Sinners of Magic

by Lynette Creswell

  ‘Your time on earth is almost over,’ they whispered sadly.

  Abbadon was thrilled. He could almost taste the boy’s life force as the weeds dragged him further towards the darkness.

  Back on the surface, Crystal’s heart was thumping so hard in her chest that she thought she was about to have a heart attack. She knew if she didn’t use the light, the burning power she held inside herself, Matt was as good as dead. Determination and fear were growing deep within her, causing a strange tingling sensation to wash over her entire body.

  Closing her eyes, she focused her mind on Matt. Then, she touched the stone in the centre of the amulet and a golden aura formed around her body. She glanced down at her hands, feeling the glow penetrate her skin and caught sight of a bright light in-between her fingers.

  Clasping the amulet in both hands Crystal once again closed her eyes. Her lips parted and words that she had never heard before slipped easily from her mouth. The language she spoke was not one she recognised, but it flowed from her tongue like a dam bursting its banks.

  Her mind saw only a ball of light; the bright golden rays sent tendrils of energy through her body. Her nerve endings became filled with heat, her veins full of fire. Her mind pulled at the fiery strands as though they were cotton threads dangling tantalisingly towards her, touching her, teasing her, enabling her to pull more and more energy from them. Her rich voice was rising, becoming more forceful, and she stretched out her arms towards the lake as though she was summoning something to come to her.

  The stillness of the water broke before her closed eyelids and waves started swelling against the water’s edge. Then something rippled and uncoiled a few feet away from the boat. It was at least twenty feet long and silver-grey in colour. It dived under the water, swirling its slippery body with ease, and made its way to the motionless body tied down by a multitude of weeds. It watched Abbadon take hold of his victim, ready to suck out the last breath that kept the boy in the world of mortals.

  Without warning, the creature attacked Abbadon and, taken by surprise, the demon let go of its prize. The creature swam with purpose, wrapping its enormous thick trunk around Matt, much like a python, obscuring the victim from view. Abbadon was furious, believing the creature wanted his trophy for itself. Attacking the serpent, Death howled like a banshee, clawing at the creature, fighting for his rightful possession. The creature screamed when vicious talons ripped at its bare flesh. Recovering from the shock, the serpent made its way to the shore and, forcing itself towards the alien world of mortals, it sprang from the water. Using all of its strength, the magnificent creature unravelled its colossal body from the lifeless boy it was trying so desperately to protect.

  With a flick of its long, finned tail, the serpent catapulted Abbadon’s victim through the air and towards the shore. Matt landed with a loud thump only inches away from Crystal’s feet. He lay there on the ground like a dead fish that had been plucked from the water by an unsuspecting fisherman.

  Crystal opened her eyes at the sound of the thud and immediately ran to Matt’s side; dropping to her knees she felt for a pulse. Fear numbed her brain when she realised there wasn’t one to find.

  ‘No!’ she shrieked, pushing him over onto his back. His arms dropped like heavy weights by his side and she didn’t know what to do; his face was so white, his body so still. She was filled with terror. Her head lashed back as she tried to remember how to give the kiss of life. Bending his head and neck back to open his airway, she tried to breathe life into his dead body. Particles of her breath still carried the magic from the chant within it and the ghostly molecules drifted into his lifeless shell.

  Crystal faltered when she watched his skin turn grey, not knowing if it was all too little, too late. She pumped his stomach and then pressed against his ribcage, clamping her strong hands around his chest, beside herself with worry. Aware of losing him, she kept her rhythm going before pouring air into his lungs again and again.

  ‘Please wake up,’ she begged, checking again for a pulse. ‘Damn you, Matt, I won’t let you die,’ she hissed.

  His eyelids fluttered before he opened them and took a sudden gasp of air. He shuddered and water spewed from his mouth, and she turned him over onto his side so that he didn’t choke. Sheer relief filled her body as she coaxed him to get as much water out as possible and he coughed and spluttered beside her for several minutes.

  Once his breathing was more regular, she pulled off his wet T-shirt and shirt and replaced it with her jacket. Pulling it around him, she hugged him tight.

