by Phil Stern
“Unusual?” Rising herself, Tiffany stood right before the Coven Leader. “I’m not sure I understand.”
“My dear, what I’m about to tell you stays between us.”
“Of course.”
Clearly, Eleanor weighed her next words very carefully. “I have reason to believe that one of our sisters might be communicating with the Zarth coven. Clandestinely, I mean.”
“What?” Drawing back, the younger sorceress was at a loss. “Are you saying...”
“That we may have a traitor in our midst? Possibly.”
Quickly, Tiffany considered the implications. “And you think it’s Barbara?”
“I didn’t say that.” Eleanor’s gaze never left her own. “Just keep an eye on things, and report back to me. That’s all. Can you do that?”
Gathering herself, Tiffany nodded. “Absolutely.”
“Good.” Turning about, Eleanor once more walked over to the doorway, then faced Tiffany once more. “I’ll see you in two days.” And with that, the Coven Leader was gone.
Sinking back onto the bed, Tiffany realized that today’s Conclave was only the beginning. Matters within the Coven were far from settled. Indeed, they might be far more complicated than she’d ever imagined.
Speaking of complicated, her thoughts immediately turned to Blake, waiting for her even now back in their apartment. Unfortunately, her absence from Earth would be extended for at least a few days, and there was no way to let him know.
And there was one other thing. While a prisoner in Zarth, Claire had claimed that Barbara knew of Valensa’s existence in a Dythian jail, long before the Zarth coven had gotten their hands on her, yet did nothing. With everything else going on, it had completely slipped Tiffany’s mind to ask Eleanor about it.
Perhaps it didn’t matter. True or not, Barbara wasn’t likely to confess such a thing to Eleanor anyway. And even the Coven Leader couldn’t be expected to know everything. Could she?
Once more staring up at the ceiling, Tiffany’s thoughts were even more chaotic than before Eleanor’s arrival.
*****
Thoughtfully putting the letter down on her ornate desk, the ruby coven leader slowly spun the plush chair about. Seen through Claire’s top-floor office windows, the city of Varley was spread out below for her inspection. Unlike Earth, the architects in this parallel dimension refrained from building massive skyscrapers, the tallest buildings maxing out at thirty stories or so. Still, even from such a modest height the city was impressive, the signs of expansion and progress all about.
Which isn’t to say the skyline remained unbroken. Claire watched three airships slowly drifted about the city’s perimeter, while a formation of biplanes buzzed around the airfield a few miles off. Huge Vanington flags had been painted on the sides of the dirigibles, with a few long gun barrels visible even at this distance. Clearly, the government here wanted everyone to know exactly who was in charge.
Yet Vanington was Zarth’s most liberal region, comparatively speaking. Indeed, of all the countries populating Earth’s parallel dimension, Vanington granted its population the greatest degree of freedom. Not quite so much as Earth nations like the United States and Great Britain, but more than anybody else here.
Indeed, many Zarth governments, such as the Confederacy and various nations overseas, actually drugged their population as a matter of policy. Other places, like the California Reich, directly to their south, were run by more traditional totalitarian regimes. In still other areas grueling poverty and harsh conditions led to religious extremism, which easily spawned its own form of fanaticism and repression.
Yet throughout the entire globe were pockets of ruby witches, grimly waiting for their day of liberation. It was a delicate balance, empowering enough women to support the movement as a whole, yet keeping their numbers small enough to avoid direct governmental intervention.
They’d almost blown the whole thing two weeks ago, when a Confederate airship had responded to her battle with Tiffany Smith at their southern quarry. Luckily a general uprising in Allantia had diverted everyone’s attention, yet it had been a close thing. If the Confederates had actually seized the quarry and interrogated some of the rather simple Confederate witches there, her entire movement would have been exposed.
Actually, the Vanington government might already be onto them. An agent from the Interior Ministry had recently tried to infiltrate their local coven, though both she and the dupe who’d introduced her to Claire had been safely eliminated. Still, there would be more. The Vanington authorities were clearly alarmed by the idea of a subversive organization in their midst. Like dogs following a scent, they would no doubt continue their efforts to penetrate her leadership circle.
