Night’s Dark Embrace

By Bekka Mouri

“ I’m sure you will be alright. I have found the right thing to keep you from having those attacks like you were, “ Sarah stood by Bekka’s bed, scribbling some things into her chart.

“ I haven’t felt this good in years, “ Bekka sighed, pulling her skirt on. Her blouse came next, the lace around the collar snagging on her amulet. As she tried to loose it, Sarah looked up.

“ Where did you get such a fantastic piece of jewelry? “ Sarah reached out to touch it but Bekka stepped backward. “ Is it okay to touch it? “

Bekka clasped her hands together as she thought of an excuse. She had told Aly and Tim about the necklace’s secrets but she just couldn’t tell EVERYONE. Since the twins were part mage, she knew they would understand the power the necklace held but she wasn’t sure about anyone else. “ It’s an old piece. A friend of mine gave it to me long ago but he is long since died. I treasure it greatly. “

Sarah smiled, “ He must have been a great young man to give you something so unique. It looks like it could be worth a fortune. “

“ I am sure it is but I would never part with it for all the money on Doom, “ Bekka forced a smile as Hermaeus’ voice crept into her mind.

~That was very good, child. You would have been in for quite a scolding if you told another person about me. Do not do it if you value my protection.~

~I’m sorry but I knew the twins would understand,~ Bekka looked down at the amulet. She shivered as she watched Hermaeus’ frowning visage appear then fade, all without Sarah’s notice. She had gone back to writing in Bekka’s chart.

“ Well, it looks like you are ready to go back to the harem and rejoin the other pledges, “ Sarah smiled as she shut the chart. “ I was afraid I would have to keep you longer but you seem to have good health in spite of your other problems. “

Bekka smiled a little, “ Thank you. “

Sarah looked towards the window and noticed it was getting dark outside. She sighed, “ Looks like you will be able to get a good night’s sleep before you are initiated. “

“ I’m sure that will do me some good, “ Bekka looked towards the door. Although the hospital room was very nice, she felt a little trapped in it. “ Can I go now? “

“ I’ll walk you back to the harem. It will take a while for you to find it on your own; “ Sarah put her pen back behind her ear before opening the door to usher Bekka out.

**

Mehrunes lay in his cousin’s bed, his sleep filled with dreams of the object he desired most. A temptress danced through his mind, her purple streaked blonde hair fluttering as she moved as if she were underwater. She began to fade away as his mind slipped back to a much earlier time. He remembered the day he first saw her.

He had been twenty and visiting his parents’ estate. He had come to see the new slave they had purchased: a human girl. Humans were very rare and treasured on Doom. Only the richest of the rich could afford them.

He frowned upon finding that she was little more than a child. From what he understood, she was ten years of age. He soon left to pursue other endeavors, forgetting about the girl. Seven years passed before he had returned and everything had changed.

The girl was fast becoming a woman and also becoming very stubborn. Mehrunes’ father had taken to beating the girl to keep her in line. The strong man would often not stop whipping her until her back was covered in blood. Seeing her cry out in pain sparked a dark lust deep inside of Mehrunes’ heart and he knew he would have to have her.

As his sleep was now haunted by her image, it was then as well. One night he could not stand the burning desire he had to see the girl beneath him and stole away to her chambers. He slipped in her door quietly and approached her poor quality bed, thinking that the lump under the covers was she. He pulled the blanket back to reveal a bed full of Drule rats.

After shaking off his disgust, he searched the chambers only to come up empty handed. Furious, he tore through his parents’ house. He knew the girl had escaped and wanted to inform his parents of it. He went into their room to find them slaughtered, his eleven-year-old sister crying at the foot of the bed.

“ Namira, “ He whispered, touching the girl’s shoulder. “ What happened here? “

Namira looked up, the whites of her wild golden eyes red from crying. She wiped her nose with the back of her hand and motioned wildly towards the bed. She spoke so fast and incoherently; Mehrunes had no idea what she was saying. He knelt down next to her, “ What? “ He said.

Namira took a few deep breaths to calm herself, “ I heard mother scream! I came to see and found this man but he wasn’t a man… He was seven feet tall with flames and snakes for hair. His eyes were like rubies! I saw him kill father! “

Mehrunes blinked. If the child had seen the murder, it would explain her not making sense but this story was too much. Mehrunes had never heard of such a thing in his life. He knew his sister had gone mad.

After burying his parents and putting his sister away, Mehrunes decided he would find the slave girl named Bekka at all costs. For six years, he hired the best bounty hunters but they all came up empty handed. After almost exhausting his financial resources, he was forced to join the last bounty hunters he could afford. He also did not want them to fail like the rest.

They had been good, better than any of the others. They were actually able to locate Bekka and trace her down to the club. She was closer than ever now. Mehrunes could not wait until there was no space between them.

Once she was found, he would take her back to his parents’ home and make her his personal slave. He wanted her to never leave his bed when he finally got her there. He smiled in his sleep as he imagined what fun that would be. His fantasy was soon interrupted though.

Images of Bekka began to fade once more, being replaced by a pair of red eyes. From the eyes and hair that slowly faded in, Mehrunes knew his sister could have been telling the truth. Its eyes sparkled as his sinister face took form. As it became clear, Mehrunes broke out in a cold sweat and woke up screaming.

His chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath. The face had robbed him of sleep for several nights but it had become more and more clear the closer he got to Bekka. It was so lucid this time; he knew she was very close. It would only be a matter of time before the girl was within his grasp.

**

Captain Dragon opened his eyes to total darkness. From the smell that invaded his nostrils, he knew he could only be in one place. He frantically searched his mind for an explanation of how he ended up in the dungeons. He thought for a long time before he remembered his doppelganger cousin.

Dragon had brought Mehrunes down here as part of the tour of the castle Zarkon insisted upon giving to Mehrunes. ~That underhanded bastard!~ He thought, reaching to see if he was still clothed. He was not and he cursed his side of the family for having to honor the other half of the family. ~When I get out of here, I will make him pay!~