Shadow Hunters (Portal Jumpers)

by Strongheart, Yezall

  “Has Vlad explained to you everything about the Shadow People?” she asked.

  “Yes, well, briefly…but I have no choice, I have to go back, just this once,” she informed the Goddess.

  “Go then. I hope we see you again.” The Goddess waved her hand and dismissed them, turning to her minions.

  Chapter Five

  They walked through the doorway of the hall then through the beautiful phosphorescent forest. Soon, they stood with the portal before them.

  “Promise me you will go through the portal then start running not stopping until you get home. I don’t know if it will help, but it will make me feel better if you do,” he conceded, holding her forearms.

  “I will!” Callie smiled at him, then he hugged her so tightly, she found it hard to draw a breath.

  Turning from his embrace, she closed her eyes, and walked forwards. After a few paces, she opened them to look behind her. The wall rippled and glimmered. She took a deep breath and started to run. Darkness wouldn’t be hiding her as it was dawn, the sun peeking over the horizon. Being a little out of shape, by the time she was almost home, her heart was pounding in her chest. Stopping for a moment to catch her breath, she squeezed her eyes shut then opened them quickly. In her peripheral vision, Callie could see a shadow looming beside her. It spurred her on, but it suddenly overtook her. Thankfully, it was only a newspaper boy on a bike.

  She almost didn’t have the strength to climb the tree in her yard and dive into her open window. Landing in her room, she stood there gasping. Then she noticed her mother rising up off Callie’s bed, her eyes all puffy. Her mother must have noticed her missing and come to sleep in her bed. It was obvious she had just startled her. They were both lost for words. Her mother looked at the clothes she was wearing then at her unkempt appearance.

  “Callista…where have you been?” she asked in a calm tone tinged with sadness.

  “Mom, I was helping a friend. It’s not how it looks,” she lied.

  “How do you expect me to believe you?” her Mom asked.

  “You have to trust me.” It almost hurt Callie to say that. “Can we keep this between us?”

  “Come on then, let’s go make a helluva breakfast for everyone,” she remarked, sighing.

  “Thanks, Mom. I love you.” Callie followed her downstairs.

  “I love you too, Callie. That’s why I worry.” Mom sounded defeated.

  Callie and her Mom whipped up a great breakfast for her father and little brother. When they were sitting at the table, Callie looked at them, etching their faces into her brain. When she left again, it may be for the last time.

  Being Sunday, the rest of the day was a lazy one. She tried to spend as much time as she could being nice and talking with her Mom and Dad; she even played a video game with her little brother. This was goodbye; she had a destiny to fulfill. She wasn’t even clear on what that destiny was. Saving this world as well as the one beyond the portal, doing whatever it took was pretty sketchy.

  Callie wasn’t sure if she should take some things with her or if she should just go. She decided to go back to the lake house to get Vlad’s cowboy hat and leather coat because it would only worry her parents more if they found those things. Not wanting to give them false hope, she composed a note to her family, telling them she had made a choice, that she probably wouldn’t be able to see them again. Callie didn’t understand all of it herself, so explaining it to her parents was nearly impossible. She felt an incredible desire to return to the universe on the other side of the portal. Was it Vlad? Was it ageless immortality? Was it the sex? Was it all of the above?

  Callie thought of her own world and the body-stealing shadows. She had no reason to believe it wasn’t true; it was too crazy not to be. How did she know the people in her life were not already Shadow People? She looked around the room at her family suspiciously, especially her little brother. Good god I‘m becoming paranoid!

  There must be a way to stop the Shadow People from doing this. She needed to get back and talk to Vlad. Her underlying purpose was to protect her family along with her own world. It was all was becoming clear now.

  The end of the day was spent enjoying her last few moments with her family, remembering why she loved them. As the day drew to a close and they all drifted off to bed, the goodnight she spoke was an unspoken goodbye. Hours after they were all asleep, she put on her favorite bra and panty set, pulled on her favorite pair of jeans and a purple lacy shirt, adding her best sneakers, and then climbed down the tree. Vlad’s warning in her head upon reaching the ground, she broke into a run.

