Morrigan

Authors note: So here is the thing....i have written and rewritten this novel almost 4 times....every time i get about half way....something happens. the last time this happened...my computer froze as it was saving and literally almost 120000 words were just gone due to corrupted data. So the morrigan articles will be the third back up i have now that ive decided to takle it again and maybe finally finish it. Formatting? i know its bad...spelling....i wish i could show you all these red squiggles. i know they are there and if you do take the time to read this...cursed project of mine THE ONLY THING i care about currently is believable chatacters, good exposition, general content, and whether the writting is really good.






MORRIGAN
“You know, I don't see how any one can drink this shit.” Max stood hovering over a coffee brewer that gargled and spat at him as it prepared the beverage. “sure it smells great, but it tastes like ass.” Too say that Max was a large man would be a huge understatement. Ge was massive, embarrassingly so with black hair styled short and simple. His Wife Clara stood at the stove baking an assortment of delicious pastries. She laughed and shook her head at the comment, as she reached into the heat with an oven mitt and pulling out a rack of freshly baked cookies. Tyler refused to look up from his newspaper as he spoke in a casual tone, “Then why did you open up a coffee shop Max?” Tyler was quite the opposite of max. He was thin with short and slightly curly brown hair. He was a very reserved man at the age of 24. Max on the other hand was boisterous and nearly twice his age. “Cause that’s what people want,” Clara laughed as she spoke. She was a cheerful woman, portly, but not nearly to the degree as her husband with long blonde hair that was almost always styled into a bun. Max and Clara were dear friends of Tyler’s Aunt. They gave him a job shortly after he turned twenty. He worked their ever since. Four long years of Max and his unbearable flirting with the young women who came to the cafe. Clara knew it was harmless. Even if it wasn’t, the flirting always failed. Tyler would usually end up caught in the middle, either through apologizing to the poor woman, or end up having to bear an intolerable wing man, as max would often try to set him up with the regulars. Tyler gave an exasperated sigh as Max retorted to his question. “The hipster girls are cute, that’s why.” Clara gave him a slight slap on the arm with the warmed oven mitt. They both laughed as max prepared a few saucers, placing coffee mugs on them. “I know your about off, but can you help me out here Tye.” He spoke through fits of booming laughter. Tyler rolled his eyes and stood up placing his time card in the little black machine on the wall. His apron, which was far to big for him, clinged for dear life onto his slender frame, His baggy black shirt and faded jeans covered almost entirely by it's shear length. Clara always joked about how it was a wonder he didn't break under all that weight. Tyler brushed off the flour on the apron and then took the pot of coffee and a few of the the saucers into his hands. "Table six bud," Max said gesturing with a nod at the door. Tyler walked back first through the door of the kitchen and into the lobby. It was a humble place, but it had charm. The aesthetically pleasing combination of black and red furniture combined with the black walls and hardwood floor made it an ideal hangout for the local youth. The space was, however, small and was often full in the mornings. It was just past noon, and the cafe was almost empty save for the lone table of three customers. Tyler maneuvered his way around the front counter, dodging various obstructions in his path. he stopped just short of the table as Max caught up with him. "Here you go, Mrs. Llewellyn." Tyler spoke placing the pot of coffee at the center of the table and placing a mug and saucer in front of her. The old woman spoke with a shaky voice, taking another mug from him and setting it in front of her daughter. "Thank you, dear." Her husband thanked Max, pouring the fluid into his mug as he did. Tyler heard the door open, a ring resonating through the cafe as the bells on the door chimed. he turned to face the new customer. The sight left him breathless. The sound of tapping erupted from the floor as a woman in her twenties waved a cane over the floor eagerly intently searching for any potential obstacle. The first thing about her that drew his attention was her eyes. The cafe had many windows and few obstructions between them and her. When the sun shone brightly on her porcelain skin her eyes changed from a mellow emerald to the most alluring pale green. The blank gaze she gave him made him feel uneasy. She was obviously blind, but something in him felt as if she could see every aspect of the world. She moved with a confidence and grace he had never seen before. This beautiful creature sat down at the corner table and politely waited He stood there awestruck and seemingly unable to move. "You like the redhead, don't you?" Max's voice sounded off teasingly from behind him. Tyler almost jumped as he spun around. He said nothing, blushing slightly. "Go ahead, maybe you'll be lucky." Tyler took a deep breath inching closer to the woman as he took in her radiance. A black cloth bucket hat sat upon a crown of clean red hair styled into a bob that curled out underneath the base of the hat. She was currently taking off her black wool coat and a black shawl that covered most of her upper chest tightly. This revealed a dark brown blouse that was tucked within a black vest. With black trousers and perfectly chosen heels not a single thing about this woman seemed imperfect, her hourglass figure sat with perfect posture as she stared off, he eyes disengaged from the world around her. For a slight moment he couldn’t even bring himself to speak. He was just a few feet away from her when She broke his stunned silence. Her voice was like silk covering him from head to toe in elation. A bright, cheerful, and yet mature octave seemed to echo throughout the sparsely populated cafe. She donned a distinct Scottish accent, and her choice of words seemed a little too archaic thus adding to her guise of age. “Hello?” He replied hastily, not wanting to let on how intrigued he was by her. She was gazing off into space as he spoke. "Hi...im Tyler, ill be your waiter, what can I do for you?" his voice broke slightly, She laughed at this and he felt a sense of achievement, as if he was congratulating himself for one simple chuckle, as embarrassing as it was. “I haven't had coffee in some time, Tyler. Surprise me with something.” she gave him a soft smile as she spoke. “sure thing, I’ll only be a moment.” he turned on his heels and headed off before she called to him again. "And, let me give you some advice: with me, nothing is too sweet." He smiled back at her. "im the same way, i have just the thing." He trailed back behind the front counter and into the kitchen where he began to brew the coffee. He stared at her as he waited. Max, walked up and gave him a pat on the back. "You have to ask for her number, you know that right. ive never seen you gawk before." He gave a diabolical smirk as Tyler looked at him, Tyler's expression was a clearly faked disgust. "Come on now, do i have to do it for you?" "Dont you dare." he replied. The machine in front of him sputtered and bubble indicating the brewing process was complete. "Fine, but me and Clara have a bet going. Ten bucks says you don't have the balls." Max walked away as Tyler began preparing his concoction. The drink was his own creation. It was sweetened with a combination of creamers and syrups. The finished product before him was topped with whipped cream and a cherry. he grabbed the mug and carried it carefully to her table, setting it in front of her, as she took a sip. he spoke with a hopefulness in his voice. "Well im off the clock now, but before i leave is their anything else i can do for you?" she smiled tenderly in reply. "This is the second worst thing I have ever done to my body." She pointed at the sugary abomination before her. "I love it," she laughed then, "I think im good." He was disappointed but proud of the impression he made. He happened to glance at her obviously expensive cane. A fine, beautifully stained wood with a green handle that seemed accented with beautiful green gems. She glanced over as if she had noticed what he was staring at. “Emeralds embedded in jade.” She said calmly as she softly gripped the cup with both hands and gradually taking in longer sips as she did. “aren’t you worried about theft?” she shrugged placing the cup down on the table. “Why should I be? I may be blind but I am quite aware of my surroundings.” She turned to him again and stared blankly directly into his eyes giving a sly smile. She reached out her hand and introduced herself in a manner that seemed almost too polite. “Im Morrigan. On second thought, I could always use company.” O O O
He found the girl so intriguing; he had been off work for over 2 hours and was still sitting with this beautiful creature. They talked and laughed with an endless supply of coffee in an old cafe. He got lost in her voice. It blended perfectly with her gestures and surprisingly animate eyes. She would adjust her perfect posture and wave her hands about as her eyes scanned the cafe in vain. He spoke with more confidence now, just happy to be invited in her presence. "So who wins the bet?" she said giving the same sly smile as before. "Im sorry?" he snapped out of his mesmerized gaze, a panic washing over him the was a levy breaks, releasing a flood of emotion. "Your boss and his wife. who's gonna win?" He wanted to leave, embarrassed to a whole new level. "You're breathing has changed, and your heart is racing. The blind tend to have much more acute hearing. Truly though, im curious now." "uh, well." he stammered on before being interrupted. He was thankful for it. "Just ask, we've been talking for hours. whats the worst that could happen, me saying no?" "yes." he said. she gave a soft giggle. “I’m afraid I don’t have a phone, but could I use yours real quick?” He gave up a small smart phone with a saddened gleam in his eye and anger brewing at having been toyed with. She calmly wandered to the other side of the room and typed in a few numbers. Her cane was clutched under her arm and she walked with such grace pacing around the cafe fiddling with the device in her hand. Morrigan finally put it up to her ear and spoke very softly, as to keep the conversation a secret, or at least that’s what Tyler thought. The conversation if there was one ended quickly. She walked back and gave him his phone. Odd that someone without a phone would know a number by heart, he though to himself. “It was very nice to meet you, Tyler. Thank you for being such great company. It’s been a while since I met someone who’s intelligence rivaled my own.” He stood up respectfully and thanked her in return. “thank you. It’s been a while since I met someone who was as interesting and deep as they were gorgeous.” His poor attempt at mimicking her archaic style of talking seemed to amuse her, or maybe the compliment allowed him to save face, regardless, she smiled a tender caring smile. And moved in slightly, leaning closer to him and kissing him on the cheek. “I look forward to hearing from you.” She turned quickly and walked out of the cafe. But you don’t have a phone, he thought. “She was pretty.” The girlish yet very masculine voice came from behind him. Charles, his roommate, stood there smiling. A slightly thicker guy with a rugged beard and effeminate personality, wearing the same uniform Tyler was. “Well congratulations, sort of. The cheek counts right Max?” he laughed. Max stared in awe as he reached for his wallet and pulled out a twenty. "I made Max double down that you would get more than a number." Charles took the money and smiled winking at Tyler as he did. "And that's dinner and six pack." He put the money in his back pocket then continued to work as Tyler left the cafe, confused. The woman he barley just met remained on his mind. He couldn’t force her out and her last words to him didn’t make sense. He pulled out his phone and looked at the last dialed number. [phone], a number that made him slightly angry. This number didn’t even exist. So who had she been talking to? She was indeed whispering he could hear it, and if she had been lying about it the whole time, why would she whisper. That night was long. The pain of defeat was fresh in his mind. His room was dark and silent as he laid in his bed staring up at the ceiling patiently waiting for sleep to come. A loud crash echoed through the apartment as Charles entered the entryway. "Tye." he yelled. "dammit." Tyler leaned up as the fumbling grew louder. His door flew open and a the way too excited face of Charles appeared in the darkness. "I...Got...Pizza." he said slowly, a beaming grin on his face. His higher pitched voiced was like naild on a chalkboard. "Im good, man. not really hungry." "oh shit, Tye, Whats wrong?" "Its nothing, just not feeling too well." "Awe, Tye?" he wandered into the room and sat at the foot of the bed. He could smell the liquor on him, and now doubt the rustling in the kitchen was some fine young gentlemen he had brought home for the night. "Are you hot and bothered over miss red?" "What no, char-" "Do you have the bone crazies? The Weenie Tingles? Does she give you the horn?" Tyler laughed slightly. "Im good. Im just not hungry." "A smile is all i wanted, good sir." "See you tomorrow. Have fun." Charles went giddy, like a school girl over a boy band. He jumped up and down clapping his hands. "hes a black man." he whispered hysterically. "Just try to keep it down man." "You might..." he paused a moment looking back down the hallway elongating his words before finishing the sentence. ",want to put on some tunes, man. Just thinking of you." "Got it." Tyler said in a voice that indicated annoyance and fatigue. The door shut and Tyler reached for his phone. He pressed the middle button and a series of apps appeared on his home screen. A few button presses later and he was whisked away to another world through his headphones. He began fiddling through his phone, wide awake to his chagrin. He began erasing old texts, and cleaning out the app drawer until he came accross somthing strange. There was an app installed on his phone that he had never installed or even heard of. The app contained no name but simply had a picture of a bucket bell hat. The hat looked strikingly similar to the very hat that Morrigan wore in the cafe. He opened the app and after a few seconds of blank screen, a set of numbers appeared in five rows, the middle row highlighted in white, and fifteen columns, filling the screen. Tyler concluded that the goal was to highlight a certain sequence of numbers and you would crack the code. He would work at it for days, trying various combinations of numbers without getting anywhere. The numbers changed and moved about the screen as he shifted them about, up then down, left then right. he didn’t even know the number of digits the code was. It wasn’t till a week had passed that he finally got a clue to the puzzle the woman had left him. He had tried hundrest of combinations spending most of his free time embedding himself in this decievingly simple task. The spark he needed came one night as he loomed over his phone, sitting at the kitchen table. He thought hard a moment, contemplating giving up. Thats when it hit him. "A phone number." he exclaimed. Apart from the various forms of social media, which he tried and failed, a phone number would be the only way to contact her. he thought a moment. He needed to choose nine digits. He looked at the screen and harkening back to the number she called on his phone, realized for the first time that there were only nine fives in the entire sequence. he shuffled the numbers about and stared in dismay. There were fifteen highlighted spaces. What about the other five digits, he thought, Scotland. she said she was from scotland. He pulled up a web browser and searched for scottish phone numbers. The american exit number is 011 and The uk country code was 44. He shuffled the first five numbers. She said she lived in glasgow for a time, maybe the area code of glasgow. he continued thinking to himself as he quickly alternated the digits placing the area code of Glasgow, 141, after 44. he was left with a problem then. what about the number itself. He decided to give it a final shot. l011-44-141-555-5555. the final outcome of numbers caused the app to shut down and it brought up the dialing number screen. It was actually calling a number that simply did not exist, he had tried numerous times to call the number and failed, as he knew he would. But to Tyler’s surprise, this time, someone picked up. A familiar accent and tone that sent his mind reeling. “Finally figured it out?”


