She was here again. She felt the water under her feet, cold black and still. Being able to feel anything under her feet was still exhilarating. The air was stale to the point where breathing it was a chore. Above her was the pale grey cloudless sky. How anything lived on this plane was impossible to fathom.
Turning around slowly she hoped for something different. A mountain in the distance, a house, a tree. Anything. The last time she’d come here she met her new permanent roommate. On instinct she reached behind her, her fingers grazing the fabric of her shirt. She couldn’t touch the brand but it still burned.
“This has to be another dream,” she mumbled under her breath. “Why the hell here of places? Couldn’t be something bright and beautiful? And warm. Yeah warm would be great.”
“You’re here because of what you did!”
The voice rasped in her ear and she started, initially going to jump forward but her shoulder was gripped tightly. Wincing she grit her teeth in pain as the grip tightened more. Flexing her fingers, she channeled the arcane power dwelling within her. Except it didn’t work. Like blowing out a candle the power disappeared.
Like a dog in a thunderstorm her heart jumped around in her chest. Turning to look over at her aggressor she gasped. It wasn’t the fact that the man was missing half his face, frozen and broken away by the elements. She seen the damage that magic could cause and it was nothing new.
But the man, the human face behind the damage. Three months ago, long before she and her brother had gotten into this position she had to use her magic. Ice that raced across her hands and an ethereal glow in her eyes she’d destroyed not just the face but the entire left hand side of a would be assault on her brother.
She could still hear him screaming and feel her brother shaking in her arms.
“You killed me!” he screamed into the night.
“You killed me,” he repeated in the dream and she struggled. “You killed me.”
She tried to jerk her arm away and glared, “You deserved it!”
“You killed me,” another said and she turned as another man came forward. A man who held tried to rob a family at knife point. She hadn’t meant to kill him but she didn’t regret it.
It continued like this, a chorus of voices, people she’d killed appearing as a swarm of the undead. Reaching forward her. Chanting ‘You killed me’. She tried to fight them off, tried to call her magic but that deserted her as well. Soon she couldn’t see through the throngs of hands, limbs and bodies.
Jerking out of bed eyes glowing she pointed her hands in front of her and they were both bright with cool light seeking a target. She gasped, chest rising and falling like an accordion. The tent was dark, the glow of her hands illuminating it.
She felt the cool breeze on her sweat soaked skin and slowed her breaths. The light in her palms died down and she let them rest on her knees. Leaning forward she blinked slowly a feint glow still remaining. Finally, her heartbeat had calmed and the magic quelled. Blinking one more time her eyes reverted back.
The room was pitch black, no candle light coming through the closed folds. Turning she swung her legs off of bed and rest her bare feet against the smooth ground. Looking over her shoulder she looked at the lump that was her boyfriend lying in bed beside her. He hadn’t budged even an inch.
“Still knocked out. I know you’re tired but sheesh.” But she smiled as she said it and walked to the small wash basin at the other end of the tent. Stepping over boxes, a knocked over chair, and a separate pile of clothes meant to be cleaned.
Lighting a small lantern and filling the basin with water she sighed. She blinked for a moment and stared at her reflection. Instead of her curly hair, brown skin and grumpy frown she saw deathly pale skin, dried hair and black eyes from an empty face. She took a slow steadying breath and brushed her fingers through her hair. The reflection didn’t budge so she nodded.
“You still don’t have a name.”
The reflection replied, “Names are something your kind enjoys. Mine does not.”
“Uh huh. Still gonna name you eventually. Maybe Penny.”
“Penny?”
“Short for Penumbra. Because you’re like my shadow now.”
“You had the dream again.”
The amusement drained from her face, “Yeah. What the hell is going on with it? All these people trying to remind me of what I’ve done. Started happening after you and I entered this damn contract.”
The dark reflection in the mirror didn’t blink. It stared straight ahead though she knew it was thinking. “Killing always has consequences. It stays with some.”
“Yeah except the dreams have me in your realm. Not anywhere else. And it’s been the same exact dream three times now.”
“Your uncertainty is influencing your power. It’s haunting you. Eating you from the inside out.”
“I made the contract with you. Isn’t that enough!”
She didn’t realize that she had shouted.
The demon didn’t respond. Her eyes watered and she winced rubbing them quickly. When she looked back at the mirror she was looking at herself. She tilted her head back and forth and her reflection did the same. Scowling she went back to the bed brushing her fingers through her hair.
“You see a bug or something?” Was the response greeting her from the bed.
Vincent was awake. Or as awake as he was going to be right now. “No I did not. Jerk.” She said and threw a pair of shorts his way.
He groaned and tried to ignore her words. Picking her way through the obstacle course she got back into bed but sat up. Hands on her legs she sighed and finally lay her head back against the pillow. Throwing her hand out she hit his bare back with a loud slap.
He grunted and rolled over quickly glaring at her. His eyes were dark hazel, bordering on green, and his skin a glazed brown. Brushing his fiery hair out of his face he glared and pouted at her. “What the fuck was that for?”
