Simon wanted to protest, but didn't dare speak. He bit his lip and forced himself to remain still.
"Hand of magic near thy heart,
We call to thee to do thy part,
What began with an evil curse,
Then with binding was made worse,
To be healed by shedding blood,
By a daughter of the coven, wise and good,
The blood must be freely shed,
Offered to unbind the dead."
Mina recited, and then made a shallow cut across Trudy's palm.
Trudy let drops of her blood run into the silver bowl. Then she sprinkled in a mixture of herbs, took a long-stemmed taper and lit it from the silver candle.
Trudy closed her eyes and whispered,
"Mother Earth and Father Time,
Spirits of Good and Power sublime,
Heal this mistake made in the past,
By a father's grief, a curse wrongly cast.
We ask thee to release Gilbert now,
Remove the binding, rescind the vow.
Gilbert and Anna, please reunite,
Eternity to spend in the light.
Into the Heavens, please be led,
I seek it with this blood, freely shed."
She stuck the burning taper into the bowl which resulted in a loud pffft and a whorl of blue smoke.
The cold, muddy gray tornado seemed to scream, NO! Then it whirled from the corner and this time the room flew into turmoil. Books, knick-knacks, and even the paintings flew about the room.
Mina, caught unaware, was knocked off her feet by a flying chair.
The candles on the table fell over and the herbs and the silk of the cloth fed the flames, leaping higher and higher.
Simon could remain still no longer. He stepped forward and pulled Trudy back from the flames, out of harm's way.
When Trudy felt Simon's arms enclose her, she felt a power unlike any she'd ever known flow through her.
He whispered in her ear, "I love you," and the power increased again.
Trudy told him, "Don't let go." Then she raised her arms and closed her eyes. She called upon all this new found power and loudly requested,
"Mother Earth and Father Time,
Spirits of Good and Power sublime,
Vanquish the evil within this room,
Send it back to dark and doom.
Cease the winds that troubles blow,
Snuff the flames before they grow.
Grant us peace and love and light,
We ask thee, God, for this tonight."
The room went totally dark. Stillness fell, as if everything and everyone held its breath. Minutes passed with not a sound. Nothing moved as they watched and waited. Then a sliver of light shone through an opening in the drapes. The moon, full and tinted orange, a true All Hallow's Eve moon, cast its light into the library.
Trudy whispered, "Look..."
"I see them," Simon assured her.
Against the darkened bookshelves two figures appeared; a male and a female, dressed in white robes and seen as if from a long distance away. On a beautiful green hillside near a sparkling brook, they walked. Hands clasped, they both smiled and waved, then turned to each other for a kiss before dissolving into nothingness.
Mina, voice low and solemn, spoke through the darkness, "Great horned toads and lizard lips... Was that them? Gilbert and Anna?"
"It was them," Trudy told her. "We did it. The curse was broken and they'll be together forever." A tear slid down her cheek. Simon still held her close, pulled back against his body, safe in his arms.
They faintly heard the chiming of the grandfather clock in the parlor. Twelve gongs...midnight.
"Halloween's officially over. I was beginning to wonder if we would survive it," Simon chuckled in her ear.
His warm breath against her neck sent shivers, the pleasant kind, running up and down her spine. Tired to the bone, she wanted nothing more than a warm shower and to cuddle up in bed with this man. Reluctantly, she moved from his arms and made her way to the light switch. No more Gilbert to switch them on for her.
As the light blazed to life, they saw the room was a total catastrophe. It looked as if a tornado really had swept through.
Mina slid from beneath the table, where she had sheltered on the floor to stay clear of flying objects, and climbed stiffly to her feet. "Oh my gosh! What a mess. We should make those spirits come right back here and clean this up."
"Don't worry, Mina. I think it will be all right." Using her increased powers, Trudy spread her arms wide as she slowly turned in a circle, requesting,
"Mother Earth and Father Time,
Spirits of Good and Power sublime,
This borrowed house to meet our need,
Was torn asunder to complete our deed.