Tyler walked along the concrete sidewalk, the feeling of anxiety washed over him as he pondered what events the next few hours would hold. The park was lightly populated by the classic runners, cliched families playing with their dogs and a few students throwing a frisby here and there. it was remarkably warm for winter. The grass was still brown and the trees still barren of leaves. Tyler took a breath of crisp and clean air as he walked, the sounds of his footsteps echoing out into the air, joining the sounds of laughter and dogs barking. He let out a sigh as he searched the park for his date. The familiar red hair was nowhere to be found. He shoved his hands in his pokets as he wandered about, leaving the path to search more thouroghly. His clothes were brand new, having bought them the night before for this particular occasion. He wore dark blue jeans that snugged to his slender figure slightly along with a white polo that itched the way new clothes tend to itch. He wondered why he tried so hard. She wouldnt see them anyway, but he felt it was respectfull. It was then that he heard a familiar tapping sound and felt a hand slip through the narrow space between his arm and his body, forcing his left hand out of his poket. He looked to find Morrigan curling her arm around his forcing his arm to conform with hers. "Hi, There." He stared dumbfounded at her as she spoke in a cheerful voice. "How did you know it was me?" "you have a smell." "A smell?" he spoke slightly paranoid at the thought. "Not a bad smell. Everyone has a smell. A mixutre of natural body oils and musk mixed with your select choices of body wash, shampoo, cologne, soap, even hair product. All together it makes a particular scent that, as long as you dont make too many changes, remains distnct." she stared into his eyes with the pale green orbs shimmering in the sun. she wore a grey shift dress that was hemmed at the hips draping down to her thighs allowing for free movement of the legs but clung tightly to the curvature of her upper body. Her hair was artfully finger waved covering the far left side of her face. Black leggings covered the porceline skin of her legs blending into the black heels that covered her feet. "all i had to do is find the one unaccompanied man in the park who smelled like they trying to impress. not an easy task, mind you. I found out to my embarrasment that there are at least two other young men having a romantic evening tonight." They both laughed. Her voice much more informal then before. It was full of life and while still archaic, allowed a more youthful spirit to dominate her words. They walked together arm in arm finding the concrete path again. Morrigan tucked her cane under her free arm cluching it tightly. "You look stunning." he said in a bashful tone. she smiled showing the top row of her pearly white teeth. "Thank you." she said confidantly. "Im sure you look handsome." she rached for his coller grasping it slightly and retracting her hand reaching for his hip then clasping a belt loop on his jeans before puling her hand to her chin continuing to smile. "brand new clothes? you are trying." he blshed then, thankfull she couldnt see. "So what do you want to do?" she said breaking his moment of embarrassment. the smile faded to a more serious expression as she spoke with a slightly frantic temper. "Walk around the park, get to know a little about one another, maybe coffee? no, you work around it constantly." "I dont mind, I work around it for a reason." he replied. She allowed the smile to return to her face as she nodded. "To where you work then?" tyler grimmaced slightly. "Sure," he said, a reluctance in his voice. They spoke very little on their way to the cafe. Located just down the street, it seemed void of life. The cafe was empty save for Charles and Max both sitting in a both waiting patiently for a customer to arrive. "They will do everything they can to embarrass me." he said suddenly realizing this may not be a good idea after all. "yet here we are." she spoke softly, "youll be fine." she giggled as they entered the threshold. Max looked up from a newspaper. "I said you were off today. Of all places, this pos is where you take your date?" Max had given him the day off just for this occasion. Morrigan spoke then. "I just wanted to see how he handled the teasing." she smiled cheerfully as she approached the counter. charles stood up and met her, taking her order smiling a devious smile at Tyler as he approached. "Oh honey, I know all his dirty secrets. Let me tell you about his nightlight." Morrigan turned slowly at the hip to face him smiling. "I dont have a nightlight." "hell, she doesnt know that yet." Charles laughed. Max chuckled slightly still sitting at the booth listening in. "He is terrified of the dark though, and spiders." "Charles." Tyler spoke, frustrated. "allright ill stop, I wont ruin it for you." "Dont worry tie, Spiders are terifying." After getting thier coffee they sat outside on small bench. the street was mostly empty save for a few passersby and the light traffic. "So what do you do?" tyler asked. "im..." she paused a moment searching for the right words. "independantly wealthy. I do a few things here and there. For example, im headed to oxford tonight to assist an old friend in reasearch. Other than that I spend most of my time traveling." "What kind of research? whats your degree in?" "Oh, I dont have a degree in anything. He contacted me recently needing help on a particular problem hes been having. Have to keep hushed for the time being." "Sounds interesting." "It can be. usually he just needs a fresh perspective. Tell me more about you. Hobbies?" "Not many, i read alot." "That's as good a hobby as any. i read quite a bit myself when i can find a book in braille. mostly non-fiction though. I love to learn." "I do too, its very liberating to learn. i read mostly fiction though." he took a sip of his coffee, searching for more to talk about before she beat him too it. "I used to paint before i lost my eyes. I was pretty damn good at it, if i say so myself." "Im not artistic. im good with cars though. Ive had my little sedan since i was 18, i work on it all the time. Still works as if it were brand new." "That's a handy skill to have." He nodded and smiled. "How did you lose your eyes, if you dont mind me asking?" she took a long pause staring at him slightly. "Its still a touchy subject. there was an accident." "I understand. I dont need to know." "Tyler, im afraid there are some ground rules." she turned to him on the bench and spoke in a very formal tone. "My past is off limits. Its somthing i dont feel confortable talking about,id rather not have to make up a string of lies to appease your questions. Maybe if somthing comes of this ill let you know more. but right now, im afraid..." she paused as tyler nodded. "Gotcha," he pondered on what could be the reason for the mystery. What could have happened in her past? she broke his reflection with a the same informal tone. "I like you though. we'll see." she leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I meant to ask," Tyler began, "How do you have a phone number that doesnt exist?" "To add to my mystique," she gigled. "Wont get that answer out of me either." Tyler rolled his eyes at this. "Allright," he raised his hands up to his chest, palms facing outward as if she could see. "Ill drop it." he gave a exasperated sigh. She laid her head down on his shoulder and let out a small chuckle. They sat there for hours, exchanging basic interests, most of which they found were simiar, some not so much. Tylers facination with cars almost seemed to bore her and Morrigan's almost fanatic theological studies had very much the same effect on him. The strongest similarity it seemed was their equally zealous passion for knowledge. Their love of learning was the subject of conversation for much of the evening. "And chaos theory?" One conversation began, Tyler asking the question with eager anticipation. Morrigan cocked an eyebrow and nodded. "A beautiful idea. Everything is predetermined and yet random at the same time." "Exactly. I love how subtle chaos seems to be. The fact that everything can be is so structured." "The blade of grass allowed to exist because over time the exact conditions were met." "Is that why you're so facinated with religion?" "No, i love religion becaust of the beautiful stories it tells. Religion is the mirror image of the human mind. Think back on chaos. isnt it funny how these various religions or culture in general seem to evolve in just the right way. With japanese animation and bhuddism becoming increasingly popular here in the states and the popularity of the martial arts film, isnt it strange to think that only fifty years ago we were at war, and being oriental meant constant racism. Even today the attitudes are still there. Most would say we just got over it." she paused and stared at him. "But if chaos teaches us anything, it was pearl harbor that caused this diffusion of culture. without it the orient would still be an exotic wonder." He pondered this thought for a moment. She stared with a vacant gaze accross the street before inturrupting his contemplation. "Oh, what time is it?" he pulled out his phone and pressed a button causing the screen to flash on revealing a string of numbers and a few missed calls from charles. "Six Thirty." he said nonchalantly. "Well," she stood up cheerfully and patiently waited for him to do the same. "Im afraid my flight leaves in just two hours, i better get home before the taxi arrives." Tyler, with a look of disappointment, simply nodded grunting in aknowledgment. "It's been fun." he said trying not to let the disapointment show. he failed it seemed, or maybe she was just as disappointed, he couldnt tell, but she reached for his right cheek carressing it with her hand as she leaned in and gave him a light peck on the lips. "Ill see you when i get back, yes?" he nodded, she felt the movement with her hand. she kissed him again. "I do have texting," she said pulling out a small brick of a phone that would flip to reveal a small customized keyboard, each key with uplifted symbols that were obviously braille. "This phone is amazing. specifically made for the blind." she smiled a soft smile as the setting sun turned the pale green eyes to emeralds. She almost seemed to glow. "Ill see you later." he said in a hopeful tone. she spoke with a sudden reassurance in reply as she began walking down the street. "Yes, you will," Morrigan was long gone before Tyler turned and entered the cafe. Charles stood came out the back wearing a fresh set of cloths, free of flour and coffee stains. "Its about damn time." he said, the slight effeminate voice ringing out int he cafe. "I thought shed never leave." Tyler smiled back, happy at how well the day went. "So?" "So what?" "How was it? is she actually interested in you? please tell me you got a legit kiss this time." Tyler let a small grin grow on his face to a beaming grin. Charles replied with a look of shock and and boasted in a joyous tone. "Ha, Max, that's another twenty." "Shit." the yell echoed out the back room. Tyler let the grin remain as he spoke. "Im going to head home, Charles." "No youre not, were goign to the bar. My man's already waiting." "Youre dating now? must have been pretty good." "Now, now. dont give in to sexual stereotype's Tye. He's actually a pretty cool guy." "You are a stereotype." "Doesnt matter. lets go" Tyler obeyed following him out the door of the cafe.




Morrigan Walked out of Oxford airport in a joyful stride. The trip was rough, but worth it. It was good to be back in the United Kingdom, and even though she was blind, she could see clearly the oxford she had left so many years ago. She knew better. So much has changed since then, but it gave her confort. It was nice to see everything as it was. It was familiar. Her nostalgia was broken by reality. The thunder of engines raced by and the planes taking off echoed loudly in the cloudy sky. She could smell the rain on the air. She delighted in the scent, taking it in deep as she listened to the saddned goodbyes that often plagued airports. She pulled out her phone and using ,its many features, typed a text for Tyler. Just touched down, im free to talk. She lost her self in thought before sending it. Was it too callous and unfeeling? She pushed the thought aside as she beckoned the device to send, deciding that the current format was fine. she could almost feel the electric signals mixing together with countless others in the english skies, striving to find its destination. It was then that she heard her name being called out among the murmer of the busy airport. She looked around turning her head just so to listen in. A hand rested on her shoulder. she turned quickly and before she could react, a voice from her past spoke quickly. "Morrigan, it's me." She could feel the smile being directed at her and recognized the english accent, "Daemon." she spoke in a voice that could be considered a squeel as she lept into the mans arms giving him a hug. The smell of scotch and cologne lingered on him, she expected as much. "Back to the craft?" she teased playfully. the man's deep tone became solemn and lacked the caring touch she came to know him for. "Not by choice, we need to talk. We all need to talk." her smile faded into an expression of confusion and worry. "What's happened?" "Its better if I show you." He walked her to a small car one hand on her back pressing her forward. "No turnip?" he spoke, trying to be polite. "Left her at home, didnt want to leave the house unguarded." "Understandable." He opened the car door then and ushered her inside quickly. She could hear his footsteps circle to the otherside of the car. He abruptly opened the door and sat down, sighing as he did. he started the car and joined the triffic that scattered the road. Morrigan could hear the patting of raindrops on the windshield. The sound started abrubtly and subtley grew until it became so frequent that Daemon had to turn on the windshield wipers, forcing the gathering water to the side so he could see the road. He reached for a small console on the door and flipped the switch. The window lowered slightly, just enough to keep the rain out. He lit a ciggarette and the smoke ebbed and flowed out of the vehicle, passing out of the car in the most unoffensive way possible. The smell of rain lingered in the car as the moisture seeped in. "Mind if I lend a lung?" he shrugged at her question reaching to the console and flipping another switch that lowered the passenger side window. He was obviously deep in thought. She instinctivly reached for her pack of camel turkish royals taking out the small stick and placing it gently into her mouth, then pulled out a small red bic lighter. The flame danced around the surface of the exposed tobacco as she puffed. The tobacco smoldered in the furnace releasing its precious smoke. She took a drag. She was truely worried now. He had been sober for years, last she checked. Something is was very wrong. Her mind raced faster and faster as she probed him for answers. "Is everyone from the old crew coming?" "Ivan is already there, Ted is on his way." "Mercedes?" He said nothing, but the racing heart beat was an ill omen in her mind. "It's been a while, morrigan." he said, changing the subject but keeping his bitter and cold tone. "Yes it has." she paused to take a drag staring vacantly out the passenger side window. "Almost forty years now."

O O O
Tyler woke up, a ringing in his head that signalled the pain to come. in just a few short seconds, the hangover would kick in reminding him that he drank way to much the night before. He gazed around the room as the pain began. He was sleeping on the couch in his living room. He was still dressed in the same outfit as the day before. He gazed hazily at the analogue clock hung neatly on the wall. The hands casually dancing slowly accross its face. it was eight in the morning. He shuddered at the sight looking around the room for what ever jostled him awake. The cell phone on the table buzzed again as if on cue. he picked it up and immediatly found himself wide awake at the sight of the text Morrigan had sent him. He sat up excited, shrugging off the pain. he fumbled with the onscreen keypad in reply. hope it was a nice flight lol how are you. He grimmaced at the informal message, wondering if the text speak was a little too much. he hovered over the phone for minuets before removing "lol" and adding the correct punctuation. He clicked send, placed the phone down on the wooden table and rubbed his face as if the action would make the process of waking easier. He could hear charles snoring in the other room, along with the unfamiliar snoring of anthony, Charles' new boyfriend. He was nice enough, Tyler thought, Bought way too many drinks though. The phone buzzed again causing a rather unpleasent clattering sound. Tyler reached for the phone and read Morrigans reply. It was horrid, but could have been worse. How about you? Tyler thought a moment, and quickly typed out a response and clicked send. I have a massive headache. little to much vodka. He rested his head down on the soft back of the couch. Guess this is when he figures out if she drinks or not. He didnt mind, but the time spent with charles would be greatly hindered if she didnt, even worse if she was entirely opposed to it. He was then joined in his misery by am equally hungover Anthony as the man stumbled into the room rubbing his eyes. "Hey buddy." Anthony gazed at him, analuzing the slew of evidence pointing to where he slept. "Dont you have a bed?" "A very confortable one." he smiled as he stood. "and its calling me." "Dont sleep too hard, im cooking brunch. its sunday after all. picked up the groceries and everything." It took this long for tyler to realize the man was wandering around in his boxers as he made his way to the kitchen. Tyler walked to his room, the sounds of Anthony rummaging around in the cabinets followed behind. Tyler felt the phone buzz in his hand. moment of truth, he though to himself. he read the message. Im a whiskey girl myself. shouldnt have drank so much ,silly. He smiled then relishing her playfullness. he fell flat on the bed, not even bothering to cover himself as he made a quick reply. Im glad. not gonna lie, i was worried you didnt drink at all. lol. Vodka is the roomate's drink of choice. he sent it resisting the urge to remove the textspeak as he did. he felt himself slowly decend into sleep as the smell of something delicious flared in his nostrils.
O O O

The ride to the university was long and arduous but she wasnt complaining. While Daemon refused to speak she found herself eager and oddly content talking to Tyler. The texts kept her sane during the drive. She felt the car slow down as the phone buzzed, reciting Tyler's most recent message in her ear in a feminine but obviously mechanical voice through an earphone. She giggled in admiration, typing out her reaction on the braille keypad. Why would you worry? she pondered a moment feeling Daemons gaze on her, curious as to the source of her unusually girlish giggle. I smoke as well...thought i should throw that out there. hope it doesnt bother you. she sent the message, hope on her mind. "Who is he?" Daemon spoke. She wish she could see his expression, guess him motives. Daemon was always good about hiding emotion when it suited him. "His name is Tyler, I met him recently." Daemon's tone softned. His voice seemed playful and he teased with every word. "My God, Have you finally found Love again? After all this time?" She let out a booming laugh. Daemon's face recoiled in shock as he let his smile drop. "I was looking for somthing new. I chose to expirience new suroundings and new places. We met yesterday, Daemon." "So you're playing with him?" "in a way, you know our world doesnt take kindly to strangers." "We were all strangers once." his voice graveled and he took another final puff. after exhaling, he put the ciggarette out in the ashtray and cleared his throat. Morrigan spoke while she did the same. "Maybe, but he was cute, and shy. Not exactly what we need. besides, love doesnt suit me." "Dont i know it." she looked at him, allowing her empty gaze to settle on what she knew was his face. "Yes you do." she opened the door and stepped out into the rain. The sights must have been wonderous. she remembered the old buildings and the sounds of students scrambling to their classrooms. The sounds were familiar, she heared people all around walking at a hurried pace. The murmering of tests and essays filled the air as she and Daemon waltzed up to a small building. Daemon led her through a room that overwhelmed her with the scent of old books. The library was silent, and empty. the only sounds that could be heared were the footsteps they made as they walked. A few flights of stairs later and she found herself entering a room that smelled of mint. She new what was coming but couldnt prepare herself quick enough. She jumped at the sound of a man practically screaming for joy as she entered. The mans thick russian accent echoed through the empty halls behind her. She heared the man rush forward as he screamed her name. "Morri, you made it." he exclaimed as he wrapped his arms around her lifting her skinny frame up and pulling her into his dense body. she pulled her arms over his returning the embrace. She smiled, now free of the shock as she belted back. "Ivan, how have you been?" Ivan was a tall man, with a dense muscular frame and a thick graying beard that covered most of his rough and wrinkled face. he lowered her gently, the smell of mint embedding itself in her nostrils. she would smell it for the rest of the day. "Quite well, actually..." He trailed off as morrigan listened intently to his tales, she cocked her ear slightly listening to daemons footsteps on the carpet. Shortly after she heared the clanking of glass and the sounds of liquid being poured. Daemon took a sip of the scotch, trying to regain the slightly drunken stupor that he had lost during the drive. "...and the children loved it. Every year since, ive carried a bag of toys through the streets of moscow, giving them to orphans each christmas. They call me santa Ded Moroz." His tone lowered as he felt a wave of nostalgia. "Its what Alexandra would have wanted." She smiled as she reached up and rested a hand on his shoulder. Daemon spoke then with a stern voice as he placed his glass down on his desk. "Ted will have to wait." he raised up the phone that rested in his other hand. "We have to get started." "What is it, Daemon. Its been so long. We should catch..." "Mercedes?" Morrigan said. She altered her poster crossing her arms and widerning her stance. "What happened." "She's not coming." Daemon said as he walked about the room. Morrigan heared the dragging sound of chairs being rearranged. "Why not, i brought her a present." ivan smiled as he helped place the chairs in a circle at the center of the room. "Im sorry ivan." Daemon's voice broke. "sit please, both of you." Morrigan allowed ivan to usher her to her chair. she sat down, and stared out as she prepared for the news. Ivan sat down in the chair beside hers. Daemon walked to the small bar and collected two more filled glasses of scotch. He gave them to his guests before taking his own and sitting down in the leather chair accross from them. At that moment Morrigan jerked her head to the sound of running. the door swung open and a young man, who appeared no older than fifteen burst into the room gasping for air. he was blonde with blue eyes and a slender frame. His voice was high pitched and labored from the running. "we have a problem guys..." he took a deep breath. "A big one." "ill add it to the list, ted, sit down." Daemon spoke in the most forceful tone he could speak. Ted walked in and sat beside Ivan, still huffing and puffing. Daemon stood and walked to the bar. He poured another glass and handed it to Ted before taking his seat again. "Mercedes is dead." A stunned silence fell on the room as Daemon explained the situation. "Burned alive in her own apartment about six months ago." "Why wasnt I contacted, was she trapt in the building?" "No, she was asleep. ill explain." he paused and took a sip as he let his guests get confortable. Ivan fought the tears in his eyes as he listened and ted, as always, jittered about causing the leather in his chair to squeek slightly. Morrigan simply stared in eager anticipation, still unable to accept the fact that a dear friend was dead. "Like with all of you, i try to keep close tabs on her. About three months ago i tried to contact her. Obviously i got no reply. several more failed attempts i tried to track her down. when i got to her apartment I found that the door was unlocked. it didnt take long for me to find the remains." "You said there was a fire, no one knew?" Morrigna asked. Daemon shook his head in response as he reched into his pocked and pulled out a vile of what Morrigan knew was ashes. "She was the only thing that burned. You wonder why im back to drinking. this is why, but my precognicion can only work while intoxicated." "I havnt forgotten." she snapped in reply. Daemon dripped a small ammount of ash into his scotch passing the vile around telling his guests to do the same. "I can take you with me and show you what i saw. its better that way." he said abruptly in the same somber and forceful tone. After each had taken a few sips Daemon leaned back and slouched in his chair as he controlled his breathing. Morrigan saw as Ted and Ivan did the same. She felt drowsy and allowed herself to succom to the power inflicted upon her. It wasnt long before the visions came. flashes of various points in Mercedes recent past. The flashes were incoherent, and seemingly random until she felt the presence of Daemon guiding her to the main point of interest. She saw a young woman laying on the couch reading a small book. she heared the buzzing of a cell phone and then suddenly a serious of bloodcurdling screams as the woman jumped up. she clenched her stomache bumping into walls and furniture. The screams became cries of agony as the woman began clawing at herself. It was as if she was trying to release somthing from within. small incicions made from her bloodstained nails released a slow oozing of blood. Morrigan smelled the stench of keresene. At that moment the woman burst into flames in a final screeching cry. The woman took a deep breath forcing her lungs to colapse. The woman died gasping for air with her body arched and contorted in the most unatual ways. Morrigan forced herself out of the vision. she came to with tears running down her face. Daemon allowed his friends to adjust to the knowledge before speaking. "Each of you has a different skillset. i need all of you to figure out what happened." Ted shook his head. he bawled as Ivan spoke. "I know of no machine that could do that, Daemon." "Prestige." Morrigan said wiping the tears from her eyes. she rested her elbows on the arms of the chair clasping her in front of her covering her mouth as her lips quivered. "But that would require line of sight, unless its some sort of arcane poison?" she looked to ted, who was already shaking his head. " 'fraid not. even with prestige, its too sudden. the onset would have been slow. she wasnt eating or drinking anything at the time, meaning that any toxin would have been running through her system for a while." "Unless there was some sort of trigger." Morrigan added. "What? Reading a book?" Morrigan reconsidered the thought. "Its murder and its arcane. No one else was in the room." Morrigan paused then as Daemon spoke. "There was no line of sight at all. Who ever did this was no where near the apartment." "That means..." Morrigan let her jaw dropp slightly. "who ever did this isnt human." Daemon nodded. "I expected as much," he began, "Ive brought you all here, because something is hunting us. ive seen fifteen cases like this in just the past few months. Cabalists are dying left and right. As far as I can tell, it comes without warning. We are somewhat protected given our...conditions, but we can most certainly die." "Why the medium though?" Ted spoke. "if anything you would strike first at the strongest of the cabal." Ted gestured to Morrigan. "No idea, but we need to be careful." Daemon took another sip and listened as Ted spoke. "The time changed." he said. he pulled a poket watch out of his coat poket. "seven years, five months, two days, and thirty three minites." "Thats a two hundred year jump." morrigna said appaled at the fact. "I know, its not the machinery, this is the new time." he placed the watch back into his pocket "and without our medium, we have no way of communicating with the veil." Ted looked at morrigan, "unless..." Morrigan shook her head, "Me and death are not the best of friends. she wont let me pass." Ivan spoke for the first time in minuets. "That's...unfortunate. What do we do?" "Go dark." Daemon said. Morrigan nodded in approval. "Dont do anything that can draw attention." "I get to be normal for a while, couldnt hurt i suppose." Morrigan said, thinking back to tyler. Her phone had buzzed minuets ago. "Let me put a ward or two down at your house, Daemon. your the one who is most at risk here." Daemon didnt speak, he only nodded at the offer and finished off his drink. She pulled out her phone to see the reply: Doesnt bother me. My aunt smoked, im used to it and that's pretty much the only thing to do in this town. Haha. its also the only way Charles knows how to have fun.