  Not having the time to lock the lake house when they had left, which seemed a lifetime ago, Callie found it was open. That made her uneasy, but she entered anyway, treading carefully towards the living room. Vlad’s hat and coat lay on the couch a few feet away. Callie let her eyes dart around the room, looking for danger. When she didn’t see anything out of place, she reached out, grabbed Vlad’s things, and escaped back out the door she came in. Running again, she headed for the cave.

  Just before she reached the cave the old eerie feeling came over her, but now she knew why. She caught some movement just as she came within sight of the cave opening. Shadow People guarding the entrance? Squatting down, she observed the area for a moment. If they get me, I’m done. I don’t know how to fight them!

  After a few moments, they moved away, and the opening looked clear. She made a run for it, through the mouth of the cave and then on to the portal. Hearing a noise behind her, she moved faster. A nano-second later Callie felt something grab her leg! Her arm up to her shoulder was through the portal as she screamed for Vlad. Being pulled through the portal, the grasp on her leg loosened, setting her free.

  Vlad continued to pull the rest of her through, drawing her to him. He held her tightly, kissing her deeply.

  “I didn’t think you were coming back, but I waited for you,” he revealed.

  “I know what you’re packin’ now.” She smiled up at him and laughed as she let her hand slide down between his legs, softly grabbing a handful of surprisingly hard cock.

  “What’s mine is yours.” He smiled down at her.

  They walked back to the Goddess’ Palace arm in arm, discussing what had happened when she went home. Handing over his coat and hat to him, Vlad thanked her. She told him of her thoughts about fighting the Shadow People to save those in their world from them as well.

  Once again in the large hall with the Goddess, she called them forward. “Callie, you made it! Come here, you two cuties!”

  Callie and Vlad rolled their eyes and continued towards the Goddess. Once within her reach, she kissed Vlad on the head then hugged Callie.

  “Callie’s staying this time. I want her to stay with me if that’s okay,” Vlad stated.

  “Wait, what?” Callie looked at Vlad wide-eyed.

  “I figured you would want that,” he replied.

  “Ohhh, she may want to see what other pleasures we have to offer here…” the Goddess teased.

  Vlad looked sideways at Callie, “Is that it?”

  “Well no, it’s just you never asked me what I wanted,” Callie countered.

  Vlad took her in his arms. “Wanna come live with me, or you want your own place?”

  Callie looked at Vlad with a saucy grin. “You may be sorry you asked, but I want to stay with you.” She even surprised herself with that statement. Callie Halston, a one-man girl?

  “It’s settled then! I’ll see you two for dinner, and we’ll discuss plans for the Shadow People.” The Goddess shooed them on their way.

  “Come on, I’ll show you where we live,” Vlad offered, smiling.

  Leaving the great hall, they entered a garden filled with strange plants that Callie had never seen before. Long tendrils that seemed to have intelligence reached for them as they passed. The colors of the plants were different, brighter; glowing and spotted, they looked very exotic. Down a path and across a small bridge was Vlad’s house. It looked more fit
ting to the world Callie had just left. She assumed he had a hand in the building of it.

  Entering the front door confirmed her suspicions; it looked like any other home in the heartland of America. A tan couch, a flat screen TV, and a brown recliner, complete with a beige rug. Callie had to wonder if his real home looked like this. The rest of the place looked much the same as he gave her a quick tour.

  “…And now, here’s our room.” He opened the door, and with a wave of his hand, invited her in.

  It astounded her. Very different from the rest of the house, this room had a definite Victorian feel to it. Rich tapestries adorned the walls; heavy, dark draperies covered the windows. The brocade-covered bed was canopied. There was a large chest in the corner of the room that looked like a pirate’s treasure chest, and the bed had restraints attached to the bedposts.

  Callie slowly entered the room then turned around to see Vlad closing the door behind them. “It’s beautiful.”

  “I’m glad you like it,” he responded, approaching her. Scooping her up, he threw her into the middle of the large, soft bed, jumping in after her. “I wasn’t sure you’d come back.”