As well they should. For Claire’s plan, once things were fully arranged, was to seize power here in Vanington and the Confederacy in lightning coups. Then, with technology and manpower pouring in from Earth, they’d overrun both the Reich and Texara. Soon, the entire planet would be under her control.
Of course, before any of that could even be contemplated, she needed to make absolutely certain they had uninhibited access both to Earth and several other key worlds from which to draw soldiers and weapons. And that, obviously, is where the Haven witches were causing all kinds of problems.
Which brought her to the letter. A very talented Haven sorceress had penetrated Varley itself, successfully avoided the hit squad sent to capture her, and pressed this message directly into the hands of a ruby witch. The proposals contained within were quite intriguing, not least of which in that they bespoke much greater discord within the Haven ranks than Claire had realized.
There was opportunity here, but also great danger. After all, Claire was already set to meet with her Haven counterpart in two days time on Earth. Would it be better to work directly with Eleanor, perhaps solving their mutual issues above board, or to secretly engage this new power block? It would bear some thought.
Yet whichever way she decided to go, there was a very troubling loose end to clear up first. Valensa Smith had fled the quarry, and apparently the dimension entirely, two weeks before. Claire could only assume that Tiffany had informed Valensa of her own plans to kill her.
Were the Smith sisters now working together? That wouldn’t do at all. Coming to a sudden decision, Claire rotated back around and hit a button on her desk.
“Yes?” replied her secretary though a static-filled speaker.
“Send in Adrina,” she commanded.
Two minutes later a tall, sleek sorceress in her mid-20's walked into Claire’s office. Stunningly beautiful, with long blonde hair and deep blue eyes, she was dressed in a professional suit and skirt. A large ruby stone hung on a tasteful chain around her throat. Nodding pleasantly at the ruby Coven Leader, Adrina came to stand in the middle of the large office, her body held in light readiness.
“How may I be of service?” she asked.
Adrina was one of the Leven, charged by Claire with keeping order within the ruby ranks. Maintaining discipline among such a far-flung organization, with widely differing local customs and power structures, wasn’t always easy. Thus the select cadre of Vanington natives acted as Claire’s enforcers, punishing and even eliminating any threat to the overall effort.
Ideologically pure, exhaustively trained, and equipped with the biggest ruby stones available, members of the Leven were unwaveringly loyal to Claire personally. Even at this distance raw magical power emanated from the newcomer, creating a pleasant tingle along Claire’s exposed skin.
So those Haven pigs thought their Confederate riffraff was the best the Zarth Coven had to offer? It was hardened operatives from Vanington itself that had tracked and beaten their Haven counterparts on Earth to open hostilities. Against girls like Adrina, the very best of the best? They had no chance.
“I have a job for you,” Claire began, leaning back. “Valensa Smith is now a threat. She’s probably on Earth, possibly with her sister Tiffany, who’s a member of the other coven. You are to e
liminate Valensa and return her stone to me.”
Nodding thoughtfully, Adrina paused. “And what if this Tiffany tries to interfere?”
“Then eliminate her as well,” Claire instructed. “And anyone else who gets in your way.”
Nodding her assent, Adrina left the office.
*****
Blake preceded Saffron into the apartment he normally shared with Tiffany. However, the precocious college girl soon swept ahead of him into the middle of the living room, twirling about almost in wonder.
“Interesting!” she exclaimed. “Your fiancée has nice taste.”
“She’s just my girlfriend.” Uncomfortably putting his keys on a side table, Blake closed the door into the outer hallway. “We’re not engaged or anything.”
“So you two aren’t getting married?” Smiling, Saffron sat down on the couch, patting the open cushion beside her.
“Well, no,” he muttered, hesitantly sitting down a few feet away from the young blonde. “We haven’t really talked about it.”
“That’s too bad.” Sliding closer, Saffron put a hand on his shoulder. “What’s her name, anyway?”
“Tiffany.”
“That’s a cheap name,” Saffron knowingly whispered, now pressing fully up against him. “Is she a stripper?”
