Mad Woman Rambles

Chronicles of a Soul Jumper Part 22

“We have to make a pit stop before heading to the hotel,” Craig tells me after we stop by S.N.O.B. headquarters. We stopped so he could check in and get us a car. Unfortunately, with it being so late in the evening the library had already closed, and we had to wait until the morning to retrieve the book.

“I thought that was the pit stop,” I said motioning behind us as we pulled away from the government building.

“No. Not there,” he replied, his smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

“What it is? Where are we going?” I asked curious and a little suspicious. As easy as it is to be in his company and how relaxed he makes me feel we were still on opposite sides of the law. I would trust him with these tasks, but I wouldn’t trust him with any other part of me.

“It’s a surprise,” he mused as we glided down the highway.

“I don’t care for surprises. They never work out for me,” I reply looking at the landscape passing us by.

“This one you will enjoy,” he affirmed as his hand lightly pats my knee and returns his attention back to the road. A comfortable silence fell over the car as we came to an exit for Lynx, Maryland. I took in the large colorful craftsman, bungalow and Victorian homes we passed.

The car slowed as we pulled up to a baby blue Victorian. Its rounded front porch was large and inviting with its flowers and plants flanking it on either side. This was no cookie cutter house. It had depth, dimension, and character that pulled a smile from me.

An older woman stood up from her rocking chair and waved at us as Craig got out and came over to let me out. She wasn’t very tall, and her pale blond hair reflected the electric light filtering from the inside of the home. Craig helped me out and pulled me along to greet the woman who beamed at him. When we got closer, I could tell better that this woman was his mother. Same smile, same bright green eyes even though her skin told a tale of her having worked tirelessly in the sun.

I tried to pull my hand from his grasp. ‘It is a little too early to be meeting the family,’ I thought as Craig let me go long enough to hug the smaller woman. Internally, I was panicking because this surprise was not what I wanted at all. Maybe a bubble bath and some wine, but this I was not prepared for. I tried not to retreat from the loving moment mother and son were having.

I guess Craig sensed my need to flee as his iron grip found my hand again and pulled me closer. “Mother, this is Minerva.” He presented me as if I was a potential bride. I tried not to cringe as she folded her arms across her chest and looked from me to her son. I hope she didn’t take offense.

“Son, did you spring this trip on this poor woman?” she asked winking at me, and I gaped at her. Fortunately, Craig had the good sense to be chagrined as he rubbed the back of his neck. It made me relax a little bit knowing she called her son on his shit. He cleared his throat and looked away.

“It’s good to meet you, Minerva,” she said shaking my hand. Hers was rough with callouses and weathered like she knew hard work and wasn’t a pampered princess. An inner warmth spread from her to me. It tasted of Earth and summertime. I gaped for the second time in minutes. She was not full blooded fae. There was definitely brownie mixed in there. It would also explain the flowers blooming in the cool weather.

“It’s nice to meet you, too,” I replied genuinely meaning it.

“Inside you two. I am sure you haven’t eaten yet,” she summarized as my stomach growled its agreement. She ushered us in to one of the most beautiful and comfy houses I had ever been in. The room had comfortable seating for an army and even sported a piano. As we followed her through the home I took in all of the family photos on the walls and on the hall tables. It was amazing to see their large family captured in moments in time. The most telling thing about them is they really appeared to like each other. It was a rarity in fae families, especially in royal ones. So much competition to rule but I got the sense that wasn’t the same for them. It made my heart ache for what I missed out on growing up as a young djinn. Not really having the stable, nurturing family environment. I found myself lacking in the presence of this… love.

Craig and his mother, Joann, seated themselves around a large round table in the kitchen, pulling a chair out for me to sit next to him. Joann served us a delicious stew with crusty bread which she, of course, made from scratch. I moaned when I took the first bite. I hadn’t had a homecooked meal in forever. I smiled and made pleasant conversation as the night went on. I couldn’t get over how down to earth they were and how much I longed for this with someone. It cut me deep that I hadn’t found this in all of the centuries I roamed the world.

“Won’t you stay the night,” Joann asked me, rousing me out of my spiraling thoughts.

“Hmmm,” I responded blinking back to the present conversation.

“My mom would like for us to stay here tonight instead of the hotel,” Craig repeated sensing I hadn’t paid too much attention to the later part of the conversation.

“I… uh…” I stuttered as two parts of me warred to answer. Part of me reveled in the peace and coziness of this place knowing I would be safe and secure here. While the other part of me rejected this place as false and not wanting to dwell in the lie a minute more.

Craig’s smile dropped a little as he chuckled uncomfortably. “Mom, I think I should get Minerva to the hotel. It is closer to our destination and we want to get there as soon as it opens,” he offers saving me from the look of disappointment that crossed Joann’s face.

She looked between the both of us and nodded her head. “Okay. If it is for the best,” she replied not fully convinced but knew when to concede. She walked us out and as we said our goodbyes she pulled me into a fierce hug. I melted after a moment of hesitation. Her warmth spread into me again and my eyes watered as tears threatened to overtake me.

Joann whispered in my ear, “Be safe and come see me again. Even if it is without my son. You are always welcome.” I pulled back and she wiped a stray tear that had fallen. I nodded because I didn’t trust myself to speak. We said our final goodbyes and got into the car headed to our hotel.

“It was good to see my mom. I worry about her sometimes,” Craig commented filling the silence.

“Oh,” I replied absentmindedly. “She seems nice,” I followed up staring out my window as we made our way back to the city.

“That’s all you have to say?” he asks me when I don’t fully engage in the conversation.

“Yes, it is,” I replied moving my gaze from the blur of the landscape to look at his profile. He was devastatingly handsome in a ‘golden retriever’ sort of way. So sweet and so very nice. He deserves someone who can match his energy. I am not her. Craig’s jaw clenched as he kept his eyes forward as if he heard my thoughts.

“Was there something wrong with the food or company?” he poked and I gawked at him.

“Absolutely not. Your mom was a gracious host, and I know you heard me moan into that stew.” I said shifting uncomfortably as Craig visibly relaxed. “It’s the best meal I can remember having in quite a long time.

“Then what is wrong? You have been quiet tonight,” he added.

“Hmmm,” I replied as we pulled up to the hotel’s valet.

“Like that,” he pointed out, his hands gripping the steering wheel while we waited for the valet. He turned to me, “Minerva, is this because I surprised you with that visit?” he searched my face for confirmation but before I could reply the valet opened my door.

“Welcome to View on The Hill, ma’am,” the young man said as he helped me out of the car. Craig scrambled out of his side of the car and ate up the distance between us. He gripped my arm as I tried to make a break for the front door.

“Oh no you don’t,” he said ushering me inside. “I need an answer, Minerva. Do you really not like surprises that much?” he asked as we made it to the front desk. We quickly checked in. Fortunately, he got us separate rooms because I don’t think my nerves could take being any closer to him for the day.

On the elevator, we were alone, and I willed the floors to pass by fast so I could get away. Unfortunately, I am not that lucky. Craig hit the emergency stop and watched me. I sighed heavily because I got the feeling people didn’t tell him ‘No’ often, and when they did, he wore them down. The day had already been way too long and far too many emotions were stirring up inside of me. All this time on Earth and I can still feel: who knew?

“Fine,” I breathed squaring up on him. “You have dragged me through three different cities. I have been marked for annihilation. Not death but annihilation. You have acted like my knight in shining armor even though I am the furthest thing from a damsel in distress. Then you took me home to meet your mom, and it was beautiful, kind and made me…” I choked on the last part of my rant. Tears threatened to spill the confines of my eyes. “I just… It is too mu—”

I was cut off as his soft lips crushed against mine. The tears broke free as Craig pressed me against the side of the elevator. He invaded all of my senses and overwhelmed me like no one else ever had before. I was lost in the moment of bliss and didn’t want the moment to end but it did.

Craig pulled back resting his forehead on mine. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. But you were so… I don’t know. Open, vulnerable.” He said making me laugh as his thumb wiped away my tears.

“Me crying and blubbering like a child does it for you, does it?” I joked as he backed up a little more giving me room to breathe. He looked down at me, face serious as he reached over and pushed the button to make the elevator move again.

