Ghost Light

Chanting and incense joined the images of my dreams and I floated, helpless, like a leaf on the surface of a raging river.  I was caught by the currents of my fevered mind, condemned to smash against the rocks of my fears and memories.

Was I dying?  If this was death, I wished it would get on with it already.  I always thought that death would bring an end to the nightmares, but this world in between the dead and the living was even more frightening than my life had been.

If there was a chance at living, I would grab it and hold on tight.  But there was no life preserver here, not even a piece of driftwood.  There were only monsters hissing and growling in the dark.  My heart raced and I reached for my knives, but they were gone.  I had no weapons here.  All I had was fear and pain and the certainty that I was in this alone.

The monsters drew closer scenting my fear like sharks drawn to a single drop of blood.  My body shook as I tread water.  I was without both weapons and armor.  My leather jacket was gone and, in the way of nightmares, I was wearing only a camisole and panties.  My skin was naked, exposed.

I tried to be quiet, but failed to hold my breath and calm the shaking.  The monsters would find me soon and when they did I wasn’t sure what I was afraid of most—their killing teeth and claws or the simple brush of their touch.

I slipped beneath the waves and deeper into the abyss.

* * *

I emerged from the depths of my nightmares to a new series of fears.  I awoke in my body, but found that I couldn’t move my arms or legs or open my eyes.  There was nothing except darkness and pain and the staccato beat of my heart.

My body, and the pain, seemed real.  I didn’t think I was still trapped in that in-between realm of fever dreams, but that didn’t mean I was safe from monsters.  I needed to move, to hide, and grab my weapons.  I focused on trying to move my right arm and red hot needles stabbed my nerve endings.  I sucked in a gasping breath and stilled, catching a familiar scent.

I sniffed at the air and my racing heart slowed.  I smelled salt brine, cool skin, and sea breezes—Ceff’s individual scent.  I didn’t like being defenseless, but at least Ceff was here, wherever here was.  If someone threatened, he would protect me.

I tried to recall my last memory before I blacked out.  I’d been battling Melusine in the city cemetery, but the details were blurred.  I had a feeling that the fight hadn’t gone well.

I needed information, and that meant opening my eyes and getting back on my feet.  Maybe I could succeed if I started small—baby steps.  I ignored the pain and focused on my feet.  I hoped that my lower extremities hadn’t been injured as badly as my arms.  I tried to wiggle just my toes, but the attempt brought on a wave of nausea.  I couldn’t move a muscle.

Melusine and her pet snake had done a number on me.  I suppose under the circumstances I was lucky to be here at all.  If I was conscious, then I must have survived the fight—unless this was one of the circles of Hell.

I was a survivor; I preferred to think on the bright side.  I’d fought a psycho crazed lamia and lived.  Not bad for someone who’d only had a couple years of self defense classes and a few intensive months of weapons training under her belt.

I’d begun training with Jenna back in December in the hopes that I could add the knowledge to what I knew of self defense and use the new skills in the protection of those I cared about.  After the each uisge invasion of my city, I’d worked hard to stay fit, but when I faced a redcap ambush over the holidays, I realized that basic self-defense wasn’t enough.  If I truly wanted to defend myself and my colleagues, then I needed to take Jenna up on her offer to train me in the use of weapons.  The Hunter didn’t come cheap, but business had been good lately—and now I’d faced a jealous lamia and lived.

It was worth every penny.

If it hadn’t been for our training sessions, I’d surely be dead right now.  In the past I’d given Jenna a small, ironic bow at the beginning of each class, but as soon as I was healed enough to begin lessons again I planned to bow deeply.  I owed the Hunter a great deal of respect, and the gratitude of a princess.

At least, I hoped I’d be returning to training.  I hurt all over.  Without the ability to move or open my eyes, I had no idea how serious my injuries were.  I tried again to move my arms and legs, but all I could feel was the heavy weight of pain.

My heart raced and I struggled for breath.  The world fell away beneath me, sucking me back down into unconsciousness.

* * *

I woke to the sound of someone talking.  The sound was muffled and I wondered if someone had forgotten to remove the earplugs I’d been wearing when I passed out.  I listened more closely as my head began to clear.  It sounded like Kaye’s voice, but what was my witch friend doing here?