“No,” he laughed, very aware of the girl’s nearly naked legs beneath her short skirt. “She’s a reporter, actually.”
“A reporter?” she repeated. “Wow. She must be really smart! Except when it comes to you, that is.” And so saying, Saffron pressed her lips against his, the girl’s hand traveling down to Blake’s knee.
They kissed for about a minute, Saffron’s body alive and eager. Finally pulling back, Blake glanced around the room, almost disoriented. Wow, he really shouldn’t have had that last beer before leaving the bar. In fact, Tiffany had warned him that...
“Hey there, detective.” Playfully pulling his face back around once more, the coed looking right into his eyes. “Maybe we should take this into the bedroom.”
“Yeah. Um, sure.” Passing a hand over his face, Blake leaned back. Unbidden, Saffron threw a leg over Blake’s lap, shifting over to straddle him. Kissing him again, she slipped a hand between his shirt buttons.
“Wow!” Eyes going wide, Saffron giggled. “You have a very nice chest.”
“Uh huh.”
“So what do you think?”
“Think,” he mumbled. “About what?”
“The bedroom, silly.” Nodding over her shoulder, Saffron indicated the open door leading to the queen-sized bed he shared with Tiffany. “Would you be more comfortable there?”
“Comfortable.” Who was this girl again? “I’m not sure.”
“Oh, I know.” Maintaining continuous eye contact, she slowly slid off of Blake’s lap, now standing before him. “Maybe you need some attention right here.” Grinning wickedly, she then leaned down and began unbuckling his belt.
“Wow. Wait a minute.” Pushing her hands away, Blake partially sat up, breathing heavily. “We need a drink. At least I do.”
“I think you’ve had enough to drink.” Pouting, Saffron shook her head. “Now it’s time for other things.”
“I mean water.” Stumbling to his feet, Blake took a moment to gain his balance. “I just need some water.”
“Do you want me to get it?” Skeptically, Saffron looked him over. “Can you even walk?”
“Just a minute.” Slowly, Blake made his way to the kitchen door. “I’ll get some for both of us.”
“Don’t be long.” Elegantly sitting back on the couch, Saffron spread her arms wide to either side. “We’re going to have a lot of fun.”
“Yeah.” Pausing at the door, he looked back. “Just a minute.” And with that, Blake went into the kitchen.
A minute later Blake returned with two glasses of water. Still on the couch, Saffron gave him a bemused smile. “Aren’t you thoughtful?” she said, accepting the proffered glass. Taking a few dainty sips, the coed then pointedly put the glass on a side table, turning fully back to him. “Now where were we?”
Taking a long drink, Blake then sat back down himself, once more a few feet away from her. “I’m not sure, to be honest.”
Raising an eyebrow, Saffron looked at the empty space between them. “You’re so far away.”
“More than you could know,” Blake replied, his speech and demeanor suddenly much more steady.
Feeling the first hint of the drug taking hold, Saffron experienced a momentary confusion. Then, realizing what he’d done, an expression of rage crossed her young face. “You spiked the water!”
“Now, now,” Blake said. “Just relax.”
“You asshole,” she snarled, reaching a hand up to her throat.
But Blake was quicker. Lunging across the couch, he grabbed each of the girl’s wrists in a strong grip, pulling them aside. If he could hang on for just a minute...
Still, a pulse of ruby energy hit him fully in the chest, sending Blake tumbling over the end of the couch and rolling up against the far wall. Pictures crashed to the floor, with cracked glass and splintered wood cascading over his face. The far bookcase seemed to simply come apart, the television gracelessly flopping into the middle of the floor.
“You fool!” Shooting to her feet, Saffron ignored the tiny licks of flame coming up from the carpet itself. “I could snap you in half with one hand!”
“Really?” Trying to ignore the sharp pain in his head from where it had impacted the wall, Blake slowly sat up, carefully shaking off the debris. “That doesn’t sound very sexy.”
Eyes now blazing pure ruby red, Saffron once more reached up to her throat, where a ruby necklace suddenly burst into view. “And we could have been so good together,” she snarled, gathering her power.