O O O


Tyler hovered over the plate of food, forcing himself to take each bite. His phone sat idlely to the side. He took the occasional glance at it just to make sure it hadnt buzzed. Charle's wandered into the living room with a plate and sat beside him on the couce. Anthony followed sitting on the floor. "Its fantastic Anthony, thanks." Tyler said. The food was amazing, regardless of tylers reluctance. "You two been texting it up all day?" Tyler looked to Charles and shook his head, swallowing a mouthful of food. "Not too much, she's busy right now i assume." Charles nodded. "You too seemed to hit it off yesterday." "We have a lot in common." "Thats always good. do you work today?" Tyler shook his head. "I do later on." charles paused to chew a mouthful of pancake before continuing. "ITs gonna suck. I hate winter." "Me too, I hate the cold." The phone buzzed then, he reached for it slowly, not wanting to seem too hurried to see what she said. There's been a change in plans, ill be heading back tonight. we should hang out when i get back, drinks? Sure, he replied quickly. he turned to charles who grinned at him. "what?" "Thats fucking adorable."
O O O
Daemon watched as Morrigan etched various symbols into the frames of every door and window, a carpenter focused on her craft with expert precicion. Each stroke was made with purpose and left no room for error. She looked up from a window sill. "Is that it?" He asked "For most, but im not stopping there. Do you have a philips screwdriver?" he nodded and retrieved the tool from a drawer in the kitchen. She took it and began removing the floor registers. The vents were the only link to the outside of the house and a clever practitioner could use them to sneak past the other wards. she began work immediatly, chipping off rust and little slivers of metal, creating the symbols of protection. "What are you going to do about the boy?" "Tyler?" "Yes." Daemon replied a caution in his voice, trying not to stir up Morrigan's well known rage. "I wasnt aware i had to do anything about him." she chipped away as she listened to his reasoning. "you dont, but being close to him means hes a target." "or a cover." she said in a cold tone. "Is he really just a means to an end for you?" she lauged at the comment. She stoop up from the vent and wandered to the next before answering. "Were going dark remember? I shouldnt draw any attention." "youre dodging the question." "And youre dealing with it." she said finishing the final Floor register. "My flight leaves soon, it was nice to see all of you. Ill keep in touch." she turned on her heels and allowed him to guide her out to the taxi waiting out front. He was far too drunk to drive her back, besides his line of questioning annoyed her. Despite this she raised her arms up and wrapped them around him in a firm embrace. She took in the fragrance of scotch, cheap cologne, and cheaper cigarettes. After a brief pause he responded with an embrace of his own. “Dont be a stranger.” She said, “keep in contact please.” releasing him, she opened the car door and she nodded to him stepping inside. "Be careful." she said. he nodded back and smiled. She could barely see the faint outline of him as he shut the door.

While neither Tyler or Morrigan realized it, they had been dating for months. Morrigan, to her surprise, actually grew quite fond of him. The dates became more frequent and she had routinly visited Tyler at his house. Tyler often wondered why he never ended up at hers. He new if he asked she would chaulk it up to her mystery, "To add to my mystique." she was so fond of saying. Either way this enigma that was her daily life didnt come between his enjoyment of her presence. Morrigan however, was conflicted. She sat on a worn out couch her face in her palms as she listened to a text from Ivan. "They tracked me down, ill be joining daemon at the sanctuary until further notice. By the way, morrigan, ive sent you a special gift. It tends to work for the most part. I hope it serves you well." Daemon had confirmed Ivan's arrival. It was only a matter of time before ted gets found. She didnt want to let tyler down so harshly. She sighed and pushed the thought from her mind. A small furry head nestled itself onto her leg. "Turnip." she said smiling, reaching down and scractching behind the dogs ears. The corgi leapt onto the couch and snuggled close to her, pushing itself on her outer thigh. She pet the dog happily. The House was cluttered. stacks of books and paper were littered about the room on the floor and on top of desks. The kitchen was spotless, the only clean room in the house. She stood then and wandered to the door, Turnip let out a small bark. "Not today, Turnip." she said as she exited her apartment. She locked the door and walked carefully down the steps. After exiting onto the sidewalk she pulled out her phone. The phone dialed the selected number and Tyler's voice answered. "Hello?" "Hi there. im on my way to the cafe. you off yet?" "Sure am, ill be waiting." "Wont take long. see you soon."



Morrigan walked along the sidewalk, her cane extended out in front of her. She had this path memorized even though she hadnt walked it in years. She was deep in thought. Minos was a reclusive man, and as such didnt like company, especially hers. She was an affront to nature in his eyes. She approached the front steps slowly, taking as much time as possible before having to knock. Hopefully today he will be in better spirits. she knocked, tapping forcefully in quick bursts. The comotion inside was quiet, but audible enough for her to listen. She prepared herself as the door opened. Minos didnt even care to see who his visiter was. "Come inside, quickly." He said. Morrigan's eyes widened a bit at the sudden welcome. "were you expecting me?" "You could say that. She told me you might visit." The man had short dark hair, with brown eyes. She had never heard him speak the way he did. his voice was gruff and deep, but for the first time since she met him, he spoke in a soft tone. "who-" the smell stopped her words. The fragrence of exotic plants long forgotten by modern perfumers. The smell was unique, no other perfume like it. "Oh." she said narrowing her eyes. "Her." Minos shrugged and stepped to the side. Morrigan entered the dark room and took off her coat. He took it and placed it on a coat rack. Her bucket hat was placed on top. "We have quite a problem." The walked further into the dark house. The scent became stronger now, an inviting scent that seemed to ensnare the senses, begging to be expirienced. "Id hoped," morrigan began, "That wouldnt have to see you so soon." The woman was sitting on a leather chair. Morrigan could still remember the way she looked. her Pure white skin and long wavy black hair that fell just past her shoulders. She always wore a pair of black slacks and a green wool turtleneck. Her voice was cold as ice. A soft and almost delirious tone emerged and echoed throughout the room. "See me?" The voice mocked. "If youre busy with her, i can come back later." she turned to Minos and began to walk past him towards the door. "Im here because youre here." "Why? you cant take me." "Im not here to take you. Minos." The strange woman glanced to the man dressed in black "The dead are acting strange." He began. "Stranger than usual?" Morrigan spoke raising an eyebrow at the thought. "That's kind of there thing, isnt it." she threw a taunting gaze at the woman in the chair. "There staring at something." he said "Staring?" "every single entity that resides in the veil is staring in unison at somthing. I looked into it, but they all seem to be staring off into space." "We wanted to warn you and youre companions. Something big is coming." Morrigna pondered the womans words, thinking back to ted's watch. The woman nodded. "Is it connected?" Morrigan said, concern in her voice. "Isnt it always. This cataclysm Theodore as predicted will no doubt affect us all." "That's unsettling. The Divine?" "Cant say much, but were placing countermeasures. either way, somthing big is happening. lots of people will die." "Is it that bad." The woman nodded a stern look cast upon her face. "How can i help, you wont let me into the veil. Isnt that your jurisdiction?" she glanced at Minos. He spoke with an exhasperated tone "That's not all." "Mercedes death is the most disturbing of developments." Morrigan rolled her eyes, still feeling grief over the loss of a dear friend. "Of course it is. How so?" "Her soul never made it to my doorstep. She never passed on." "So a ghost then?" "No," Minos said. "A ghost implies she passed on. She never passed." "Was her soul collected?" "No one claims responsibility for it, and there are no contracts evidant of it. So i doubt it." Morrigan pondered this a moment. "That means someone is breaking the rules." the woman nodded again. "Ill check her apartment then, i might be able to come up with something you cant. It was on the list of things to do anyway" she said. "It will take some time of course. Possibly a month or too to get everything in place. However, Minos, I will require a favor in return." He listened carefully. "I need access to the Egypt Archives, which you locked me out of." "Why would you need that?" "Irrelevent, if im going to help you, i need somthing in return." "Fine, pursue your vendetta, but only after." "Of course." The woman lifted herself gracefully from the chair with enormous grace and stood right in front of Morrigan. "The boy?" she began. "No." "It's dangerous for him." "No." The woman paused and looked with sudden admiration. "Fine," she said. "Im sure you will look after him." Morrigan’s face was fixed in a stern gaze. "Yes i will."
O O O


