Lucky's Charm (8 page)

“I don’t understand,” Landis squeaked. “I thought the banshees didn’t move far from their homes.”

Squatting, Lucky studied the scenery below. “Banshees were women who traded their most valuable possessions to powerful witches to take revenge on their enemies. For some ladies, the only thing they had to offer was their beauty. Overcoming their foes by any means necessary, most often by opening their mouths and screaming, they can appear in almost any form. I’ve heard that once they achieve their goal, they prey on pretty women to trade to the witch that holds their possession in hopes of having the curse lifted.”

“I don’t understand. If they can take on any form, then it’s not a curse. They can become the beautiful woman they once were.”

He spotted a lone figure on the horizon, half hidden by a cluster of boulders. Lucky let out a frustrated groan. Why didn’t anyone ever listen to him? Instead of leaving, Tolley had holed up in Shadow Rock. Not far from his friend’s position, a moving dust cloud traveled quickly over the next ridge.

He twisted around to look at Landis. “The images they portray are illusions. Usually they are ugly and wretched.”

Landis scrunched up her nose. “So they can’t leave the lowlands…”

“Nae, lass, they can go anywhere they like, usually as an old crone seeking help.” He looked back at the horizon and absently continued, “If I’m not around, never allow an elderly woman who appears out of nowhere to share your campfire. Usually they stick close to Agrona, which is why most people avoid this place.”

Lucky sighed. The haze had to be men riding horses, and it could only be one of two parties—Dicklaus or Draken.

“Why did you say if you’re not around? Are you leaving me alone? Where exactly are you going?” Her voice went up an octave with every question.

“We’ll make a low fire between those rocks.” He turned and pointed at a small semicircle of stones. “No one should notice it. Tolley is camped out across the field. From this vantage point, I can see the men heading his way, and he can’t. I won’t let him get caught. I’ll be back before you realize I’m gone.”

Lucky scrambled to his feet and stalked over to his saddle. He reached into his bags then pulled out two flat stones. As he prowled toward the rocks, he gathered dry clumps of grass and a few sticks. “Remember, stay next to the fire and don’t invite anyone close. Banshees’ voices can only work when you’re within a certain distance. I’ll grab Tolley and be sitting at the fire with you in no time.”

He struck the flint pieces together and a fire caught his first try. “Actually, why don’t you get started on a meal. I’ll be starving by the time we return.”

Lucky backed away then turned on his heel and dashed to Dubh. After gathering everything up, Lucky set the food next to the fire and glanced over at Landis. She’d wrapped her arms around her middle and was rocking on the balls of her feet. Her skin looked ashen. He resisted the urge to pull her into his arms and comfort her. There would be time enough for that when he returned. She had a good head on her shoulders, and he wouldn’t be gone long. Landis was safer hidden by the rocks than in the fray. He’d be facing a hoard of angry trolls wielding deadly weapons, prepared to maim or kill him.

Before returning to his unicorn, he marched over and guided her toward a flat stone next to the fire. “Stay right here. I won’t be gone long.” Lucky reached under his leather tunic and pulled his pendant free. After slipping it over his head, he leaned over and placed the chain over hers. “This be your lucky charm.”

She lifted her chin and met his gaze. “You’ll need it more than I will.”

“No worries, lass, I have every intention of coming back for it and the woman who wears it.” He rose and trotted over to Dubh. Setting his foot in the stirrup, he swung a leg over the saddle. “Don’t forget what I told you.” He turned the unicorn toward the path that led down the ridge, and only once did he have a debate with himself about leaving his friend to the fates.

SEVEN

The night descended on her like a dense shroud smothering her. Landis took a deep breath and rocked in place. She hadn’t moved since Lucky left. She swiveled and stretched out her arms toward the flames rising from the campfire. Her ass was numb as she sorted through the hodgepodge of food and goods at her side. Landis set her elbow on her knee and her chin in her hand. Cooking required water and grease or something, but there was no water and no pot to heat anything up in. Her stomach grumbled. Leaning back, she placed her palm on her belly.

This was ridiculous. Banshees were a myth made up to scare children to get them to behave. Lucky was probably trying to frighten her so she wouldn’t go off on her own. Landis snorted. Where would she go? His chain hung heavy around her neck and the clover pendant bumped against her chest every time she moved. Light reflected off the clear emerald stones, giving the landscape around her an eerie green glow. She grabbed the amulet and stuffed it down her shirt.