But as her finger touched the magical stone, Saffron began violently trembling, her eyes losing focus. Desperately trying to maintain control, she reached a shaking hand out to the couch. However, this movement merely caused her to loose all balance, the girl promptly collapsing down onto the sofa itself. With an anguished gasp Saffron then lay still, both hands falling down to the plush cushions.
Slowly getting up, Blake looked down at the young woman, sprawled on her back, clearly unconscious. The ruby stone still pulsed malevolently at her neck, its power uncomfortably saturating the room.
First taking a deep breath, he then snatched the necklace from the girl’s body with a forceful tug. Breaking with a resounding snap, the delicate chain painfully whipped around to bite into his exposed forearm.
Standing there, in his own wrecked living room, the now inert ruby stone hanging from a broken chain, Blake watched “Saffron” fade away. In her place now lay a tall brunette, a touch older and much more hardened, her features already vaguely familiar to him.
“Valensa,” he sighed, painfully flexing his left shoulder. “How very nice to finally meet you.”
CHAPTER THREE
STEPPING THROUGH THE Boundary portal into the Peth forest, a black-gloved hand lightly brushing her dagger hilt, Tiffany Smith intently scanned the immediate vicinity. Having already preceded her into this new world, Marissa and Solia were standing between two unicorns at the edge of the clearing. Saying nothing, Tiffany quietly joined her Coven-mates on the impromptu picket line. A moment later Barbara exited the inter-dimensional opening behind them, irritably sighing from the altered air pressure and slightly lower temperature.
The senior enchantress had pleasantly greeted Tiffany and Marissa that morning, though she must have inwardly seethed concerning Eleanor’s choice of companions. This outward civility suited Tiffany just fine, as she’d firmly decided not to confront Barbara about the many smoldering issues between them...at least, not yet. The mission was too important, and the Coven’s overall position still too precarious, to risk any additional infighting.
Marissa was another matter. Despite Tiffany’s pointed advice, her longtime friend was making little effort to hide her disdain for the Dep
uty Coven Leader. All in all, it had the makings for a very long, difficult trip.
Tiffany didn’t know the fourth member of their group very well, other than by reputation as one of the Coven’s up-and-coming top operatives. A few years her junior, Solia moved with an easy, confident stride while remaining alert to their surroundings.
For centuries Peth had been one of the Coven’s core worlds, in which they regularly protected women and children, assisted threatened human villages, and recruited new members. At first blush it appeared a pleasant, sparsely populated dimension, very similar to Earth regarding climate and landscape. Indeed, even the trees and small animals outwardly resembled those on Terra, though an experienced naturalist might soon spot the differences.
Yet initial impressions could be quite deceiving. Because in the ways that really mattered, Peth couldn’t have been more divergent from Tiffany’s current home.
The ultimate in “mixed” environments, Peth boasted a dizzying range of both magical awareness and scientific knowledge, up to a rather spotty mid-tech, all mixed together in a confusing bundle. Local “magicians” were generally feared by the mundane-only groups, while a man riding by a non-technological family on a simple tractor was instantly deemed a deity of immense power. Predictably, this led to massive jealousy and general instability.
One could even argue that there was no such thing as a general Peth “society.” Instead, the dimension featured hundreds of smaller enclaves, spread throughout woods, mountain tops, fields, and coastline terrain. All had different powers, customs, and loyalties. There were many pure humans, to be sure, but even they had varying abilities and agendas. Shape-shifters were common, with an aggressive breed of werewolves dominating the highland areas. Along the large river basin lived the Pyrons, a loose confederation of muscular, powerful creatures who could shift between human and various aquatic forms. There were many other variants, too numerous to mention.
Thus, this hopelessly chaotic, unpredictable dimension had come to play a crucial role in overall Coven operations. For Peth was ideally suited as the Coven’s primary training grounds, in which young sorceresses often got their first taste of the universe-at-large. Over time, in fact, the Coven had become openly recognized here, with some locals inevitably growing quite envious of their power and freedom. This, in turn, meant that even veteran witches had to be constantly on their guard.