Tyler wandered about his room pacing in silence. The text arrived with a loud chime that seemed to bouce off the walls. Tyler quickly walked over to the phone and read the message. “Sorry, I had errands to run. We still on for tonight?” Tyler typed out his reply occasionally glancing out the window in between words. “Yeah, but change of plans. Can we meet at the coffee shop?” He hit send and again stared out the window, his expression concerned. Standing in the street was a hooded figure. Tyler tried his best to hide his interest looking through the small opening provided by the blinds. It was most certainly a man, Tall and slender, but intimidating as he easily towered over Tyler. The man wore a brown jacket with a black hood and what appeared to be slacks. Tyler began to wonder. The man looked greasy or dirty and yet it was clear the cloths were regularly laundered. He couldn't explain this feeling only that when he felt it, it seemed dead on. It was the perfect way to describe this man. The chime of the phone broke his concentration. He reached for it and glanced down at the message. “Whats wrong?” Tyler grimaced, she always knew somehow. “Its nothing, just a little paranoid.” He texted back in reply. It was less than thirty seconds after when the phone buzzed again. “Paranoid?” “Just a guy across the street of my complex. He keeps looking at my building.” Tyler put the phone down and reached for his shirt that was laying on the bed. He put it on and gazed again out the small slit between the blinds. The man across the street seemed to meet his gaze. If Tyler could even find the words to describe how unnatural that mans face looked, he wouldn't be able to speak them. He was almost petrified. The mans face was perfectly normal, yet skewed, as if made by something other than skin. The phone chimed again and Tyler jumped, thankfully removing his hand from the blinds before jostling them about. He grabbed the phone and read the message. “A man? Im already on my way. You really want me to backtrack all the way to the shop?” He quickly typed back in protest but was interrupted by Charles knocking on the door. “Come in” Tyler said. Charles opened the door and spoke in a slight whisper. “Do you see that guy across the street?” “You too?” “What the hell, I don't like him. Just a feeling.” “You and me both.” Tyler turned his attention to the phone finishing the message as Charles gazed out the window. “I suppose if your close.” Tyler sent the message slightly overwhelmed. “Huh, hes gone.” Charles said almost sounding disappointed. “Good.” Tyler said in reply. Morrigan arrived soon after, and as Tyler thought, wanted to know everything about this man. Charles regaled her with slightly over exaggerated details about rubbery looking skin and long twisted arms. She seemed to know he was stretching the truth but routinely looked at Tyler who still seemed very unsettled by the experience. “Shall we go then?” she asked. Tyler looked up from the dining room chair and saw that she was ready to leave. “Yeah,” he replied giving a sincere smile and after heading out the door. “Where to?” After a few moments Morrigan curled her arm around his and replied in a cheerful tone. “I always pick, your turn.” Her pale green eyes caught his attention as she gazed at his face. “Can I ask something?” Morrigan turned her head toward the empty space in front of them and smiled. “As I have said,” she began pausing for effect. “You may ask what you wish, and answer is never guaranteed but you may ask.” “How blind are you?” he paused a moment then added. “I mean obviously enough to need the cane but your eyes are so animated.” Morrigan pondered this, trying to find an appropriate answer that will answer his question but also keep her mystery intact. The silence lingered for a few moments before she spoke. “I can see…almost a haze?” she said unsure of her answer. “I cant fully explain it but I can see slight color and occasionally faint outlines of objects. I Know your wearing a white shirt for example but its condition, brand, and the type of shirt it is would need more than the little sight I have to know.” “I didnt know that was possible. Ive never even heard of that before.” “Believe it,” she laughed, “youd be surprised at all the rare conditions that exist. Some are very odd.” Tyler had formulated another question but just before asking it, they stopped as Morrigan loosened her grip on his arm and let their arms fall reaching for his hand. He took it and she lifted her other hand to find his face. Her hand lightly brushed his cheek before she pushed her lips towards his granting him a passionate kiss. He decided to drop is as they continued to walk hand in hand down the sidewalk. The traffic of both cars and people slowly drifted by more infrequently by the minuet. It was at that time that an idea popped into Tyler's mind. He stopped turned around and picked up his pace as she followed. “Im curious,” he began, “Can you still see sunsets?” A slow creeping smile stretched across her face until she was beaming and her eyes widened. “What time is it?” she giggled. Tyler pulled out his phone. “5:15” he replied. “We still have time,” she gasped. “For?” he asked as he led her in a brisk walk back to his apartment. “When I painted, I loved landscapes. My personal favorite time to paint was during the golden hour. Its when the sun is just right in the sky for the most beautiful colors to emerge.” “When is it?” “5:40 give or take 10 minuets.” They reached the apartment and Tyler gathered up a few pillows and some blankets in a garbage bag. “Are we watching from your room?” Morrigan asked. “Oh no,” he replied. “Come on.” He grabbed her hand and escorted her out of the room and up a flight of stairs. “Watch your step.” He said stepping beside her and grabbing her waist as she slowly tapped her cane about guiding herself up the steps. After two flights her cane met a steel door. She heard the excited fumbling of keys. “The roof?” she said her voice slightly breaking. He nodded, and feeling idiotic added, “Exactly.” She laughed and as he stepped in front of her to open the door she wrapped her arms under his and around his waist. He laughed as she pulled him in. He turned the key and opened the door letting in the soft yellow light that pierced through the harsh light of the florescent bulbs overhead. She immediately reacted to the light almost jumping for joy. “When this complex was built it was meant to be a place of luxury.” He began leading her onto the roof. She could smell the fragrance of flowers as he pulled her close and led her forward. “They decided to build these little garden areas on certain buildings. I guess for like family picnics.” “Or romantic evenings?” she said. He smiled and she seemed to notice as she replied with a smile of her own. They wandered to a small patch of grass growing strong on the concrete hole filled with soil. He laid out one of the blankets and walked her out onto it.They both sat down and took in the sight of the setting sun. They had perfect timing. The sun shimmered off her skin and her eyes emitted the familiar jade glow. She removed her vest and allowed the white blouse beneath to flow freely in the wind. Morrigan was enamored by the shear burst of color she could see. A haze of reds, oranges, and Yellows. “I cant remember the last time I experienced a sunset,” She began, “or a sunrise for that matter.” She muttered trailing on a tangent. She shook her head clearing her thoughts. “Experienced?” Tyler said. “That’s exactly what it is in my view, pun intended.” He chuckled as she continued. “ Its not just the sight, not just the colors. Its the warmth and smell and the silence that always seems to come with it. You may not notice right away, at least not without focusing or having been told. To me it is the only way to watch a sunset. She inched her way closer to his side clasping to his hand and laying her head against his shoulder. He pulled her hand up and lightly kissed it before gently allowing it to fall. She gave a slight smile bringing her knees up to her chest and leaned more against his side. He turned his head and was greeted with another kiss. They sat their, motionless and silent, for several minuets. “I like ya.” Morrigan said, her accent thicker than usual. He beamed at her, noticing the fading shimmer of her skin and eyes. She returned the smile, as he lost himself staring. “Well thank ya, I like ya too.” He replied imitating her accent. Her smile dropped and she cocked an eyebrow glancing up at him. He snickered under his breath
Two hours passed and by eight they were lying down beside one another. Morrigan held his right hand in hers laying lifeless on her chest and used her left to casually caress his arms. Almost instinctively, her hand slowly traveled up to his curly hair and began toying with it getly wrapping it around her fingers then loosening her grip allowing the curls to unwrap. She repeated the process over and over again, listening to him speak and replying if necessary. “Whats wrong.” The words derailed her train of thought. “Hmm?” she replied, blank faced. “You're thinking.” “Not at al-” “Don't even,” he laughed. “Thats you're thinking face.” She smiled and turned over perching herself on her forearms lifting herself up so he could see her face. “Im just not quite used to this is all. I dont date much.” She turned and wormed her self into the cradle of his side staring into his face. He curled his arm under her and clenched tightly. “So tell me about this man.”She said. “You're changing the subject.” “And you’re dealing with it.” He chuckled and turned to look at the stars. “He just looked, grimy, like filthy, you know? Me and Charles both feel that he was staring right at us.” “He was?” “Seemed so. It was like his skin was fake. He just didn't look right.” “I'm sure it was nothing.” “You're right.” Tyler said as he slowly rose from the blanket. Morrigan did as well assisting in whatever way she could in picking up the mis-mashed pile of pillows and blankets. She spent this time pondering. She considered stalking the night for the so called fake looking man. Too slow, she concluded. with the recent hostility toward her daemon, ivan, and ted, she knew it was only a matter of time before she, and by proxy Tyler, expirience hostility as well. She caught the scent of Tylers cologne. He hated the scent, but wore it for her. She could easily identify it and she enjoyed the smell. It matched hers well. She glanced in his directon smiling. "What?" he asked. she shook her head in reply. "You're cute." she said plainly. He stood there awkwardly as she took a step forward. She placed her hand on his chest and used her other hand to seek his face. She grabbed the back of his head and gently pulled it toward her gracefully. she kissed him then, deeply and intimatly. She could feel his body tense as her lips danced with his. He trembled, bottleing his lust out of decency. She pressed her body into his as he wrapped his arms around her. Her fingers stroked his sides, thoughtfully. Every inch of progress seemed plotted and inspired. She was an artist, he the canvas and the feeling produced in all its colors was truely, in her mind, art. She was doing her best to solve a moral quandry. The Lirwetz Rite. The act of becoming one with another. With Tyler, however, this would mean suduction and the breach of privacy. She recited the steps carefully in her mind, paying close attention to Tylers every move. Ever shake and quiver brought him closer to animalistic desire. Tyler tried to pull her closer, but did so in vain. Believing that the two couldnt be closer, he allowed his mind to clutter with thoughts. He pulled away for a single moment and gazed at her face. He saw nothing short of perfection. He felt her branching down to kiss his neck. He felt a primal urge deep within him begin to take hold of his every thought. His every move dedicated to fulfilling that desire. He longed for her as she pulled away from him, continuing to clean. The Lirwets Rite, Morrigan remembered, was a method of using sex as a tool to connect with ones partner. She had used it to get information before. She wondered why she was so conflicted. She had never intended for her relationship with Tyler to grow past infatuation, and yet here it was. She picked up the final pillow and handed it to Tyler. She felt Tylers eyes on her. He studied her, memorizing every angle and curve like roads on a map. It was as if he would need to know the roads forever. They carried the bedding downstairs and threw them haphazardly on Tyler's bed. Charles and Anthony were both asleep already, made evident by the snoring. Morrigan closed the door flipped the light off as Tyler turned to face her looking confused. She caught his change in breathing. “Sorry, I was wondering if I could stay here for the night?” Tyler blinked suddenly uncomfortable. “Um. I suppose. I don't mind.” He said as she removed her blouse. He noticed for the first time the tattoos that covered her body. Some of them were simple like a sugar skull located on her right arm, strange symbols that Tyler couldn’t place the origins of. The most prominent piece was what appeared to be the figure of a women, slender and seemingly frail with red hair that draped over her body down her side, under her laced bra, and extended down Morrigan's side and wrapped around in spirals around Morrigan’s right leg. He stared awestruck. “I can leave, its fine.” she said her bunched up blouse clutched in her right hand. Tyler scanned her face and saw that she was concerned about something. He gazed in admiration. Her skin like virgin snow, matched the moonlight perfectly. He felt that primal urge again, concluding that the concern she showed was due to to her body. He tried to contain his thoughts, barring them from leaking out. She turned placing the blouse on the desk. It was hard for him to believe that she had issues with her looks. "Its a shame you cant see what I see. your the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." He said. It was the tone in his voice that made her blush, not the words. Words are simple, and those words she had heared before but she had never heared them said like that. She turned to him slowly begining to hate taking advantage of him. There was more than lust in that tone. The pitch was lethargic and she almost sense his gaze soften as he said those words. She recited the steps once more in her head. "Thank you." She finally replied in almost a whisper. “They’re gorgeous.” He added pointing at her tattoos. Morrigan smiled and gave him a playful push against his shoulder. “You best be talking about the ink.” “Of course.” He chuckled. Her smile remained as she reached down with her fingers and pulled him forward by the belt loops of his jeans, arching her back as her lips met his. She remembered the dance well, though it had been years since she practiced the steps. She pushed him back gently, stepping forwards as the push from her hands on his chest caused him to step back. The bed caught the back of his knees forcing him to sit. She heard his breathing increase, his heart race, and relished the delicate and unsure tracing of her frame. His fingers inched closer while slightly brushing over her skin, reluctant to overstep in a way that would disrespect. She smiled, eyes closed, and reached down and pushed the back of his hands so that his palms would wrap around her hip. She let out a slight sigh, mostly for his benefit rather than actual relief, though relief was certainly part of it. She removed his shirt forcefully, Which he wasnt expecting, and proceeded to move forward onto the bed. As she did she removed the slacks she wore, quickly kicking off her heels as she pressed on eventually leaning over him. She kissed like rain, drops falling lightly down hitting their target and dispersing into oblivion leaving just the sound and moisture to mark their passing. She arrived at his neck and smiled. Whatever reserved will he had retained was clearly begining to wane. This fact was made evident by his palm, Like Wind tracing valleys and hills, stroked down her back stopping abruptly at the curve of her lower back grazing he lace boyshorts. making an attempt to slide them off. She chuckled and grabbed his hand, slowly raising it above his head and pushing down pinning him and preventing him from moving it. She did the same with the other arm, and kissed him. He bit her lip then, causing a sharp intake of breath. She smiled. She often equated these precious moments with nature. It was the only way she knew to describe them. She heard the thundering sounds of breath and moans, viewed their bodies like shuddering earth, and sensed in both of them a longing for oblivion. she released her grip allowing his hands to explore once again and her hands ventured down undoing the button and zipper on his jeans. Tyler tried to control his breathing unsure of himself. Questions began to organize plotting the end of their creator in open rebellion. He feared being inadequat, its one of the major reasons sex was never a topic of conversation between the two of them. He glanced down and met her eyes. She kissed him leaving the zipper halfway zipped. He felt overwhelmed, considering all the possibilities and not a single one bad. Her touch lulled him into a state of bliss. It was, as always, intoxicating. In those moments she could make any request and she would have it, just so long as she continued to touch him. "Hi." he said playfully. "Hi," she laughed in reply, "you okay?" she asked after a moment. "Yeah," he began embarrassed, "its been awhile, forgive me if..." she placed a finger on his lips demanding silence. "Trust me," she began, "There is no way you can fuck this up." she gave him a cheerful smile. He stared back still unsure. She shook her head smiling as she receeded back taking the jeans and boxer shorts with her. Tyler felt even more exposed than he usually felt around her, but she disrobed in kind. Her alabaster skin glowed bright as ever. He looked at her and attempted to sit up but as she navigated forward, she forced him back down. The were as close as they could be now, fully exposed. Tyler became tense. She could feel the muscles coiling up like snakes, vipers ready to lash out. She reached for his face, gently caressing it as she leaned in to kiss him. The minuets stacked up, the speed and motions changed. Morrigan caught fire, letting out soft moans allowing the pleasure to build. Her senses flared taking in every moment. Tyler's tensity slowly dwindled until he was having about as much fun as Morrigan. Morrigan, luring him with her ruse, was focused. She had her goals set, focusing all her will, all her being into this goal. She picked up speed keeping her eyes forward and her right hand on his shoulder for balance and leverage. She gave a slight shudder followed by a series of moans exponentially increasing in volume. Tyler grabbed her hips assisting the motion, adding his own strength. She jumped slightly at the sudden cooperation, both of them embracing the carnal delight they shared. She felt it, a sensation that was indescribable. Electrical signals firing from the brain with no purpose, jolting through every muscle and every cell. She felt the nothing she longed for. It crept nearer, a collapsing dream cascading down folding her thoughts away. She took in the smell of Tylers colonge. The citris and musky sent with slight earthy tones that blended with her own, a scent of rose and absinthe. She shuddered again tensing up as she did hyper aware of each spasm as it occured. latching onto the feeling. Her head drooped down lazily as she exhaled sharply. Her hand grasped onto the back of tylers head. Her fingers tangled themselves in the curls gripping so tight the hair was being pulled. She latched onto him pulling his head into her shoulder as She decended into the void. Within those few moments the moans and heavy breathing, like rustling leaves, slowed to a crawl as Morrigan exhaled a final low pitch of breath . All time around them slowed to a crawl as morrigan focused on Tyler. She looked into his mind, seeking to find whatever evidence may be found of this strange man he had seen. As she thought, so it happened. She filtered through all the feelings and images in his head finding the moment in time earlier that day. She gazed out at the street the way tyler saw it surprise at how urban the enviroment was compared to what it had seemed due to her limited view. she saw the man and determined that it wasnt human. Its walk and mannors were to offputing. A duisquiet surrounded it. it wasnt natural. She pulled herself together slowly receeding back into her own mind allowing the ecstasy to end for the time being. As she did she recieved the faint images and thoughts pertaining to her. She tried to pull away to shun the images and refrain from invading his privacy any more than she already had. Curiosity, however, got the better of her and the various feelings of anxiety, admiration, attraction, and to Morrigans surprise, a mutual attachment rushed forward forcing her out of his mind. With time now restored she had realised she was completly still. She struggled to regain her thoughts, still reeling the the throws of bliss. She was looking down at what she believed was the confused and possibly somewhat startled face below her. why did he stop, she thouhgt, he couldnt know I was in his head. did i do something wrong, did i hurt him. Her thoughts were inturrupted as Tyler reached up and gently brushed aside a thick sweatsoaked string of hair that stuck to her face. Her mind was still connected to his in a small way. She felt he was about to speak, as if he would question what was wrong. She began to kiss him violently which he responded to the same way. She continued the motions until he forced Morrigan over on her back never ceasing in one swift motion, now looming over her. Tyler focused on every inch of the woman, taking her in. Her voice, calling out in exstasy, was sweet. Her touch was intoxicating, forcing him to lose control. His breathing increased And Morrigan wrapped her legs around him. He felt a strange sensation. , achived his own state of empty bliss. Morrigan almost laughed then. The last thought going through his head was of the consequenses. She would never be able to tell him why protection was useless. She was immune to and couldnt any disease. Her face then, if only for a moment, showed a slight sadness as Tyler fell to her side. scooping her up in his arms gazing into her face, or what little of it he could see. And if I could have a child, she thought, I would want a daughter.


Morrigan stood outside Tylers apartment on the stairwell. She took routine puffs of her fifth ciggarette while she listened to the nighttime symphany around her. She left Tyler sleeping naked in his bed, stealing his shirt as to not seem too inappropriate when she stepped out. the night was cold, probably too cold but she barely noticed. Her thoughts were scattered. She pondered what it means now that she can officially say she is attached to Tyler. Does she ride it out, or leave? Should she just tell the truth? She never tried that before. She cursed herself for being so reckless. She never tried that on someone who was unaware of it and had no way of knowing what would happen. She managed to crack a grin in between puffs. "Must've been a wild ride for him." she said aloud. She sighed and listened close for any sign of the unnatural man. She heard footsteps and dragging across the street. she listened closer gazing in the direction of the sound hoping to see a shift in color under a street lamp. The thing stumbled about obviously unconfortable in its poor attempt at a human disguise. she stood and rushed down the steps with her cane in hand. once she got to the ground flood she ran as fast as she could to the strange outline in her vision. she heard it turn to run and quickly raised her cane pointing it in the creatures direction. she tilted her wrist in a clockwise motion and a burst of white light tumbled out of the canes tip. It hurdled itself to its mark missing it by an inch shattering the brick of the building behind the monsterosity. She smelt a sick odor of pine, rotting food, and mowed grass. "Stop!" she commanded as the shattered bricks fell. What replied was a scratchy, rhaspy voice that croaked out the words the way a bird would. "Only a messanger..." the creature squawked as it removed the facade. What stood before her on webbed birds feet, was a creature that resembled a humanoid crow. Its arms and legs were gangly, unnaturally thin, and made fleshy orange skin Its body however was covered in malted, greasy black feathers. Its face was black save for two completly white eyes and mane of slightly graying feathers surrounding a stubbed black beak. She knew what it was even without seeing it. She sniffed the air once more and realized she was right. A pitiful creature, Morrigan thought, abused and tortured often if the limp is as bad as it sounds. "Not kill Limphreez, yes?" "Your message?" "A ring, and a letter." The creature said laying a small parcel down on the pavement. It turned and ran as best it could away from Morrigan, the sounds of its departure slowly drifting away as Morrigan retrieved the package. She opened it and withing was exactly what Limphreez had told her. A small gold ring and a letter wrtten on the most ornate stationary. "Expensive." she stated while feeling the ring for any kind of makers mark. What she found instead filled sparked a fire within her. Within the band the names rose and nate were etched. She knew this ring, and the rings owner. Without even openeing the letter she crumpled it up and put it into the parcel then dumped both in the nearest trash bin located three feet away. She made her way back to the apartment. Not him, she thought. She got to the door, put the ring on her pinky finger, and suppressed her emotion. This will not ruin this night.



Tyler woke up to a banging on his bedroom door. Charles and Anthony were knocking whispering and laughing between the two of them. Tyler muttered something that couldnt be heard and, given how exhausted he was, probably couldnt even be understood. He turned to see Morrigan staring back at him cracking a grin as he stroked her arm. Charles effeminant voice chimmed back. "Hey, im rapping at your chamber door, boy." "Nevermore." Morrigan called back. "oh thank you jesus, You had me worried i didnt know if you were dead or alive. How'd it go?" "Howd what go?" Tyler managed to ask. "The satanic goat sacrifice you two were performing last night," Anthony began. "Did satan show?" "Not quite, but were working on it, you should have seen the mess." Morrigan said through a wide grin as Anthony opened the door. They shared a laugh before anthony spoke again. "oh damn, Tyler you looking good boy." Morrigan pretended to be offended letting out an over exaggerated gasp. "Sorry girl, chicks arnt my thing." "Hands off," she said smiling, "he's mine." "I know better than to mess with a redhead, standing down." Anthony addressed Tyler with a salute. "Im making breakfast, get your asses up, if you aint starving it couldnt have been that good."