Scraping sounds sent her inching closer to the fire. Landis glanced around. Surrounded by rocks, the sound could have come from anywhere. Smooth walls towered high above her as she far as could see in the limited light. Echoes may have bounced off the stone and traveled for miles.

She turned toward the flames, reached over, and pulled a small square of flat bread from the miniscule stack that hadn’t turned to crumbs during the wild ride. She nibbled on a corner of the crust, and the taste of basil burst over her taste buds. Another bite, a slight crunch, and the bread crumbled in her mouth. She closed her eyes and sighed.

The scratching grew louder, closer. She eased open her eyelids slightly to peer into the darkness beyond her. A breeze whistled through the rocks and across her cheeks. Landis pulled the heavy cloak up around her chin. Encircled by silence and alone with her thoughts, wild ideas filled her mind. Had Lucky been hurt or captured? If he didn’t come back, could she navigate the trail out of the hills? What if she couldn’t find the path?

Her breathing started to quicken and she gave herself a mental slap. Granted, she’d only know the leprechaun for a day, but she trusted him. She wasn’t sure how that happened. Landis clutched the pendant through her blouse and stared into the campfire.

“Might I share a seat at your fire, pretty?” A hoarse whisper on the breeze circled around her.

Landis twisted in her seat, searching for the source of the disembodied voice. She shook her head. Maybe she was hearing things.

“I’m an old traveler seeking refuge.” A haggard face appeared in the light then quickly shifted back into the shadows.

She rose and peered at the spot. “Who are you?” She needed to get another look at the person.

“May I join ye?” The face moved in closer again, still half shrouded by the shadows. “I saw the fire and only seek to warm myself.”

An old man.
Landis thought about what Lucky explained to her. She crouched and picked up a branch from the meager pile he had left her. Landis rose and held the wood to the flames. Fire quickly caught the dry kindling. She held her arm up. The improvised torch glowing over her campsite cast a faint light.

The elderly guy scurried back.

“I can toss you this limb,” Landis called out. “It should keep you warm. I’m sure once my friend gets back, he’ll be happy to help you.”

“I’m hungry, too. Can you spare a fellow traveler a few meager scraps?” A slim hand, palm open, appeared within the circle of light. The skin was so translucent a network of tiny blue veins could be seen just beneath the surface. Dirt-rimmed nails were bitten down almost to the quick.

Landis moved closer to the wall. “I’ll throw you a sack of grain. You should continue to move on. I have nothing else to offer you.” She swallowed and lowered her arm as the flames licked up the wood.

“It’s not wise to travel alone.” The elderly guy’s voice grew stronger. “I can accompany you to your destination if you’ll share your camp.”

“No.” Landis tossed the wood into the fire and watched as embers drifted up into the air, blazing into nothingness.

“Come, child. I have much to share if you allow me to come closer.” The words were just above a whisper.

Goose bumps rose up along Landis’ arms. Lucky had told her to watch out for women. He never said a damn thing about men. She skimmed her fingers along the mace’s cold, steel spikes on her hip then tugged the weapon loose from its holster.

“I’m in danger, young one. Give me shelter, please.” The last word was spoken with a lisp.

Pebbles flew at her, falling just short of hitting her. She gripped the mace tighter. The weighted sphere was a comfortable extension of her arm. It dangled, tapping against the stone behind her.

“At least come closer. I need your help, little girl.”

The hold on her temper snapped. “What the fuck do I look like? Go to hell!”

“I know evil intimately. I’ll be happy to share all my knowledge.” The weathered old man stepped into the light. His clothes were ragged, with holes worn through the elbows and knees. Around his wiry waist, his pants were cinched with rope tied in a tight knot. Thread hung from the hem of his shirt. Sallow skin sagged beneath his chin and along his jawline. Large bags under his eyes pulled the lids from the sockets, exposing the tissue. His face looked like it was melting off his skull. Small patches of white hair floated in the light breeze.

Landis raised the mace. One good strike and she might be able to knock the frail fellow down if not out. His thin lips lifted at the corners to expose black, rotting teeth.

