by Claire Marta
Jasmine felt a different kind of magic rise. The stench was unforgettable. Breathing through her mouth, she fought the urge to cover her nose. Teasag raised both hands as silken cobwebs escaped from his fingertips. Shooting outwards, they transformed into beams of glimmering light. Engulfing the elders, it hardened into a translucence barrier trapping them within.
“Now you can watch the proceeding without interrupting,” Teasag informed them smugly. “You should feel honoured you are bearing witness to a new beginning for this Island, or should I say how it should have been all along.”
“You will never get away with this, Witch!” One of them bellowed. White straggly hair, his long brown robes marked him as one of the Houses of Merlin.
“Still completely in the dark, even now. Haven’t you figured out the truth yet? This is the end of you all.” Teasag sneered. With a careless toss of his head, he sank into the throne chair which had been set up for him in the middle of the square. “Let the de-flowering of our sacrifice begin.”
Jasmine leapt into action. Before any of the other women could move she stepped toward the altar. Trying to keep her breathing calm and even, Jasmine felt strangely energized. On nervous legs, she stepped up the two steps to where the trussed male lay prone.
Struggling, Twitch roared behind the gag which had been secured firmly around his mouth. He was bucking about so much, she had a hard time climbing on top of him. Jasmine gritted her teeth as his knee connected painfully with her thigh. Grabbing hold of his shoulders, she rammed him down forcefully. With a muffled oomph, he lay for a moment, dazed.
Jasmine did not hesitate. As quickly as she could, she straddled the mage’s hips. She knew the action would probably hurt after seeing all the bruises and abuse he had endured at the Jinn’s hands. But there was no other way.
Twitch tensed, then struggled beneath her in earnest. Not happy about hurting him, she dug her finger nails into his arms which were raised and bound above his head. The mage winced.
Leaning forward, the netting of her red veil trailed caressingly across his face. Twitch flinched away. Anxiety and fear were making him shake.
“How the fuck am I supposed to rescue you, if you keep trying to kick me off, Twitchy?” Jasmine whispered softly in his ear.
One of his eyes was still swollen shut. The other widened as his battered face jerked in her direction. Surprise morphed into relief as his form relaxed below her. Jasmine grinned, knowing he was close enough to see it.
A rigid length swelled between her legs. She could feel it rising and hardening with every passing second.
“What is that?” Jasmine asked, leaning back to stare at him.
The reply he gave was muffled by the gag. With a tug, she pulled it carefully from his mouth.
“What?” Twitch responded innocently.
Jasmine wiggled her hips. Groaning loudly, he pressed the back of his head down on the stone slab with a thud and closed his good eye. His expression was twisted with a look of pleasured pain.
“You’ve got a boner,” Jasmine whispered, trying not to giggle.
“I’m just very pleased to see you, Jazzy.” The mage muttered back with a hint of mischief.
“Uh huh.”
“You can de-flower me any day of the week you like, you know.” Twitch purred as he grinned. “At this stage I don’t give a flying fuck about the audience. I’m just so fucking happy to see you alive.”
“I can’t believe you’re a virgin,” Jasmine told him, ignoring his words. She had been shocked. After everything her friend got up to, it was a surprise. Lifting her veil, she draped it over his head so she could see him properly.
The mage looked embarrassed. “I was saving it for someone special.”
Reaching beneath the skirt of her robes, Jasmine drew a dagger. It had been strapped to her leg by Kaysin, who had lingered over the task. She had been more than relieved to have a weapon. Facing down Teasag and his minions without one was not something she had relished the thought of.
“I’m going to jizz in my pants if you keep moving like that,” Twitch complained, his curly hair had tumbled between them. They were practically nose to nose. Jasmine felt the ends tickle her cheeks.
“I’m trying to make this look realistic,” she responded, brushing it out of the way with her free hand, and making a start on the ropes that held him with the other. The dagger was not very sharp. It was an antique she had borrowed from Carbrey’s collection. Cutting at his bonds, she realised quickly that she should have picked something better. This would take forever.