  “I didn’t even have second thoughts. I knew I would come back to help fight the Shadow People…and for you,” she smiled, circling his neck with her arms.

  Bending his head to press his lips to hers, he deepened the kiss, holding her against him. His lips trailed across her cheeks to her ear. After nibbling her ear lobe, he began whispering in her ear about how hard he was going to fuck her while he nipped his way back to her chin and down her throat. Continuing with his heated kiss, he slowly removed her clothing. Completely naked now, he heard her moan as her hands fell away, landing above her head, palms up.

  Looming above her, Vlad gave her an evil grin. He gently placed her wrists in the restraints then spreading her legs, did the same to her ankles. Leaving the bed and taking a step away, he slowly unfastened the buttons on his shirt and jeans. “It’s all about me now, Callie. You could be a blow-up doll for all I care.” He gave her a naughty grin. “I’m gonna fuck you till you scream,” he warned, dropping his tight-ass jeans. The sassy smile that stretched across Callie’s face was all the encouragement he needed. Vlad slowly climbed onto the big bed and lay next to her.

  His large rough hands roamed over her smooth skin, making her quiver. Callie heard him laugh as goose bumps rose on her arms. She sighed when he touched the inside of her thighs.

  All the while she was being lulled by a soft deep voice. “When your pussy clamps down on my finger, like this,” he murmured as he inserted one, “it makes me crazy hard thinking how you’re gonna hold my cock inside you.” Then he slid another finger inside, pushing them deep while he took a pert, hard nipple in his mouth.

  Moaning loudly, she tossed her head back, arching to take his fingers even deeper inside her. He moved them forcefully in and out of her hot, honey-filled pussy. It was as if he were stoking a fire; a fire that would consume them both before it was over.

  Callie saw him watching her face as his thumb began gently rubbing her clit. He kissed her once on the side of her mouth. Licking her lips, he parted them with his tongue. He tasted like smoldering lust, his tongue searching her mouth for all her secrets.

  Purring beneath him, she could feel her body about to give in to the delicious tension while she held her breath.

  Vlad quickly removed his fingers from her, moving his body over hers to straddle her head. His possessive gaze caused her lust to flare.

  Knowing what he expected, she sucked his rigid cock into her mouth. Using her tongue like a hot, swirling snake, she slid it up and down his throbbing shaft. The veins pulsed against her tender lips as they moved over them.

  Vlad began to growl and moan, forcing his cock to the back of her throat. “You are so fuckin’ good at this…take it all, baby.” After a few more deep thrusts, he removed his cock from her mouth and scooted down her body.

  Callie was gasping as he kept a hand on one of her breasts, tugging her nipple, another finger buried inside her, and his tongue working over her clit. “Oh please…please, now,” she moaned loudly.

  Vlad sat up, poising at her slick, dripping, entrance. Pushing the head of his cock into her folds several times then drawing out again prolonging the pleasure, he watched as she squirmed beneath him. “God, you’re beautiful.” Then, with an onslaught of raw physical desire, in a reckless, savage lust unlike anything he’d felt before, he plunged in and out of her, seeking release.

  The shock waves of pleasure built and made her body shake. She itched to move her fingers over his back and up through his hair, but the restraints held her firmly. In an unchained, wild, delirious cacophony of emotions, he did, as promised and made her scream. As the tremors started in her core, she called his name several times, ending in an outcry.

  With the rhythmic clutching of his engorged cock, Vlad growled his climax from the depths of his throat. Pounding his entire shaft into the sweetness of her warm pussy, he found satisfaction.

  With both of them completely exhausted, Vlad was still able to rain kisses across her silky shoulders while she rubbed his abdomen. He released her bonds, a quiet sensuality covering them both as they lay in each other’s arms.

  Chapter Six

  “I’ve never been satisfied with just one man, Vlad,” Callie informed him.

  “I figured as much. You didn’t know me very well, but I’ve had a crush on you since I can’t remember when. I knew who you were right away when I found you in the forest,” he acknowledged as he circled her soft nipple with his finger then laughed as it hardened.

