by Anna Lewis
“We can’t just bind her,” Ra said. “We have to destroy her… and the demon. Complete obliteration this time. We have to succeed where Arcturus Spot failed.”
“Well, we’ll need to bind the demon in order to attack it,” Nessa reasoned. “He’ll be near impossible to attack on his home plane. A demon is not solid. That one, whatever it is, appears to be nothing more than a shadow.” Ra said nothing, just nodded.
“If it’s the one from 1887, then the incantation used then did not work,” he said. Nessa leaned against the wooden table.
“What binding spell did Arcturus Spot use then?”
“He was no adept at spirit magic,” he replied. “All he used was a simple binding spell. All the demon did was wait. Then this Necromancer went to that plane and harnessed his powers, freeing him. She is attacking us from that plane. If she has any more time, she will bring him back to this plane.” Nessa squinted.
“How were you alerted of this?”
“Charlie’s visions,” Ra said softly. His eyes were on the book in front of him, but they were unfocused. “He’s been seeing the demon’s plans for years now. Lately, they’ve been more insistent, more detailed. We think that the demon is sharing these things directly with Charlie because he wants to use Charlie’s powers.”
“Oh,” Nessa gasped.
“He’s been seeing himself taken over.” Ra looked up at her. “That’s what we’re most afraid of. Charlie’s powers in the wrong hands would be catastrophic.”
“How strong is Charlie?” she asked.
“He could destroy worlds if he chose,” Ra said. “If he wanted, he could take my crown as easily as he could fork a bite of pie.” He looked away. “He doesn’t want it, though. The power. He’s too good. That’s what worries me the most. That the demon could drain all of his goodness. That the visions could send him into a seizure that he can’t come back from. I couldn’t stand my brother being taken. I don’t know if I could live through that.” Ra looked terrified. He was letting her behind his normally confident and suave façade. Nessa nodded.
“Don’t worry,” she said, reaching out and placing her hand on his shoulder. “We’ll save Charlie.” Ra nodded, half-smiling at her. He placed his hand on top of hers. They looked at each other for a moment. They both turned away. Now was not the time. Not when Charlie lay incapacitated in the infirmary. They got to work, fashioning an incantation that would first bind the demon and the Necromancer. They then began work on an incantation that would destroy them. They worked in the ancient language that was used to shape the mountains, the seas, and the first dragons. Nessa could feel the power in the words that they linked together like tiny golden chains. The night passed, the darkness outside of the large windows fading into a blue-gray as the birds began to waken.
“Come on,” Ra said. He had dark circles pressed up underneath his eyes. He still looked every bit as attractive as he usually did. He grabbed Nessa’s hand, pulling her out onto the stone balcony of Charlie’s tower. The sun was rising, gold against the blue of the horizon. Nessa felt the warmth of its rays on her face. Ra placed his hand on her shoulder, wrapping his arm around her. She leaned her head on his shoulder.
“Is Charlie going to be okay?” she asked. Her body ached from exhaustion. She felt as though she desperately needed a shower and some sleep. Her clothes were wrinkled and her hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail. She had a pen stuck in her hair. Her eyes felt dry, and she covered them with her hands.
“For a little while,” Ra replied. “I think that the strength of his power is going to consume him.”
“He told me about a girl, who touched his hands—”
“He had a crush on her. It was cute,” Ra said, rubbing the back of his head in a manner that was entirely reminiscent of his brother. “She talked him into touching hands with her. She was an unmitigated flirt. But she wasn’t a mage. She had no gift whatsoever. When she touched his hands, it was more than she could bear. He’s too strong. Charlie never forgave himself.”
“That’s sad,” Nessa said. Ra nodded.
“He’s learned control, but he’s like a conduit,” Ra said. “If it flares up…” He trailed off and shrugged. “But it’s been good for him, having you here. You’re strong enough of a mage to handle his touch.” Nessa nodded grimly.
“You know, when this is over, you could stay,” Ra said, looking at her. Nessa smiled.
“What for? I have my post at the university,” she said. He placed his fingers under her chin.