“At least put me out of my misery and give me a hand job.” The mage replied through gritted teeth. “Or just let me stick it in for a minute.”
“Twitch, can you be serious, please?” Jasmine giggled. She couldn’t help it.
“It’s not going to happen with you wiggling all over my dick like that, Jazzy.” He continued to complain, moving his hips rhythmically up and down.
Biting her lip, Jasmine tried to focus on her task. They were practically dry humping each other while everyone watched. Benedict had to be getting a kick out of this. She was pretty certain the bard would be wearing a smutty smirk by now.
“What’s going on up there? Why isn’t she fucking him properly?” Melinda’s voice cut through her wayward thoughts.
Oh fuck. They were about to be busted. Trying not to panic, Jasmine pressed the dagger into Twitch’s hand. Maybe if she distracted them long enough, he could work his way free.
Her sixth sense tingled to life in warning. The clout of Melinda’s magic sent her toppling off the stage. Jasmine landed in a sprawling heap. Ignoring the discomfort of hitting the concrete, she sat up. Adrenaline was already spiking through her, dulling anything else. She could see Teasag and Melinda hurrying closer. It wouldn’t be long before they were too close. Twitch needed time. This was something she knew she had to buy him. With one hand, Jasmine ripped off her veil.
“YOU.” Twitch’s twin froze mid step. “You’re supposed to be dead. I saw you fall from the cliff.” Her voice was filled with disbelief.
Grimacing as she got to her feet, Jasmine watched them both warily. “What can I say? I’m the kind of girl who always comes bouncing back.”
“Well you won’t be coming back this time.” Melinda raised her hand, blue sparks jumping to life in her palm.
“Don’t do it!” Dane’s voice boomed out.
Startled, everyone looked to see where he and Benedict were emerging from the darkness. None of the witches or Jinn moved to stop them. Dane’s attention was fixed on Melinda. Bare chested, his tattooed skin was on display in the flickering soft torch light. Excalibur, still wrapped in its sheath, was dangling from one of his brawny shoulders. Benedict was also shirtless; the silvery metal of his bionic arm in contrast to the dark skin of his muscled torso.
“Mel, don’t do this. You’re hurting our families.” Dane pleaded as they came to a stop a few feet away. “I know what Teasag has done to you...please...if we work together we can stop this all now.”
Mouth turning down at the corners, Melinda let out a shaky breath. “Oh Dane, I’m so sorry about everything but...it’s too late.” With a trembling hand she pulled off the goggles that covered her face. Her eyes were pearly white.
Teasag’s deep sinister laughter rang out around them. “She’s mine now just like the rest of you will be. There will be no escape.” Raising his hand, he flipped off his crimson veil. His hair came away, revealing a bald pale head. The face that greeted them was handsomely masculine, but had been made up in a more feminine way.
Crimson lipstick graced his firm lips. Foundation gave his skin a flawless quality with a hint of blusher across his high cheek bones. His grey eye-shadow gave his eyes a smoky effect, which bought out the brightness of his yellow irises. Chillingly, they reminded Jasmine of the creature she had fought back in the cave. Had it been one of his minions?
In a ripple effect, the other witches followed, pulling the coverings from their hea
ds. Their skin was brown and black like decaying fruit. Eyes white, empty, soulless pools, their lips were sown shut with thick black thread.
“Mother?” Twitch’s voice was stunned as he stared at one of the motionless figures. He was still laying on the altar. Hair a mess around his shocked features, he could not quite take in what he was seeing.
The knife was nowhere in sight. Jasmine hoped he hadn’t dropped it.
“I know who you are,” she shouted, drawing the attention away from her friend.
Teasag cocked his head with a look of mild interest. “Do you now?”
Jasmine felt a moment of courage and clung to it with all she had. “I’m guessing the tale where they left you entombed to die was the truth.”
Bitterness twisted his lips. “Dying and broken, their ancestors left me suffocating beneath a stony grave. It took me days to claw my way out. Then it was centuries of slumbering before the shell I was left in started to repair itself. Twenty three years ago something awoke me. I felt the call of death. Dark magic, but I never did discover where it came from...”