  ‘I saw what happened out there,’ she said, watching the colour return to his cheeks, but Matt’s face was blank of expression.

  ‘Really?’ he said, shrugging his shoulders in bewilderment. ‘Well, I can’t remember much after getting into that boat, except when I close my eyes, I can see some kind of black phantom trying to suck my face off,’ he said, shivering. ‘Anyway, enough of me, where’s Alfie?’

  ‘Alfie?’ she repeated, glancing at the boat and seeing him curled up safely inside. ‘Yeah, he’s doing just fine.’

  Matt pulled the jacket closer and Crystal thought he still looked dazed.

  ‘Don’t worry, you’re going to be okay,’ she said, trying to reassure him, pulling the zipper up to his chin.

  Glancing back at the lake Crystal saw Abbadon and the serpent both emerging from under the water. They were still fighting and the shrill noise they made each time they made contact made her recoil. The serpent took hold of Abbadon, trying to shake him senseless, but Abbadon didn’t know when to call it a day, he was furious at losing the boy and soon had the serpent in his grasp. He became aware he was being watched and looked across at Crystal before throwing the serpent down into the water as though it was nothing more than paper. He knew he had been cleverly outwitted. Although aware he had lost the battle, he took comfort in knowing he would always win the war.

  He soared high into the sky, levitating high above Crystal and Matt. His dark shadow flowed like torn ribbons against the blackened sky, blocking out any light which dared to peep through the thick cloud. He took one final look at Matt, who returned his gaze without a glimpse of fear showing in his eyes. He had stared Death in the face and lived.

  A howl escaped the lips of the demon before he exploded into a thousand bellowing crows and the cawing of the birds whilst they flew away blew a spear of dread along the wind. Silence followed before calm swept over the lake; smooth, like icing smeared on a wedding cake.

  ‘I can’t believe you managed to save me from that thing …’ Matt said, unable to express his gratitude.

  Crystal looked gravely at her new friend.

  ‘I’m just thankful you’re alive,’ she replied, glancing over her shoulder. ‘You gave me one hell of a fright out there.’ Matt nodded, still clearly unsure as to what had actually happened.

  The water lapped against the sides of the grassy bank once more and the newly exposed sun shone down on their frozen backs.

  ‘Look, Alfie’s drifting closer to shore, I’d better go and get him whilst I have the chance,’ Crystal said. ‘Will you be alright for a minute?’

  ‘Yeah, sure,’ said Matt, shifting uncomfortably on the grassy bank. ‘I’d rather you tried to get him to be honest, I’m not sure I can face going back into the water just yet.’ He tried to force a smile.

  ‘Alright then,’ she said, poking him in the chest. ‘But don’t you dare move from this spot until I get back or I’ll crucify you.’ He laughed then and she got up, noticing her limp had completely vanished. She checked her ankle for swelling, unable to believe her eyes, but there was nothing there, so she rolled up her trouser legs and waded into the lake.

  Just as the water reached her knees and the chill seeped way into her bones, something stirred around her feet and for a second, she thought perhaps the serpent had returned and her eyes locked onto the rippling water to see if she could catch the flicker of a silvery tail.

  Crystal took a step forward, only to re
tract her steps when she felt a dragging sensation pull around her toes. Alarmed, she decided to head back to the safety of the shore; Alfie would just have to get himself back on dry land. She went to turn, but the strong current wouldn’t allow her to move as though invisible weights clung onto her legs. She was starting to feel afraid, unsure what was happening when, a few feet away, the water became a bracelet of silvery foam, creating a large, swirling whirlpool.

  Hysteria floated inside Crystal’s head and she cast her eyes back to the bank where she had left Matt only moments ago. Her eyes widened when she realised he hadn’t done as he’d promised and had wandered off. Panic rose in her throat. She waved her arms to try to alert his attention and she shouted both Alfie and Matt’s names over and over again but to no avail. She got no response from Alfie who lay in the hull as though he were comatose and Matt, unaware of her dilemma, simply waved back whilst he searched for his socks and shoes a few hundred feet away. Crystal lowered her arms in defeat, her gaze drawn to the centre of the whirlpool, mesmerised as it swirled and bubbled wildly. She felt herself turn cold and her heart skipped a beat when a human hand broke through the swirling vortex.

