Erika went through her closet for the third time. “Mom, I really don’t have anything to wear.”

“Erika, it’s time to get up.” She heard her mother’s voice over the rumble of a semi passing by on the freeway.

The door to the inn banged open. Rikki’s head snapped towards the sound, his saber leaving its sheath. Sergeant Galyway was half way to his feet when three men in long dark green coats surrounded him. Five more green coated men with swords drawn entered the room as well.
Takar had his sword out and imposed his body like an armored wall between the intruders and the three Princesses.
“Hold!” a voice rang out. “Hold in the name of her Majesty, Queen Sakari!”
Rikki was dumbfounded. The serving maid was white as a ghost and nearly in tears of fright. With Takar blocking her view, Tonya looked up at her Captain for guidance. The bar keep was white, but her eyes flared with danger. Peering around Takar. Rikki could see Sergeant Galyway’s jaw clenched, If he were closer, Rikki bet he could hear him growling at the men surrounding him.
There was no way he could get Tonya up the stairs or out the back quick enough, even if Takar and he were fighting them off.

The Wrong side of the Bed 5

by Anistasia Allread

Nikki slipped behind the wheel and heard a car slowly coming down the street.

Someone lost? she thought. She closed the door and looked behind her. She watched as an old Cadillac slowly approached her house. Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest as she saw four men riding in the car. Nikki quickly slipped down in the seat of her blue bug and held her breath as the car slowly rolled by.

A chill ran down her spine. If she could only see two, where was the third? Could he be behind her?

Savage, bloody scenarios began playing through her head. Should she call security? She had a direct line to their office. A small button under the piano alerted the security department of trouble. During Christmas she was even fitted with a small ear piece and mic. So that she could help them catch shoplifters. At this time of the year shoplifting wasn't as prevalent so she didn't have use of the ear piece.

She turned to see the fire red sky with gold touching the hills in the west. She felt him wrap his arms around her. She loved being in his arms; when they were younger, she would spend hours wrapped in his strong arms. She turned from the sunset and looked up into his strong face. She stood up on her toes, closed her eyes and puckered her lips. His course beard tickled her face but his firm lips melted her heart.
A sharp pain in her back drove the wind from her body. She stepped back and felt her husband grab a hold of her. Surely he’d take care of that horrible pain. Another sharp pain stabbed through her ribs.
“I’m sorry.” He said to her.

A full two seconds later, Nick flinched. Then the world seemed to snap back into real time. Sounds suddenly roared. The radio seemed to blast. Nick jumped out of the car, not even taking time to turn off the engine. The car rolled forward and bumped into the curb before it stopped. As Nick raced towards Vic, he fumbled out his mobile phone and punched in 9-1-1.

Cavalrymen having heard the alarm and noting their Captain’s tense posture, began forming up behind him.
The Captain turned towards them. “We don’t know what may be out there, but we need to hold them off so that the princesses can get across the river.”
::We should get going.:: Mi’tana suggested.
::Let’s stay here. Just a bit longer.:: Monyka protested.
“Monyka.” Grymm’s words were a bit slurred from his wounds. “We should head down to the river.
“Captain!” a call went up. “Look!”
Monyka looked north and saw a swirling cloud of black coming straight at them.
“What is that?” a voice asked.
Monyka squinted and strained to make out what the mass was.
“Everyone, if you have face guards, put them down.” Rikki ordered. Those who don’t cover your faces with what you can. That is a murder of crows.” The Captain looked to Monyka wide eyes. “Can you do something?”

I started posting this as a daily entry, but the short postings bothered a lot of the readers so I decided to make it a finished short story. I hope you enjoy

Journal of a Transformation
By Anistasia Allread

Test Day minus two

Maskalah took a sip of wine and savored it as he savored the upcoming victory over the Riponian Captain who seemed to be a thorn in his side. He pondered what he would do to the Captain. Sacrifice was too quick and his blood not as powerful as some of the others, but breaking his will and creating a slave might be fun. That kind of task would be especially enjoyable after they conquered Blaire.
The blood mage flicked his fingers at the fireplace. Instantly a blaze erupted and burned warming the room.

“It’s okay, Dear. Let the others sing him to the heavens.” Gemma wrapped Monyka in a motherly embrace.
“It hurts so bad.” Monyka sobbed. “why does it have to hurt so bad?”
“The greater the love, the greater the hurt, Dear.”
“Can’t you do something to make it hurt less?” Monyka begged. “Something with the Gift?”
“If I did that it would diminish the person you have lost. It is better that you feel the pain so that you remember him and how much he means to you.”
Monyka answered her with a cry, and held tight to her.