by Mac Flynn
“Maybe the statue is in the middle to protect it,” I suggested.
“Or protect everyone else from the dragon man,” she guessed.
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile. “Come on.”
I led the way through the arch and into the maze. The height of the hedges and their thickness meant we couldn’t peek over or through them, but the paths were so wide that I didn’t feel any claustrophobia. However, there was something else I felt. It was the return of that sense of excitement, like I was going somewhere I’d always wanted to be.
“Hey!” Lina shouted as she grabbed my hand and pulled me to a stop. “What’s the hurry?”
I looked over my shoulder and blinked at her. “Hurry?”
She nodded. “Yeah. You’re walking at about a million miles an hour and we don’t even know where the heck we’re going.”
I furrowed my brow. “I. . .I didn’t even know I was going that fast.”
“As fast as a horse at the Kentucky Derby,” she quipped as she looked me over with narrowed eyes. “Actually, you’ve been kind of jumpy since you heard that story. You didn’t see a ghost, did you?”
I started back. That was it. That was the strange feeling I’d been experiencing since the lord told us that tale. I ran my free hand through my hair and shook my head. “I. . .I don’t know what’s going on. I just have a feeling that-” A noise made me pause.
Christine.
I whipped my head to and fro. “Did you hear that?”
Lina tilted her head to one side. After a moment she shook her head. “I don’t hear anything.”
Christine.
My pulse quickened and I slowly turned to the path ahead of us. I know I should have been terrified to hear a disembodied voice calling my name, but there was such a gentle longing in the call that I couldn’t help but pity it a little. “I think it’s coming from there.”
“What’s coming from there?” Lina asked me, but I strode forward. “Chris!”
I could barely hear her over the call of the strange voice. The person chanted my name like a mantra and beckoned me to find it. I hurried through the twists and turns until I stopped at another arch that led into a small open area.
A fountain gurgled water from the top bowl and down into a large pool. Atop the highest bowl, rather than a natural spire, was a large statue of a figure that knelt on one knee. As the lord had described it, the figure was both man and beast. Thick horns protruded from his temples and stretched backwards at an upward angle. His hands ended in long, sharp nails, and behind him was a long, lizard-like tail. His back legs were elongated like that of a dog, but the flesh was hairless and appeared to be made of scales and also ended in sharp claws.
The most startling aspect of his great visage were the pair of wings that folded forward over his arms. Though the statue was cast in stone, the craftsman had performed such a wonderful work that I could see the smooth leather of those great wings and see the slim veins that ran through them.
Beyond the inhuman visage, however, was the image of a handsome man. His face was firm and his short hair suited his form. The body was muscular without being overly hardened. The eyes, however, were what caught my attention, even more than the strange oddities of his body. They were as soft as the voice I’d heard, and more sorrowful than I could have imagined a soul could be without drowning in the anguish.
I don’t know why, but a strong impulse to kiss those smooth lips came to me. Maybe it was to give comfort to those pitiable eyes and to chase away their sorrow. Maybe it was-
Lina caught up to me and stopped under the arch. She hunched over and put her hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath. “What’s. . .what’s the big. . .idea?” she wheezed.
I nodded at the statue. “Him.”
She lifted her eyes to the statue and wrinkled her nose. “He isn’t very handsome, is he?”
I tilted my head to one side and studied those stone eyes. “I think he’s wonderful.”
Lina straightened and shrugged. “There’s no accounting for taste, but if he’s your type than you have my permission to marry him.”
I choked on my spit and whipped my head to her. “M-marry him?”
She turned to me, but jerked her head toward the statue. “Anybody who’s in that much of a hurry to see a guy definitely wants to marry him.”
“But it’s just a statue,” I scolded her.
The voice that replied didn’t come from either of us. “A handsome statue, isn’t it?”
We clutched onto each other and screamed in unison. The sound made the air quiver and echoed over the open area like a tidal wave of nails on chalkboards.