Turning back to me, he took my hand rubbing the back of it. “No, not exactly,” he smiled. “You showed me the beautiful soul you try to hide from the world. I was honored to experience it.” He pulled me closer to him and cupped my face just as the elevator dinged and the doors opened. An older couple waited as we walked out of the elevator blushing like two teenagers being caught doing something naughty.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” I told him as we approached my room. He nodded and kissed my hand goodnight.

“Til tomorrow then,” he said and waited until I entered my room. I closed the door and leaned against it. The rest of this adventure just got more complicated.

October 17, 2025

demons, fantasy, fiction, funny, short-story, supernatural, urban fantasy, writing
Chronicles of a Soul Jumper Part 21

Balmy air greeted us as we stepped through the portal into the light of day. The multitude of people milling about the waterfront didn’t even bat an eye at our arrival. They were either supes who were used to using portals as transportation or norms who only perceived additional people were taking up space on the walkway. Either way we blended in with the tourists and vendors who crowded the street as we made our way to gods only knew where.

“Detective Wh-“ I began.

“Craig,” he corrected grasping my hand so I wouldn’t lose him in the throng of people.

“Fine, Craig. Where are we going?” I asked frustrated by being led around without knowing the plan or why we came to this tourist trap of a swamp. Charleston’s air can be so sticky with humidity.

“You will see when we get there,” he replies pausing at the street corner. He checks his phone and then pulls me in another direction. Annoyed by the jerky movements, I yank back on my hand hoping to be released from his hold. Unfortunately, he doesn’t let go but tightens his grip. Though my pulling does make him stop and face me. His green eyes fill with confusion as he stares at me when I tug on my hand again.

“That is not going to work for me, Craig,” I retort as I cross my right arm under my breast. He still hasn’t released my other hand, and it is starting to piss me off. “You haven’t told me anything since you whisked us away to… here.” I gesture to the bustling city around us.

“Oh right,” he mutters as if he just realized he didn’t tell me about our destination until right now. He smiles at me as his thumb rubs the back of my hand gently causing me to stop trying to escape him. The movement spreads warmth from my hand through my arm to my chest. I shiver slightly bewildered by the effect this fae has on me. I don’t like it, but I am captivated by him, nonetheless.

“We are going to the Charleston City Market,” he replies and gently tugs me in the direction of the open-air market. The sun briefly blinds us before we duck under the pavilion shielding the market stalls from the elements. Throngs of people cram into the space making it feel smaller.

Craig is not phased by any of it as he presses on. We weave our way to the back of one of the buildings, away from the crowds. Making it easier for me to breathe again for the first time since we got to Charleston. Between the heat, humidity and people I am having a hard time being here. Fortunately, he leads us to a quieter, less crowded space that has glorious air conditioning.

My lungs fully expand as the crowd thins out to only a few people milling about window shopping. Some vendors look on hopeful for a potential sell while a few others look bored out of their minds. Some even turn our way as our footsteps echo on the stone floor as we approach a weathered teal door. The sign above it with its flashing neon lights reads ‘Spill Da Tea Bookstore’.

“Ah, here we are. My sources indicate that this secondhand bookstore may have the book we are looking for.” Craig says as he scrolls through his phone.

“It’s that easy, is it?” I ask, my eyebrow raised in disbelief.

“As a fae prince and top notch S.N.O.B. detective I like to think I have some pull in the supe community,” he replies with a smirk.

“We will see about that,” I jest as I just shake my head as he opens the door for me.

The bell chimes as we cross the threshold and I feel the tingle of magic crawl over my skin. The owner has pretty strong wards on this place, and I have to fight my instinct to rub my arms.

“Good afternoon,” a pleasant voice rings out as we move further into the store. “Oh, uh, you shouldn’t be in here,” the pleasant voice turns sour as the owner of it eyes me warily.

“I hope that isn’t how to greet all your patrons. Or am I just special?” I retort stalking closer to the petite redhead standing behind the wooden counter.

She huffs and points her stubby little finger at me, “You are a djinn. You are not allowed in this store.” She says as she hops down and disappears behind the counter only to round the corner a second later. I stop dead in my tracks.

“You’re a gnome!” I exclaim as I come face to stomach with the short creature standing in front of us.

“Uh, Minerva, please,” Craig interrupts grabbing my arm and guiding me to his side.

“My liege,” the gnome squeaks and bows before him. I mean she was already close to the floor, so it wasn’t that far for her to go.

“Please, Taina, please, get up. You know that you don’t have to do that. I really don’t need it,” Craig tells her offering his hand to help her stand. Is he blushing? My gods he is blushing. He keeps getting more interesting by the minute.

He cuts a look in my direction and shrugs once Taina is upright. I have no clue as to why he is embarrassed by his subjects showing him respect. Hells know I would not get that same reception from other demons here or in my father’s realm.

Taina shuffles over to Craig and tugs on his pants leg. “Your highness is it prudent that you be seen in the company of the likes of her,” she gestures with her head in my direction after her not-so-subtle stage whisper. I look at Craig as he chuckles and pats Taina’s hand.

“It’s okay. She is nothing like her kin. You can trust her,” he assures her. “I trust her.” the last part being more for me than Taina. She harumphs and glares at me.

“This is going nowhere,” I say and let my hand fall on Craig’s forearm. His magic hums just beneath the surface of his skin. It’s like contained electricity that jumps to meet my fingertips. “We should go,” I say breathier than I intend for it to come out.

“Yes, you should,” Taina retorts beneath her breath. I tighten my grip on Craig’s arm as I grind my teeth. ‘That little bi-‘ But before I can make my eloquent comeback Craig places his hand on top of mine, his thumb rubs soothing circles over the back it and I instantly clam. Sorcerer! He’s a sorcerer!

“Ladies,” he sighs then turns his attention back to Taina. “We have come for a book,” he explains to the gnome.

“Then you have come to the right place, Prince Zavien. Please excuse Taina. She is upset that the djinn made it through the wards,” a sultry voice answers from behind us.

“Reginus, there you are,” Craig says, his smile widening as he approaches a tall slender person. Even from across the room they radiate power. They give off a perfect balance of feminine and masculine energy and I can’t decide if they are a woman or a man. Honestly, their magic tastes old enough that it doesn’t matter. Their skin is the color of dark coffee and the colorful Mumu they wore accentuates the flawlessness of it. White braids fall down their back to their knees. The gold jewelry they have layered on their person who make a dragon jealous. They are gorgeous and I instantly hate them. Craig and Reginus air kiss as they clasp hands.

“What book can I help you find, my dear boy?” Regina asks waving Taina off. The gnome disappears and I am left standing by myself in the middle of the store.

Craig turns his smile my way and beckons me over to them. “This is –“ he begins to explain.

“Oh, I know all about Delphine. She is an interesting player in this game of the gods,” they smirk as they turn, gesturing for us to follow. I huff but follow hoping this will actually lead us to the book I need to complete part of this quest. Stupid gorgeous know-it-all creatures.

We walk past several tastefully crafted bookshelves and displays housing everything from contemporary art books to dime store romance paperbacks. The store seems endless as we zig and zag through the stacks and travel through a dark aisle before stopping in front of a simple wooden door.

Reginus opens it and ushers us into the coziest sitting room I have ever been in. A tingle spreads over me as we pass under the threshold. More magical wards. What are they trying to protect?

Colorful pillows, cushy chairs, couches, tables and bookshelves crammed full of books surround the room. A small fireplace, flanked by 2 tall bookshelves, burns brightly chasing away a chill I didn’t realize had settled over me. I became mesmerized as I perused the titles on a table closest to me. Some of these tomes are older than I am and a few I know to be missing from their original owners. Who is this Reginus person?

“Come. Sit,” Reginus offers pointing to two cushioned chairs around a table set with a whole tea service. I hadn’t noticed the table in the middle of the room before now. There is a lot to take in but something feels… off.

Craig guides me to the table and we sit as instructed. There aren’t many beings I respect or fear, but I can tell Reginus isn’t one to cross. I may not like them, but I am not ashamed to admit I am a little scared of them.

“Tea,” Reginus inclines towards the pot that is already pouring its content in our cups. Guess we don’t have a choice in the matter. Then again, I don’t think I would want to pass up on that heavenly scented elixir. The magical tea service fixes each one of the cups to our preference. Not sure how it would know but I am going to keep my mouth shut until I can figure out what Reginus is up to and how the Hells Craig knows them.

