a heavy carpet, dark wood table, and a single chair with a blue velvet cushion on which to sit. Heavy bookcases filled with both paper and electronic books. Music played from the intercom in the corner, the sound haunting and lonely.
All of Veknor’s furniture was here, everything from his chamber upstairs brought down here, but whereas Veknor’s chamber had dark furniture, his room had always been open and light. This chamber was dark, hinting at hidden secrets, keeping everything only half in view.
“You shouldn’t look so surprised, my friend,” a rasping voice said from a dark corner.
Jerking his head around in the direction of the voice, Fredrico saw the tall, robed figure standing next to the edge of the bookcase. In the shadows, the new dark mystic was merely a shape blending into the darkness.
“Veknor.” Fredrico stepped forward. “Are you all right?”
A small, mirthless laugh sounded. “Depends on what you mean by that.”
“What you went through...” Fredrico came to a halt in the middle of the room and peered at the shadows. “Veknor, I am truly sorry.”
The robed head angled down towards the book that was barely discernable. “Too late for regrets, my friend. What is done, is done.”
“It should never have happened.” Wearily, unsure what to do, Fredrico rubbed his forehead. “If I hadn’t helped Rani... if you hadn’t sided with us... Goddamn it, Veknor!”
“We are damned, Fredrico, but then we always knew that, didn’t we?” Veknor lifted his hand and slotted the book back into the bookcase. “Loyalties will choos
e where they lay, and rightly or wrongly, decisions are made.”
Fredrico’s jaw clenched.
A dry sound rustled through the shadows as Veknor moved a little, and Fredrico inwardly shuddered at what that sound might mean for his friend.
“Forces work in strange ways.” Veknor s S.thawung his head to look in Fredrico’s direction and twin red glows came from the depths of the hood. “I was dying, now I live.”
“By taking Phemar’s place.”
“My decision.”
“And The Overlord’s.”
“Our decision, then.” Veknor’s voice became raspy again, and he coughed a little. “Demon stuck in my throat.”
The wry humour caught Fredrico off-guard and he blinked. His surprise was followed by hope and he stepped forward. “Veknor?”
“Don’t!” Veknor snapped the word out harshly. “It would be in your best interest not to think I am the same, Fredrico.”
“Are you really that different?” Fredrico retained a slim hope.
The robed head turned away. The fire flared bright for an instance and the crackle of wood was loud. A spark shot out, and Fredrico watched as it soared through the air to land on Veknor’s out-stretched palm. The fire glow picked out—dear God, was it dry skin? Withered? Fredrico swallowed. The glow died down as suddenly, the fire folding in on itself until only the dimmest glow lit the room.
The silence stretched out between them and it was Veknor who broke it, his voice becoming hollow as though forced through dry vocal cords, a faint whistling accompanying it. “Remember me as I was, but know I am now The Overlord’s dark mystic. It is easier that way.”
A muscle ticked in Fredrico’s jaw. “You’re my friend.”
“I was.”
“You are. Always, Veknor. We have ties that bind.”
The dry rustle accompanied the slight movement of Veknor as he moved further back into the shadows. “Ties bind, and ties hurt.”
Shattered Soul Page 28