“You are so much more than that,” Ra said, looking at her deeply. She shook her head. He leaned in, his lips brushing hers. Her heart was pounding, and her mind rushing in confusion. She pulled away, and he frowned. Obviously, crown princes always got what they wanted.
“Ra,” she said. “I like you. But I think that my heart is with Charlie.”
“Like?” He asked, deflated. “I thought…I felt…” He exhaled. He tilted his head to the side, frowning. “I thought it was me. Are you not attracted to me? At all?” He reached out, placing his hand on her cheek. Her heart was beating wildly. She wanted him to kiss her again, but she couldn’t help but think of Charlie.
“I am,” she said. She frowned. “It’s…I’m confused.” He looked away, then he looked back at her. He took her hand, pressing it in his own. His eyes raised to meet hers.
“If you want both of us,” he said, “you can have both.” Nessa frowned.
“That’s not love,” she said.
“What is?” He asked.
“It’s between two people,” she replied slowly. He shook his head.
“Your definition is skewed, darling,” he replied. “All of our lives, Charlie and I have been a unit. A package deal, if you will.” He stepped closer to her. “Both of us,” he whispered gently, then walked back inside. Nessa sat down on the stone bench that was on the balcony. She watched as the sun rose over the land, lighting up the buildings of the city that spread out before the castle. She began to cry. She felt childish for doing so, but she was so overwhelmed.
A shadow passed over her. She looked up to find Charlie standing before her. He sat down next to her, removing his gloves. He reached up with a bare hand, wiping away the tear that streamed down her face. As his finger touched her skin, she was taken into a vision with an electrifying jolt.
On a bed with red silk sheets, Nessa lay, naked, entwined with both Ra and Charlie. As Nessa kissed Ra, deeply, passionately, Charlie ran kisses down the nape of her neck.
They all tumbled together on top of the silk sheets, the room a soft red glow. As Charlie held her, nuzzling her neck, Ra entered her, his eyes changing from their deep blue to a brilliant gold, his irises black reptilian slits. Charlie’s hands slid over her breasts, his fingers toying with her nipples. His fingers were hot and dry, and the electricity of his power lanced through her, causing her to cry out. Meanwhile, Ra filled her, rocking back and forth over her. She rocked her hips upward in response.
Nessa moaned, the delicious feeling of endorphins and the heat of desire surging through her. She could feel Charlie behind her, his arms wrapped around her, his hands moving over her skin, and Ra within her and over her. She looked into Ra’s eyes as her hand reached back for Charlie at the same time.
The scene faded as Nessa felt herself return to the balcony of the tower. She was staring into Charlie’s deep blue eyes. They still sat on the bench, so close, their noses were almost touching. He took his hands away, smiled at her, and pushed a tendril of hair behind her ear. He leaned in to her, his lips close to her ear. She was still absolutely buzzing with desire. She licked her lips.
“I saw that inside of you,” he whispered. “You asked me if I could read your thoughts. Not your thoughts. But I can read your deepest desire.” He pulled away and smiled at her, his eyes shifting gold with want and lust. He stood and walked back inside. Nessa was stunned. She had just witnessed another show of Charlie’s power. It was as though he could see inside of her, holding up a mirror s
o that she could see her deepest, darkest inner wants, her hungers.
She did want that, she realized. But at the same time, she was livid. How dare he look inside of her like that? That was clearly an abuse of his power. When he looked at her, what else had he seen? She stood up and followed him inside of the tower.
She stormed in to find them both sitting inside in the arm chairs, clearly waiting for her. They were silent, watching and waiting to see what she would do. She placed a hand on her hip. Anything to maintain her posturing. It was unnerving to be faced by what was, essentially, two of the same person.
“Have you done this before?” She asked heatedly.
“No,” Charlie replied.
“So, what am I?” She asked.
“Our lover,” Ra said huskily. “Our princess.”
“I don’t want to be a princess,” Nessa snapped, folding her arms over her chest.
“Is that all?” Ra asked lazily.
“Yes.”
Ra stood, taking Nessa in his arms. He kissed her on the lips, slowly, passionately. He was skilled, well-practiced at this. Nessa pulled away, looking at Charlie, who was still sitting in his chair. His gloves were on again. He smiled at her, his eyes beginning to glow yellow, his irises changing to black, reptilian slits.