I take my cup in my hand allowing the warmth to soothe my nerves that have been on edge since we entered this bookstore. My gaze sweeps around the room while Craig and Reginus make small talk as they sip their tea. I tuned them out as I take in the room. Silk fabric hang along the walls and ceilings where the bookshelves don’t take up space. I go to take a sip of tea but pause as I notice the edge of a mirror in the corner hidden behind some lavender fabric. I squint to get a better look and set my cup down on the table.

“This book you are looking for, what is it called?” Reginus asks pulling my attention back to them.

“Huh, oh, it’s called ‘The book of the Ancestors’”. I reply, picking my tea back up from the table, the mirror forgotten. “The Oracle, Cassandra, said I needed to deliver it to a man with feathered hair, or something like that.” I murmur as I go to take a sip of tea.

“Yes, we think you might have the book here. Hopefully,” Craig interjects causing me to pause the cup at my lips before setting it back down. Reginus shifts irritability in their chair at my actions. I am not sure why but I think it may be because of the look Craig gives me. His hopeful optimism is contagious and makes me smile back at him.

“Hmmm, do you know anything else about the book?” Reginus questions as they sit back sipping their tea. I stare blankly at them confused as to what extra information I could possibly give them. They sigh, “What it is bound in or when it was made, perhaps?”

I think about it trying to remember the imagines I glanced from Cassandra when she gave me this task. “It is leather bound and old. Old is relative compared to these tomes you have in here. So it would be relatively new in comparison,” I muse and start to lift the cup of tea back to my mouth.

Reginus taps the side of their teacup and stare at us. “I think I know the book you need.” Craig and I perk up causing me yet again to put my cup back down. I have a million questions and I am ready to fire them off. But they hold up their hand to silence us before we can speak. “Unfortunately, I don’t have it here in my store.”

“Damn!” Craig exclaims and places his cup of tea back on the table.

“Quiet your minds, I can still help with your search for the book,” they say as they rise placing their cup on the table. Reginus moves in the direction of the mirror I had completely forgotten about a moment ago. They pull the lavender fabric back revealing a large, gilded floor mirror. Waving their hand over it, the surface begins to ripple as they whisper to it. Their language is so ancient I can’t follow it entirely. I glance over at Craig who smiles at me with an eager glint in his eyes. He definitely is here for the adventure. Excitement flows off of him in waves, but it isn’t enough to settle the unease that is causing goosebumps to form on my arms.

“Do you know what they are saying to the mirror?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me. Before Craig can reply Reginus turns back to us and steps in front of the mirror.

“Found it,” they declare. “For this Prince Zavien, my debt to you is erased,” Reginus stated.

“Yes, of course,” he confirms. “I told you I have some good resources,” he tells me. I chuckle at his preening.

“Please, Delphine, drink up. Your tea will get cold,” Reginus tells me breaking mine and Craig’s connection with one another. Craig turns his attention to the beautiful creature as they place their hand on his shoulder. With a shrug I finally take a sip of my tea.

Herbal warmth floods my mouth and flows down my throat settling in my belly. The conversation in the room dulls as the temperature spikes. My skin feels like it is on fire, and I unbutton the top button of my shirt dress. Something is wrong. Very wrong. My senses are overwhelmed. Their conversation goes from dull to thunderous only muffled by the pounding of my blood in my ears. My vision blurs and magic stings my skin. It feels as if the magic is burrowing deep inside me searching. Searching for my essence. Shit! I begin to panic as I try to scream but am unable to do so or move for that matter. My teacup falls from my hands.

“Minerva!” Craig shouts as he leaps up from his chair coming to kneel in front of me. I feel the coolness of his magic rush against my heated skin. It feels so good that I moan in relief. “Curse you, Reginus! What have you done to her?!”

I couldn’t focus. My attention falling to where his hands touched. The pain and heat only subsiding in those places but quickly returned with a vengeance whenever they moved elsewhere.

Until his hand brushed against the amulet I am wearing around my neck. Bright light flashed from the relic and I exhale as magic floods my body. Just as sudden as the heat and digging sensation started it was snuffed out like ice cold water being dumped over me. All that was left was a tiny circle with a slash through it on the inside of my right forearm.

“Where did you get that?” Reginus hisses as they advance on me looking to rip the relic from around my neck. Weakly, I raised my arms to defend myself. I was wiped and my magic barely responded to my call. However, before I could muster a defense, Craig pulled a glowing silver sword from his suit jacket.

“That is none of your concern,” he bites out holding the tip of the sword to Reginus’s neck. “What. Did. You. Do. To. Her?” He glares at them. “I won’t hesitate to cut you down in your inner sanctum.” Craig threatens and for the first time I see the Fae Prince in him. I get it now. Those dark romantasy girlies are on to something. My body flushes for a whole different reason. Reginus steps back from the blade but Craig advances on them, keeping the sword in the same spot.

Reginus cuts their eyes to me then back to him. “You dare to bring a djinn into my inner sanctum. Not just any djinn but Cruxis’s daughter.” They spit the last part at me. Craig doesn’t hesitate to press the blade further into their neck drawing a trickle of green blood. What are they?

“We came for knowledge. We came in peace. And this is how you repay my generosity? We have known each other a long time and I am well within my right to slay you for your crimes.” he snarls back at Reginus. They cower and hold up their hands in surrender.

Seriously, I know it isn’t the right time or place, but my basement is starting to flood.

“Where is the book, Reginus?” Craig demands, his voice suddenly going very calm. The hair on my arms begin to rise from the magic that is leaking from him. He is pissed. I thought I had seen him pissed before but nothing like this. Obviously, he was just toying with me in the past. That kind of pisses me off but not enough to challenge him.

They murmur, “Baltimore, Maryland.”

“Care to narrow it down for us,” he instructs.

“George Peabody Library,” they reply.

“Good,” he says, and Reginus relaxes a little before stiffening again when Craig presses the sword further into their neck. “What did you do to her?” he gestures my way. Rage fills Reginus’s beautiful face as their glare cuts through me. Chancing a glance Craig’s way, they smirk before addressing me.

“I may have owed the Fae Prince a debt but not you, little Delphine,” Reginus hisses. “You have taken my mark your father put on me so long ago. May the Soul Eater find you in my stead.” They spit at me.

Craig turns wide eyes from them to me and then back to them. “Noooo!” he shouts as he rams the silver sword through their throat before withdrawing it and slicing them down. Reginus’s head flies towards the fireplace, and a scream fills the room as the beautiful creature dies. Their body falling to the floor before Craig in a smoldering heap of color and gold.

I sit there stunned by the revelation. There is ringing in my ears and my heart beats as if it is trying to escape my rib cage. Soul Eater. The one being that won’t just kill you but will erase your entire existence. I can’t seem to draw in a deep enough breath and black spots dance at the edges of my vision. What did Reginus do to my father to warrant that sentence? My thoughts whirl around what this mark means for me. All I wanted was to be left alone. Now this.

Craig’s bright green eyes fill my field of vision as he tries to coax me to breathe. “Breath Minerva, breath.” He says as his hand gently cups my face forcing me to see him, really see him. My gaze falls on his lips I follow his instructions. I take deep breaths until the black dots disappear and my racing heart settles.

“Good, good. There you are beautiful,” he says as I blink to recenter myself in the room.

“Craig,” I whisper trying not to panic again.

“Shhh, its okay. We will deal with that last little tidbit later,” he assures me and touches his forehead to mine. I exhale as the weight of what he just pledged to me settles over me. I am not alone in this. He stands and offers his hand. I nod my head and take it as I stand.

“You are right. We have a book to check out of a library,” I say as I exhale another deep breath. No time for wilting violets. Even with odds stacked against me I have never let them get me down. This time is no different.

“Let’s get out of here,” he says pulling me close and opens a portal that we fall into to another adventure.

October 9, 2025

demons, fairies, fantasy, fiction, funny, short-story, supernatural, urban fantasy, writing
Chronicles of a Soul Jumper Part 20

The city passed by the sedan’s window at a fast pace blurring into a gray lump as we moved down the avenue. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat as my gaze shifted to the elf driving us to our destination.

“You don’t have to look at me like that. I won’t bite,” he said absently as he slowed the car down. Traffic had gathered around us as we inched along.

“Look at you. Ha! Perish the thought,” I scoffed and returned to my pointless window watching. He chuckled to himself before turning and entering a parking structure. Within moments we were enveloped in darkness briefly as the car made its way underground. Detective White smoothly pulled into an assigned parking space.