Lord Merthyr stepped out of the shadows with his face scrunched up in pain. “If I had known your reception would have been so vocal I would have announced myself sooner.”
Lina snapped her mouth shut and glared at him. “You should’ve done that, anyway!”
He bowed his head, but I could still see his smile. “My sincerest apologies, my ladies. To be truthful-” He raised his head and his gaze fell on the statue. “I was concerned about my old friend here.”
“Concerned about what?” I asked him.
He walked past us and stopped at the edge of the pool. “The storm that’s coming will be rather violent, and though the statue has remained safe for these many centuries I wonder if it won’t crack under the tremors of the thunder.”
“What storm?” Lina wondered, and as though in response a deep rumble of thunder was heard in the distance.
Lord Merthyr walked over to us and set his hand on our backs so he could turn us back toward the castle. “Perhaps we should return to the castle before-” A sprinkle of rain fell from the sky and pelted us.
And then the storm really started.
5
“Too late!” Lina quipped.
We broke into a sprint as the sprinkle turned into a downpour. The rain soaked our clothes and left us chilled to our bones. We reached the French doors and Lord Merthyr opened one of them for us. Lina and I scurried inside and he shut the door after himself. Our bodies were soaked and our clothes dripped little streams onto the floor.
“I’m so sorry for the floor,” I apologized as I tried to cling my already clingy clothes to myself to stop the numerous waterfalls.
He smiled and shook his head, sending sprays of water everywhere. “There’s no need to apologize. Nature has her way and we must make the best of it. Let me get you some towels.” He walked to the side of the door and pulled on a cord. A soundless alarm rang somewhere in the house and Trull soon appeared from the hall. “Some towels for our guests, and please have the fires stoked in their rooms.”
Trull bowed his head and disappeared down the passage only to reappear a short while later with the cloths. We rubbed ourselves down as best we could and ended up sogging some half a dozen towels.
“What did you think of the statue?” Merthyr asked us as we finished with our drying.
“It was beautiful,” I told him as I handed Trull my last damp towel.
Lina lifted her head and wrinkled her nose. “It was okay, but it kind of reminded me of a gargoyle.”
Merthyr chuckled. “It certainly has that appearance to most people.” A flash of lightning followed quickly by a crash of thunder told us the terrible storm had returned, and worse than ever.
“Do you know what kind of rock it’s carved out of?” I asked him.
He shook his head. “Not at all. I have had a few experts come for curiosity’s sake and inspect the rock, but they all pronounced themselves baffled by its make.”
“So you don’t. . .don’t know-” I wrinkled my nose as my nostrils twitched. A violent sneeze made me stumble forward. I rubbed the front of my nostrils. “You don’t know who carved it?”
He looked kindly down at me. “Not at all, but perhaps this conversation should be for another time. You must both get into dry clothes before you catch your death of cold.” Merthyr gently herded us down the hall
and upstairs where he opened our bedroom doors for us. “Sleep well, dear ladies.”
A thunderous crash above us made Lina shudder. “If anyone can sleep through this storm.” She slipped into her room and shut the door.
I stepped into mine, but Merthyr moved closer. His eyes caught mine in their deep intensity. “I hope the statue didn’t frighten you.”
I smiled and shook my head. “Not at all. I really did think it was wonderful, but-” I bit my lip and turned my face away.
“But what?” he persisted.
I furrowed my brow as I stared hard at the floor. “He just. . .it just looked so sad.” I raised my eyes to his and studied him. “Do you believe the story you told us?”
He set a gentle hand on my shoulder and his smile was awash in warmth. “With all my heart.” He moved back and bowed his head. “Sleep well, Miss Bradfern, and may you have sweet dreams.” He turned and disappeared down the hall.
I eased my door shut and turned to lean my back against the hard wood. The storm thundered outside and the rain pelted the windows, but my thoughts didn’t dwell on any of that. They were still with the statue. Even after I’d slipped into my pajamas and hung my clothes near the crackling fire, I couldn’t think of anything other than those sorrowful eyes.