  The hand, slim with long, beautiful fingers, was followed by an equally impressive arm. Crystal caught her breath. She turned towards Matt once again; surely he could see this too? Although she had begun to question her sanity, she watched the image of a woman rise before her. The figure ascended majestically from the shadowy depths, her long robes clinging provocatively around her curves and the shimmering gown she wore was the colour of aquamarine. Long, golden hair waved in a thick layer down her back, entwined with two herringbone combs to hold her thick tresses in place. She stared at Crystal, her body hovering over the water. It was then that Crystal noticed the long, slithery tail and she drew back, forcing her hand to her mouth whilst she tried to stifle a scream.

  ‘Do not fear me,’ the creature soothed, ‘I’m not here to harm you.’

  When she spoke, her voice seemed light and sweet, floating towards Crystal like a butterfly that drifts from flower to flower. The panic died in her throat when she realised the creature felt no animosity towards her, but the fear refused to leave her.

  ‘Have we met in a past life?’ asked the beautiful apparition, edging closer.

  Crystal found her mouth was so dry she thought she might choke and merely shook her head in answer. The creature smiled, sensing her fear, and with agile grace pulled one of the herringbone combs from her hair and swept it through her golden tresses. Shimmering strands fell from the teeth and dropped into the water and calm swept over the lake and through Crystal.

  Crystal watched her replace the comb.

  ‘Now then, child, wasn’t it you who called me to save the mortal?’ the creature asked, flicking her tail unexpectedly. Crystal dropped her gaze.

  ‘I don’t know if it was me who called you. I mean, I did need help and I believe I was chanting some kind of incantation, but I didn’t quite know what I was doing, so I’m not sure if it was actually me who brought you here.’

  The beautiful creature giggled like a secretive child and a spark of curiosity lit inside her sea-green eyes.

  ‘My name is Gzhel,’ she said, curtsying daintily. ‘I am a wandering water spirit, a drifting soul of a time gone by. You called me with the spell of Egoth, a spell known only to the Elvin Bards who were destroyed many centuries ago.’

  Crystal was dumbstruck. She stared into Gzhel’s eyes and realised she somehow spoke the truth, but she didn’t know what to say.

  ‘You conjured a very powerful spell,’ Gzhel continued, ‘and I am not absolutely certain how a young, inexperienced witch like yourself managed to awaken me from my unfathomable slumber.’

  ‘I’m not a witch,’ Crystal cried in surprise. She heard her voice rise with disdain. ‘I desperately needed help, that was all,’ she added. ‘I just closed my eyes and used my mind, praying someone would come and save my friend from that terrible … creature.’

  ‘You did more than that,’ said Gzhel, ignoring her outburst. Her beautiful face looked sad. ‘Because of the powerful magic you used, I was brought here. Now my mystical strength is very weak. Deep inside my body I have internal wounds that will take many suns and moons to heal. These wounds were caused by my fight with the Destroyer. However, even with the strongest will, I could never physically beat him. He is filled with such evil and you know him in this life as the Shadow of Death; and as you are well aware, no one will ever beat Death. My courage came from a thousand dreams of hope, a bravery forged by a desperation to be forgiven. My strength is from centuries of hardship and despair, something you may also taste in your many lives upon this lonely earth. The Elders, an elite council of mages, banished me from my own world for things that cannot be undone. I will be punished for a thousand years or more; pray the same will never happen to you, sweet child.’

  A cold wind blew across the water, causing Crystal to shiver.

  ‘What did you do that was so terrible?’ asked Crystal, feeling a stab of intrigue. The words fell easily from her lips. She hadn’t meant to pry, but she couldn’t help being inquisitive. What possible sins could this fascinatingly beautiful creature be guilty of?