“For the bug comment.”
He groaned and rolled onto his back. They rested in silence together, staring at the opening of the tent, seeing the stars through the mesh. Most of them were winking into existence as the moon rose and the night began. She tried to close her eyes but she knew her body wasn’t going to fall asleep anytime soon.
“Hey Vince. We can’t sleep.”
“Take a shot Alison. It’ll knock you out quick. I think we have something left over under the bed.”
“We’re not trying to drink right now. It’s like 2am.”
“Come on. 2am is like our 8am.”
“Even worse. Who takes a shot at 8am?”
He struggled and held back a yawn. “People who can’t sleep or alcoholics.”
“We’d rather not become the latter.”
“Don’t worry I’ll keep you honest.”
“Considering how much you drink we find it hard to believe.”
He was going to shrug but he heard a rustling at the front of the tent. Both of them turned toward it and then he looked at her. There was a note on the ground there. She looked at him with narrowed eyes. “I’m not going to get it for you.”
“I’m tiiiiired.” He threw his arm at her but it fell halfway landing over her legs and he rolled toward her again. “It’s 2am. Won’t be anything important.”
“It’s our 8am,” she said and sat up. “You’re such a pain Vince.”
She crawled over him and made sure to knee him in the side to reach for the note. Tearing it open she jerked it away from her as their Boss’s boisterous hand writing seemed to shout at her from the parchment
“Rogues! We have a job! The Noriens are transporting something powerful from a village two cities over. I’ll be leaving soon and can’t participate but whoever’s on deck take this one on. Don’t need a lot, maybe four people max.”
The message ended and she blinked slowly looking at the letter. “We guess that’s the job. You up to it?”
“I’m always up for work,” he grumbled and slowly sat up. “Plus, its Noriens. Should be fun right?”
“Our ideas of fun are not the same Vince,” she said. “Except this time. This time they are.”
Vincent looked at her with a groggy smile and waved. She looked at him and waved back with a chuckle before getting out of bed. She found her pants then boots. Brushing her fingers back through her hair slowly she grunted. Snapping her fingers she stared at the tiny ball of light between the digits.
Glancing over her shoulder she watched Vincent pull on a shirt and then go to a crate and finding his holster. Wrapping it around his waist he raised the gun. The unique double barreled designed made by their own Samuel.
“I think I’m hungry. For blood.”
“You’re such an idiot,” she was smiling now and stretched her arms above her head. “Let’s try and grab some breakfast before we head out.”
“Real breakfast or whatever’s left breakfast?”
“Whatever’s left.”
They ducked out of the tent and the night life was very much alive and well, just not on this side of the free city. Leaving the sleep quarters where most others were still deep in their dreams their were some others leaving their tents groggy but willing to raid. Though whoever was going to join them they’d figure out once they met up.
Alison stopped for a second in thought and she blinked quickly. “Really? You sure? Then be my guest.”
Her eyes bled away to a soft glow, black veins forming around them. The change was subtle in that way but she changed in how she walked, a confidence that was almost predatory. A curiosity that was beyond human. Even their voice was slightly warped as they said, “It is still strange. Our kind doesn’t gather like this and yet you all seem to thrive in such an environment.”
Vincent looked at Alison, no at the demon. The demon may be wearing Alison’s face but they saw through their own eyes. When that pale eye turned onto him it was hard for Vincent not to shudder but he smiled through it.
“Yeah. Strength in numbers. Plus you know, no one really likes going it alone.”
“Demons are territorial. We would cause a war amongst ourselves if we truly gathered together.”
“Don’t you gather during the Calamity?”
“Would you not gather together for a feast?” they responded and he nodded conceding the point. “First come first served.”
Vincent put his hands on his hips not sure how to respond to that, “I can’t tell if you dislike being here or not.”
“It is how you would say a mixed bag. We imagined we would be a prisoner. A slave to the whims of this mage. But instead we are a passenger. We are more curious than perturbed.”
“Sounds like you’re getting used to this side of the world. And maybe you’re even liking it,” he said and they looked at him a small smile crossing their face.
“Perhaps. Alison suggest that I should experience it more.”they said touching their chin. “We are unsure of what that means.”
“It means you should embrace what we have to offer. Like good food,” Vincent smirked. “When we get to the Inn have some with us.”
Penny didn’t respond and instead the glow faded from their eyes. The black veins resided and Alison smiled at Vincent a little weary. Her stomach growled again, louder this time and both of them laughed. “I think they’re saying that they agree.”
Crossing the well there were some of the older members of the city playing dice and drinking their teas. They didn’t pay much mind to them as they past though Alison did slow down and point at the cup. “We’d bet odds this time around. Trust us,” she winked.
One of the men laughed while another shouted for to not get involved. They managed to go about five more steps before the man she whispered toocheered and thanked the lady of the city. Alison giggled and then glanced at Vincent who was laughing. “You’re going to become a menace.”