“Someone must be pretty special to have his own parking space,” I jibbed but he only smiled at me.

“That’s what my mother tells me all the time. Then again, I suspect she tells all her boys the same thing,” he joked as he got out of the sedan.

“I can imagine,” I say to myself as I stay seated in the car. ‘I have to find this book, and I have no time for these shenanigans.’ My thoughts wander to my next steps refusing to move from this seat until I finished formulating my plan. Unfortunately, my plotting was interrupted as my car door opened on its own.

“After you madame,” Detective White says offering me his hand. Surprised by the gesture I slowly unbuckle my seatbelt eyeing his hand warily. He chuckled to himself again. “I told you I won’t bite.”

“I thought chivalry was dead,” I mused taking his offered hand to help me out of the car.

“Not for me. I am far older than I look,” he replied with a glint of mirth in his eye. “Besides, my mother would tan my hide if I was rude to a lady.” At that I snorted in reply straightening my dress as I stood next to the sedan while he closed the door.

“Your definitions could use some work. A lady I am not,” I retorted as I studied him for the first time. He was tall and lanky like most fae. His auburn hair almost looked brown in the low light of the garage, but his green eyes shone brightly. He even had the nerve to have freckles. ‘What grown man has freckles?!’ I thought in outrage.

“Oh, well. I am not sure what reflection you are looking at but, in my eyes, I do see a lady in my presence,” he replied guiding me towards the building entrance behind us. His hand rested on the small of my back, the only contact between us.

‘I guess the freckles aren’t that bad,’ I mused to myself as I allowed the elf to escort me to my doom.

We walked through the entrance and moved through the building quickly. I couldn’t get a handle on the maze of generic doors and basic hallways before we came to a non-descript door. Detective White ushered me through to a cozy office space beyond.

“What? No lock up? No restraints?” I asked, eyebrow raised as I eyed the slightly messy office.

“Would you like to be restrained?” he asked, closer to me than I had first thought. A shiver ran down my spine as a tingle of magic caressed my skin.

“You are a dirty fighter,” I said shocked at the glamour magic he had been using on me. Normally I would be able to detect such subtle magics, but he was either very powerful or very old, or both.

He chuckled as he moved to the other side of the cluttered desk. It only seemed to have a little bit of space visible beyond the stacks of papers. “Please have a seat,” he gestured to the seat opposite his in front of the desk. I sat down feeling for other magics that might be clouding my judgement, but I couldn’t sense any other than the glamour magic he had dialed back once I noticed it.

“We aren’t at a S.N.O.B. facility are we,” I summarized settling back in the chair. His humor filled expression turned serious for a moment. His mirth filled smile disappearing behind his mask of business.

“No, we aren’t,” he replied as he leaned back in his chair. His gaze penetrated me as the pause in our conversation drew out. “Can I trust you, Delphine?”

“Can I trust you, detective White?” I retorted.

His smile returned to his stupidly handsome face. “I would like to believe you can. I would like to believe you would put your faith in me.” He paused holding up his hand before I could counter his statement. “However, I have hunted you for years. Hounding you at every turn, knowing all you wanted was to live your eternal life in peace and without trouble.”

Any response I may have had died on my lips. He was right about that. I just wanted to live my life in peace but trusting him was a long shot. However, I sat there waiting for him to continue. Curiosity getting the better of me, “What is it that you want?” I asked.

“Simply put, to help you in your quest,” he said watching for my reaction.

I laughed. My head fell back as I gave a full-throated laugh at the ridiculousness of his words. “You want to help me?” I asked again, wiping tears from my eyes at the sheer nonsensicalness of it all. His gaze skimmed over my face as he nodded in the affirmative. That stopped my laughter in its tracks. “Why?”

“Because we are old beings. Because I am a bit bored and chasing you has been the most fun, I have had in a long time,” he replied with a smirk. “Because something is coming, and I can feel it deep down in my soul. Something that is going to impact my family in a way that we may not recover from.” He finished with that somber look on his face again.

“Okay,” I nodded in agreement. Not knowing if I could fully trust him but feeling the weight of the truth behind his words. I told him of my visit to the Oracle and what was tasked to me. I told him of my run in with Korbin, Mallec and the Waters family. However, I neglected to mention the relic dangling from my necklace. He watched me intently as he absorbed my words. Nodding along not judging my fumbling moments with Cassandra and Krystal’s cat, Max. When I finished, we sat there in silence for what seemed like forever.

“That is quite the tale and quite an ask for you to manage by yourself,” he said leaning forward to tap away on his computer. “However, I do think I can help at least give you a direction to look in for the book and maybe even find that swan shifter for you.”

“What is this going to cost me?” I asked suspiciously. He smiled broadly as he leaned back in his chair, folding the hands behind his head.

“Simple enough. Let me go with you. I feel like this little field trip is going to be fun,” he replied.

I sat back in my seat in thought. I wasn’t entirely sure I could trust him, but I knew I needed the help. Was he truly trustworthy? What would my father think? His only daughter trusting an elf of unknown origins. His words held the truth but a part of me was unsure. I came this far by myself. I am smart enough to figure out the rest.

“Detective White,” I began.

“Craig,” he supplied.

“Craig, as flattered as I am by your generous offer I have to decline,” I said getting up from my seat. “This conversation has been fun, but I must be going. Needing to save the world and such.” I put on my million-watt smile and moved towards the door.

“I get it, you know,” he called out causing me to pause with my hand on the doorknob.

“Get what?” I asked, turning to face him.

“Why you run. Why you can’t seem to trust people completely. Especially an elf you hardly know, one who has been hunting you for years because he’s bored,” he replied. I crossed my arms and frowned at him.

“Sir don’t presume you know me at all,” I scoffed pissed at his assessment.

“You’re right. I don’t know you. Not really. Just like you don’t really know me,” he said getting up from his chair and moving from behind the desk closer to me. His presence seemed to fill the room, and I cursed my mother for having passed down her short genes to me. I hated feeling small next to such big men.

“Delphine of Filana, daughter of Cruxis. My name is Zavien Alaric Stennus, Prince of the High Court of Fairey, son of Zaxel,” he bowed at the waist in a formal introduction before standing up and grinning at me. I stood slack jawed in awe of what he just admitted to me by way of introduction. A lost prince of the High Court slumming amongst humans was no small thing to admit.

“What?” I managed to squeak out. He stalked closer to me, crowding me back against the door leaning down to speak in my ear.

“Now you know my secret. I am at your mercy. My entire family is,” he said shifting to stare me in the eyes.

I just about got lost in them searching for the lie but finding none. He knew he was risking the safety of not just himself but his family. I could turn them in to the High Court of Fairey or I give them over to my father. Either choice was a death sentence.

“Why?” I uttered in complete disbelief of the burden he placed upon my shoulders.

“Because this quest you have been given is going to change everything. And because if I don’t help you, I feel, people I care about will die. Let me help you, Delphine,” he proclaimed.

I wanted to blame his glamour magic, or the proximity of his body to mine, or the way the mint on his breath caressed my lips in creating this heady need within me but I couldn’t. He ensnared me with his bright green eyes, and I couldn’t seem to tell him no. All I could do was nod my head in agreement.

“Good, off to Charleston we go,” he smiled and grabbed my hand before pulling us into a portal I hadn’t realized opened behind him. I was so fucked.

September 25, 2025

demons, fantasy, fiction, funny, short-story, supernatural, urban fantasy, writing
Chronicles of a Soul Jumper Part 19

‘He can’t hide from me forever,’ I thought as I stalked through the shabby Washington D.C. neighborhood. I grimaced as I stood on the broken sidewalk with its cracks filled with weeds and long forgotten grass. I huffed as I squared my shoulders and set off across the minefield of potholes and debris littering the street to my destination.

Hair Oracles.

‘You would think Cassandra would have picked a nicer spot or at least come up with a better name for her business.’ I scoffed. ‘So unoriginal.’ Then again, she was only a conduit for the gods without an original thought in that bird brain head of hers.

As I approached the building, the Hair Oracles sign was partially peeling from the blacked out storefront glass window. There was a definite stench in the air of unwashed people and urine. Gross!

The door swung open with the flex of my finger. My magic tingling along my hand. ‘No way I was touching that germ ridden handle. There was no telling who could have passed through these doors. Cassandra wasn’t discerning in her clientele either. Which makes sense why she is in this rundown side of town.’