“He’s the old King.” Dane cut in with a blooming look of realization. He and Benedict had edged closer.
The Jinn had not moved to intercept them but were watching with an intense interest.
Jasmine nodded, never once taking her eyes off the male in red. “The monster that was ruling here before your people arrived.”
“What about the witches?” Ben asked, looking confused as his gaze skimmed over the zombie-like hoard. They were still. Puppets waiting on the beck and call of their master without a will of their own.
“The magic wielders who have been going missing in the forest, which I’m guessing has been going on for years,” Jasmine responded quickly.
“How the fuck did you know that?”
This time she gave Dane a sideways glance as she answered his question. “Things he said when I overheard him talking to Melinda. It all started to click.”
“I thought I sensed a presence when I was showing her just what a whore she truly is...not that it matters now.” Teasag shrugged one large shoulder. “Subdue the wielders, I want their magic. Kill the red head.”
Magic abruptly grew thick and heavy in the air. Jasmine could feel it rising in a wave throughout the red veiled women. This was it. They were about to battle for their lives. Jasmine felt a rush of adrenaline. Taking a deep breath, she savoured the sensation that made her feel so alive.
Benedict began to hum. The sound vibrated from his vocal cords in a melodious tune. Rife with his magic, it flowed outwards. Jasmine felt it tickle down her spine and stroke her sides.
The bard was moving now, rocking his body to the music he was weaving. One foot tapped as he worked. Stroking his metallic arm, the surface rippled to life as a tune played.
Raising their arms, fingers pointed like yellow talons, two witches lashed out spells. Although she couldn’t see them, Jasmine felt the force. They cut towards them like the lash of a whip. Dane caught the blasts of power; sparking off a translucent barrier he cast up before them with a flick of a finger.
The air was charged. Like a gathering storm, Jasmine could feel it bristling against her skin. Dane had joined the dance. Moving from side to side, his dreadlocks clicked together as his eyes glowed. Bringing his hands up, he held them out, palm facing palm. Within the space between, white light fiercely boiled in a turmoil of flashes. His stern face was creased with concentration.
As another assault from the witches was unleashed, it was Benedict which deflected it this time. A barrage of musical notes illuminated as it struck and deflected the attack.
Jasmine stood helpless not sure what she could do. It was not like she had anything she could call on physically. Maybe if she got her hands back on Excalibur she could do some damage. Her eyes strayed to wear Dane still carried the weapon. She didn’t want to distract him. If she moved now, she would only be in the way.
“That all you bitches got?” Benedict hollered.
Flattening both palms outwards, Dane sent his enchantments spiralling out. Three females flipped backwards with the violence of the strike. Another witch swung her head in Jasmine’s direction. Her white sightless eyes pinning on her with eerie intent.
Jasmine felt a dart of dread. Hand shooting out in her direction, a spell ripped its way toward her. Jasmine felt panic well inside her as she had only seconds to react. The next thing she knew, a large body was shielding her.
Benedict took the impact. Tumbling backwards with the blast, he crashed into her, taking her down in a tangle of limbs. His weight drove the breath from Jasmine’s lungs. Pain blinded her temporarily as she tried to suck in oxygen. The back of her head screamed in pain from connecting with the ground.
When she came back to her senses she could not move. Benedict’s large frame was resting over her. His full weight on top. Crushing. She could feel the heat from his skin warming her through the robes. His magic washed from his every pore sliding over her limbs. It left her tingling.
“Ben, are you all right?” she asked, breathlessly. He didn’t answer. Glancing down, she realised his face was buried between her breasts.
“Fuck. Shit. Fuck. That was so worth the pain.” The bard’s words were a muffled grunt.
Jasmine pressed her hands to his shoulders trying to push him off. “Bloody hell, Tin man, get off me.”
Benedict mumbled something incoherent, face still squashed against her chest. Jasmine growled, pressing harder. He didn’t seem to want to move. They didn’t have time for this. Teasag’s minions would soon attack again and they needed to be ready.