Ra began to trail kisses along her neck, starting with the tender skin beneath her ear. Nessa moaned, leaning into it. Ra tugged the straps of her tank top down over her arms, baring her lacy bra. Nessa kept her eyes on Charlie, who watched with interest. Ra’s hands slid down over her ribcage, pulling her tank top down to her waist. Ra began to trail kisses down her back along her spine. His lips felt hot against her skin. Nessa closed her eyes as he went. He knelt down behind her, pulling her tank down over her hips. He then pulled her leggings down, tugging them off of her legs.
Nessa opened her eyes, looking at Charlie. His eyes still glowed yellow. She smiled at him seductively, moving her hands to her breasts. He bit his lip. She could tell that he wanted to touch her, but was frightened to. So, she touched herself for him, grabbing her breasts, then running a hand between her legs. Ra ran his hands over her skin. He felt preternaturally warm. She looked at him, and found his eyes were glowing yellow, too, the irises black slits. She reached forward, pulling Ra’s face to hers. He kissed her, hungrily.
They began to move toward the bed that was off to the side. It almost seemed to be an afterthought. The focus of Charlie’s life was the books on their shelves, all of it taking up most of the room. The bed was a four-poster dark oak frame with plush white comforters and a luxurious pile of pillows.
“Come on, Charlie,” Ra said, pulling his shirt off over his head. “Voyeurism is only fun for you.” Charlie said nothing. Nessa walked over to him, clad in only her lacy black underwear. Charlie looked at her with heat, desire. She leaned forward, kissing him. She whispered in his ear.
“Do you want me?” She asked.
“Yes,” he said, nervously. She reached behind her, unsnapping her bra. He watched as it slid off, his eyes traveling over her skin. She pulled off her panties. They were black lace. She smiled at Charlie as she dropped them to the floor. She walked over to Ra, who was sitting on the bed, already naked. His penis was erect, ready. She poked his chest playfully with her finger. His eyes widened in surprise.
“No teasing your brother,” she said. She leaned in and whispered in his ear. “That’s my job.” She looked at him and he nodded. She walked back over to Charlie, getting into his lap. He looked a tad nervous. She took both of his hands, removing first one glove, and then the other.
“I want you to touch me,” she said. He looked at her, nervously licking his lips. He raised his hands, cupping her breasts. She could feel the electricity coming from his hands. She exhaled. She could feel his visions, seeping into her pores. Flowers, opening lushly as they bloomed. A fire, burning and licking at the night sky as it roared. Slow, seductive images. He began to run the flats of his palms over her body. Nessa bit her lip as images of firecrackers danced in her mind. If he kept going at this pace, she was going to come just by being touched.
She leaned in, covering his mouth with her own. As he kissed her, he moved his hand to her vagina, sliding his fingers inside of her, teasing her clit with his fingers. She moaned against his mouth. He slid two fingers in. The electricity coming off of his fingers felt amazing. She could feel images, coming from him, but she held them off with her own power. She wanted to stay there with him—present. He began to move them in and out, massaging her as he did so. Nessa gasped as he pumped with his fingers. She rolled her head back, arching her back.
He stopped suddenly. She returned her gaze to Charlie, who was studying her with slight worry. She placed a hand on the side of his neck.
“See?” she said. “I’m still here.” He smiled. She stood up, taking him by both of his hands. She pulled him so that he was standing. She pulled off his shirt, running her hands over his smooth skin. She paused, her hand over his sternum. She could feel his heart, pounding in his chest beneath the palm of her hand. She unzipped his pants, then tugged them and his boxers down. His penis bobbed free of the fabric, fully erect. She ran her finger over it lightly, looking him in the eyes as she did so.
Nessa took him by the hand, leading him over to the bed where Ra sat, waiting. Nessa straddled Ra’s lap. He grabbed her ass, slapping it with a hand. Nessa laughed. She kissed Ra, and he ran the tip of his tongue over her teeth. She felt as Charlie sat down on the bed beside them. She turned to him, kissing him. They might have looked similar; however, their demeanors were utterly different. They tasted differently, too. Ra was spicy and musky, while Charlie was all softness.