The bell chimed announcing my arrival as I stood in the doorway taking a minute to examine the room. Women with braids in various stages of washing, blow drying, or styling hair laughed with customers. The vibe was relaxed with an underlying buzz of energy humming throughout the space. But I knew what the hapless women in those chairs didn’t. Cassandra was the worst kind of blood sucker. She stole energy from those women without their consent or knowledge. If you didn’t know to bring something in exchange, she would bleed you dry.

“In or out, Minerva,” Cassandra called out to me. “You are letting out all the AC. That’s costly in this summer heat,” she stated as she buffed her nails from the chair she sat in directly across the room from me. The air stilled and I flicked my eyes to the women who had gone utterly still, watching me. Their clients frozen in place none the wiser to this conversation.

I took a couple of steps forward and the door shut behind me. The lock sliding into place putting me on edge. I hated being cornered. I especially hated being cornered by an enemy who knew way too much about me. Instead of showing my unease at her power move I simply stood there and crossed my arms. My face a mask of indifference. I could power play with the best of them. Cassandra’s eyebrow rose as she smiled looking over at me.

“Well, well, well. I see someone has gotten her magic back. It looks good on you, Delphine. Welcome! Come in and tell me what you want,” she purred unraveling herself from the chair and beckoning me to sit. I knew the drill. I had come to her before to seek out information I couldn’t get elsewhere. ‘Sit in the chair, provide my offering and get my future path laid out for me. Easy enough.’ I thought as I moved forward cautiously and sat in the offered seat. I placed a large tear drop pearl in her waiting palm. Her fingers wrapped around it as she gasped and hummed happily.

“What a beautiful offering. Mermaid tears are especially delicious,” she purred before spinning me around to face her. “Now tell me little djinn, what brings you to my doorstep again?”

But before I could answer her face to face, she spun me around again so that I was facing the mirror looking at her reflection. She never liked face to face conversations. Always hiding behind a veil or screen and now a mirror it seems.

“Shouldn’t you already know that,” I smirked causing Cassandra to cackle and time restarted. The buzz and energy from the women in the room returning.

“You were always a smart one, weren’t you?” she hummed to herself. “Some might say too smart. Always getting into trouble you had no business getting into in the first place.”

“Maybe.” I paused in thought. “However, I always found a way out of it. Besides I never went looking for trouble,” I retorted.

“Yet, it always seemed to find you,” she chuckled to herself before running her fingers through my long ebony hair. Those long spindles massaged my scalp relaxing me ever so slightly until I heard Cassandra’s voice whispered in my ear. “What trouble brings you my way today then, hmm?” I flinched as she plucked at the gold chain around my neck.

“Looks like someone is wearing stolen power from the gods,” she whispered. “Tsk, tsk. You know that won’t do. They want it back.”

“They can kiss my ass,” I hissed at her reflection, causing the women in the store to pause again momentarily. I pulled away from her as she straightened glaring at me through the mirror. She crossed her arms as a low hissing sound started around us. The floor beneath us vibrating with power.

“You come into my temple and blaspheme against the gods!” she declared, her voice amplified echoing off of the walls. I glared right back at her reflection which seemed to have grown larger and more imposing.

“I am djinn. Your gods are not mine. Either hear my plea and let me be on my way or give me back my offering and let me be on my way,” I demanded. “Make no mistake I am not the youngling you once knew. I am a force to be reckoned with.” We continued to glare at one another for what seemed like forever before she broke into a smile. She cackled again as the women around us resumed their normal banter.

“I can see why the gods favor you,” she smiled at me before running her fingers back through my hair pulling me back into my seat. “You would defy creation if it stood in your way, hmm.” Her braids shook around her shoulders as she shook her head with laughter. I crossed my arms and huffed at her.

“Come child, tell me what you desire?” she asked in earnest.

“Revenge and protection,” I stated plainly thinking of what both Korbin and Mallec had put me through. Cassandra smirked at me because she already knew, already saw the many paths my future led down. A comb appeared in her hand as she began combing through my tresses. She sighed and looked me in the eyes through the mirror.

“Know this, you have a part to play in what is to come. Revenge is not yours,” she began and I started to protest. She held up her finger. “Though revenge is not yours directly as long as you carry that relic around your neck you will have all the protection you need.”

“What do you mean I have a part to play?” I asked a little confused and pissed off I wouldn’t be getting my revenge.

“Take heart dear sweet summer child,” she began. “Your part is this will set into motions the necessary steps that will serve the greater good.”

“Who cares about the greater good?!” I whisper yelled. “I only care about my good. I was wronged and I want to right that wrong.”

“I know,” she paused as she stopped combing my hair giving me her full attention. The weight of it spoke of a deep sorrow. “I know what Korbin did. I know what Mallec did. I know the suffering you have experienced over your lifetimes. Your grief is great but if you do not play your part in this there will be no tomorrow for you seek justice.”

“This was a mistake coming to you for answers,” I said rising from my chair only to be shoved back down. She glared at me, her mouth a line of determination to make me hear her.

“No mistake made coming here but if you leave, I fear that will be a mistake none of us can come back from,” she cautioned me.

“Fine,” I relented. “What is the message from the gods that is so important that I have to stay my hand for revenge?” With a deep breath, she stilled the comb she had been using falling from her hand as something took over her.

The lights dimmed around us and with a gasp an otherworldly voice rose from Cassandra, “In this time of man, we beseech you Delphine of the Djinns. Find a book of ancestors and deliver it to a man of softened feathers. This will finish the war of the gods. If you are unable to do this all is lost. Find the book, save the world.” With a shudder, the lights returned to normal, and Cassandra looked weary and ancient for the first time ever since I had known her.

“That’s it?” I questioned. “Find a book and deliver it to what a swan shifter?! What do I look like, Amazon?” I asked as I shook my head and got up from the chair. Cassandra looked visibly shook and grabbed my arm before I could leave.

“That was the first time they have ever channeled directly through me in thousands of years. Heed their warning. Something is coming. Something will change and not in our favor. Do this task and you will have your revenge though not directly. Three must rise to power through this action. Those three will get your revenge better than you ever could. Trust me on this,” she finished and then waved me off.

I stalked through the door and into the night. “How the Hells was I supposed to find a book of ancestors and a swan shifter?” I asked out loud.

“Maybe I can help you there,” a tall figure stepped out of the shadows, and I stilled. “You are a hard woman to find Minerva. Come with me and let’s have a chat.” Detective Craig White of the S.N.O.B said, motioning me forward with a gun in his hand.

“Frack!” I uttered hands raised. This day just went from bad to worse.

September 19, 2025

demons, fantasy, fiction, funny, short-story, supernatural, urban fantasy, vampires, witches, writing
Chronicles of a Soul Jumper Part 18

I smiled victoriously as I stared at the relic. I finally had the key to getting anything I wanted in the entire universe. If that is true, why did guilt eat away at the pit of my stomach. I sat in my pocket dimension I had created so long ago but without full access to my power I couldn’t reach until now.

Sighing, I sat in my wing back chair setting the relic on my side table. Now, that you have all this power what are you going to do with it? I thought to myself, musing over what my next steps were actually. I had what I had desired most in my long-lived life. My body, my power and my freedom. All restored. Yet, something tugged at my conscious mind.

Reaching over to the coffee table I grabbed the obsidian mirror and set it on my lap. My beautiful reflection stared back at me. I smiled briefly, blowing power over the still surface causing ripples to appear. The ripples slowed and settled on the Krystal Ball and the scene unfolded before me.

Mallec stormed out of the store, irate and screaming over his phone as he went. ‘Good. I’m glad he is frustrated. I think this will be my new goal. Piss off the self-proclaimed all powerful warlock. Heh! Fat chance in finding me now’. I smirked. Commotion from the room where we performed the ritual caught my attention.

“Shit, shit, shit, Krystal! Do you know how powerful that relic is?” Misty asked, pacing in front of her sister alternating between biting her nails and running her hands through her hair. Krystal seemed unphased by her sister’s frantic outbursts. She knelt next to the still body of her cat, Max. The poor kitty cat whose body I shared and begrudgingly grown to love. She gingerly picked up his limp form and cradled him in her lap, as the first tears rolled down her cheeks, landing on his fur. I cringed. I didn’t think the transformation would impact him. Okay, I didn’t expect it to kill him. Or at least I had hoped it wouldn’t. Truth be told I didn’t really care but seeing her now that gnawing feeling in my stomach grew.