“Or a good luck charm.”
“How are you doing that?”
“Good guessing and a little bit of extra knowledge.”
“From the demon in you right?”
“Penny tends to know things that we can’t understand. Plus they like learning about our world.”
“Penny huh? As long as you two don’t murder me in my sleep I guess.”
“We’ll try not to,” she smiled and her stomach growled next. “Please find us some food soon or we’re going to be eating you next.”
“Settle down there demon girl. I’m sure the inn has some stew and warm bread for us.”
Sure enough there was. The inn was very full at this time of night but every person that was there was definitely in the golden time of their drunkenness. There was singing and music being played in a corner while drinks were refilled. The pair walked in and instead of getting into the thick of things they passed to a pair of seats against the tent wall with a mesh window.
They didn’t wait long as a young waitress came over to them. She adjusted a hair piece, some sort of bonnet then waved. “Hey Annie. Been awhile,” Vincent waved,
The young girl smiled brightly at the two of them excitedly saying, “Vince! Alison! I haven’t seen you two in over a week. I thought you were out on some sort adventure together. Saving another ancient civilization.”
Alison laughed and shook his head, “Nope. We had to go see a teacher for some advice. And he’s always hard to track down.”
“Well it still sounds exciting. As much as I love the city I’d love to see the outside world again too. But I’m not cut out for that kinda stuff. I’m assuming you want something hot to eat and cool to drink?”
“Yep. We’re going out on a mission for Boss soon so we’ll need to make it fast.”
“Got the perfect thing then. We just made some chicken and rice soup and there’s even a fresh loaf of bread in the mix for you.”
“Fresh bread?” Vincent inquired leaning forward. “We’ll definitely take some of that.”
“And the orange tea that you had last week if it’s still there!” Alison shouted excitedly then added looking at Vincent. “It was tasty.”
“I’ll take a look just for you.” Turning she walked back toward the kitchen to get their food and Alison relaxed back into her chair. Watching people singing and dancing she tapped on the table along to the music but she couldn’t focus. Some of the people seemed to be staring at her, turning to face her and she felt judgement like a knife in the back.
Faintly whispers sounded in her ear, “You killed me. You stole my life from me!”
“Hey. Hey! Alison!” Jerking out of it she turned to look at Vincent. His hand was on arm because her fingers had dug so hard into table that it was cracked and icing over. She stared at him with one eye normal but the other eye was black.
“Breathe Alison,” he whispered and stroked her wrist slowly careful not to touch her hands yet. She took a deep breath and let go of the table. The tiny paths of ice that were there weren’t serious enough to cause real damage.
“Vince this is gonna sound strange but we. I need you to answer seriously.”
“Okay?” he said raising his eyebrow but she frowned hard. “Just ask Alison. I’ll answer best I can.”
She nodded and drummed her fingers against the table before looking him in the eyes and asking, “Do you remember the first person you killed?”
“The first person I killed,” he repeated and frowned. Glancing toward the window and staring out the mesh he nodded. “Yeah I remember. I was a kid. On my third raid. The first two had gone off without a hitch and it was feeling easy. But this time around they didn’t back down after we surrounded them.
“One of them attacked us and knocked me off my horse. I barely remember what happened in the scuffle but I know that I shot him. Gun way too big for my hands. He was close enough that I couldn’t miss. I watched him die. I couldn’t sleep right for at least a week.”
“How did you get over it?”
“I don’t know. I think it just took time. I talked to Boss, talked to the old man. Samuel. Monica. Took time off. Drank a lot. Befriended my horse. Made me realize that killing them meant I lived. I got to see Blaze, the rogues, enjoy everything that being a part of the Free City gave me.”
“It’s hard to tell myself that Vince. We see their faces at night. See them blaming us for their deaths. Calling us a killer,” she closed her eyes and saw a flash of one from her dream and shuddered. “We feel like a monster.”
“Do you think I’m a monster?” Vincent asked. “Or Morrigan. Or your brother? It didn’t make us monsters. We don’t go seeking out people so I can murder them, Morrigan doesn’t count. We protect ourselves and the people that matter to us. The people we love.”
She frowned harder as she looked at him and he gave her a smile. She tried to smile in response and reached out to take his hand. “The dreams have been hard to deal with but you’re right. We don’t want to just go out and murder whole swaths of people. We’re protecting our crew, protecting family, protecting you.”
“You’re protecting me now? Pretty sure it’s the other way around.”
“Oh really? Like last time when those bandits got the jump on you?”
“Had it under control.”
“And when the demon surprised us two weeks ago.”
“Totally handled.”
“Totally bullshit.”
By the time Annie returned carrying a wide serving tray the two were bickering back and forth but neither was frustrated or angry. They had wide smiles on their faces and even Annie joined in on the laughter handing them their food and tea. Whatever anxieties plagued Alison had vanished. All she wanted was for moments like these to last.
The Harlequin Library 