We humbly ask its splendor restore,
We're now too tired to complete the chore.
Blessed be, blessed be."
Mina giggled at the spell, but watched in awe as the room hurriedly righted itself. Broken figurines mended and flew back to their place on the tables, paintings returned to the walls, books glided gently onto their shelves, and chairs spun upright and neatly arranged themselves to their former positions. Even the items they used in the spells returned to their boxes, packed and neatly organized.
"Double cool. Oh, leaping lizards! I have to go. Grampa will be worried about me."
"Take the station wagon. Let's not open the shop tomorrow. I think we need a long weekend," Trudy decided.
"I'm all for that. I feel like I could sleep for a week."
* * * * *
Once Simon made sure Mina was safely away in the battered old station wagon, he returned to the library to find Trudy climbing on a chair. She placed the old book of witchcraft back on the top shelf. He hurried to steady her.
"I've put this book back up here twice. Watch." She stepped down from the chair and leaned against Simon.
Ye Epistles of Galdorcraeft slid to the edge of the shelf and floated over to her box to join the silver bowl and the dagger. The box lid folded shut, enclosing it safely within.
"I think someone is telling you the book has found its rightful owner, honey. Just accept it. We'll pay the Gambrells for the book if it will make you feel better." He turned her to him and looked down into her pale, tired, oh-so-precious face. "I do love you, you know?"
"I know. I love you too. It's too soon, but I can't help the way I feel. And don't tell me you don't have any powers. When you touched me, I felt it flow into me."
"I swear it never happened before. It came from my heart...the way I feel about you. Accept that too, my little witch. We were meant to meet and to be together, just like it happened." Simon lowered his head and pressed his warm, firm lips to hers. He would never tire of kissing this woman. In his mind he whispered, Thank you, Granny Marta. I know you brought us together, somehow.
Trudy welcomed his kiss, parting her lips for him to take the kiss deeper. His tongue teased her lips then eased inside. Pleasure exploded within and desire warmed her lower regions. For the first time, his fingers traveled to her breast. The nipple pebbled and he circled the nubbin then stroked it before cupping her with his palm. An urgent whimper escaped Trudy and she pressed closer as her own hands roamed.
Simon groaned at the feel of her small, capable hands sliding first over his shoulders and then into his hair as she tugged him nearer. He needed more and thrust his tongue repeatedly into her mouth, stroked it slowly across hers, and retreated. Her whimpers and low moans assured him she was enjoying this just as much as he was. He cupped her bottom with his other hand and tugged her hips close, letting her know how much he wanted her. Quickly reaching the point of no return, Simon pulled back and tried to ease the heat with a few nibbling kisses. He urged her body slightly away from his so he could get his brain to work.
When he could speak, he growled, "I need to go, Trudy... While I can. You need to rest and I—"
"Well, you can go, if you r
eally want to." She walked her fingers along the buttons of his uniform shirt and each one popped open. "But I was thinking of a warm shower and a soft bed, and maybe some cuddling." She slid her hand in to glide over his strong chest. A sprinkling of hairs tickled her fingers and she gently tugged, then smoothed them.
Simon grabbed her up in his arms and headed for the front of the house. "There had to be stairs..." he grumbled as he climbed them. At the landing, he leaned back against the wall and stole a kiss as he caught his breath. "Bad idea," he panted. He turned and let her slide down between the wall and his body at the same time. He unbuckled his utility belt and let it fall to the floor.
Trudy tore open his shirt and teased his male nipples with her palms. He responded with a searing kiss and pressed her against the wall. She felt the ridge of his desire and thrilled to the knowledge of how much this man wanted her. Grabbing his hand she turned and ran up the rest of the stairs, headed for her bedroom, shedding clothes and shoes as she moved.
"Shower?" Simon mumbled against her lips as he unzipped his pants and let them fall.