“Damn it, Krystal! Did you hear me?! What are we going to do?” Misty shouted at her sister, causing Krystal to flinch as she hung her head. Misty paused with a sigh kneeling in front of her little sister. With a hand on Krystal’s shoulder she said, “Look, I know how much Max meant to you. But he was just a cat. A long-lived cat, but just a cat. “ Misty reasoned thinking she that would snap Krystal out of her grief. Hells even I knew how to read the room. That was not the right thing to say. How crass.

“Get out,” Krystal mumbled under her breath. I gasped leaning closer to the mirror to see if I heard her correctly.

“What?” Misty asked, rocking back onto her heels. The heat radiating off of her sister was palpable. “Kry- “

“I said, ‘Get. Out’. I didn’t stutter. Get the fuck out of my shop,” she replied, her voice calm with no hint of the tears she has been silently crying. Misty stood quickly and took a few steps away from her usually meek and mild-mannered sister.

“Krystal, I didn’t mean anything by what I said. I know –“ Misty started to explain.

“You don’t know shit, Misty” Krystal uttered tightened her grip on her beloved cat. “Max was the last gift from mom and dad. I will cry over him because he has been here for me more than you ever have.” Krystal adjusted her legs to sit cross legged on the floor pulling Max unto her lap to hold him tighter. My heart tightened at the gesture.

‘Had anyone ever grieved me so vehemently? Had anyone cared for me like she did this animal? No. Never.’ And a part of me cracked open at that thought. I turned back to the scene in my mirror as a single tear fell onto it. I wasn’t sure if that tear was for Max, me or Krystal. Maybe all three of us.

Krystal looked up at her sister, “If you are so gung-ho about finding that damn thing, go look for it yourself. I am done with that crazy djinn and all the issues she has brought to my doorstep. Fuck you and fuck her!” Krystal finished and leaned over Max as her own body quivered with the force of her sobs.

‘Enough.’ I thought as I angrily wiped at my tears. I set the mirror down on the floor and stepped on it. From one breath to the next shadows enveloped me as I stepped from my pocket dimension into the magic shop.

“That is just rude. I didn’t think I caused that many problems,” I quipped, stepping out of the shadows, followed by a four-legged friend.

The short, plump shadow meowed and purred as it came up to Krystal, rubbing against her knee. She looked up at me eyes narrowing before turning her attention to the small shadow pawing at her arm.

“Max?” Krystal asked the pulsing black mass. The shadow responded with a meow as she loosened her grip on the lifeless cat body on her lap. The small shadow took the opportunity to hop onto her lap, kneading a couple of times before settling into the motionless body of his former self. The fur began to move, his side moving up and down with each breath.

“Oh, gods! Max!” Krystal exclaimed as she rubbed her hand against his soft warm fur. He chirped in response and settled back in her lap either tired from his trip or just comforted by her familiar presence. Either way it drew a smile on my lips.

“How did you?” Misty asked me as I took in the touching scene. That small part of me mending slightly. I threw an object to Misty, who caught it with one hand.

“The relic,” I replied moving closer to the sisters.

“I don’t understand. We saw you leave with it. Mallec tried to follow you but couldn’t get through your portal. What the frack is going on?” Misty asked perplexed, turning the relic, which now resembled a key, in her hand. “It’s changed shape.”

“Of course it did,” I retorted as I knelt in front of Krystal.

“Rude,” Misty muttered, folding her arms, tucking the key in her inner pocket.

“You brought him back,” Krystal said in a trembling voice, as she stared at me. I stroked the top of the furball’s head. His purrs warming my soul. Stupid cat making me feel feelings.

“He earned it,” I replied looking back at her bloodshot violet eyes. “He helped me stay in this realm long enough to help myself.” I stroked him a few more times before standing. “Besides I had to pay you back for the insanity I caused you. Though I feel I was helping fix the problems you caused.”

“I caused?!” Krystal huffed as she clumsily stood up not letting go of Max in the process causing him to squeak. I grinned wickedly at Krystal as she cooed at Max cradling him like a baby.

“Okay fine. I may have had a hand in things, but this is me making things right,” I replied with a sigh.

“What do you mean?” Misty asked as I headed towards the door. “What are you making right?”

I reached the front door and pulled a bright green scarf over my hair and pulled out a pair of large sunglasses. The contrast striking enhancing the flecks of green in my eyes as I caught my reflection in the window. I looked back at the sisters as they stood together. I smiled at them.

“Don’t worry ladies. With this in my protection, I will right my wrongs.” I replied, holding the key that Misty had tucked into her jacket.

“Hey,” Misty grumbled, as she searched her pocket for the missing key. I chuckled and placed the key around my neck dangling from a gold chain.

“This is where I leave you. Live your lives. Mallec won’t come back to harm you,” I assured them as I reached for the door handle.

“Will we ever see you again?” Krystal asked as Max purred in her arms.

“I’m a djinn. All you have to do is make a wish,” I replied as I slipped out the door and disappeared into the midday crowd.

September 11, 2025

demons, fantasy, fiction, funny, short-story, supernatural, urban fantasy, vampires, witches, writing
Chronicles of a Soul Jumper Part 17

“There. Done. Now what, cat? I mean Minerva.” Misty asked. She had just finished drawing a circle with magnetic chalk round the circular table in the ‘reading’ room.

“The relic goes in the middle of circle, there.” I directed. Krystal carefully placed the ball in the center as instructed.

“Okay. What’s next?” she asked backing away from the relic as if it were going to bite her. Even though it didn’t have literal teeth it still was dangerous in its own right. Skeleton keys to other dimensions should be treated with much care.

I narrowed my eyes taking in the Waters sisters. “Don’t look at me like that. I am more of the acquisition type. I have no idea how it works,” Misty responded to my scrutiny.

“I’m with her. I have no idea how it works. Korbin left it and I just hid it. My job was done.” Krystal retorted.

These girls were definitely out of their depth dealing with this relic. I don’t know what Korbin was thinking when he entrusted Krystal with it. Powerful she may be, but she isn’t fully realized and is nowhere near ready to handle this level of power. I tsked and sighed leaping to the table careful not to enter the circle. I turned back to them.

“Fortunately, for the both of you I know enough magic to get us started,” I replied. “Whatever happens, do not cross the circle, especially you,” I directed my last comment at Misty as I stepped within the circle with the relic. “I need quiet and stillness.”

My feline form began to stalk around the circle counterclockwise. After my first pass of the circle a low hum began to fill the room as the shadows began to creep up the walls. By my second pass a faint blue glow rose from the circle enhanced by mists of shadows that crept across the invisible line coiling in the center around the relic coating it in darkness. A hum from the relic began and grew accompanied by the low beat of distant drums. Incantations from the shadows were whispered to me as I repeated them in a foreign tongue long forgotten.

At the top of my third and final pass I sat on my haunches chanting along with the beat of the drums. Faster and faster, I chanted. The shadows dancing along a mystical wind that started seemingly out of nowhere. It swirled around me, engulfing me, ruffling the fur of my cat body. The Waters sisters moved closer together clasping each other’s hands while I worked the magic of my people.

My voice rose, slightly lisped because this mouth didn’t have all the correct parts to form the words. However, I pressed on the magic understanding my intent. The winds and shadows crescendo into a self-contained hurricane appearing devouring everything within the circle obscuring my view of the girls. The light of the circle surrounding the chaos partially blocked from view except through small gaps in the shadows as they spun, grew blindingly bright. With each passing of the tempest my body was hit taking little bits of me with it. Each hit hard and unnerving causing me to halt my chanting.

With the next pass of wind, I was knocked flat to the table as I felt a change come over me. My body stretched. My fur ripped away and my bones lengthened. A piercing screech filled the space before I realized it was coming from me. A yowl of pain caused Krystal to move closer to the circle.

“Wait,” my slurred words called in alarm as another yowl of pain burst free from my raw throat. Misty stopped her sister, grabbing her arm to keep her from crossing into the tempest.

“If you cross it now, there is no telling what it will do,” Misty said to Krystal pulling her back to a safe distance. “We don’t know what the blow back could do. Let her finish.”

Krystal looked at her sister in disbelief. “How would you know that?” she asked, not taking her gaze from the show within the circle.

With a shrug Misty replied, “I told you, I’m in acquisitions. Spells are a premium. I have seen them do all kinds of things. Not all good things. And whatever spell that is my ‘employers’ would pay out the nose for it.” She wrapped her arms around her body and wetted her lips.