  “Really?” She paused as he nodded. “Well, you didn’t let me finish. I’ve never been satisfied with one man…until now.”

  Vlad took her by the shoulders and kissed her softly. “I’m glad you’re here, Callie. We’ll fight the Shadow People together. We’ll make a great team.” After Callie nodded her approval with that plan, Vlad hugged her.

  “We should probably get ready for dinner with the Goddess. Something tells me she doesn’t like to be kept waiting,” Callie jested.

  “You are a very smart woman. I think that’s why she teases you. You both are a lot alike,” Vlad quipped with a grin.

  “Hmmm, I don’t know about that! I think she feels threatened by me,” Callie laughed.

  It wasn’t long before they were ready to leave for dinner. Callie noticed he didn’t bother to lock the door. “Do other people live here in this world?” she asked.

  He steered her over to a railing near his house and pointed. “This is the upper level where the Goddess lives. Everyone else lives down there.”

  As far as she could see, there was a modest little town with streets going in many directions. Colorful buildings that were businesses and homes held beautiful green plants and shrubs scattered about. “Oh, beautiful!” she exclaimed.

  He took her hand, drawing her with him up the path to dine with the Goddess. They walked hand in hand, talking quietly to each other. Callie saw the Goddess watching them and knew she was smiling.

  The dining room of the palace matched the rest of the rooms in décor. No expense was spared; evidenced by the ornate carving on the long wooden table and the many chairs on each side. Upon closer inspection, Callie could see the carvings were of people having sex just like the statues in the main hall. The large paintings on the walls were more about courting; the couples pictured all seemed to be clothed. The table settings themselves were either gold or silver, and of course, looked expensive. The Goddess was seated at the head of the table when they arrived. They took seats near her to her left side.

  During their dinner, the Goddess answered a few questions about the town, and they engaged in other small talk. Once dessert was served, the Goddess sat back in her chair. “The seal in the cave was broken by our beautiful Vlad a few years ago. That also weakened other seals from other worlds. The shadows first went into your world, Callie, but you never even knew they were there. Your people e
xplained away disappearances by blaming it on aliens or some other silly thing.”

  “Wait, you mean there are no aliens?” Callie asked in disbelief.

  The Goddess and Vlad looked at her with stoic faces.

  The Goddess sighed and continued, “When they found your bodies to be too fragile, they discovered us. We lost quite a few people before we were able to force them back through the portal. When the Shadow People take over our bodies, our souls die, just as your peoples’ do, but our immortal bodies live, giving the shadows a permanent home. I was able to construct a barrier they can’t cross. Now they must be fought in your world, Callie. We must find their access point, possibly another portal.”

  Callie nodded her understanding. “But I can’t do it alone!”

  “Of course not, you and Vlad, you’re a team,” the Goddess replied.

  “Me?” Vlad asked, a little shocked. “But I thought you said I couldn’t cross over any more.”

  “I asked you NOT to!” she retorted sternly, and then continued calmly, “However, I will put a protection spell on both of you to keep you in one piece. You have become one of us, Callie. The shadows must be forced back through their portal and then, Vlad, you must seal it. I’ll teach you how.”

  Vlad nodded.

  “You must return here every 48 hours to renew the protection spell. If not, you run the chance of the shadows possessing you, understood?” the Goddess asked. “One more thing, stay away from your families if you want them to stay out of danger.”

  “I guess I don’t have to worry about that,” Vlad added sadly.

  Callie held his arm and leaned into his side. “We don’t know that for sure until we go back. We can check on your parents without them seeing us. You can’t be sure of what you saw.”

  This time they both nodded.

  “Go sleep on it. We’ll talk again in the morning,” the goddess suggested with a smile.

  They walked back to Vlad’s house in the cool evening, the phosphorescent trees and plants lighting the way. Once upstairs in the bedroom, they took off their clothes and slid between the cool sheets. Vlad brought some wine back with them and poured a glass for each of them, handing Callie hers.