He rested his head on Morrigans lap as he drifted in and out of sleep. She wrapped his slightly curled hair around her fingers, releasing it when it started to tighten up and repeating the process. The act quickly became her new favorite pastime. "Are you tired, i can go home." she said playfully. the thought jostled him awake. Turnip jumped slghtly at the sound. the house was silent. Charles was at work and probably wouldnt be back till much later. "No, its just relaxing." She giggled leaning down and gave him a kiss. "Are you hungry?" she asked, we can go eat. "I could eat," he said, "Where did you have in mind?"
It was nighttime and they were walking to Tyler’s house from the restaurant she had chosen to eat at. They spoke softly, enjoying the time they were spending together not in any rush to get home when Morrigan began to ask about Tyler’s past. “Tyler, tell me, you never really speak of your parents, why is that.” “I have nothing to tell. They died before I ever got to know them. I was raised by my Grandmother and when she died, my aunt.” “Must have been hard moving about all the time.” “It was actually rare. I was 13 when my grandmother died and I left my aunt when I was 19. I moved in with my boss when I was 26 and here we are.” She laughed but understood the gist. Tyler wasn’t a very giving person when it came to personal information but in this case he was feeling generous. “my family was never very large. My aunt died unmarried and as of now, I have no family.” “I know how that can be.” “lonely at times, but it makes the constant moving easier. If nothing ties you down then it’s not as hard.” “Why’d you settle here in Maine?” “Never been to Maine before now.” “That’s as good a reason as any, I suppose.” She smiled then stopped. The smile faded into a very serious tone. She looked about in the same blank gaze she usually had. A streetlamp on the other end of the street began to buzz loudly. She tilted her head to it listening in as it the bulb burst and the glass cover fell to the ground shattering into countless pieces. The next street lamp over did the same and behind them the same phenomenon was occurring slowly forcing the street into darkness. Tyler looked around confused and instinctively positioned himself in front of Morrigan attempting to shield her from harm. They backed away from the street to a building behind them and Morrigan using her cane slowly and gently pushed Tyler behind her. “I respect and appreciate the act romanticism, love, but between you and me, you don’t want be in front right now.” She looked around using all her intact senses to flush out whatever threat might be present. “Do you see anyone anywhere along this street?” He glanced about quickly, trying to focus, and sure enough just past the radius of light from the furthest working street lamp he saw a figure walking slowly toward them. The streetlamp fizzled out and the figure was gone only to appear again and repeat the process till it was upon them. “On the right side, someone walking but I can’t tell you much else the other side is clear.” He pulled out a four inch knife flipping out the blade and locking it into place. He then attempted to put himself between the threat and his lover only to be gently nudged back again by her cane. She instead stepped in front of him focusing on the side of the street that made the figures approach. She tilted her head as he moved the knife from his right hand to his left. “That not really going to help you much, but if it makes you feel better…” Only three streetlamps were left on the street. Two on either side of them and one directly above. They all three shattered at once and the last sight before the darkness fell upon them was the figure less than thirty feet away picking up its pace. The moment the light disappeared Morrigan raised her cane and a blinding ball of light shot out into the night sky illuminating the street better than the lamps did. The figure was illuminated and along with Tyler shielded its eyes from the light. It stood about 6 feet tall and resembled a man, apart from the face. Its face was grotesque and twisted with over exaggerated features. Its pitch black eyes seemed to be too big for the face, its nose was far too high and the crooked, devilish smile stretched from ear to ear flaunting of three rows of pin like teeth. Although he was slightly blinded by the ball of light he could hear Morrigan taunting the thing. “Snuff that out, you bastard.” The thing roared and charged at her. Morrigan swung her cane back the bottom tip of the cane arching in his direction. As the arc passed Tyler, he was thrown to the side by some invisible force. The creature was almost upon her and as Tyler looked on in horror, it tackled her to the ground and began clawing ferociously at the woman’s throat. She held its onslaught at bay by holding both ends of her cane and pushing it up into the chest of her attacker directly above her neck. Tyler stood and ran to his lover’s aid. He stopped and delivered the strongest kick he could muster landing the blow directly to the creatures shoulder forcing it off of Morrigan, but not before the disgusting razor like nails of the monstrous thing sliced open the girl’s throat, there was a chocking gargling sound that sputtered out of her as the creature rolled about trying to orient itself. Tyler knelt down at Morrigan’s side. She gulped for air as a viscous glowing green liquid poured out of the wound. Morrigan pushed him aside and stood as the liquid filled her lungs. Tyler stared in awe and horror. She didn’t even wince at the wound. Her face showed no sign of pair or discomfort. The woman, now covered in the glowing green fluid, held the cane up, positioning her hand at the middle of the wooden body. She raised it up above her head the top of the handle facing the ground just in front her and kicked back her food finding a center of balance. He other arm with small glowing green streams dripping off, was then held just in front of her face, as if she was covering her nose and mouth from noxious gasses. She remained in this position constantly facing the creature, even as the creature darted and dodged about her. Finally the creature lunged forward attempting to tackle her again. She lightly and swiftly twisted her hand bringing the opposite tip of the cane up making contact with the creature’s chest. The contact made a small white spark which rapidly brought about a visible shortwave and an incredibly loud bang that sent the beast flying back down the street. She repositioned herself into a new stance still gripping the middle of her cane. She turned to the side bending her knees slightly and arching her back in one swift and perfectly flowing movement. She pointed the tip of her cane at the creature and waited swaying gracefully allowing her unused arm to fall freely behind her. The movements appeared relaxed and fluid. The flowing movments reminded him of trees swaying in the wind and the general posture were like a wilting flower in the heat of summer. The green fluid dripped off her fingers, her cane, and her clothing into puddles on the ground. These glowing pools began to glow brighter. The creature roared and moved into a four legged sprint towards her moving closer and closer as the fluid illuminated brighter. She swayed her head with her body lazily and the fluid began to rise into the air in small beads eventually each puddle and fallen drop along with the drops and patches of glowing green on her own body were hovering in midair as the creature moved closer. She opened her then closed eyes and with an expression of rage flicked her wrist as a gesture to the approaching storm and all the glowing beads of fluid evaporated into a thick glowing green haze that surrounded the cane then in a single almost instantaneous movement shot out at the fiend before her. At the moment of impact the creature literally exploded in a mist of bloody carnage, spraying black and red onto Morrigan’s face. The wound on her throat had completely healed. She breathed deep for a moment as Tyler looked with a feeling he couldn’t even describe. There was terror in his face but at the same time a kind of admiration. What he had seen, as morbid as it was, was by far one of the most beautiful displays of art he had ever seen. Morrigan awkwardly turned to him with a look of hope and also fear. “Uh, Ty? We might need to have chat.”














They approached Morrigans apartment, a place Tyler had never been, at a remarkably slow pace. Tyler was still realing from what he had just seen. He occasionally glanced in her direction seeing an expression of sadness, fear, and deep contemplation. He wanted to offer her his arm and ask if she was ok, but even if he tried, he wasnt sure he could get the words out. The silence during the walk was unbearable for the both of them. The occasional roaring of a car speeding down an empty street managed to fill the void for a precious few moments, relieving the tension and snapping tyler out of the shocked state he was in. They found themselves eagerly awaiting any sound that would break that silence. Morrigan was indeed afraid, and in deep contemplation. The sadness in her face, however, caught her offguard. That sadness was so low on her list of priorities that when it finally caught her, she couldnt get it out of her head. Tyler Looked up at the stairwell and followed her up to her apartment. He was angry at himself now. If he knew at any time that she lived so far away, he would have offered to pick her up. The apartment was clearly over a mile away, while she said it was less than half. Morrigan unlocked the front door and opened it ready for the barks and growls to echo accross the complex. To her surprise however, Turnip rushed toward her, almost ignoring Tyler, and leaped into her arms. the force almost sent her flying back. She would have fallen had Tyler not been their to catch her. Tyler reacted quickly reaching up and placing his palm at her back pushing forward slightly so she could regain her balance. The Puff of fur in Morrigans arms looked up at him with big brown eyes. Its tail wagged gleefully as it gave a soft bark at him, demanding his attention. He cautiously gave it, almost making it a point to not make contact with Morrigan who clearly did not want to be touched. "Turnip." Morrigan faked a smile as she spoke, presenting the dog to tyler the way most would present an infant. The dog appeared to smile at him. She panted and wagged her stubby tail as Tyler reached forward and scratched behind her ears. After a moment Morrigan siged and slowly put the dog down. She moved toward the kitchen without though having memorized the layout of her home long ago. She picked up a giant bag of dog food and poured a heaping pile into a small silver bow on the floor. She motioned to an old dusty couch in the living room. "You should sit. Drink?" Her voice was hopeful. she almost thought getting him drunk would make him forget. "a drink or a drink drink?" he replied "What do you think?" she said cocking an eyebrow and grabbing a bottle of laphraig that stood proud atop her fridge. "Yes please." he said observing his surroundings. To say her apartment was cluttered would be understating the severity of the situation. Towers of books and papers litered the floor and tables and several cardboard boxes used as tables. Her kitchen was remarkable clean from what he could tell. there wasnt a single dish in the sink and it appeared regularly mopped and swept. In the far corner of her large living room was a desk. The desk was covered in all manor of strange objects placed haphazardly around a massive tome. She appeared from the kitched with two glencairne glassed filled well past the intended mark. She handed it to him and the smell of smoke and peat permiated the air around them. It reminded him of a campfire or barbique. He took a sip and found he liked it. "Tye..." She began standing over him looking dead ahead as if avoiding his gaze. she stopped and restructured her words carefully. "I dont want to sound like a bitch right now. Give me a moment." She moved and sat beside him. Tyler felt the tension practically radiating off of her. "Take your time." he said trying to sound reasonable. she took a sip from her glass and held the liquor on her tongue before swallowing, savouring the flavor. "We have a bit of a problem." she finally said in a stern voice. "hmm. No idea what you mean" "This is serious." "I know, ive just never seen you so tense. I mean, its understandable. I just want to relieve the tension." She smiled then and spoke in a soft, lulling voice. " I know, im just thinking." "so ive gathered." Tyler said smiling back. "Tyler I have a bit of a quandry here." "Yes?" Tyler asked focusing all his attention on her. "You were not supposed to see that." she began, her voice begining to shake. "You wernt supposed to get caught up in all the weirdness." "Surely I would sooner or later." He said frankly. "Yes, but this is too soon. I wasnt prepared." "You had to prepare to tell me about this? How would you even begin to-" "No, I had to prepare for what to do about this." she said bluntly. Tyler turned to her. "What do you plan on doing?" Morrigan buried her face in her palm glancing at him through the opening between her fingers. "I have to decide whether im going to let you go on with this information or make you forget. Then ill just disappear, it isnt safe." Before he could protest, she gave a soft laugh. "No, that wouldnt work." she muttered. "I dont understand, what happened back there?" "We were attacked by monsters in a way." "In a way? im less concerned about them and more about you." "Tyler," she began, "I was born in the late 1800s. I grew up and learned of certain talants, the ones you saw tonight. The same accident that led to my blindless led to another condition. I am ,for the most part, immortal. Now I want you to think long and hard about this. Every detail of the true nature of the world I have ever learned has revealed new dangers. That is the world you would be entering if i just let you gallivant around town with this now insight into the world. So im debating making you forget." "Dont i get a say in this?" "No," she replied callously. "Right, so why make me forget? Why leave afterwards?" "I cant leave, youre already marked. You have to understand that this insight only leads to more awareness. you will see things from this day on that are impossible to explain. If i leave you be, you will wake up tommorrow in a world you dont recognize. you will explore and seek things out. this knowledge could drive you mad, or worse. You become a beacon for things far worse the creatures in you just saw. They will seek you out and kill you, or you will seek them out saving them the trouble. Assuming you dont go batshit crazy or get yourself killed, leaving you with this information would leave you, a normal human being, defensless in a world where half the things are designed to destroy every part of you, and the other half wants little to do with you." "Give me methods of protecting myself. Teach me some of your magic or whatever." Her eye twitched as she stiffled a quick moment of anger. "OK first, never call it magic. True magic is long gone. The only magic that exists today is in the new age section at barnes n noble. I do not do mail order magic nor do I perform parlor tricks." He smiled and began to speak but was cut off. "And so help me, if you ever refer to me as a witch, magician, druid, pagan, or," she shuddered, "a wiccan," she focused directly into Tylers eyes, "Tyler Mitchel Hale, I will end you." His smile faded. "and let me guess 'second, its not that simple," he said imitating her accent as he spoke. She cocked her eyebrow, clearly annoyed. "Your goddamned right, People like me are made not taught." "So you have to be born into it?" "Not always, some are, others are born with specific talants, others are turned in a way." "So whats the problem then, could you not 'turn' me?" "The risks are too high, the rite required would likley kill you." "So? I'd be dead either way right?" Morrigan sighed and began to rub her forhead with her fingers. "yes." she said defeated. Tyler looked at his empty glass and then turned to her. "Why do I get the feeling that you want this outcome, for me to learn from you?" she turned to him blinking. "I didnt intend to go so far. Weve been dating for a while and I got carried away. I didnt intend for this. I was prepared to just plant a memory of us mutually breaking up and leaving." "And now?" "I dont want to?" The question was addressed more to herself than Tyler. She was surprised by it. "Well then, its settled. how do we do this then?" "What?" "This rite thing." "oh," she began elongating the word as she jumped up. she threw in a few chuckles. "no, no, no, no." she said the words in rapid succesion. "you dont just do it and bam your a superhero, this isnt gamma radiation or super soldier serum. There is training and practice adnd meditation, and..." she trailed off as she pulled a small wooden box of the top of a tall bookshelf climbing a box and a tower of books to get to it. She jumped down, sat beside him and gave him the box. "Be very careful, this is your first lesson." He leaned into her as she leaned into him. He opened the box and within was a strange mass of what could only be described as solid liquid. It core was black with purple and green tendrils wrapped constantly in flux around it. The mass moved and ebbed around like living stone. "This is a very rare find. The rite calls for the trained mind to breathe in this tangible energy. They pour it over themselves and enter a state of meditation we call Gnosis. It is knowing without knowing, seeing without seeing, and being without being. You cannot be turned, nor can you use your talants without achieving this state. Luckily this is one of the more stable energies. the gnosis would be forced rather than trained." "How many kinds of energy are there? what is it?" "this is fusion of chaotic and Mortic energy. The energy of chaos and death. It is forever in flux, constantly in motion. Its movements erratic. I created this using my own power as a study." "So I will eventually bathe in this?" Tyler asked, disgusted. "Oh, no, what part of energy of death didnt you get? This would be more likley to kill you. It could work but..." she trailed off again closing the box and placing it on a table nearby. "We will begin tommorrow, i suppose. I, obviously, couldnt see the court sigil on the changeling, so i have no idea if there will be more. Come to bed with me, we should rest."


“Tyler Hale.” She exclaimed with an annoyed and exasperated tone. He snapped from his wanderings and remembered the book in front of him. She stood before him hands pressed on both ends of the small table leaning over the book gazing blankly into his eyes. “what was I just saying?” he thought a moment “uh, enchantment…” “what about it?” he pondered further “there are three major points to an enchantment?” his questioning tone didn’t help her mood. She pushed herself up from the table and began pacing about the room her cane lodged under her arm. “its good to see that information still gets through when your away. What are the three rules?” “uh, The Builder’s Law. An enchantment is like a tower with at least three floors. The Source, The Goal, and The Failsafe.” He tried to rearrange his words so she didn’t know he was reading directly from the text before him. “and have you read this?” “yes.” She said with a cold tone. “what do you have a copy in braille?” She stopped in front of him and again positioned her hands on the ends of the table and leaned in close. Her blank gaze was uncomfortable and she knew it. “Osmosis. If you paid attention you might learn it,” she went back to pacing, “These three components, what are they, and what is their function?” “The source is what powers the enchantment, it’s usually infinite or almost so like a renewable energy source. The goal like in all genres of the arcane is the actual goal of the enchantment, the task you are trying to perform, and the failsafe is some sort of phrase or gesture, sometimes a particular scenario where the enchantment stops functioning, just in case something goes wrong and the goal backfires.” “Very good. Now it’s easy to get enchantment confused with Alchemy. So keep this in mind. Alchemy and enchantment are like coding a computer. You need hardware and software to succeed. Alchemy is for building the hardware. Most alchemical formulas are designed to alter the physical characteristics of an object. We can turn lead to gold, create golems and machinery, we can even alter our own brain and body to suit our needs. Enchantment deals with the software of an object. Maybe one would like a little extra protection in their home while there away so they not only create a golem but program it with enchantments. These enchantments could be as simple as defend the home when someone intrudes that is not invited in by the owner, or as complex as giving the golem their own set of spells and abilities to defend the home with.” “So when do I learn how to actually enchant an object.” “You are learning…” “No, I mean learning the act. When do I actually enchant something?” “You are learning the act. Half of the battle with the arcane is getting the idea of it in your head. If you cannot understand it, you will never perform it. It’s one of the strangest laws of our universe: The gift is determined by will. Two practitioners fighting one another isn’t just a decadent lightshow of strength. It’s a battle of wits, one practitioner’s will against another’s. your will combined with belief and confidence makes you more powerful in the eyes of my world. However you must understand it and grasp the idea first.” “All right then,” he sat back into his chair and got comfortable. “Continue.” “The Law of Sources, this essentially states the obvious. The arcane is defined as the manifestation of will, but it will not manifest without a source. When enchanting, that source is most often a crystal or a device that bleeds off energies. In more practical affairs the sources used are metaphysical energies that flow in all living things. We will get to those in the future but understand that all talents within the arcane require a source, not just enchantment.” She stopped in front of the table and began flipping pages staring off into space as she did. She stopped close to the beginning of the book and pointed to a passage. “Read this please and prove you understand it.” He hunched over the text and began reading the indicated passages. “The Three Clauses, 1: arcane is the manifestation of will and therefore infinite. That’s fairly simple actually. If it can be envisioned it can manifest right?” She smiled a warm tender smile and then gestured for him to continue. “the second law states that anything with a will of its own can utilize the arcane talents. Really how is this hard to understand?” the tender smile became slightly devious as she allowed him to read further. “The third and final clause states that the Arcane is unknowable, and as such is quite dangerous, addictive, and impossible to understand. Wait, what.” She actually let out a small fit of laughter that was quickly brought back to her control. Her smile was like that of a mother teacher her child a frustrating art. ““Shall we take a break?” “No, what the hell was that.” She had him stand from his chair and while walking about the table toward him, had him meet her with a caring embrace. The two kissed lightly. “Your smart love, you’ll get it.” They pressed on out of the study and into a two story entryway with a staircase leading down to the bottom floor. The library was deserted at this time of night. The only living thing around was the librarian whom Morrigan only referred to as The Librarian. When he asked why she had said that The Librarian was a Homunculus, an artificial human created by the owner of the library to guard its more…interesting texts, as well as provide assistance to any practitioner who wandered in seeking knowledge passed the mundane common books the public read. The Librarian watched them descend the steps. She was a ghastly thing. She appeared quite old with wrinkled skin and gray hair. She even wore the reading glasses attached to a string that she wore around her neck. The cliché figure nodded as they pushed the revolving doors out into the sprinkling rain. Almost immediately a dog, which was tied to a pole holding up the cloth awning sheltering the two from the rain, leaped into Morrigan’s arms. “Hey there, Turnip. Did you miss me?” The small corgi barked in response and turned to Tyler as a demand for attention, which he gave in kind, petting the dog’s fluffy head. The dog to was a Homunculus, created by Morrigan on her many travels. “Will I ever learn to create a dog?” “in time I imagine, you have to complete the fundamentals of alchemy first, and not just a dog love. All homunculi are shape shifters, they however remain in the form their creators prefer until otherwise told. I imagine if you can fully understand the third clause, you will get to that point in no time.” “Can I ask you a personal question?” “As long as it doesn’t infringe on our arrangement.” She smiled and proceeded to cradle the small dog as she waited. “I wouldn’t have asked if it didn’t.” “Well, ask then, I don’t have to answer.” “is it ever hard, being immortal I mean?” her smile almost faded entirely changing from a smile of enjoyment to a smile of nostalgia. “Turnip,” she called and the dog leapt from her arms. She pulled out a cigar and a box of matches from a small carrying case she kept within her coat, lighting the cigar soon after. After two puffs she began to give her reply. “Why do you ask?” “im curious, see in most human culture, the stories we tell about immortals are usually tragic. Their lives just go on and on and life gets boring.” “Well look at the lives they live. The situation of a vampire, a chosen protector, or whatever is a tragic one. They seclude themselves hiding in shadows or atop vast unreachable mountains. I never did. Life is anything but boring, humanity has changed so much since my birth. I was born in 1897 Ty.” He moved slightly closer as her past is rarely ever a topic of conversation. “Think of all the things I lived through, love, I was a nurse in world war two, I was a spy in the cold war. I grew up in the roaring twenties and provided aid to those who suffered in the depression. To think I would not have had those experiences had my situation not happened at all.” “What exactly is your situation?” Her eyes flickered a moment and she seemed to be thinking about whether or not to answer the question. “In my world, they call me purified. I was part of a research team exploring the idea of immortality. When our enemies found out they ransacked the house we were working in. In a very rash and quick decision I hooked myself up to the device we had developed. A purifier that enhances the very life-force within a living being. My blood was quickly drained and purified then almost as quickly fed back into me. The process was never meant to be that quick though. The sheer rush of energy caused my blindness and after almost a century and consistent conditioning, I have only retained a tenth of the average human eyesight. The arcane is very dangerous. The energies we mess with can be as cruel as they are kind. Hubris isn’t a virtuous thing in my world.” She smiled then and took his hand puffing on her cigar. “What? You thinking about joining me in my condition?” “Naw, I don’t think that life is for me.” “ Even if it was, I wouldn’t allow it. Most don’t understand the consequences. It was the single most painful experience of my life. We experimented on a variety of creatures. Each and every one of them died before the purification was completed. So I destroyed it, the research and the completed device.” “Why? Wouldn’t that have made you famous?” “The book I teach you from, The Simplistus Arcana, have you noticed that the author’s name is missing from the cover?” “I did actually.” “There are no celebrities in my world, only the infamous gain recognition and usually they are most known for their quick and painful deaths.” “I see.” They began walking in the light drizzle, turnip trailing behind having been let off her leash. “So why did we start with enchantment? Shouldn’t I be learning something more practical?” “The only reason I’m letting you into my world is because I want to protect you, trust me, I want you to learn the defensive tactics as soon as possible. However these various genres of arcana you are learning will teach you the idea of the gift, without which you will never succeed in the more practical art.” “I know but it’s frustrating, I see you practicing in the backyard and I can’t help but be jealous.” She laughed and though a moment. “Be patient, love.” He smiled and took her arm folding it with his and guided her along. She clutched the cane under her arm as they walked to a small four door sedan and made their way home.