The sisters clasped hands again jumping as another yowl escaped me this one ending with a scream. A scream ripped from my human throat. Then it stopped. Everything stopped. Silence fell around me as the flashes of lightening dissipated, and the winds slowed and the shadows receded. I laid there in the middle of the circle, my feet dangling over the edge of the table. I blinked adjusting to my new vision. Precariously stretching my limbs and taking in my olive skin. My silken raven hair cascaded around my naked body covering most of me. I touched my face feeling a smile break across my cracked lips.

“Mirror,” I demanded. Reaching my hand out towards the sisters as Misty darted out of the room. Krystal looked at me slack jawed when Misty returned thrusting the mirror into my awaiting hand.

I gasped seeing my old reflection staring back at me. I had expected a change, possibly a new body but not this. The fates have smiled upon me. They returned me whole and human. Not vampire. I laughed as I stared watching tears roll down my cheeks. I haven’t seen her in centuries.

“You are a sight for sore eyes,” the melodious voice called out from the door, starling us. I hissed, a little left over from Max, dropping the mirror and moving in front of the relic. Ready to defend it and myself from an attack. I just got my body back. I will not let it go so easily.

Mallec entered the room wiping ashes from his coat. “You have been naughty girls,” he said towards Krystal and Misty. “I came here to kill you, but I see you may be able to make things up to me.” He smirked not taking his eyes off of me. “Give me back my relic.”

“Not today, warlock,” I hissed moving the relic further away from him. The Waters sisters inched closer to me. “You hold no power here. Mine has returned to me,” I said feeling electric energy flow through me. A tiny stream of it danced between my fingers. My smile grew brighter as my magic enveloped me like an old friend. It purred along my arm over my body creeping up my neck until my eyes glowed and sparked with it.

“Come find me, if you can.” I cackled, winking at the Waters sisters before stepping back into a portal.

“Curse, that infernal djinn. If she wants to play, we will play,” Mallec shouted before running towards my portal determined to follow me through.

I flipped him off as my portal closed and I caught Krystal whispering to Misty, “What have we done?”

“Hells if I know,” her sister squeaked in response.

September 4, 2025

demons, fantasy, fiction, funny, short-story, supernatural, urban fantasy, vampires, witches, writing
Chronicles of a Soul Jumper Part 16

“How did we end up here?!” Krystal exclaimed, pacing the floor in front of the register at The Krystal Ball. Night had fallen over the city with a heaviness that left her on edge. She continued her relentless pacing as I licked my front paw, stopping myself to give my best kitty side eye.

“Do cat really lick themselves this often? Remind me never to jump into an animal again,” I purred as I assumed a kitty loaf position.

“You’re not helping, cat,” Misty chimed in as she walked out of the office. She had been on the phone with her black-market contacts to see what we were up against. “We need a plan, not panic,” she said stepping into her sister’s path to get her to stop her pacing.

“Is there a spell or something you can use on Minerva?” Krystal asked hopefully. “What did your contacts say?” she asked clasping her hands together in a prayer position hoping for a miracle. Misty shook her head and plopped down on the wooden chair behind the counter. Her combat boots clumping on the glass counter as she crossed her arms and leaned back.

Krystal stopped in front of us, “Well, what did they say?”

“Nothing helpful really. Most hung up on me when I told them what we did to Mallec,” she sighed twirling a lock of her blonde hair.

“We?” Krystal said gob smacked. “We didn’t do anything. You were the one who opened that portal to the four seasons desert and karate-kicked him in there,” she sputtered.

“Potato, po-tat-o,” Misty replied. “The other ones basically said we needed to hide in another dimension for the rest of our lives and never return home. So not helpful.”

I looked between the two despondent sisters and sighed loudly. “You need to use the artifact on me.” I offered. “It is the easiest way to restore me to my former glory. Use the relic.” I said managing to look annoyed in my cat form.

“Wait! What relic?” Misty asked. “You have a relic?” She stood abruptly looking at her sister who twisted her fingers around each other.

“I may have gotten something from the fae that they asked me to hide,” Krystal admitted. “I didn’t know what it was or how powerful it is.”

“Don’t play dumb, child. You know exactly what it was and its power. Why do you think your store was ransacked when we returned?” I chided Krystal.

“Oh, so you both were holding out on me?” Misty asked huffing with righteous indignation.

“Oh please. I wouldn’t trust you with that knowledge as far as I could throw you. Neither would your sister,” I said glaring at her. Misty looked between the two of you.

“I am trustworthy, you know.” Misty replied, hurt lacing her words.

“Right. As if we don’t know what you were doing before you came back home,” I chided Misty, who had the decency to look away.

“Why does everything keep going back to that damn thing?” Krystal swore. “I have had thing forever and then that Disney Princess of a fairy walks in and all Hells breaks loose.” She paused. “I don’t even know what it does.”

“Now that I believe,” I scoffed as Krystal came up to me planting an arm on either side of body. I had to move my head back as Krystal got in my face.

“What is the relic?” Krystal asked, fixing me with a look worthy of her aunt Stormi. It looked like she finally meant business and I was tired of being in this cute little fur ball’s body.

“It’s an interdimensional key. Or something like that, isn’t it?” Misty replied quietly, meeting her sister’s gaze. “It’s supposed to be able to open anything.” She turned her gaze to me, “I’m right, aren’t I?”

“Yes,” I reply. Krystal raised up to glare at her sister.

“Hey, that’s all I know. I swear,” Misty said. “I may have been sent to retrieve it.” She muttered under her breath.

“She is right. It is a key,” I chimed in before Krystal could fully processed what her sister just admitted to. Rovers were black-market retrievers who specialized in magical artifacts that were hard to find. This relic in particular must have been something very powerful if the fae were trying to hide it.

“Go on,” Krystal’s curt reply cut the silence in the room when I paused.

“The relic was formed by one of the many all-knowing gods. I can’t remember who exactly. It could have be–.” I recited but was cut off.

“Continue cat. I am not in the mood,” Krystal demanded.

“Right. This key was made to assist this god with traveling across dimensions without using the ‘front door’, so to speak,” I continued. “Long story short, he got drunk off of juniper wine and star dust and forgot where he left it.”

“So, you are telling us, some mythical, magical all-knowing being, made a key. Then he got ‘drunk’ and lost it?!” Krystal recited, counting on her fingers.

“Yes,” I answered stretching out my front legs and then arching my back in yummy stretch that felt better than it should have felt. “Oh, don’t give me that look. Just because he was all-knowing in his dimension, doesn’t mean it was going to work in every dimension.” I said sitting back on my haunches feeling irritated by this line of questioning.

“Huh, that’s funny,” Misty remarked chuckling to herself.

“Why me? Why now? Why here?” Krystal asked no one in particular but I answered anyway.

“Because that relic has a mind of its own and I am pretty sure the story stated he lost it on Mars. How it ended up on Earth is beyond me.” I finished my story and stared back at the sisters.

“Now you are just messing with us,” Misty piped up. “So, this being visits a dead planet in our universe and loses what is pretty much a skeleton key then just leaves.”

“I didn’t say he was smart. He had to use the regular door to get home, and Jehovah was not pleased. There was some form of punishment, but I can’t remember exactly what it was,” I added.

“That is how I am feeling right now. Dumb as fuck,” Krystal muttered and started pacing again. “Why would Korbin give it to me? How did he get it?”

“Does it really matter?” I asked. “Though I curious how it crossed his path. I thought you said the fae gave it to you.” Krystal continued her pacing ignoring my question.

“Beings in the supe community are going to find out you have it. If Mallec deemed to come to get me himself, he may already suspect either you have it, or I do. Seeing as I am a cat, I’m sure his suspicion will fall to the four of you.” I added food for thought.

“In the meantime, change me back and I will be able to help you get rid of it.” I offered.

“The cat has a point, Krystal. You don’t want Mallec to get that key if it is as powerful as it seems to be.” Misty suggested. “Hells, we don’t even know what that key is capable of. “ Misty leveled with her sister, who finally stopped pacing. “Let’s change Minerva back and give her the key to get rid of it. If it truly is that powerful my backers don’t need to get a hold of it either.”