"Bed!" Trudy insisted and peeled off her undies before Simon tackled her and drove her backward onto the soft mattress.
"Great answer," he whispered into her neck as he kissed, lipped, and nibbled his way to her breasts.
Trudy arched off the bed as his lips closed around her rigid nipple for the first time. Tingles spread throughout her body and she ached in her lower regions. "Simon, hurry," she whispered fervently. She wriggled and moaned as he refused, but took the time to pay homage to each milk-white globe.
When she thought she could stand it no longer, Trudy reached down to caress the firm maleness of him. His deep-chested groan told her exactly how much he enjoyed her touch. Driven beyond thoughts of taking it slow, he rose above her and joined them in an age-old ritual, as natural as breathing, as necessary as food and water. Stars, fireworks, or a meteor shower could not come close to describing the emotions they experienced at the moment of completion. They became one in heart and soul, as well as body.
Afterward, Simon cuddled her close for several minutes, and then whispered, "Marry me..."
"What?" she softly laughed. Drowsy and complete, she wanted only to sleep right now. The man must be dreaming already.
He spoke more firmly into her ear, "Make an honest man of me, my little witch. Today, tomorrow, whenever, wherever you say. Marry me, be my love forever or..." He tried to think of a suitable threat. "Or I'll hire an evil witch to cast a spell and I'll haunt you for all time."
Trudy went very still. She shifted a bit to gaze into his blue eyes—a clear, cerulean blue—her favorite color, to see he was serious, and oh, so determined. He meant every word.
"No more hauntings... Not even one with such a happy ending, please. One haunting love is enough for a lifetime. But yes, if you're so intent and absolutely sure, I'll marry you, Simon."
Quite a while later, Trudy drifted off to sleep still held tight in Simon's loving arms.
The End
Speculative Fiction with a twist of romance...
A burning need to see his homeland restored to its former glory leads Aluride to make an irreversible decision. He then sets out on what might be a deadly mission.
Thera longs for beauty and wishes to deepen her friendship with Aluride. But she hesitates to go along with his plan, until she sees the long, titian tresses she could possess. Throwing caution to the deep, Thera joins Aluride on his daring undertaking.
Struggling to overcome their need for hosts, equipment, supplies, labor, and even their own unaccustomed desires they forge ahead. Will it finally be possible to raise the continent of Atlantis?
Raising the Lost
Chapter One
Aluride stared upward, head tilted back, at the boat rocking above them upon the waves. "Another chance presents itself, Thera. Are you prepared?"
"This is against the teachings of our Masters. We must not." Thera tried to dissuade her friend and companion from this thing he seemed determined to do.
"Then be gone with you. Go back to the depths to lurk forever among the ancient ruins and the seaweed. But I will have my chance. Pheno and Cariases must have succeeded. They never returned from their attempt."
As they watched, a human tumbled backward from the side of the boat and splashed into the water above their heads. The odd breathing tank the humans must rely on below the water appeared heavy and awkward to the Atlanteans.
Aluride and Thera needed no such equipment to breathe within the ocean waters they called home. Since the sinking of their homeland, the continent of Atlantis, it had been so. Those not destroyed by the great explosion traveled the sea floor at will, ate from the plants and shellfish, and survived with no thought of how they managed the feat. But something felt wrong. An essential part of being was forever lost to them, unless...
Aluride intended to find the missing element. He believed Pheno and Cariases accomplished the deed and he also would determine if the oft told legend of walking above held any truth. If true, he would return and lead any who would follow to rise with him and recover their homeland.
Thera interrupted his internal reflections with a gasp as another human hit the water. This one a female, her long, red strands like silk streamed behind her and drew the female Atlantean's attention and admiration. "Oh Aluride, if I may truly take her form, then I will go with you. Her tresses are as the very liquid heat pouring from the craters of Neptune."
"Come then, we dare not tarry." Aluride led the way as the divers flipped over and began their descent. "Do as I do. It should be simple according to the legend."
