Salamandra Book I: Pale Blue Flesh

Scene One

Part One: PALE BLUE FLESH

Istanbul, Turkey.

Huddled in a dark alley, the two Turks spoke in hushed tones: one trying to contain the excitement of his good fortune, the other completely terrified that their conversation might be overheard.

"This, my friend, is what I was telling you about. Nobody knows that it is in my possession. Even the Gendarmerie have lost the trail since the discovery."

Hilmi held out a small wooden box, an obvious relic from a time long since gone. Though completely intact, the object's frail appearance and untold value prompted him to cradle it securely against his forearm.The weathered wood was slightly warped and scratched from being handled, but none of the detailed carvings or fancy feet were damaged. The bowed lid was held in place by ornate hinges and front clasps made from precious metals that gleamed despite the calcification marring their surface.

Hilmi carefully flipped the clasps and lifted the lid, bathing both faces in a pulsating effulgence that emanated from within. There was no light source close enough to cause a reflection; the glow seemed to originate directly from the objects inside the box like an irradiated mist. His companion, Mazhar, gasped and took a step back, his whispers becoming loud and tense.

"By all that's holy, Hilmi! Possession of this will only bring death! The Wedding Bands must never be held together!" To Mazhar, the musty odor drifting from the box was rank with evil.

Hilmi grabbed his fearful friend by the shoulder, stopping the man from fleeing the scene, trying to reassure him with a comforting shush. Unnoticed by either of them, the ground nearby began to rise and pucker.

"No, no, listen!" Hilmi pleaded. "I have a plan! Just listen to me, Mazhar."

Mazhar couldn't pull his eyes from the glowing objects. He knew the legend and seeing the ancient hooked bracelets for himself filled him with terror. There was nothing Hilmi could say that would convince him to take part in this scheme.

"I will sell the bracelets to a foreigner and get them out of our country," Hilmi explained. "We will save our homeland and gain riches for our families! Do you see?"

Mazhar saw nothing but imminent damnation. He didn't see Hilmi's opportunistic proposition. He didn't see the ground split beneath their feet. He didn't see the large black worms reaching up towards them; each wet, wriggling body as thick as Mazhar's thigh.

"B-b-but the Wedding Bands..." Mazhar stammered. "When brought together, they allow the Harvest Bride to open..."

Unfortunately, the prophetic truth of Mazhar's words were lost amid the bloodcurdling screams of the two men.

TO BE CONTINUED...