A rumble of thunder sounded off in the distance. Another storm was heading their way. Jasmine could already feel the wind picking up. A flash of lightening lit the dark, inky sky, making her jump.
Dane was suddenly towering over them, a look of bemusement on his stern features. “You guys decide to take a nap?”
“No, your cousin seems to be distracted by my boobs,” Jasmine snapped back.
Benedict seemed to be getting far too much enjoyment out of the situation. A white shield of energy burst into life, encompassing Dane’s arm. So long, it was practically touching the ground. The width kept them all protected, as they remained squished together.
“Ben, can you stop thinking with your dick.” The wizard growled. His grim sea green eyes fixed on Jasmine’s face, peeping over his cousin’s shoulder. “Now what?” His arm vibrated, as he took the impact of a blast. The cords attached to his skull leapt and wriggled like a nest of living snakes among his dreadlocks.
“Just stick to the plan,” Jasmine was starting to feel claustrophobic. The bard would have to get off her soon or he would find her knee in his nuts.
“Hey Ben. I’m going to fuck shit up. You coming?” Dane asked as he unhooked Excalibur from his shoulder and laid it beside them.
“Hell yes.” Bracing his arms on the hard ground, the bard lifted himself off her.
It was easier to breathe again. She gave a groan of relief. Reaching out a hand, she grabbed the sheathed sword as she scrambled onto her knees, then shakily to her feet. At least their distraction had been good for something. Ella was still in disguise as a witch. If they needed back up, she was it. But her main job was getting Twitch free, which Jasmine had failed to do.
Jasmine caught sight of the only robed form still veiled. No one had noticed her. Slowly, she was backing up, making her way towards the altar. She was moving as if to join a group of the women who were shielding the orb with their bodies.
Twitch was still having trouble getting free. Jasmine could see him struggling and cursing most likely about the bluntness of the blade she had left him.
The sudden detonation of an enchantment sent Jasmine backwards. Excalibur went flying from her hand.
Eric rushed toward Jasmine. He could no longer stand by and watch as the woman he loved battled for her life. Their plan be damned. She was in trouble and needed his assistance. As he passed the barrier
that caged the imprisoned magic wielders, an explosion of light sent the wizard and bard, tumbling back toward him. Closing his eyes prevented him from being completely blinded.
“Fuck, that hurt.” He heard the bard complain. “Maybe I should have stopped taunting them.”
As the brightness faded, Eric opened his eyes. Benedict was lying flat on his back at his feet. Grimacing in pain, the large male rolled onto his side.
“Get up, we have to help Jasmine.” Dane growled as he leapt to his feet in one fluid movement. “This was not part of the fucking plan.”
The hum of energy was swift and took them all unaware. Attention snapping to Teasag, Eric saw too late the spell he was casting. Tendrils of fine white thread sprung from the old King’s fingers. Encasing them before they could blink they found themselves trapped. Eric pounded his fists on the invisible wall, but it was unbreakable. Heart giving a painful lurch in his chest, he could do nothing now but watch.
Jasmine was facing their enemies alone. He very much doubted she would survive. Having just found love, was he now destined to lose it? Eric’s gaze sought her out. She was getting back on her feet. How small she looked, standing there by herself.
He cursed himself for remaining in disguise. What use was it now with no way to help her? Eric’s magic churned beneath the surface of his skin. It felt unstable. He wished he had spent some precious time learning how to focus it. He had never felt so useless in his entire existence. It was a feeling he had never experienced before. One he did not like.
Jasmine could see Ella was picking her way across the square. She was one lone woman. Keeping the attention off her now fell to Jasmine. Her stare dropped to the sword half way between them. It was out of reach. There was no way she would get to it in one piece. Teasag and his minions would pick her off before she could take a step.
Jasmine gulped down her panic. She needed to stay focused. The veiled women twisted and bowed. Their bodies contorting unnaturally like broken red flowers in the wind. She could smell something bitter in the air.
