Children of the Lake

Chapter One

The waters called to Nimue.

Her feet tripped on the rocky shores of the lake, and she clutched her jug, unwilling to miss her opportunity. The waters of a lunar eclipse didn't come often, and it would bring magic of great healing. Some looked askance at the use of magic, but it was given by nature, and she believed it retained a purity.

Darkness swathed the area, stealing the light of the moon. But a shimmer ran through the lake, a ripple of midnight mist coated the surface.

She leaned down, ready to capture the waters, when a low growl echoed behind her. Her hands shook, and a terrible chill ran through her body.

The devil lurked in the forest.

Nimue had ignored her unease as she traveled through the maze of Brocéliande, disregarding the unnatural stillness clinging to the forest. She pushed aside stories of a demonic presence, stalking innocent maidens to feast upon their blood. No devilish moans followed her, and no animal sacrifices littered the area. She was almost eighteen and wouldn't be frightened away by unfounded stories.

Now the story had found her.

She turned around, holding the jug tightly as if it could serve as any sort of weapon. Fear rushed through her while an eddy of frustration churned. She wished her magic was like the magicians or faeries of legends, something strong and fierce. Instead, she only had the protection of water, and that wouldn't do a lot of good if a beast ripped her head off.

Terror clutched her soul when she finished turning around. Hellish red eyes gazed back at her, promising death and despair. Flesh rotted away, showing bits of skull and a beastly shadow trailed after the body of a young man.

Nimue stifled a cry. Old creatures still walked the earth, but she never expected to come across a malicious one. But with the moon hidden from view, no guiding light could protect her from the beasts.

The aroma of autumn dissipated as she tasted hellfire in the air. Anything could happen to her. The beast could tear into her flesh or steal her away to another realm. Her father would never know what happened to her.

Fear brought tears to her, stinging and blurring the infernal image. Thoughts whirled around her head, faster than any storm. She wouldn't be able to outrun the beast, and the small dagger she carried would do little damage.

Some would tell her to use the dagger on herself, to spare herself the coming carnage. But her father was a great warrior, and she inherited his spirit. Surrendering in such a way was a betrayal of herself.

But what can I do?

A calming coldness cast over her, and common sense returned. She might be facing a beast of hell, but she stood at one of the most ancient sources of magic.

After one more second of indecision, Nimue ran backward and managed to trip over a stone. But she plunged into the shallow water, and the magic of the eclipse wrapped her in its protective embrace.

Another growl echoed, deep and dark, as if coming from the very bowels of the earth. Nimue called upon the powers of the lake, trying to reassure herself that no evil could touch the purity of the lake.

It didn't stop the terror sieging her as she shivered and trembled in the cold water.

Will I have to stay out here all night?

Now that safety enveloped her, questions remained. Would her stepmother send out men to look for her? Would they be at the mercy of the monster?

But, most overwhelming of all, she wanted to know if it was still there. After the growl, silence had fallen over the lake. A strong urge to look back called at her.