Add ted beatdown and reception




The Hollow


“Tyler.” She hovered over him staring blankly at his face. He woke up softly to lull of her voice opening his eyes to see the red haired beauty’s soft white skin covered only by the undergarments she wore. “I have a surprise for you.” He rose up slightly just enough to give her a kiss and quickly laid back down again. “you know I don’t like surprises.” “You will love this one. I promise.” He groaned slightly and as Morrigan backed away and put on more appropriate attire he rose from the bed and put on a shirt himself. She took his hand. “Close your eyes, love.” He obeyed and listened carefully. He heard a door open and felt himself being pulled into a room in the back of the house. The first thing he noticed was the smell of rain. There was no draft so surely a window wasn’t open, and they were still inside as he felt the hardwood beneath his feet. He heard birds singing and thunder in the distance. The weird thing was, he heard the thunder as if he was outside. Rumbling unhindered by walls of brick and plaster. “Open your eyes.” He obeyed and saw the back room. Cluttered and unorganized…Morrigan’s personal study. Before him was a picture of a beautiful countryside painted by Morrigan herself, as Tyler could see the signature on the frame of the painting. The trees and grass were painted perfectly and the clouds, birds, and the bolt of lightning in the image left a question in his mind. “Morrigan, is this picture enchanted?” she smiled and explained the nature of the gift as he smiled in admiration. “yes and no, it’s a Hallow.” “I remember reading about those in the book.” She nodded. “Places of mystical power. If you learn how to harness one, you could do so much in the ways of the arcane.” “Right finding an unclaimed hallow and then claiming it gives a score of benefits. So where is this place? It looks beautiful.” “This is my family’s homestead back in Ireland. This is where I grew up, before it was all torn down.” He looked at her in shock. She was actively bringing him into her past. “Would you like to go there?” “I thought you said it was all gone? You have a time machine hidden In here somewhere?” she smiled and took his hand. “This place was destroyed, but you can venture into its memory. Open it.” He looked at her questioningly. “Open what?” “The hallow; only you and I can open it.” She pointed at the picture. “I don’t know how, I-” Before he could finish she jumped back behind him and forcibly but gently kicked him at the picture of the glade, he instinctively rose his hands up to save him and also spare the painting but ended up finding himself on a patch of beautiful soft grass. He had fallen through the painting and was now on a windy hillside. A slight drizzle of rain fell from the sky but the strangest thing was that when the rain hit him, he remained perfectly dry. “Do you like it?” the voice that came from behind him was almost timid. “Of course I do, is this your hallow?” “No, the real one was. You’re looking at a living memory, constructed by me. Not an easy feat by the way, constructing an entire world.” “You did a fine job.” She came up from behind him and wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. She placed her chin on his shoulder and spoke softly. “It’s yours. I built it for you.” He turned around and stared dumbfounded and quickly spoke. “I cant accept a world as a present Morrigan.” “All practitioners need a Hallow, its crucial to your success in study and practice.” “But this is your hallow –“ “my hallow was destroyed.” His tone became serious. He had read, in the Simplistus Arcana, that a practitioners hallow is a crucial part of them. When one claims a hallow, they embed a piece of their very soul into it. To have one destroyed extinguishes a piece of them with it. Even worse is the fact that a practitioner rarely finds one to begin with and will probably never take on another, in fear of damaging the entire soul. “Im so sorry.” She nodded and smiled looking directly into his eyes. The emeralds shone brightly and direct. The odd thing about his gaze was that it was blank like normal. “Can you see?” he exclaimed “Hallows are very special. Anything can happen here.” She replied affirming his suspicion. He smiled and out of instinct embraced her tightly. “so what should we do first.” He asked exited to begin. “ well you need to hurry and master enchantment, this is your personal sandbox, you need to learn how to control it. The weather, trees, animals, defenses, etc can all be altered the way you see fit. Until you learn this skill however, you have nothing.” “Well what are we waiting for?” he exclaimed again. She raised her cane and waved it over her outreached hand and a copy of the Simplistus Arcana materialized out of thin air. She then hovered the cane over the ground and a table with strange symbols carved into the wood and a small compartment where various writing utensils sat began to manifest itself into existence. She gave him the text, “Page 39 please.” She said calmly pacing around him taking in the sights. He obeyed and opened the book to a page with a glossary containing what appeared to be symbols and various formulas using those symbols. “You need to memorize those, each symbol represents an aspect of enchantment and,” she turned the page to find information about how to actually enchant an object. “This will tell you how to use them.” “What if there is an enchantment I want to do that doesn’t have an aspect symbol?” “Well, the symbols meaning are fairly broad, if you guide the symbols meaning and bend it slightly, it will work just fine. Also recite the Law of Arcane Relativity,” “The Arcane is vast and varies from one to another, as such there are infinite loopholes and no rule is permanent, defined and without exception, including this particular theory. You know it’s interesting. A lot of arcane rules and ideas are very contradictory. A few days ago, at the library, the third clause of Arcana. You say I have to understand it to perform, but the clause says it is beyond understanding. How does that work?” “Just like that, it’s a bit of test or a puzzle. I can’t solve it for you, but you must know, the hard stuff is impossible to learn without solving the puzzle first. Now The Law of Arcane Relativity essentially makes it to where any symbol that means something can be used in the enchantment. In fact every Genre has its own dialects, you can change those at will if you wanted. I for example have my own made up dialect for alchemy so that nothing I make can be unmade or altered by another alchemist. In order to change it they have to know the language it was made in.” “I see. Ok so what do start with?” “something simple. Read the passage,” she pointed at a passage in the book and soon after Tyler began reading. “Arcana ------ or Enchantment is a genre within the Ritualistic field of arcana, meaning it is a genre in which the goals take time and preparation or ritual to complete. Like most rituals the caster will create the layout on a casting table. The first component of a ritual is the Base. Usually a circle of other shape depending on the nature of the goal this forms the boundary for the goal. The next stage is the act where a second shape within the first is drawn and within the space between the cast writes in dialect the goal he wishes to perform.” “All right then, this should be entertaining.” Morrigan stood in front of him with a single blade of grass. “Here is what I want. I want you to cast a circle, and enchant a blade of grass so that it will naturally levitate. I want you to make sure it does not ascend over thirty feet in the air and will not venture more than 10 away from you. It might also be nice if you increase its overall density.” “How do I do all that?” “keep reading.” She began to wander off walking towards a small house in the distance, “Ill be back soon.” He watched her leave and then looked back to the book in front of him. “the next stage is the restrictions, A third shape is drawn within the second and in the space between one writes the overall restrictions of the enchantment in formulaic form. The final stage is the additives, this is where within the central part of the circle the caster places the object or symbol of what is to be enchanted and draws out various additions to the object to alter the parameters of the enchantment. This seems easy enough.” He flipped back a few pages and found the table of symbols and formulas and began his work. He took a piece of chalk out of the small compartment and cast a circle tracing the indentions made in the wood. Then drew two more within it. He searched the table for the symbol that could be used for levitation and found a symbol for the sky and sort of half sun symbol. He drew the symbol the space between the outer circle and the second circle at the top of the overall layout. He then searched the table for something that could restrict its movement. The formula he used was a symbol that looked like an anchor followed by =30 which he drew in the space between the second circle and the third. Then did the same thing but inverted the anchor sideways as to represent the radios around him. He focused hard on the intended meanings of the symbols as these symbols were highly interpretive. The final stage was now ready to commence. He could see Morrigan coming back from the house. He placed a handful of grass blades in the center of the circle and drew a circle around them he then drew a final small circle and within drew a formula to increase their mass by simply writing M= 200%. He was ready to activate the enchantment, but he found that at this point he was at a loss. There was no way he knew of to activate the table. Morrigan was upon him now and smiling observed his work. “Very good, I like the adaptation of actual science, increasing mass by 200 percent. Very creative.” “I have a problem.” “What is that, this is a very good first enchantment?” “That’s just it, I can’t activate it.” “Well no, you don’t have a catalyst.” She gestured to her cane. It seemed to glow as she raised her hand over the table and to Tylers surprise, the chal lines began to blow away in the wind and the blades of grass began to glow. The grass blades grew in size and density and actually floated in the air above them, gracefully wandering about the glade following their restrictions to the letter. “When do I get a catalyst?” “soon, you understand enchantment, we will work on alchemy and then you get to build a catalyst.” “So now what?” “I want you to study the three clauses. Figure out the puzzle. Im going to go practice in the field. Come and find me when your ready to leave.:


O O O


Ted sat at the workbench studying a small poket watch fastened to the display in front of him. He retrieved it and held it to his ear. "Perfect." he said. His apartment, located above his shop, was small but didnt lack in charm. He surveyed the room placing the poket watch back down on the workbench. The furniture was tan and clearly worn out from age and use. They were white once. The walls re covered in various paintings and a wide variety of clocks, all of them he made, each created with a single purpose. He heared movment from the bathroom and the door swung open. Dissie appeared bearing a smile. She made a beeline for the kitchen as Ted stared in admiration. She was a thin woman standing at about 5'4 with long blonde hair and blue eyes. The lavish black dress she wore clung to her frame tightly, accentuating every curve as she moved. He returned her smile and stood from the stool he sat on. A clock sounded off chiming twice. He turned to it confused and upon realizing which clock had chimed quickly turned to the kitchen flustered. "Dizzy, im sorry but im afraid something came up." She had her head in the fridge surveying the various assortment of beers he kept within. She pulled her head back meeting his flustered movements with concern. "Everything all right?" Her accent was decidly french. He loved paris. The depression set in as he realized he would never see it again after he left. He reached for his wallet and began pulling hundred dollar bills out counting them off. "We havnt even started yet. I wont make you pay for time you arnt getting." she said firmly. Ted smiled at her holding out two thousend dollars in cash. "Consider it a tip for all the wonderful nights youve shown me." "You say that like i wont see you again." she seemed nervous. "You'd be right. Im sorry Diz." Ted's voice was low. "what happened?" she demanded. "Weird stuff," he began. "Cant really talk about it." "I wouldnt understand it anyway. Im sure." "Dont cut yourself short." he grabbed her hand gently and handed her the stack of cash. She gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I wish i could help." "You can." he said and walked to the workbench. She followed close behind. He grabbed the watch and let it dangle on its chain back and forth like a pendulum. It was obviouslt expensive shimmering in silvers and golds with a rube in the center of the clock face. She watched it swing listening to his words carefully. "I want you to take this." "Its beautiful. Why does it move backwards." He blinked trying to find a way to explain without explaining. "Weird stuff," she noded. "I gotcha." she continued to watch the watch swing wondering if it would ever stop. "I need you to keep a watcful eye on it. If the hands ever begin to move clockwise, you should reconsider whatever you planned on doing." He caught a glimpse at the clock on the wall. The hands moved clockwise and were just passing the 4 on the clock face. "Allright." she said slowly. "And one last thing," he began smiling. "Since this is likley the last time we will see one another, I would very much so like to know your name, your real name." she smiled and seemed reluctant at first but eventually leaned in and kissed him deeply. "Lea Herbert." She spoke clearly. He smiled in reply. "I like Lea more." he reached his hand forward and placed the bottom of his palm on her forhead Elongating the word as he spoke. "and," the moment their skin made contact he sent out a command forecefully. "Sleep." Her head drooped down as she obeyed. "Lea?" he called delighted at the sound. She perked up at him with a mile long stare. "I want you to run," he looked at the clock, "do not stop until you hit reach the train station." she nodded drunkedly. "Then i want you to go home, you will wake up when you reach your front door." she nodded again. "Now go," he kissed her on her forhead, "and thank you for a wonderful time." She stood and bolted quickly out of the apartment, down the stairs and out the front door of the shop. Ted listened to the bells sosund off as she did. He plopped down onto the couch sighing. He covered his eyes as they watered shutting out all emotion. He turned to the clock and saw that it was just past the 9. He went to work quickly grabbing several skewed parts and placed them just right. He attached his strange clockwork device to ametal box located just above the front door. He grabbed his own poket watch and saw it too was ticking past the nine. He put on his waistcoat and then a brown wool peacoat. He turned and quickly walked out of the apartment and down the stairs pulling a small chain on the device as the door shut. He meandered about his shop dodging hanging clocks as he gathered several tools and spare parts. He stored them all in a large duffle bag and zipped up the bag. He slung the strap over his shoulder and quickly darted out of the shop. He then hit a full sprint as he made his way down the road. It was several minuets later that a rumble was felt underfoot and a large exlosion disturned the cool paris evening. He slowed and spun around seeing the trap he set had worked. He then turned again and continued running never stopping till sunrise.
Add about the other paris safehouse and the safe house in Lyon and heads to berlin


O O O
Mercedes small apartment was perfectly clean. The furniture was placed just so, with the precicion of a interior decorator. She was always the tidy one. pile of ash in the center of the room could be felt by morrigan who instinctivly avoided it as she searched the house. She placed a small bag on the glass dining table and opened it. Inside, a various assortment of strange devices looked back at her. She reached and searched for the tool needed for the job. A small handheld device that Ivan had made for her years ago. A tesla coil that was responsive to resonating energies. The coil sprang to life as she pressed the switch on the handle. The coil sent out small bolts of electricity to the outer glass ball that covered it. The blue energy glowing with a green hue, like an aura, surrounding it. She reluctantly searched the apartment terrified of what results might become known. She hovered it over the food and drinks in the fridge, nothing. She opened the cabinets and hovered it over the plates and glassware, even the silverware. Still the coil remained the same color of blue. It wasnt until, to her chagrin, that she hovered the device over the ash pile. It was then that the Electricity flashed a bright green. "Glamour." she said, the rage rising within her.

