eins

            I knew this place; it was the one place I was not judged- based on who and what I was. The water babbled happily as the wind blew gently. The scent of flowers and spices drifted along the wind, tickling my senses.

            My heart skipped at the familiar scents. I raced along the mossy banks, tree branches gabbing at me. I stopped and looked around, the darkening forest. Something was horribly wrong.

            The gloom seemed to enshroud every tree and the river became thick with oily sludge. I threw a hand over my nose and gagged violently as the miasma swallowed me.

            “Tell me Princess-is today the day you wish to die?” My blood ran cold as the voice whispered around me. Gold and amber leaves fell in a swirl of chaotic colors. I ran faster the scent of spices; the sound of music grew stronger, the closer I came. I felt my feet start to sink into the soft earth as it made loud sucking sounds.

            I stopped, fear trickling down my spine like ice. My heart felt as if it were going to explode from my chest. Sweat poured down my body as skeletal roots reached up from the muddy soil. I fell scrambling away from the prying roots.

            A hand clamped down on my shoulder and I looked up into red, glowing eyes. The bleached face pulled back into a menacing grin. Ragged white hair spilled from under the dirt-caked robe.

            “Don’t be scared princess, today is the day you die.” Shrill, ear piercing laughter sent the few remaining birds screeching into the indigo sky. The angry cries mingling with the maniacal laughter.

           

           

            I sat up in bed; my hair was plastered to my skin as I clawed frantically at the covers. My breathing made my chest hurt. Every muscle in my body hurt, I felt as if I ran a marathon and my blood was pounding in my head.

            Moonlight spilled through the sheer lilac curtains. The breeze blew wistfully and the scent of honeysuckle danced through the room. I winced as fiery pain burned through my head. It always followed the dreams. I would be so close to finding the Gypsies, then it would change, and then she would always prevent me from getting to the safety of the camp.

            The pain started raging its way through my body and I ran to the bathroom. I dropped to my knees and vomited the contents of my stomach into the toilet. I curled up on the cold adobe tiles shuddering and watched the walls bleed into obscurity.

            “You do realize, eventually you will have to tell them you are having the visions.” I growled and curled up tighter as a thousand razors cut through my abdomen. I rode the wave of nausea as it sloshed around in my stomach. If I ignore the obnoxious person maybe she will go away. I closed my eyes tighter and wished for it all to go away.

            I opened my eyes and groaned, she was still here and so was the pain running through my body. I think I would rather deal with the crippling migraine then her annoying voice.

            “What is it that you want Katinka? Are you going to run to the council and tell them?” I could not help the bitterness that crept into my voice. I opened my eyes and saw a pair of delicate feet close to my face.

            The toes were painted in a shimmery white, I saw long pale limbs willowy thin, and yet well muscled. I looked up into her face and saw her violet eyes narrowed at me suspiciously. Her lashes fringed her eyes, the silvery hair that spilled down to her waist. Katani was the very picture of ethereal beauty. She had high cheekbones, creamy skin, slanted violet eyes, and she radiated power. How she ended up as my sister-must have been some cruel joke of the council elders.

            I stuck my tongue out at her and rolled over onto my back. I heard her hiss and I slowly opened my eyes looking at her narrowed gaze. I wrinkled my brows and followed her gaze to my stomach. I rolled my eyes again and yanked my shirt up higher exposing more of the tattoo.

            “How do you plan on finding a male if you keep desecrating yourself like that?” I tried not to laugh because what she just said sounded dirty in my mind. The high screeching of her voice was not helping my migraine though.

            “Shut up Katani, you are going to wake up the parental units.” I opened one eye and saw the outrage on her face. It was too much, I started laughing uncontrollably and she stalked out of the bathroom. I kept thinking of a giant, white fluffy cat that was tossed into a bathtub and started laughing harder.

            She stopped by the door and turned to stare at me with cruel eyes. A smug smile plastered on her face. It made me stop laughing long enough to realize I may have ticked off the big angry fluffy cat. Just great Keseidera, you need her on your side and you laugh at her. I swatted the annoying voice of reason away.

            “Count the days Kesi, soon your little protective glamour will not hide the fact that you are coming into full powers.” I stuck my tongue out as she stalked off again. I lay there staring at the soft glow of the recessed lighting. My stomach twisted again, causing an uncomfortable groan to escape my lips.

            She is right you know. I muttered and waved my hand dismissively. That annoying little voice has been more obnoxious lately. The pain flared again as the burning sensation seared through my body.

            You need to feed and you know that. As your powers grow stronger, the more you will need to feed. I growled at the internal voice again.

            “Shut up brain I can manage.” The silky laugher of my mental self made me grit my teeth. I slowly sat up and groaned as the room swam before my eyes. The sound of my pulse sounded like a jackhammer.

            I finally stood up and rubbed my aching head. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, cringing at what I saw. My skin was a sick gray color, my cheeks jutted out, my eyes were as washed out and gray as my skin. My black hair was disheveled and hung limply. I raked my hand through the tangle of hair, wincing as my fingers caught on knots.

            “Well I suppose it is fitting that I should look as if I were dead.” I tapped the reflection and shrugged again. What was I so worried about? The elders of the council will never know the full extent of my secret.

            It was also, why I need to try to keep the fact of my powers increasing from them. I walked out of the bathroom slamming down on the switch as the room went dark behind me. All that was left to light the bedroom was the glow of the moon.

            I sighed as I lay in bed staring at the play of shadows on my ceiling. My thoughts drifted towards the Gypsy encampment. I will never be able to reach them. I knew it was a lost cause, but I would never give up hope. There had to be a way to save them.

            You know she will never let you reach them. One by one she will start killing them. I rolled over on my side staring at the dark plum walls. The pale pine floors shining in the moonlight as it streamed through the window.

            How could I save people who do not exist? The bigger question was, how could I defeat the Queen of Death? Her icy breath tickled my neck, reminding me that wherever I was, she was always there lurking in the dark. I was almost in her grip; I would not surrender without a fight though.

            You know, either way the future does not look good for you. I scowled at the internal voice of reason. I hated to admit it, the voice of reason was right. Regardless of my actions and decisions, the future looked awfully bleak.

Reviews

[Marie Schäfer]

Very nice. Visual. I could see the entire thing in my head. Can't wait to read more!