Slowly, Nessa moved over to Charlie, wrapping her legs around him. He placed his hands on her hips. She placed herself over the tip of his penis, sliding on to him. She could feel his visions coming on. They were strong, like a wave. She used her own powers to hold them back. She began to move her hips, slowly riding the length of his cock. He ran his hands over her body. He was looking at her in surprise.
“What?” She asked.
“You can hold them back,” he said.
“Yes.” She pushed him backward on the bed, leaning forward so that Ra could enter her from behind. As he pressed the tip of his penis into the bud of her asshole, she exhaled sharply. She had never been this full before. It was sensual, erotic. She felt the flood of images from Charlie, as she continued to move along his length, and Ra began to move in and out of her, she began to lose her tightly-held grip. As she came, the flood of visions from Charlie crashed through her, like a river, a barrier torn down. She yelled out. It was exquisite—the sun rising over the ocean, a brilliant flash of light. She could see plants growing, their leaves sprouting in green profusion, and the fire, always the fire, burning brightly against the night sky, where the stars burst open in pale light.
She returned, looked down at Charlie, who lay beneath her. He looked relieved to see her returning.
“That’s what you see?” She asked.
“Yes.”
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, and he smiled. Ra pulled out of her. He wasn’t one to be ignored. He picked her up, throwing her on her back. “Jealous?” She asked. He grinned as he entered her hard and fast. He surged in and out of her. She cried out as she writhed beneath him in pleasure. Charlie slid in behind her, sitting her up in front of him. As Ra continued to rock back and forth, Charlie whispered soft incantations in her ear, running his fingers over her skin. Nessa felt like she was on fire—as she began to come, exploding around Ra, she leaned back against Charlie, feeling his lips curve upward in a smile against her hair.
* * *
Nessa awoke suddenly from a deep, dreamless sleep. It was the middle of the day, the warm afternoon sun shining through the windows. She stretched luxuriously. She was still wrapped within Ra’s embrace, his sinewy and muscular arm draped over her abdomen. He was on his side, the covers down around his waist to reveal his unclothed upper torso,
and his face was tucked into the space between her neck and shoulder. His breathing was soft, warm on her skin. She smiled as she sat up slowly so as not to waken him.
She frowned. She looked to her right, where Charlie’s spot on the bed was empty, an indentation on the sheets where he had lain, and the blankets thrown back hastily. Where is Charlie? She thought. She got up, wrapping a soft blue throw blanket around her. She found Charlie standing by one of the windows, a shelf obscuring him.
“Charlie?” She called softly, still trying not to wake Ra. He didn’t respond. Nessa felt uneasy, a deep sense of dread filling her as she called his name again. “Charlie? Is something wrong, dear?” This time, he turned. Nessa gasped.
Charlie’s face was grim, his expression strange. His eyes were glowing white, like twin orbs of pale light. His movements were jerky, awkward, as if he wasn’t in control of his own body. He exhaled. It sounded like a death rattle.
“Charlie?” Nessa asked. His arm shot out, grasping Nessa tightly by the wrist. His grip was strong, painful. Immediately, Nessa was pulled into his vision, the tower room and its sunshine fading to black. She looked around her. She wasn’t unconscious—that had been her first thought. She could see the outline of Charlie’s body. His eyes began to glow in the sheer darkness. She heard a voice. Frowning, she turned.
Her parents stood behind her. They were spirits, their forms nothing more than pale wisps of ectoplasm. Her father, still tall and proud, even in death. Her mother, blonde-haired and delicate. Their eyes were nothing but dark sockets, and their legs disappeared below the knee, but they were smiling at her sadly.
“Mom? Dad?” Nessa asked breathlessly, unable to believe what she was seeing.
“Hi sweetheart,” her mother said. Her mother held out a pale hand. Nessa reached out to take it, but her hand slid through it.
“How are you here?” Nessa asked.
“We’ve always been here. This is the spirit plane,” her father said, his voice soft. “The Necromancer has trapped us here.”