"Will there... Will there be pain, do you think?" Thera asked hesitantly. She had not accompanied Aluride with the intent to do this, but the long, fiery tresses drew her. She must touch them, own them if there was any way possible.
"I do not know. But we are strong. Have we not survived for thousands of years? Our race is chosen. If we are to take them, we must do it now," Aluride insisted.
Before she could think to change her mind, Thera watched Aluride remove the breathing device from the mouth of the male human. Quickly, she reached for the apparatus on the face of the female and copied his actions.
The male struggled at first then stopped abruptly when he turned toward Aluride. His eyes grew wide behind the see-through shield. Aluride pulled the mask from the human face and pressed his mouth to the male's jaw.
Glorious warmth filled Aluride's every cell. He felt the human's blood fill his pores, a heart began to pound in his chest, his skin warmed, and he felt different—alive—so alive! Aluride glanced over to see how Thera fared.
Thera wrapped her limbs in the long, silky, red waves flowing from the female's head to hold her in place. She could not go on a second longer without touching the brilliant mass. Mimicking Aluride, Thera pressed her mouth to the female's cheek. She almost retreated from the flood of sensations spreading through her.
Warmth like hot springs, only more heated, filled her. The sudden drumming in her chest frightened her. Becoming aware of her body parts thrilled her as sensation after sensation ran the length of her limbs and back. She became the female with the flowing red tresses just as Aluride took the male human's form. Thera watched her own discarded shell of a body fall deeper into the waters along with Aluride's. There would be no going back.
"The legend is true. We have merged with the humans. We can now walk above as we did before. Come, Thera. We must take in oxygen soon or lose these bodies." Aluride motioned to her and kicked awkwardly for the surface.
"Wait, Aluride. I cannot function. This is too strange." Thera felt too much. Even the flow of the currents around her stirred an awareness she did not understand. Her extended limbs felt awkward, uncontrollable.
Aluride came near and reached for her hand. Knowledge of countless things filled him. He shared memories as well as emotions with the human. An unsettling occurrence, yet exciting at the same time.
Thera drew a
way immediately when his new flesh touched hers. Such an odd sensation. Shared warmth, pressure, tingles in the nerve endings, stimuli running all the way to a synaptic center somewhere in her new head.
"We must go, Thera. Come with me, now." Impatiently, Aluride clasped her hand and drew her to the surface with him.
Chapter Two
Their heads broke from the ocean together and they took in the first breaths of air they had drawn since the fateful day Atlantis sank into the sea.
Aluride made a strange, loud sound and twirled about in the water, excited beyond measure.
Thera struggled to contain her own unfamiliar emotional response but could not hold back the moisture leaking from her eyes. A bubbly exuberance dwelled within her. Happiness, a part of her decided. We are happy. I remember this from the 'before' time.
When she turned to share her revelation with her friend, she stopped, stunned into silence by his manly appearance. "Aluride, it pleases me to look upon you in this form."
Aluride made another of those strange noises and then communicated telepathically as was their normal way. "I too appreciate the beauty of the form you have taken." He struggled nearer and touched her titian locks. "Is it not wondrous to breathe in life? So many reactions... What shall we attempt first?"
"These humans came from the vessel. Perhaps we should go there first," Thera suggested. His touch sparked strong urges she needed to escape, for now.
As they paddled toward the boat, attempting to learn the use of their arms and legs, Aluride asked, "Does your human speak to you? Mine is sharing knowledge with me. I cannot always understand, but it seems helpful to listen."
Thera choked on seawater when a wave rolled across her face. "Nasty," she told him as she coughed out the salty brine. "This human form does not like our water. I believe what you speak of must be the small inner voice I hear. It must be the female communicating with me. I shall listen more closely and perhaps learn from her, although I believe she is crying now. Why do you think that is?"
Becca's Paranormal Collection Page 6