O O O



Queen Mab Tyler and Morrigan walked quietly, their arms locked together down the street. The sun was setting and the sight had left them both speechless. Tyler was feeling slightly sad, he felt like he had failed her. Not being able to get this most basic principle of her craft made him feel as though he had suffered an agonizing failure. How could he defend himself if he can’t even make a single cast? She must have picked up on this feeling as her words were those that keep comfort in mind. “You’re going to get it soon. I know you will. Don’t take it so hard, that’s part of why you fail.” “But how? I don’t understand how that works.” “Exactly, that’s all you need. Don’t worry about understanding. You think you made a mistake when a mistake simply does not exist.” “Right, it isn’t understandable.” “Exactly. But that can be understood.” He glanced to her confused. She simply smiled and nodded, expecting that to be all he needed. It was then that she stopped. So sudden that her arm slipped away from his as he continued to move forward. “Get behind me immediately.” Her voice was stern and within it there was a hate that he had never heard from her before. Her pale green eyes seemed to urn with rage. It was slightly unsettling. He did as he was told as she backed him to the side of a building. She spun her head about searching for whatever it is she felt was near. She found it hiding in a darkened alley slowly walking out into the setting sun. the same grinning beast she had obliterated months before. “What, but that cant be right.” Tyler said softly, and “shh,” was Morrigan’s reply. The creature grinned is unnaturally shaped grin and bolted forward disappearing in a puff of green smoke. It reappeared between the defender and her charge in the same green cloud of fog. The creature was upon Tyler now picking him up by the throat. It lifted him off the ground and Tyler felt his lungs demanding air. The creature let out a small growl as Tyler planned his move. Morrigan was recuperating a blow to the head trying to regain her footing. Tyler immediately reached into his coat pocket and found the handle of his Baton. He pulled it out and flicked his wrist causing it to extend. He then swung fairly ungracefully at the changeling’s head smacking it across the temple. The creature let go immediately and Tyler was left gasping for air trying to keep his wits about him as he recuperated from the choking grasp. Morrigan stood fully recovered and grabbed her can lifting it up by the base of its handle. She found her center of gravity, bending her legs slightly and waved the cane in front of her spinning it in her fingers building its charge. She then kicked back returning to the familiar wilting stance with the tip of the cane pointed out as if she were fencing. The tip was aimed directly at the creature who reacted by jumping forward. Morrigan waited a moment and once the creature was a few feet away she let loose a barrage of elemental casts. The first was a slight flick of the wrist that brought about a raging infero that singed the creature forcing it to back up quickly growling in pain and rage. The second cast was cause by Morrigan turning her wrist bringing the tip of her cane over her head and back down to it original position sending out a burst of icy air that grabbed moisture as it travelled the few feet from the cane to its target. The icy blast left frost of the creatures ripped clothing, and the force caused it to be knocked back further. It quickly recovered regaining the distance between it and its opponent, the final cast was reserved. Morrigan waited for the beast to be as close as she would dare. It was less than two feet from her when let the cane tip descend to her knees and brought it up right under the monsters chin which cause the earth around it to rumble. A pillar of rock burst from the ground and knocked the changeling back at least twenty feet. She brought the cane down and held by the handle in front of her the way a stereotypical wizard would hold their staff and in her left hand a ball of green light surrounded by a green haze was formed. The creature stood and ran to her unhindered by any damage. Tyler leaned against the brick wall still slightly gasping for air. He watched as the creature disappeared in the same smoke it did before. He wanted to help but he couldn’t understand. It was unknowable. The creature reappeared behind her and he called out. “Morrigan, behind you.” She spun and the ball of green light was pushed forward into the changeling’s chest sending it flying again. Morrigan regained her stance and waited patiently. It was stronger than before and she didn’t have nearly enough energy to disperse it again. The creature disappeared and reappeared at Tylers side grabbing him by his coat and throwing him out onto the street. Tyler rolled on the concrete, blood slowly oozing from a wound above his brow. He tried to stand, thinking deeply on how to intervene. I don’t understand, he thought, I can’t ever know. He felt hopelessness and somewhere deep within something else. This new feeling was empowering but so sad and at its core, terrifying. The creature lunged at Morrigan whom was prepared for another assault. Tyler could almost hear a voice calling to him. He grabbed his fallen baton and ran to the beast in front of him. He could here his thoughts. He brought back the baton and as if he were to lunge it into the belly of this beast he thrust the tip of it forward with one word on his mind. stop. The sound of it ringing in his thoughts was calm as if he knew the command would be obeyed. A white haze erupted from the tip of the club and a small burst of light radiated sending a ball of faint white hazy almost liquid looking light to the creature hitting it square in the back. The creature thrust his arms up and stopped immediately as the light erupted over it and the smoke covered its torso the way smoke would an object within its path. The creature fell to the cement, its grin and other awkward features void from its face. When the creature fell it revealed the stunned face of Morrigan, whom had heard the fizzling energy from the baton, the tell-tale sound of a practitioner who just made their first cast. “Tyler?” he was stunned. The feeling that ran through him was exhilarating and at the same time painful. “Tyler, you did it.” He tried to regain his faculties. “You killed it, that was sheer power you used. Feel different?” He nodded and felt blood exuding from his nose. His vision blurred and he felt himself losing touch of the world around him. He then fell unconscious into the arms of an already prepared Morrigan. “That’s good, love, good job.” The helped Tyler to the ground letting him lay there until he regained consciousness. She stood and gazed at the man with pride. “Good lad.” “I thought your pet would never get it, I mean-” the voice was cut off by the livid rage and the savage fury of Morrigan whom, in recognition of the voice, sent a barrage of forceful casts in its direction. Simple orbs of force, but given her rage they were quite effective. The woman the voice emitted from was knocked back only to regain her footing on the ground as if she had never been hit in the first place. “Sister, why such hostility.” Her voice was thick and grimy but at the same time beautiful. “You would dare. After what you did.” “That’s ages in the past, sister.” “I am not your sister. Not anymore.” “The pact is permanent, regardless of the forms we take.” “I knew it was you, I knew it. I could smell your cowardice.” The woman was wearing a black dress and high heels with a large sunhat. She was very tall, pale, and thin and carried herself with sickening confidence. “Cowardice, your one to talk. You think you were the only one trying to escape her death that night?” “Which pact did you cater to more then, the one to your sisters or the one to your keeper? I didn’t leave like you, running to the arms of your false goddess.” Morrigan spat the words at the woman in a way that made her scared of herself. “Now, Morrigan, My patroness is not false. Look at what she has given me.” She gestured to her body with vanity, as if she was displaying it at an auction. “She has molded me in her own image, gave me her name.” “and at what price? Your freedom, your very humanity has been taken. Are you even alive anymore?” “More so than you, ironically. Wake up your companion, I have a request.” “I will do nothing for you. I would never allow myself to be degraded so far.” “You owe me, and you know it. A debt like that must be repaid.” Morrigan thought a moment and at the memory of her careless promise, held her tongue. “That’s better, now, boy…” she pulled out a small, thin, wooden stick no longer than her forearm and pointed it at Tyler’s unconscious body. Tyler opened his eyes. There was a pain in his head and a ring in his ears that muffled all surrounding noises. Morrigan ran to his side and helped him as he sat up, placing her hands on his back and pulling him up. he sat a moment staring at her in confusion. The muffled sounds were impossible to understand. The ring began to die down slowly as he carefully observed his surroundings. There only thing that didn’t seem distant was a feeling in his chest, a burning sensation that left him feeling both joyous, and gloomy. It was a beautiful feeling. “Tyler?” his hearing was coming back now as he recognized his name. he looked down the road and saw the woman that had awoken him. “Who’s that?” he asked in a slow and dry tone. “Queen mab, At your service.” The woman bowed and smiled a crooked smile that left Tyler feeling disgusted. Tyler attempted to sit up, failing. Morrigan ran to his side to assist as she leaned in and whispered in his ear. “Do not address her, do as I do, trust me.” She smiled a fake smile as she helped him stand. His legs began to wobble slightly but Morrigan offering support, kept him sturdy swinging his arm over her and lifting him as needed. “What do you want, Dolores?” “I have a small task that needs to be taken care of. I’d do it myself but this requires more delicate hands. My powers are limited where you’re going.” She walked down the road and stopped just in front of the squatting down to their level smiling the same crooked smile. Her raven black hair blew in the wind as she spoke. “you are going to the Erin Isles, way back home to the Belle mansion. The Coven has an invested party living there, however, My patroness has forbade any direct involvement.” “And why in her almighty wisdom would she do that.” Morrigan spat in a sarcastic tone as she rubbed Tyler’s back trying to loosen the tension within his muscles. “I don’t ask questions, but it has something to do with the house itself. Many wards, including a ward against The Sidhe, Not one of my sisters can enter there.” “what am I to do when I get there?” “Apparently there is a disturbance in the house. Has been for some time, it seems. Solve the problem, and consider your debt repaid. This is my offer.” Mab stuck out her hand and Morrigan reluctantly shook it. “Get out of my sight.” The command forced the smile off of Mab’s face. In a final look of contempt, she stood and walked away dispersing in a haze of green fog. Tyler looked at Morrigan and as she gazed blankly, lost in thought, he asked. “What happened?” her concentration broke as her eyes met his. She seemed shaken and spoke quickly. “uh, you killed the changeling. It’s very common for someone to pass out shortly after their first cast. You’re using your own energy so it takes time to learn and condition yourself for constant use.” She stood there for a moment gazing into space, the last rays of sun cast upon her pale green eyes. “and that woman?” “One of my oldest friends, or at least she used to be. Now she is my enemy.” “what happened between you two?” “It’s not important, besides that’s my past. Off limits remember?” “If I’m going with you, I might need to know.” “and who said your going?” “I did, come on now, you really think I’m just gonna sit and wait?” “It’s far too dangerous, you need to train. We’re dealing with the Sidhe. Fair folk are not known for being kind and merciful.” “Exactly, two is better than one.” “tyler, you-“ “No, im going with you.” He spoke quickly and kept a stern posture despite the fear of her wrath that came over him. He had cut her off, one of her many pet peeves. Her eyes widened indicating surprise and her mouth slightly gaped, but then she smiled a sly smile and spoke softly almost seductively. “You know, just because you can kill a changeling doesn’t mean you can undermine my authority.” She laughed slightly her tone playful and kind. “Authority, you say? I don’t think so.” He replied in the same playful tone. She took his hand and spoke in a reluctant yet compliant way. “Fine then. Let’s go to the hollow, it’s a long story, and you still have learning to do before we go.”
The Reign of Mab Washington DC 1916
Morrigan Fae sat with the rest of her sisters at a long table. Her emerald eyes stared at her wine filled cup in earnest. She looked to her friend, Dolores Shaw, who sat across from her. She smiled a tender smile and was given one in kind. They were younger then, they didn’t exhibit the disquieting aura they would come to emit in their later years. Dolores was fairly plain looking with black straight bobbed hair that went well with her black dress. The two patiently waited as the matron, Rose Crowley, a woman their age with similar style and dress, spoke loudly from the head of the table so all could hear. “Let us eat sisters.” She smiled and sat quickly as all those who sat at the table dug into the feast that had been prepared. The coven was created by like-minded young women to enjoy the finer things in life while also maintaining a sense of self protection. Morrigan was drank from her glass and watched in wonder as the glass refilled itself to the starting point. A relatively newer initiate, she still found this new world awe inspiring. Dolores laughed at her friends delight. “So Morrigan, will you be joining us tomorrow?” Morrigan perked her head up swallowing her food quickly. “At the protest?” Dolores nodded smiling with joy. “Absolutely, I miss Alice so.” “She shouldn’t have been caught in the first place.” Said a woman sitting near them. “Edith, please, her focus had been broken in the fight. She did well, but few of us could actually handle an entire police station.” “She did put up a fight, I imagine some of those bastards are still recovering..” they all laughed. Morrigan recalled the incident vividly. She, Dolores, and Alice were all sent to defend Margaret Sanger herself, a liberator of women and fellow practitioner. The police quickly overcame them and the entire coven had to run with Sanger down to one of the many safe houses scattered about the city. Morrigan remembered looking back and seeing Alice taking on three officers at a time. She darted about as one swung at her with his club. She grabbed the man’s wrist and twisted ferociously bringing the man to his knees screaming violently. Even without her focus, she was a force to be reckoned with, as were they all. Dolores broke Morrigan’s reminiscence. “all right, well there are apparently several officers guarding her, we have to think this one through. I think even Edith Garrud will be there as well. They won’t know what hit them.” Morrigan let her mind wander. She pictured the pioneering moment of escaping the jail, the feast that would follow and the days that were to come. “Do you think they will be expecting us?” “If they don’t, they are just as dim witted as we thought, which I imagine is the case.” Rose had spoken overhearing their conversations. In fact, the whole table was abuzz about the coming events. Morrigan had finished eating and excused herself politely. She walked down the hall of the underground temple rose had built for them. A hallow created from a cave system that ran underneath the city. D.C. would be in chaos in less than twelve hours. The chime on the nearby clock echoed the hour. It was midnight now, and many of the young women were off to bed, prepared for the day to come. Dolores met Morrigan on her walk out of the sanctuary. “Where you off to?” the kind smile from her dear friend left Morrigan feeling ecstatic. There was little she did without Dolores and a night amongst the town would be grand with her company. Still, Morrigan kept her head down looking at the floor holding back smile. Dolores continued her prodding. “Petting party?” Morrigan shook her head, slightly embarrassed at the notion. “Just a walk.” She said softly. “Well that isn’t much fun is it?” “Depends on how you look at it.” The two then came upon a dog, a small corgi Morrigan had named turnip. The dog wagged its fluffy tail as it barked loudly. Morrigan kneeled laughing trying to hush her companion. “I don’t know why you decided to keep the stray.” Dolores said with a tone of admiration. “I love dogs, they’re beautiful.” She stood turnip at her side and continued walking. Dolores accompanied her sister on her journey out of the archway that protected the sanctuary and into a dank but oddly immaculately clean sewer. Another enchantment no doubt, Morrigan thought. They ascended from the sewers out of a grate hidden well behind a building leading out of the sewers and into the street. The city was relatively quiet, save for a few new ford models driving about and the occasional bark of a dog, which turnip always happily replied to. Morrigan for the first time gained a sense of fear. “Tomorrow will be dangerous yes?” “Very, were breaking into a prison: Occoquan workhouse, not a pleasant place. The guards with Alice will be armed. It is said that the women held there are force fed rotting food. I would wager Rose wishes us to free them as well.” “How many?” “over two hundred, all protesters.” “Sounds horrific.” “If the rumors are true, and that’s not the only one, then yes. Don’t worry though. I’ll look after you.” Dolores placed her hand on Morrigan’s shoulder slightly squeezing it to ensure the sense of comfort she wanted to convey. Morrigan smiled weakly and they continued their march. The sun was coming up and the two women decided to head back to the sanctuary. They passed long dark alleyways and old brick buildings admiring the aesthetic they gave off in the darkness. Morrigan always found the night beautiful. Dolores never really shared her ideas about the world. Morrigan found the world beautiful. The sunrise in the distance was by far her favorite sight, second only to the sun’s temporary departure. Dolores always found it irritating when, should Morrigan not show up to a particular meeting or ceremony, she would have to trek across whatever city they found themselves in, usually finding her in a gallery or museum. Her excuse was always the same: “Sorry lost myself in the art.” Apart from her misgivings, Dolores always fancied her dear friends artistic prowess. No work of art ever mystified her like Morrigan’s, one of the most gifted painters she would ever know. A skilled poet and writer, Morrigan excelled at whatever art form she practiced. It was a gift that could never be mimicked either by any form of arcane talent or divine intervention, It was natural. Despite her reputation of being somewhat of a recluse, this gift was the only thing keeping her from becoming the social pariah so many sisters before had become. Hermits in forests and beggars in abandoned warehouses that often went missing. Morrigan had the talent of seeing the world in a much different way, and her sisters loved her for that. The youngest of the group at the age of seventeen, it was hard for anyone to imagine their little sister, having her catalysts stripped away and then being cast out to die alone. Rose herself had even shown a sense of admiration to her many talents. They had finally reached the sanctuary and changed into proper sleeping attire. Morrigan, who suffered from insomnia would often remain awake and read over the various texts in the study. She would paint and write and even on occasion, should one of her sisters remain awake, perform. Lulling them to sleep with her naturally soothing voice. Tonight however, she would study. she had propped open a text, written by rose herself, that depicted various goals and casts that were beneficial for defending oneself: various protective charms and enchantments along with shields and wards. She took out her catalyst: a small pointed stick, about the length of her hand from wrist to middle finger, and began practicing. She waved the branch in front of her, the tip of it to the ceiling, and thought hard on the goal of the cast. She could see a faint blue wave of energy surround her frame, protecting her and only her, from any form of projectile assault. A feminine chuckle echoed off the stone walls. She turned startled to see Rose standing at the doorway in a nightgown. “You know, I’ve never seen someone as adamant about learning before. What has you so scared?” Morrigan hid her focus back into her coat pocket and, embarrassed, spoke quickly. “I’m sorry, did I wake you? I was just-“ “Nervous about the day?” Rose entered the room, her gown flowing gently in the breeze her movements created. She stopped just in front of Morrigan and continued. “Yes, I know, we all are. Several of us are well into our twenties, me in my thirties. I would be truly worried if the one seventeen year old wasn’t scared at all.” Morrigan smiled a timid smile breaking eye contact and looking to the floor. Rose quickly raised her hand and with her fingers under her chin, lifted Morrigan’s head up. “Learn some confidence, girl.” Rose looked to the side and brought Morrigan’s attention to the wall. “You see that?” Morrigan focused on the portrait of rose she had painted from memory: A young looking woman, sitting on a wooden chair with a cloak flowing down the back of the chair. This was the first time she had met rose, years ago as an orphan. “You painted that, and look around you.” Morrigan gazed at several painting that she had drawn. She had never really noticed them before, or at least never realized how many of her works were used. “All of these are yours. And no other painting in this room has a separate maker. You have a gift, Morrigan; you’re just as talented as our brightest. Hold onto that fear, make it your friend. However, do not let it control your actions. You can do much more than hold your own. In fact I believe a piece of today’s glory might be yours, just like the walls of this sanctuary.” She left on that comment, leaving Morrigan to her thoughts. Morrigan waited until the soft patting of Rose’s bare footsteps disappeared into the depths of the sanctuary before beginning again with her practice.
Hours later, a large screeching noise, like a distorted siren, erupted then roared down the halls of the sanctuary. The women woke up immediately recognizing the purpose of the wretched sound. Morrigan was startled, what could possibly warrant this alarm. The sound was only to be used when immediate mobilization was required. The women were already dressed and prepared when Morrigan made her way to the common room. They stormed out toward the main hall, and Morrigan ran to her room and got dressed. Turnip, who had been waiting patiently for her heat source to come to bed barked madly at the her presence, as if she was telling her master the trouble she was in for making the furry creature wait. “Not now, turnip.” She fumbled with her shoes as turnip silently jumped about the bed. When she finally got dressed she bolted to the Main hall, turnip following close behind. The Main hall was crowded, up to twenty five girls standing waiting for Rose to announce the emergency. The commotion was loud and indiscernible when Morrigan entered the room. Rose stood atop a stool and at the sight of the missing sister, hushed the crowed. “We have to leave now; the march on D.C has started early. It has also been brought to my attention that an impromptu protest has begun the workhouse. We must break out every one of the prisoners. Be prepared. We are outnumbered, and our opposition is armed. We also suspect that there is an otherworldly presence at the prison. This does not bode well for us.” Rose met Morrigan’s eyes. “Keep your wits about you. We don’t know what exactly waits in the prison.” Rose then clapped her hands and spread her arms out slowly to the room. The motion caused a rumble and it seemed as the room was moving. It was as if the stone walls were spinning on an axis causing dust and rock to fall at all sides of the room, as stone grinded upon stone. The doorways began to close, the openings sealed up by stone moving horizontally closing off the original path. As the room turned, a new door way emerged to an unfamiliar place. The other side of the horizontally moving wall revealed there entry into the prison. The coven then ran, storming through all the exits. Dolores found her way to Morrigan’s side and Rose, having jumped off the stool, ran to the two with haste. “Follow me, let’s get out sister.” They ran through one of the doorways and were immediately aware of the change in temperature. The heat was intense and the smell of rotten food and feces overwhelmed them. One of the practitioners, Edith, was vomiting her hand pressed against the wall as she keeled over legs bent. The three waved their Focuses in front of their faces casting the smell out and sealing it from their senses. They then slowly made their way deeper into the workhouse. Screams, gunfire, and the apparent blasts and explosions indicated that a battle was raging in all areas of the workhouse. Morrigan speculated that each doorway led to a different part of the prison. Rose thought a moment. “This way.” She whispered as the three made their way down a dark, hot corridor. “Shield yourselves.” Dolores and Morrigan, following their mentors lead, waved their wands in front of them and relished the embrace of the cool wave of energy that came over them, blocking out the heat. Morrigan remained focused, as to keep the shield working. Rose then stopped just in front of a cross in their route. A group of men all armed with guns were patrolling the area, their expressions unyielding and filled with malice. “Were they waiting for us?” Dolores whispered vehemently. Rose quickly whispered in reply. “No, someone else was. Look closer.” Morrigan narrowed her gaze, and as was her training, looked just past one of the guards shoulders. Sure enough, she saw a black haze emitting out them in black faint tendrils that rose up and dispersed into the surrounding corridor the way smoke does in an enclosed space. The smoke seemed alive acting like tentacles, some burrowing their way back into the body of their host. These were signs of a deeply rooted possession. “What are they?” Morrigan whispered, and “I’m not sure, but they have possessed these guards for some time. We have to move down this corridor.” “A fight then.” Dolores whispered raising her focus to her heart. “I’m afraid so, it’s too small to go unnoticed, even if we were invisible.” Morrigan held her catalyst close as rose made the first move. She raised her own focus, a ring on her middle finger, shaping her hand like a blade and directed it at the guardsmen. a burst of white light and a ball of raging white fire was cast out of her ring and grew to about the size of a baseball just before hitting the first guard dead in the chest. The haze, then fully visible seemed to be knocked out of the guards body and dispersed with stifled scream. The other two guards then mobilized firing down the corridor at their attacker. Dolores darted to the other side of the threshold while rose dodged the incoming bullets, Turnip barked madly as Morrigan quickly glanced down the hall. She would take the Guard on the right with the same exorcising cast rose had used. She looked down at rose, who was pressed against the wall recovering from the blunt force of the bullets that ricocheted off her shielding. Morrigan breathed in and swung around pointing her focus at her target. The energy whipped out knocking the guard back a good five feet. The haze within began to exit and disperse from the body in midair emitting the same stifled scream. Dolores took her chance as Morrigan, having gained the attention of the other guard, moved behind cover once more. She swung about casting a bolt of lightning from the tip of her focus stunning the guard, then flicked her wrist again sending a ball of light, casting the haze out of the guards body. Morrigan was clutching her arm trying to regain composer. One of the bullets hit her shielding and it sent her mind reeling making it hard to reform the shield. The force was strong and was sure to cause severe bruising within the hour. Rose stood and led them down the corridor past the lifeless bodies of the guardsmen. Morrigan, upon realizing the fact that they were dead, spoke out fighting back sobs. “How…How can they be dead? It was an exorcism.” “They had been possessed for years, child.” Rose spoke softly. “Whatever part of them that was still human left the body within the first six months. Sharing a body is not easy, especially when the being you’re hosting wants control.” Morrigan fought back the tears as they continued along the corridor. The fighting could still be heard echoing down the halls, adding to the sounds of fighting were the sounds of cell doors opening. “Just as fate foretold. We will succeed.” Rose smiled and laughed. Turnip who was silently strutting at their side kept close to her master as they traveled through various corridors. It was then that Dolores noticed a strange sound blending into the background noise of chaos. An unnatural scream that didn’t just echo. It slithered through the corridors and sent shivers down the women’s spines. The screams were female, or appeared to be, behind their monstrous clamor. The echoes that came next left a clenching feeling in Dolores’ gut. Other, more natural, sounds of screams filled their ears. They turned a corner and there before them were two bodies. One was a corpse dressed in casual 20s attire, a brown stick lightly held in its hand and the other, a woman dressed in rags squatting over the corpse grunting and murmuring as it chewed the meat off of the dead women’s fingers. The squatting women was covered in filth and had her back turned to the group as they entered the hall. Surrounding the invaders, were empty cells. Some opened from the outside by their sisters…others opened from within, made obvious by the twisted metal of bars ripped and bent apart. The squashing, slurping sound of meat tearing from bone ceased as the crouching figure became aware of their presence. It slowly stood from its perch and twisted around revealing pitch black eyes and a bloodstained face. The woman that this thing had once been was possessed, the corpse beneath it, a dear friend Dolores had known for years. “Mary,” Dolores screamed raising her focus in violent rage. A cast of purple light and bluish haze in the form of a rippling ball of force erupted from the branch. The entity found itself flying backwards landing on the stone ground, bones snapping and breaking as she skidded along the floor. The creaking and grinding of bone on bone were like nails on a chalkboard as the creature writhed in pain. Its pale skin blackened, pus filled boils protruding from its skin, bursting, healing, and then forming again like water boiling in a pot. The creature gave its last abnormal scream before it began to degenerate into ash. Dolores breathed heavily rushing to her dead friends side tears welling up in her eyes. She released the tears as she slid her hands underneath Mary’s head, tucking the dead weight into her shoulder as she wept. Rose, holding back her own tears contemplated what this meant. The unnatural screams were more plentiful and violent now. Every single living thing this prison, she thought, was possessed. By what, she did not know, but this development would mean the death of many of her sisters. She wrapped Morrigan in her arms, the girl was silently weeping, as she herself refused to hold back her sorrow. The corpse, with all fingers missing on one hand, rocked back and forth following suit with Dolores’ movements as the girl began to violently sob. Rose walked forward leaving Morrigan to find solace in her furry companion. Turnip, sensing her master’s distress, cuddled in her arms. Rose placed her hands on Dolores’ shoulder. “We have to keep moving. Alice doesn’t deserve this.” Rose seemed to choke on her words trying to keep her voice calm and her emotion in check. The anger she bottled up knew no bounds. She had rescued these poor women, many of them young orphans when she did. This was her family, and she would not let this crime pass without payment. She looked into the cell that, she assumed, once contained the now nonexistent being. The dead husks of eaten rats and insects littered its floor as did the filth that also drenched the things body. Dolores clasped onto the corpses hair, shaking her head, burying her face into the cadaver’s golden locks. “Dolores.” Her tone was hard, unfeeling. Dolores looked up from the body. The expression exemplified the rage all three were feeling. Morrigan had never seen such emotion from her dearest sister. Dolores stood, and, trying to ignore the sounds of their sisterhood’s extermination, proceeded onward. They proceeded on, exorcising the foreign being as they came across them. They stormed the prison in haste finally making their way to their destination: a large room filled with tables and chairs and at its center was a man standing next to a brown haired woman in flapper attire. The man wore a black three piece suit and possessed an unnatural appearance. Grasping firmly at the straining woman’s hair he smiled a slimy grin as the three gazed at the spectacle he was to perform. His fingernails, long and razor sharp, traced Alice’s jugular, teasing all involved with death. His voice was impossible to fully describe. An ensemble of gorgeous sounds, some guttural, some bright and lively, that seemed to combine a silky smoothness with a slimy draw that stuck to the inside of your ears leaving a distinct ring that served an omen to the man’s inhuman nature. Once someone heard it, it was obvious. One could describe every detail of the accent and octave in perfect clarity, but, as if by the brains denial of something so beautiful, the moment the music ceased, and its notes vanished into obscurity. “A lowly band of witches, How quaint.” Every expression or movement it made proved its unearthly nature. It seemed so normal, yet so bizarre. When its lips moved, it didn’t seem to fit the words. When it gave an expression, it always seemed an imitation. When it moved its arms or twitched its fingers in its dance of death at Alice’s throat, despite the present danger, it seemed as though the motion wasn’t as deadly or menacing as one would have thought. Rose met its dark eyes with hate and loathing. “Sidhe.” She spat the words out clutching her focus like a mother clutches a child. Turnip growled a the visage recognizing its true nature. Morrigan didn’t know what to feel. She felt lulled by the Fae’s motions, forgetting about the death of Mary and even the mission. Rose snapped her fingers bringing Morrigan around. “Glamour.” She said sternly, “It is a well told lie.” “And you believed it.” The voice came suddenly, loudly, from behind Rose. She tensed up. She had made a grave mistake, and it would cost her dearly. She spun around quickly only to hear the ripping, cracking sound of the eerie beings nails ripping into flesh. “No.” Alice screamed from across the room. Dolores expression was vacant twitching as the being slowly twisted his hand at the wrist. Dolores fell to the ground revealing the strange being with a lifeless heart in its hand. It raised its hand and sank its teeth deep into the already scared and torn tissue. Rose immediately reacted, raising her focus and sending a pillar of flame from the gem within her ring. The creature was gone in an instant, dispersing into thin air and appearing at the center of the room behind Alice. Rose ran to the center of the room consumed in hate and fired case after cast at the creature who deflected them with ease. The casts forced the being back, however allowing Morrigan to move. She thought quickly, running as fast as she could. She saw the ropes that held Alice in place, and, raising her focus, thought hard and sent a thin vertical wave of energy that sliced the rope freeing its captive. She helped the woman to her feet and carried her to relative safety. It was then that Morrigan looked to the body of Dolores. The same vacant expression was locked on her face. Above the corpse was a mist of black haze that attempted to enter the body through the woman’s mouth and open wound. Morrigan attempted to respond but was forced to react to a separate stimulus as the Sidhe was upon her, its blood stained face and nails shimmering in the fluorescent light. Rose ran to Morrigan’s aid sending a blast of white energy. The ball of light hit the Sidhe catching his overcoat on fire. He watched as the coat burned slowly then turned to Rose with a look of incoming fury. Rose continued to cast balls of light at the being but the burning overcoat, now an inferno of flame billowing over the man, made it difficult to land a solid blow. Alice looked up and in a mournful frenzy, ran to the being. “Alice no,” Rose yelled as Alice finally met her target. She brought her hand back raising her fingers slightly as if she had claws. She brought he hand down only to have it caught by the burning man. She retaliated in kind, landing a blow with her other hand clenching tightly with her fingers on the man’s side. The creature wasn’t fazed. He picked up the woman by the throat. Rose, watching the spectacle in horror sent a ball of light, as did Morrigan in defense of their dear sister. The man deflected them, and looked to turnip that also had joined the fray. The dog barked ferociously running to the man. Alice jerked and twitched losing her breath as the dog leaped up only to be swatted aside by the man’s free arm, small drops of blood falling to the stone floor as the razor sharp nails clipped the dog’s skin. He looked to his other prisoner and grinned. With the simple flick of his wrist, he watched the life disappear from the woman’s eyes. Rose screamed as she watched Alice’s neck snap. The feeling of helplessness overcame her and tears began to fall. She sent out cast after cast hoping one would cause damage. The man simply deflected them walking slowly toward her. She fell to her knees feeling weak from fatigue and overexertion. Morrigan raised her focus and shot a blast of black smoke at the man. Only to watch her ball of death changed its directory to rose. Rose raised her arms in defense but succumbed as the haze hit her in the chest. Her bucket hat fell, revealing her bobbed hair swaying over her blank lifeless face. Morrigan screamed in frustration and sorrow. The man turned around, finally removing his charred coat. Morrigan ran falling down just in front of Turnips slowly breathing body. The blood coated her fur as the dog wheezed and whined. Tears drenched her face as she stood up, forcing herself to move away from the corpses that surrounded her. The blood soaked into her shoes causing her to slip and slide as she moved away from her attacker. He was toying with her. He could have easily killed her by now, but her lamenting sobs caused him joy. The few times she turned back to look at him, he skipped with joy, smiling the same crooked grin. She could hear him cackle slightly when she turned away to move onwards. She soon made her way to the body of Dolores still succumbing to the mist that loomed over her. Somehow, whether by the light or maybe more of the Sidhe’s trickery, the look on the dead woman’s face showed sorrow and a gleam in her eyes seemed to show tears that had not been there before. She took another step onto the stone steps that led into the large room and the blood finally reached its goal. She slipped banging her knee scraping it against the stone. The blood began to pour and the man began to sniff the air violently, taking in the new scent deep into his lungs. She shrivled into a fetal position grabbing the injured leg. She looked up only to find the Grinning man standing over her his nails bared ready to find their mark.
Dolores was in a dark place. She felt cold and alone, a sense of hopeless that no one should ever have to feel. It was here, in this personal hell, that the voice came. A voice of longing and desperation, but a voice that was so soft, it washed away the cold. The soft tones seemed to be of music, lulling Dolores into a state of content and complacency. She couldn’t open her eyes. Her body felt weightless or rather, she couldn’t feel her body at all. It was as if every extension of her being had been severed and all that was left was the cold recesses of her mind. The voice explained it’s many desires. “Dolores,” She couldn’t reply, but she assumed the voice new that Dolores was aware of its existence. “There is not much time. I have an offer. An offer of life, and power.” Dolores thought deeply about the fear that this place had left within her. A Fear that was impossible to shake. It lingered in the back of her mind. If she had eyes, she was sure there were tears. She could see the image of rose dying and Morrigan, her dearest friend, crying alone and afraid as the grinning man loomed over her. She made a contention, Something Morrigan could never know. A deal was struck and slowly but surely, she felt something that she had, in her short time here in this dark place, forgotten: Feeling. A sense of power coursed through her and she began to regain her faculties. First there were her eyes, then the rest of her head followed quickly by her torso and extremities. She heard the voices final words. “Wake up.”

