The Enchantments: Book 4 - The Key of Mulastef

Prologue: A Witness to the Past

The lighting flashed across the sky bathing the mountain range in a wash of deep shadows. The ghostly structure stood like a beacon reflecting the firefight that was raging across the valley.

"They're coming in again!" Screamed a figure to the left of another who lay prone on the ghostly floor.

"I have to get out of here!" The smaller spirit nearer the ground whimpered.

"There is no escape for you now." The larger spirit boomed.

Through the blur the smaller spirit saw what she dreaded, a large stick, pointed directly at her head. If it were going to happen, it would have to be now! She lunged for the object at just the right moment to avoid the blistering blast from the wand. The squealing sound of doom began to increase as the grander figure concentrated on the front of the large dirigible. What he saw made his eyes bulge and the control of emotions flooding through his body like the lighting flashing across the sky only exasperated the situation.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO..." He screamed as the bullets from the fighter planes riddled the interior in a shower of sparks and distant screams.

She jumped from her seat as the memories riddled her body with the imaginary bullets that erupted inside the blimp a lifetime ago. She slumped back down in the comfy chair, which didn't seem as inviting as it had just a few short minutes ago. The fire crackling in the corner gave off a small amount of heat but not enough to warm the cold that was creeping up her body.

She stood hesitantly from the chair hugging herself as she walked to the fire. She stared at the flames as they danced upon the burning log and she started to deeply breathe as the images she had almost forgotten slowly subsided.

She took in a final breath and feeling the strength starting to return she moved to the stairs where she felt the first instance of nervousness cross her mind. The dread she had felt on countless occasions and had come to trust sent shockwaves through her...again.

She took the stairs two at a time and upon reaching the landing drifted silently into the darkness where she felt her demeanor change. Years of checking over her shoulder had made her instincts strong, and even in her advanced years, the ability to change into determined mode came as easily as flicking on a switch.

She padded the few steps from the landing towards the door where her grandchildren were sleeping peacefully. She pushed the door open with a determination that frightened her and stood ready at the door.

-Nothing.

She heard the steady breathing of Nikki and Gina in their matching beds and stepped gently over the first bed where she saw the blond hair of Nikki underneath the huge comforter.

She allowed herself to breathe ever so gently and took a last glance at the two of them. She knew something was around. She couldn't see them, but she knew, there was something in this room.

The last of the residual glow that only she could see littered in the corners, and she knew they had been here. They had found her, and that scared her most of all.

Events were starting to come together now, quicker than she had expected. The dream had told her that the past was going to catch up with her sooner rather than later.

She turned back to the door and with a flick of her wrist flicked on other lights situated in the corners. The room filled with a slight green tinge that lit up the residual glow that was now dissipating.

'They won't come through that,' she said then stepped from the room again.

She stood at the precipice of the door and closed her eyes trying in vain to release the negative feeling that was haunting her. She opened her eyes slowly and through the darkness of the hallway made her way back to the stairs. She knew the kids were in no danger now and she took solace in having those lights installed. What she couldn't forget is the past and how close it was to fulfilling its promise.

She made her way down the stairs and into the small kitchen. She had come to love this special place over the last few years where many a magical talk had made its way into these walls and the small table that graced its center. She missed those talks with the others, and she felt disappointed that many of them were not around to enjoy long nights of conversation again.

She plugged in the kettle and before too long blow steam into the air. She filled the small teapot with the boiling liquid and upon placing the cup on the counter went back to looking out the back door as the tea steeped.

It was almost time to send the children back to their parents as the summer was almost over. She loved them around and especially their energy, it filled her with, life. She had no plan to have them here when everything came to tuition thou. She knew time was her enemy now and it was an enemy that showed no mercy.

She filled her cup with the amber liquid and opened the back door. The chill of fall was starting to make its appearance in the form of falling leaves gently wafting down upon the dewy grass.

A slight breeze brought a hint of smoke from the north, and she smiled. The smell of wood always gave her a warmer feeling inside, could be why she constantly had a fire going even during the warmer months of the summer.

Apprehensively she stepped onto the porch and drifted casually over to the swing that waved lazily in the late summer breeze. She left the light off wanting the anonymity of the darkness. She never feared the dark, in fact, it usually made her feel smaller in the grand scheme of things. Sitting down upon the tarnished wood and let the momentum of the swing take her she breathed deeply.

The sky was ablaze with stars as being a fair distance from the city allowed her that luxury. She never cared for the city either, it was crowded, and the air stank like old socks. She chuckled at that. Here was just fine to her still giving her the option of jumping into the city for things not found in the suburbs.

But yet the feeling of being out in the open and exposed to the powers of evil that were growing again made her apprehensive. She had known that this time would come, but she also felt that the forces had not yet gathered strong enough.

She shivered as the recollection of the dark days of her life flashed through her mind, realizing how lucky she was on that search and the faith she had laid upon others had not backfired with the taking of her life if they hadn't come through then well, she wouldn't be here today.

The surprising ending to that adventure had turned her faith in others a complete hundred and eighty degrees. She learned to take the help of others and not fret the minute details.

Abird chirped in the darkness and she smiled. Friends she knew were everythingto live and to deny their help would beto live a life without the richness of others opinions. She learned a valuablelesson during that adventure, one she would take to her grave, no matter whereor when that would be.