by Mia Fox
“I’m just trying to explain myself to you. I do love you Phineas, and the idea that I’ve come close to losing you to Charlotte is reliving losing James to Suki all over again. She brought those girls into our lives and then to see you actually fall for Charlotte...”
“Maybe if you were different, more...”
“More what Phineas?” her voice took on an edge. “Perhaps more human? Is that what you were about to say?”
“Raven, I don’t know what I was about to say because you jumped down my throat before I could get it out, but I do know this....I only wish that I got to see the girl that James knew back then.”
Phineas got up from the bed to leave, but Raven held on tightly to him, pulling him back down. “Please.”
“Why don’t you just influence me again?”
“Because I want to know...” her voice broke and to Phineas’ surprise the tears flowed down her face again. “I want to know that you still want me. For real.”
Phineas looked at Raven, clearly distraught over the history between them, her vulnerability, and his determination to bring Charlotte back. But he couldn’t deny that the centuries spent with Raven couldn’t be forgotten easily.
“Phineas?”
“What is it?” he said still turning away from her.
Raven bore her eyes into him, willing him to turn around. “Please, Phineas. Look at me.”
Phineas did as she requested and allowed her gaze to connect with his.
Never taking her eyes off him, Raven spoke in not more than a whisper, “Let me show you something. Give me your hand.”
He held out his hand to her without hesitation and she took it, placing it over her own heart, which beat strongly. As he held his hand there, he felt something that didn’t often occur when he touched Raven. He felt warmth radiate from her.
With their hands still intertwined, Raven moved slowly toward Phineas, her eyes on his mouth. Her kiss wasn’t filled with its typical urgency. Replacing the heat and passion was a vulnerability that was new...and intoxicating. Phineas allowed her mouth to remain on his, felt her hands cradle his face, and in return, he slowly, rather instinctively, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her entire body into his.
Raven turned her head to the side and sighed, a long happy sound of comfort mixed with growing desire that Phineas immediately picked up on. He bent his head to her neck and layered the kisses there, unaccustomed to being able to do as he wanted with Raven rather than being instructed. It was having an effect on him, which Raven took full advantage of by moving onto his lap, her legs wrapped around him, her neck fully exposed to his hungering mouth.
She threw her head back and arched her back, pressing her breasts against his chest. His kisses left her neck and trailed along her collarbone, her decolletage, and between her breasts as his hands caressed each full mound, releasing them from the already plunging neckline of her dress and gently leading each one in turn to his mouth.
“Please don’t stop,” Raven breathed heavily.
Never had Phineas heard Raven utter the word ‘please’ especially during moments like this. Although her request was demure, the result was the same as in the past. Phineas was unable to resist her.
His hands traveled down farther to her waist and held her firmly while their kisses continued to build. She felt him harden against her and Raven squeezed her legs around his waist stronger in response until Phineas pressed against her and lay her down on the bed, prone between her legs and ready to move down her body. Raven let her hands feel the strong muscles of Phineas’ arms; she felt the hardness of him elsewhere as well. Straddling her, Phineas expected Raven not to remain silent and to tell him what she wanted. He knew what she wanted. But she only returned his gaze, and with that one look, he felt the surge of desire course through him. The tables had turned suddenly and Phineas grabbed each one of Raven’s wrists, pressing them into the bed. He held tightly onto her and looked down at her exposed breasts, rising with each breath she took.
“Don’t. You. Move,” he said carefully, a warning of sorts.
Raven looked up at him wide-eyed and simply shook her head. He released her wrists and waited to see what would happen and when she remained still, her arms splayed outward, he moved down her body, lifted the long trail of her dress and let his finger toy with the light fabric of her panties, carefully moving it aside to expose her.
A quiet whimper momentarily escaped Raven’s mouth and she wriggled ever the slightest bit. He immediately stopped the movement of his finger that was just seconds earlier sliding against her in a slow, agonized movement. He gave her a look of warning and she stiffled any further movement until he rewarded her by pressing his mouth against her there. Phineas reached underneath her hips and lifted her towards him.
Raven murmured something that sounded like ‘oh god,’ but Phineas let the comment go and continued to let his tongue explore her with luxurious, long strokes and quick flicks that made her body shake. He performed like a man with something to prove and he didn’t stop until he felt every inch of her tighten and release.
He reached for Raven’s dress and straightened it back into place before holding out his hand to her, knowing that she would need it. “Let’s get to the ball.”
Raven didn’t say a word, but looked at Phineas with wonder and nodded.
* * *
Chapter Eleven
The guests of the ball waited for the Reckoning. One could feel the excitement build as couples began to dance a bit closer, speak more suggestively, and anticipate the freedom from suffering that would befall them when Charlotte was sacrificed. It was an intoxicating aphrodisiac.
As Charlotte continued to peruse the room searching for Samantha, whispers followed her. Samantha and Daniel both felt the mood of the room take on a new charge.
“I think this is it,” he said, taking hold of her hand unexpectedly.
Samantha looked up at Daniel in surprise, although she didn’t remove her hand. It felt good to feel someone warm as she hadn’t felt anything but a cold, bleak sense in weeks.