The bed was comfortable and warm, but I found I couldn’t sleep. I stared up at the top cloth of the four-post bed with a furrowed brow. All I could think about were the smooth, carved lips of the statue as they beckoned to me. My traitorous body reacted to my indecent thoughts by igniting within me a sinful heat. How could I be reacting this way toward a statue?
“Why can’t he be real?” I whispered.
Is that what you desire?
I froze. The voice had come from everywhere and nowhere. It vibrated through me and quickened my pulse. The heat inside me deepened at the deep, male sound. Fear, however, reigned supreme.
I shot up and searched the room. There was nothing but shadows and the pelting rain. “W-who’s there?”
One who desires you.
A crazy idea struck me, that this was the statue talking to me. I shook that insane thought from my mind and drew the covers close to me. “Whoever you are, leave right now or I’ll scream!”
I know your mind. My leaving is the last thing you desire.
“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’m going to count to three. If you’re not gone then I’m screaming.” I took a deep breath. At the same time a heady aroma filled the room. I fought off the soothing sensation that wafted over me and cleared my throat. “One.”
The shadows on the floor in front of the dresser shifted. They shaped themselves into thin tendrils and stretched toward me.
“Two.”
The shadows climbed up the covers and onto the bed.
“Three!”
The tendrils raced across the sheets at me. I yelped and pushed backward only to have my back hit the headboard. The shadows reached my feet and pressed down on the covers, trapping my legs. I tried to grab the tendrils, but my hands went through them. The tendrils, however, climbed up my flailing arms and wrapped themselves around my limbs. They climbed still further until they pressed against my throat and covered my chest.
I expected to suffocate. What I found was far more pleasurable. The tendrils were cool like shadows, but they ignited within me a deep, aching desire. The darkness slid down my body and caressed my skin with a touch so stimulating that I had to bite my lower lip to keep from moaning.
“What’s. . .what’s going on?” I whispered as I leaned my head back. “What are you doing to me?”
I offer you my love, and my desire.
The tendrils stroked my body with their smooth, cool forms. I struggled to reject the sensual feelings that arose within me, but a fog of lustful desire crept into my mind. It was no use. I craved the touch of these shadows as their bodies stroked mine, fanning the flames of hot pleasure. They knew me better than I knew myself. All their caresses stimulated within me a greater desire for more. More of this sinful pleasure that teased me with promises of even more hungry wonder.
“Oh god. . .” I muttered as the heat intensified.
I reached down and brushed my fingers against my breasts. They throbbed and swelled beneath the tender touches of my strange lover. My whole body was engulfed in the sweet, cool shadows. The tendrils slid over my shivering flesh, touching and teasing me into a growing frenzy of sensual pleasure. I closed my eyes and groaned. Their lithe, slick forms wrapped around my breasts, massaging them in a slow, torturous rhythm that left me wanting more.
The feel of the cool shadows over my hot body made me squirm. Impatience pushed out fear. My mind followed my heart as caution was swept aside, replaced by a carnal desire that penetrated every inch of my body. I never wanted this to stop, and yet a tiny part of my mind still rebelled against these gentle, sensual touches. That small warning was ignored.
“Who are you?” I whispered as I arched my back, pushing my swollen breasts outward. I’d never felt so luxuriously sensual as I did then. I was like a cat purring for more milk, more pleasure. “What are you?”
The shadows drew me down onto the covers and pushed up my nightshirt, exposing my hot body to the cool air. They eagerly covered my skin with their smooth, pulsing bodies and pressed against my swollen, eager breasts. I held my breath as one of the tendrils slipped between my legs. My body quivered as the darkness teased the wet opening to my womanhood. So close. So achingly close. I would have given my soul for a single thrust.