“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” Landis muttered. Anger simmering in her since her arrival bubbled to the surface. Life wasn’t fair, but damn if she wasn’t tired of getting kicked when she was down.

His jaws widened unnaturally. An eerie howling started.

She twirled the sphere on its chain.
To hell with this.
She ran at the being and swung. She’d been lucky once and hoped with all her heart the streak would hold. The solid metal orb embedded in the banshee’s neck. “Shut the hell up. I need to think!”

Eyes wide, the old guy slowly morphed into a crone then dissipated into a stream of smoke. It spiraled upward and the mace dropped, catching her off guard and wrenching her arm downward. Her grip weakened, and she jumped in place.

“O-Ouch, motherfucker!” Landis poured all her uncertainty and disbelief into the words as she dropped the weapon and shook out her arm. After a moment, she glanced at the mace, crouched, and snatched it up. She rose to spin in a circle. The chain cut through the air as she moved and the sphere slammed into her thigh when she stopped.

“Dammit.” She weaved on her feet and rubbed her leg. Limping, Landis made her way back to the flat stone and dropped heavily on it. The banshee had disappeared, but she was ready for it now. Portraying itself as a man to get close to her had caught her off guard but not again. She grunted and wondered how it would show up next.

Life could be complicated and shitty on a good day, but it was the only one she had. Resolve solidified like a hard knot in her belly. She would make the best of being in this world of fairytales come to life. Come sunrise, if Lucky wasn’t back, she would find his ass. If he was okay, then she would kill him for leaving her alone.

~ * ~

Slapping the reins against Dubh’s sides, Lucky raced toward the rocky outcropping where he’d seen Tolley camped out. Wind flowed over him, making the flaps of his leather vest snap in the wind. The sun set behind the hills quickly, leaving him in darkness with no discernible landmarks. He trusted the unicorn knew exactly where they needed to be. This close to Agrona, he couldn’t leave Landis alone for long. With the thunderous sounds of a horse’s hooves, Banshees were sure to be drawn. Lucky leaned in, his mouth close to Dubh’s ear. “Move your arse!”

With any luck, he would get to Tolley and they would be long gone before the hunting party located them. With the moon rising above the craggy ridge, the deeper shadows of the hillside rose up to meet him. The white orb cast a pearlescent glow across the landscape.

He pulled the unicorn to a stop then slid off his steed. Lucky patted Dubh’s neck. “Hide until I call for ye, old friend.”

He eased the whip from his belt and glided his other hand over the cool marble handle of the knife attached to his hip. Crouching, Lucky ran toward the ridge as Dubh moved in the opposite direction. He rounded the massive boulders and stopped in his tracks. Moonlight poured into the mouth of cave. Tolley sat with his head bowed and a blanket pulled up to his chin. Lucky exhaled. The giant had the nerve to sleep instead of getting out of here like he was told.

He stomped up to Tolley and kicked his leg. “Up with ye now, ya damned ass. We must make haste.” Lucky swung his leg again.

A large, four-fingered hand caught his foot and yanked. Lucky’s back hit the ground with a
thud
. The blanket dropped as the creature rose—a golem. Made of silt, the monster stood ten feet tall. Dark, empty sockets marked the eyes, and its mouth was a hollowed out space.

Lucky crab-walked backward as the monster stomped toward him.
Bloody fooking hell
. He jumped to his feet and snapped his whip around the creature’s thick ankles. All he could do was buy time while he searched for the doll it was created from. The thing wavered backward and smacked into the wall. Clumps of clay sheared off its shoulders and dust drifted down, coating the cavern floor. Powerful, dark magic was needed to create a golem. The things couldn’t be killed unless their doll was destroyed. The image of the beast was actually more like the heart. Draken or Dicklaus had a witch, strong spellcasters who could create charms.

Lucky ran to the mouth of the fissure and hesitated. Dicklaus and his men formed a half circle around the entrance. Their steeds danced restlessly beneath them.

“I can kill you know or kill you later. Carrying your head back on a pike suits me fine. Cutting your head off before my subjects, though, will give me great pleasure, too.” The squat orange bastard, Dicklaus, chuckled as he raised the doll that was the heart of the monster. “My witch sent this with me just in case.”