The words seemed to scream in her mind but were only the sounds of a whisper. She found herself back in her own body. Her eyes fully functioning as she stared narrowing her gaze in hate as she stared at the grinning man. His back was turned to her and he didn’t seem to notice her resurrection.
Morrigan couldn’t keep her eyes off the grinning man’s face. It practically fumed of malice and delight, a blasphemous pleasure that it allowed to consume him. He raised his left hand ready and primed to make a single, fatal, swing. When a single burst of dark green light filled the room. Morrigan was able to break eye contact on the monster for a single moment. She saw Dolores, a gaping hole in her torso standing loosely on the uneven ground, blood dripping from her clothes. The look on her face terrified Morrigan. It was the same look the Grinning man gave her just before he raised his hand to strike a final blow. The man turned in horror as the living dead woman raised her hand in fury. A burst of emerald light engulfed her hand as the man raised his own hand to defend. Dolores then sent out a single thin beam of light at the man. He dodged it in time to disperse into nothing, never to be seen again. Dolores reveled in her newfound power, and newfound companion. “Dolores?” Morrigan whispered tears welling up in her already wet face. She was trying to sit up holding the barley living body of turnip in her arms. Dolores walked up to her and grinned a grin that was darker and more sickening the being that had just ran from the fight. She reached at the dogs neck, petting it slightly. She gripped it tightly and twisted it in one clean stroke. Morrigan shrieked as she felt the dog’s life leave its body in one fatal whimper. The tears flowed again as she looked into the maniacle smile of her once dear friend. She spoke in a voice so foreign and strange that shivers were sent down Morrigan’s spine.
“No…”
Tyler fought back tears in his eyes as he viewed the spectacle. “Stop it…Morrigan please.” Morrigan waved her hand slowly in remorse. “I’m sorry Tyler, you asked.” The surrounding scenery changed from the dank, dark, blood stained stone walls to the much more peaceful glade her that had become his training ground. “Why?” he turned to the woman behind him. Her face was littered with stray tears that found their way through the emotional walls. “Why would she do that?” “That thing is not the Dolores I grew up with. She made a deal with a dying Sidhe. Queen Mab herself, a dying queen. In desperation she sought a human vessel, possessed it, and used it for her own personal goals. Soon after this we were found by our remaining sisters. Only seven of us survived. Mab took control of the Coven and I ran away. She forced me into exile as to hide her identity. They found me and my research into purification and attempted to stop me. I would never rest until the grinning bastard was dead. My eyes were the price of my vengeance.” Tyler nodded. “At least you can still paint.” Morrigan gave a half smile then let her face display a sense of sorrow. “with magic, I suppose. However, the actual talent has left me. I can’t even remember how anymore.” Her face showed grief and also malice. “Did you ever kill him?” “No, every time I get close, he has already moved on. I can’t even find his name. He is known as many things, but his true name has never been told.” Tyler looked down at the living turnip, who was sitting quietly and sternly at his side. She looked up and almost as a method of comforting him, whined slightly. “And, turnip.” Morrigan’s face twitched slightly, indicating a touchy subject. Tyler remained silent staring at the dog, a spitting image of the one he had just seen die. He knelt to pet the furry critter. She barked in appreciation. Morrigan shook away the tears and composed herself. “Allright, if you’re coming, you’re going to have to learn a stance.”