“That girl...she’s...”
“That must be her,” Daniel confirmed.
“She looks somehow familiar.”
“Don’t say that,” Daniel said and squeezed her hand a bit harder. “Someone might hear you.”
“But what’s wrong with what I said?”
“Nothing, it’s just that they could get the wrong idea.”
Samantha wore a confused look that only increased when someone clicked a spoon on the side of a glass. Others followed suit, and no sooner, the lights lowered and the movie screen was once again displayed.
The same woman returned to the podium. “We proudly present the second part of our evening.” With her announcement, the projector started up and another documentary of sorts began.
“The Reckoned and its corresponding Reckoning Ceremony of the Romani Realms enjoys a complex and rich history dating back to the early Druids. These priests of Celtic paganism would save the souls of their flock through human sacrifice, but as society began to frown upon the loss of life, a wicker man emerged as a substitute. Burning a man in effigy dates back to the days of Julius Caesar.”
Samantha gasped when a figure suddenly sat beside her...the girl who the crowd had spoken about as the Reckoned.
“Samantha? My god, I never thought I’d find you,” Charlotte spoke, leaning closer to Samantha as if to embrace her.
Samantha automatically stiffened. “Do I know you? I don’t think we should be talking.”
“Of course you know me. It’s Charlotte. Let’s go.”
The film’s voice droned on and Samantha turned her attention back to it.
“But in the spirit of restoring us to a simpler time, the Romani Realms’ High Commission endorsed the idea of sacrifices for the greater good. Initially, these sacrifices were deemed only to be of the male species as a symbolic nod to the historic Wicker Man.”
The older men in the room grumbled am
ongst themselves. One even interrupted the film by calling, “What about the movement on equality?”
As if hearing the man’s complaint, the voice droned on.
“Although the figure of the Wicker Man is still used in modern ceremonies on the other side, in the Romani Realms such comical imitations of history have been banned and replaced with more authentic means. True sacrifices that reflect our liberated society are performed annually. Women were added alongside men as offerings to the Realms in 2013.”
The film stopped and a woman dressed in a forest green long dress and an elaborate hat that looked like the branches of a pine tree approached a podium near where the screen was now retracting.
“Good evening,” she said in greeting. “I am Evangeline, Chairwoman of this year’s Reckoning ball. I would like to welcome you all and just ask that you remember to treat our Reckoned with respect. The Reckoned is to be revered because this one soul will satisfy the gods of the Romani Realms and keep them satiated for months to come. Our chosen one is in no way to be considered a food source. We have evolved from that pitiful blot on our history.”
Applause exploded among the crowd, and Charlotte leaned in closer to Samantha again. “Samantha, I’ve got a bad feeling about this. You need to come with me, now. I think they’re talking about you. Please listen to me.”
Samantha turned to Charlotte. “I don’t know you and I can assure you that they aren’t speaking of me.” She indicated the screen, which had descended once more and now showed an image of Charlotte.
“Oh my god.” Charlotte brought a small fan up to her face and hid behind it. “What is this place? Samantha, don’t you see? It can’t be safe for you either.”
Daniel looked between the two girls. “She speaks the truth, Samantha. I can feel that you two have a history...you felt it too. And if they find out...,” his voice trailed off.
Samantha looked into Charlotte’s eyes, but spoke to Daniel. “How do you know?”
“Samantha, I’m like you...I recognize purity and I see it in you. And, like you, I innately know someone’s true nature. Take her hand and tap into your skills. They led you to me in this god forsaken place, so let them continue to lead you.”
Samantha extended her hand to Charlotte. As their fingers intertwined, Samantha closed her eyes and concentrated. “We need to make a run for it,” she said urgently.
“You know me?” Charlotte asked with obvious relief.
“I’m not sure, but I know of you -- of what you are. And, you don’t belong here.” Samantha looked from Charlotte to Daniel. “None of us do.”
As the girls rose from their seats, Daniel scanned the exits. “The Selkie are blocking the exits.”
“Those girls?” Samantha asked looking at each door, but only seeing beautiful, young women.
“They’re powerful shapeshifters and they work for the High Commission. We’ll have to go the way you came in, through the salon and kitchen. “Let’s go,” he said, wrapping an arm around Samantha’s waist.
“Wait...” Samantha and Daniel followed Charlotte’s gaze to where a couple was dancing slowly on the floor. They were a devastatingly handsome couple, a girl with raven black hair and the young man, blond with a chiseled face and strong arms that held the girl close.
“Isn’t that the girl from the film?” Samantha asked.
“She’s the one who sent you here, and the boy who broke my heart.”
“Ladies, we have to get out of here,” Daniel said as he noted the Selkie speaking into walkie-talkies. “This way...”
* * *
“James, over there!” We had no sooner arrived at the ball when I spied Charlotte and Samantha from across the room.
“It looks like they’re leaving....with...” James craned his neck to catch a better glimpse of the girls.