A crash of thunder awoke me from my foggy thoughts. I shot up and looked around. The shadows were gone, but not the heat they’d made inside of me. Even my nightshirt was still stuck over my shoulders. I drew it down and wiped the sweat off my brow as another crack of thunder flashed across the sky.
A strange pull to look outside came upon me. I slipped out of bed and padded across the floor to the window. The storm had grown worse again and sheets of rain pelted the glass. I could barely make out the garden below my window, but something did catch my attention.
It was a white light in the courtyard at the center of the hedge maze. The brilliance was akin to someone holding a very bright lantern. I squinted and tried to make out a person, but the light was too strong.
So was the impulse to find out. I threw on some clothes and my coat, and hurried out of the room.
6
I hurried down the passage. Miss Livingstone’s door flung open and the woman herself stepped out. “Miss Bradfern! Where are you going at this hour?”
I didn’t even turn to acknowledge her presence, but fled down the stairs and into the foyer. All was dark and quiet but for the storm that raged outside. I sprinted down the shadowed corridor and to the French doors. A sudden gust of wind sprung up and hit the entrances, forcing them open before me as though the storm itself was inviting me to my fate.
The rain pelted my face and soaked my coat, but I felt nothing but the fast beating of my heart in my chest. There was terrible anticipation mixed with some urgency that I couldn’t quite understand. I felt like I was late for some pre-appointed meeting, and I would only have one chance to rendezvous with a special someone.
I tripped over the smooth wet path stones and ended up stumbling through the final archway that led into the fountain courtyard. I caught myself and raised my eyes to that wonderful, sorrowful statue.
It was gone. My breath caught in my throat. I hurried forward to the pool and squinted into the darkness as rain cascaded down my face. The statue was still gone.
A sound like stone cracking made me turn around and I gasped. A hulking creature of black slime stomped through the arch. It sported a blocky body and head, and its limp arms brushed against the hedges. The plants withered beneath the toxic slime that oozed off the abomination.
The creature paused and looked around. A pair of blood-red eyes were set into its square head, and those looked around with a malice that made my blood run cold. I froze when it set its sights on
me. The creature curled its lips back and revealed two long rows of sharp, rotten teeth.
I gasped and stumbled back only to trip over my own feet. The hard side of the pool welcomed my back and my rear fell hard on the stones as the creature lumbered toward me. It stretched out his oozing hands to grab me. Slime dripped from its arms and dropped onto the stones where it sizzled and left horrible black holes.
I threw up my arms and shut my eyes. A bright light penetrated my eyelids and there was a terrible cry like no creature I’d ever heard. I opened my eyes and blinked.
The thing was gone. Not a trace was left of it except for the broken stones and holes left by its dripping arms. I grasped the edge of the pool and climbed to my shaking feet.
A soft noise of wind made me turn around. My mouth dropped open as I beheld that a vortex of swirling black winds had replaced the fountain tiers.
Christine.
That voice again. The one that had called to me earlier. Now I knew where it came from. It was this strange black hole. At the sound of the voice the fear I felt vanished. There was only tranquility.
Christine.
He was calling me. I stretched out my hand and brushed my fingers against the wind. The darkness spilled out as shadowed tendrils and wrapped around my arm. The tendrils pulled me into the pool and drew me into the darkness.
I tumbled forward into the wind tunnel and was flung head-over-heels through an impenetrable darkness. Suffocation welcomed me as the air was pushed out of my lungs. I felt on the edge of losing consciousness when I was thrown from the darkness and landed hard on the unforgiving stone ground. My body rolled a couple of times before I crashed into a hedge.
“Ow. . .” I mumbled as I sat up and looked around.
I was still in the courtyard, but the storm had passed. The bright light of the midday sun shone down on my ragged person. How long was I out? And why hadn’t anyone found me?
I tried to stand, but my right leg twisted underneath me and I heard a painful pop from my ankle. Pain exploded inside my ankle bones. I fell back onto my rear and grabbed my ankle above the pain. “Ouch.” There were no broken bones, but it was definitely a bad twist.