  ‘It is not for me to tell,’ said Gzhel with a heavy sigh. Huge tears ran down her soft cheeks, shining like diamonds against her peachy skin. ‘I am merely here at your request and nothing more.’

  Crystal was struck with guilt. Her eyebrows arched as she contemplated what she’d actually done by awakening this supernatural being.

  She opened her mouth to apologise, but before she could speak, Gzhel was pointing a slender finger towards the necklace; a fleeting smile crossed her lips and her bright eyes danced with mischief.

  ‘Aah, I see how you roused me from my slumber,’ she said, her gaze fixed upon the stone. ‘The amulet you wear has a name, it’s called the Spirit of Eternity and it’s this amulet that helped stir me from my deathly sleep. Tell me, from where did you get it?’

  ‘My mother found it in my crib when I was a child,’ Crystal said, placing her hand protectively over the orbs. ‘It isn’t worth anything to anyone but me.’

  ‘I find that hard to believe,’ said Gzhel, giving her an odd look. ‘It’s plain to me that you are a child of the extraordinary world. These two worlds are often linked together for one reason or another, but I’m curious as to why you’re here in the world of mortals. Still, that is none of my business and as for the amulet I feel it could very easily be your birthright to have it.’

  Crystal shuddered again; confusion splintered her mind into thousands of unanswered questions, her hunger for knowledge dripping like oil onto a burning flame, fanning a need so intense she felt her head was about to explode.

  ‘That’s just impossible,’ she heard herself saying, ‘really it is.’

  Gzhel pondered for a time. ‘Do not fret over your origin,’ she said, at last. ‘I have a strong suspicion you will know the truth soon enough, but believe me when I say you are not from this world but from another. You need to put your unanswered questions to the council of Elders. My foresight tells me they will have the answers you seek.’

  ‘But how can I get to these people?’ asked Crystal, becoming caught up with the excitement of what the spirit told her. ‘I don’t know how to find them.’

  ‘Your question is simple to answer; you hold the key to all knowledge in your hands.’

  Crystal felt frustrated and her mind raced ahead, searching for clues. She didn’t have any key, only a weird necklace.

  ‘I have said enough,’ said Gzhel, her eyes focused beyond, as though sensing something that made her feel ill at ease. ‘I cannot help you any more, my task here is done, I must leave you now.’

  ‘Thank you for saving my friend,’ Crystal blurted, when she realised the creature was preparing to plunge back into the icy water. ‘Please believe me, I never meant to hurt you.’

  Gzhel watched Crystal closely, before giving her an important piec
e of advice.

  ‘Beware, daughter of magic. Death has been cheated here today and he won’t look kindly on that. Mark my words, he will be back, if not for your friend then for you. You have certain bearings of the supernatural, which a mere mortal can never obtain. Hear my warning: you have not seen the last of him, for he will not forget today and will seek you out in the future.’

  Before Crystal could protest, Gzhel whipped her silver-grey tail around her body. In a flash, the lake withdrew the water, revealing the moist sand beneath. Frightened fish jumped in the air, quivering, their own silvery tails flashing in the sunlight whilst they used them as an emergency rudder, wishing only to penetrate the surface and return to the safety of their silent world. The dark water surged forward, erupting into an enormous fountain. The torrent towered high above the spirit’s head for what seemed like an eternity until she turned and dived inside. The cascading flow ultimately subsided and then eased into a fine mist of delicate silver droplets, each melting away until any trace of her was gone. The lake, always respectful, settled back into a picturesque setting.

  Crystal raised her hands heavenward.

  ‘I saw her with my own eyes, I actually spoke to a mystical being,’ she whispered, pinching her arm to check she had not been hallucinating.

  Her chest muscles relaxed enough for her to breathe freely again. Crystal lowered her hands and glanced over to the boat. To her surprise, she saw it was making its way towards her, pushed by an invisible hand. It glided on the calming water, stopping only when her fingers reached out and touched the bow. She peered inside to see Alfie rolled up in a tight ball, his eyes screwed shut with his hands over his ears. Without saying a word, Crystal turned back towards the bank and guided the wooden boat safely to the sandy shore.