“I don’t know who that is, but they’re following him. And, look who else is getting chummy,” I said pointing out Raven and Phineas on the dance floor. Although every couple in the room had now donned elaborate masks to cover their eyes, Phineas lowered his for a split second, his eyes boring across the room and connecting with mine.
“He’s following the plan, making Raven feel that he’s still with her. I don’t think they’ve seen the girls yet, so let’s not draw attention to them.”
“But if the girls leave...”
“We’ll find them. It’s best they get out of here.”
As they spoke in hushed whispers, Phineas twirled Raven across the floor, speaking into her ear while he scanned the crowd.
“He sees us,” I noted.
Phineas’ eyes came to rest on James and myself, as he gave us a surreptitious nod and continued to lead Raven through the dancing couples.
“Can you hear what she’s saying?” James asked.
I shook my head. “There’s too much noise. I can only pick up words here and there. Can we get closer?”
James leaned down to find two masks discarded on the floor. “Here,” he said handing one to me and placing the other over his own eyes. As we glided closer to Raven and Phineas, my connection to Raven and our history over the years allowed her voice to resonate.
“It’s almost time,” Raven said noting a clock mounted high on one wall.
Phineas scanned the room, no doubt checking to see if Charlotte had made her way to leave. “Time? For what?”
“The Reckoning.”
“Everyone’s in masks. How do you know Charlotte is even here?”
“It doesn’t matter if she’s here or not. She’ll be found. Back in 1990, the Reckoning lasted two weeks, but eventually they’re always found.”
I shivered involuntarily at hearing Raven’s words. There was no doubt that we were in new territory. The Realms. The Reckoning. My powers slightly disabled. If it weren’t for James and the support he provided, I would feel totally lost.
“Did you hear...”
James nodded gravely before I even finished my thought. “We need a distraction, something to give them more time to get to where they’re headed. You can do it.”
I nodded, more to myself than to James. “Back home controlling the elements is as easy as swallowing a warm slice of lemon merengue pie, but here...more like trying to shell crawfish with one hand behind my back.”
James leaned in and kissed my cheek. “Here, take my hand. Pretend you’re taking me on the most amazing journey. We’re going to fly on the wind. Now, make it happen.”
I closed my eyes, but rather than immediately try to control the elements, instead I focused on the changing weather conditions of the Realms. Like trying to catch the perfect wave, I let my mind ride the tides of the wind until I felt its rhythm and was able to summon it.
First it came as a light breeze, gently stirring just a tendril of the brown waves of my hair, then it grew and a blast of frigid air struck me directly in the face. Keeping my eyes closed and raising my chin, I welcomed the assault and then finally, focused it onto the rest of the party-goers.
James held tightly to my arm, leading me to the side entrance, so that I could continue stirring the wind. What felt almost like a small tornado started in the center of the room and rotated in a circle, pulling in dancers to its center eye, and thrusting those who were on the outskirts of the dance floor against the wall of the rounded ballroom.
“What does she think she’s doing?” Raven hissed, her attention immediately drawn to me. If not for Phineas’ arm around her waist, she would have stumbled.
But rather than answer, Phineas noted Raven’s surprise and let go of her suddenly, allowing her to spin with the wind to the center of the dance floor.
Phineas found himself standing at an equal distance between Raven and myself. Fully aware that his next move would either solidify or destroy what remained between he and Raven, he met her questioning gaze and remained in place for a moment.
Raven’s words were more than angry. “I will have those girls’ heads on a platter.”
“You’ll have to find them first,” I
countered. “And it looks as if you don’t have quite the army you expected.”
Phineas had made his decision and could be seen leaving out the same door that Samantha, Daniel, and Charlotte had used.
“What makes you so sure, you naive genie? Just look.” Raven had controlled the wind rushing around her and was now standing quite serenely, arms outstretched as if waiting to take flight. She pointed in the direction that Phineas had left before shifting into an enormous black bird.
“You don’t know that he’s with you,” I cried out.
“And neither do you!” Raven shot back. “But I do know whose side they’re on.”
The Selkies, a half dozen in total, had organized and were now walking in formation, flanked by two grey wolves who walked alongside them with chain link leashes around their necks.
A loud gong sounded and confetti rained down from the ceiling, both breaking my concentration. My ability over the wind stopped and the gathered crowd moved back into the center of the ballroom where the film screen was once again being lowered. Images of Charlotte flashed on the screen, along with those of Samantha and Daniel. “The Reckoning has begun,” a robotic voice announced. “This year’s Reckoned is being accompanied to her sacrificial conclusion by two of our own Romani Realms residents. Although they are not included in the Reckoning ceremony, their lives are expendable. We invite you all to reconvene outside where the hunt will begin.”
The crowd no sooner made their way out the doors of the ballroom, whispering about the dance and the food as if they had all just gone out for a Saturday evening.
“This is insane!”
“Be careful,” James warned. “This way,” he said taking me by the hand and leading me through the employees’ entrance where he had seen the Selkie arrive. We hurried through the corridor leading to the kitchen and then turned to the entry to the spa area where Charlotte had been made up for the night.
“James, I have to ditch these shoes.”