“You’re right. Let’s do this. Okay, cat. I mean Minerva. How do we use this thing?” Krystal said over her shoulder heading into her office. A few minutes later she came back having retrieved the magic 8-ball paperweight that had held down a stack of papers on her desk. We both fixed her with a bug-eye stare as we gawked at her. “What? Hiding things in plain sight is what we do at the Krystal Ball.”

Stayed tuned for after the Labor Day weekend for the next installment. For those of you in the know I will be at Dragoncon cosplaying it up. Maybe there will be pictures next time. Until then. Thanks for reading!

August 21, 2025

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Chronicles of a Soul Jumper Part 15

“Come now, Minerva. How could I resist the opportunity to help when I heard about your predicament. I came right over,” Mallec commented as he walked into the room, removed his gloves and bopped me on the nose.

“Hold it right there, warlock!” Stormi commanded not missing a beat with her food. “You are not welcomed here.” Flo rose from her seat at the table.

“How did you find out about this situation?” Stormi asked throwing her spoon down on her plate and picking up a napkin to wipe her lips. She leaned back in her chair crossing her arms to make herself appear bigger. I bristled again, moving from the table to the bay window seat. Mallec’s gaze flicked from Stormi to Flo to me and then back to Stormi assessing which one of us was the bigger threat. I noticed he didn’t even register the other Waters sisters being in the room.

“Dear Stormala, I was invited by your sister. She specifically asked that I come remove your ‘situation’ as you so eloquently put it,” he responded as he sniffed the pot on the stove and wrinkled his nose. Stormi glared at him, then at her sister, who met her gaze.

“You know what has to be done,” Flo stated not taking her eyes off of her sister. “We cannot make a move against the Coven.” She pointed my way, “You understand the consequences of harboring her. It will be seen as an act of aggression. We don’t want a repeat of ‘75.” She finished. Stormi rubbed her hand down her face.

Misty and Krystal sat transfixed by the exchange between their aunts and Mallec, the warlock. He reached past Krystal to get to me causing her to shiver. He did have that effect on people. He is a repulsive human. One I didn’t want to touch me in any way. I swiped at him as he reached for me. Stormi looked away from her sister as he managed to grab me by the scruff of my neck and hauled me towards him.

He sneered at me as I fought with all my feline strength to break his hold. Scratching and trying to bite whatever body part of his was closest to me. He would not take me from this place. The foul stench of his magic flooded over me as it paralyzed my limbs rendering me docile. His even fouler breath made my nose wrinkle as he put me close to his face.

“You know what comes next, Minerva. You have always known it would end like this,” he said bopping me on my nose again causing my ire to rise and blind me with kitty rage. I continued to fight against his magic’s hold over this tiny body. Unfortunately, it was a losing battle because I didn’t have full control over my magic as a cat. Damn my luck! I should not have run afoul of that accursed leprechaun! They know how to hold a grudge.

“No, absolutely not!” Krystal shot up from the table, reaching out to steal me from his grasp only for him to move swiftly out of her reach. “You can’t just take her. First of all, that is my cat, Max, and I want him back. Second of all, how do you intend to return her to her original body?” Krystal demanded haughtily as she inched closer to us. Her only answer was the back of Mallec’s hand as he smacked her hard enough to send her crashing against the table.

“Insolent child.” Mallec spit out, staring her down and holding me an arm’s length away from his body.

“Krystal!” Both aunts cried in unison as they jumped up from their seats rushing to aid their niece.

“Mallec, that was uncalled for! How dare you lay a hand on our niece?” Flo replied as she helped Krystal up from her prone position on the floor.

“Do not forget your place as well, Flo. Just because we have history does not mean I won’t use force against you. You do well to remind your niece of that place as well.” Turning his glare my way, he shook my limp form. “This beast will be dealt with. There is no need to concern yourselves further.” He shook me once more when I twitched as his magic lessened enough for me to regain some control over this body.

“Get out!” Flo shouted at the warlock with defiance in her eyes. “You have what you’ve come for. Leave and never come back,” Flo whispered the last part while helping Krystal back into her chair. Krystal looked up at her aunt as if she had stabbed her in the back.

“But Aunt Flo, he can’t,” Krystal pleaded with her. “I don’t know what that Djinn has done but she doesn’t deserve whatever faith he has planned for her.” Krystal looked over to her other aunt. “Please Auntie Stormi. Please, save her!” she pleaded.

Stormi bowed her head in submission, “We can’t help her now. Flo has sealed her fate.”

“A fate she will never know,” Misty called from the other side of the room as a portal opened up next to Mallec. Several things happened at once: Mallec became distracted enough that his hold on his magic slipped giving me just enough control to bite his hand. As I fell to floor, Krystal was there to catch me as Misty ‘This is Sparta!’ kicked Mallec through the portal. The portal closed with an audible pop as soon as he disappeared through it.

The silence that followed was broken as Stormi let out a huge belly laugh wiping tears away from her eyes as they shone with mirth. I snuggled into Krystal’s arms feeling uneasy but safe for the time being.

“What is so funny?” Krystal asked her aunt as she finally stopped laughing.

“You have gone and done it now, girls,” Stormi said turning to her nieces. Flo standing by slack-jawed by what just happened.

“I don’t understand. He was a problem, and I solved it,” Misty said inspecting her nails, clearly proud of her actions.

“And in doing so you created an even larger problem. Do you know who he is?” Aunt Flo asked rounding on her eldest niece.

“Nope, and I don’t care,” Misty replied lifting her chin in defiance.

Flo shook her head, “You had better care. He will bring the Hell fires of the seven realms because of your act of stupidity.” Misty just shrugged, a little bit of doubt filling her eyes for the first time since I met her.

Stormi sighed watching her sister storm out of the room. “Girls, you had better find a way to get her out of that body and away from here. Once Mallec figures out where you have sent him and gets back, there will be Hells to pay.”

August 14, 2025

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Chronicles of a Soul Jumper Part 14

“Auntie Flo, wait a minute!” Krystal calls after her aunt following her into the kitchen. The smells that hit my nose make my kitty tummy rumble and my mouth salivate from hunger. The kitchen gave off a cozy, earthy vibe with it’s green painted cabinets and copper fixtures. Plants took up all available space giving off a warm feeling. In another life I would have enjoyed a cup of tea in the wooden nook with the bay window overlooking the yard.

“You knew Minerva was put in Max’s body?” Krystal asked, clutching me closer to her body.

‘Hold on, I’m a boy cat?!’ I complained. ‘Of all the indignities!’ I mewed drawing Flo’s attention. The look on the older woman’s face caused me to shrink back in Krystal’s arms, trying to make myself as small as possible.

“That little snit knows exactly what she did and why she isn’t welcomed in this house,” Flo retorted.

“Okay, who is this Minerva person? And how did you get back here before me?” Misty asked, stepping in between Krystal and Flo effectively blocking her view of me. I purred involuntarily as Krystal bit her bottom lip and rubbed the top of my head.

“Hmph” Stormi smirked to herself as she shoveled food on everyone’s plate that had been set around the corner nook. Flo clicked her tongue as she turned to Krystal waiting for her explanation.

“Okay, goodness glaciers! I don’t know exactly who Minerva is, per se. She showed up with Aunt Stormi to get me out of the Peach Kiss. Next thing I know I am sharing a mind with her, and we were heading back at the store,” Krystal paused slumping down into a chair at the table and placing me on the bay window cushioned seat behind her head. I lay there waiting to see what my fate might be and possible escape routes.

“When we got back to the store Jona showed up. He made me an offer to get rid of her,” she explained.

“You nitwit! You accepted a favor from a fae noble?!” Misty exclaimed. “Oh, this is rich. Even I am not that dumb,” Misty criticized her sister for her stupidity. For once I agreed with her. There were far better deals to be made. If I had been human, I would have been able to make those deals for us. Then again if I had been human we wouldn’t be where we are right now.

“Aunt Flo could have exorcised the demon from you.” Misty shook her head. “Do better.”

‘I am not a demon!’ I yowled in retort.

“Oh, for the love of Freyja!” Flo exclaimed and a flick of wrist I fell silent. I felt my fur start to tingle and tongue grow heavy for a split second. “Now speak!” she commanded.

“If I had half a mind I would–,” I began in my normal voice. Everyone stared at me as my beautiful voice graced my ears. “You can hear me?” I asked warily, taking in the nodding heads around me. “How did you?”

“I may not agree with consorting with demons, but I do know my way around a communication spell,” Flo replied crossing her arms. “Now speak, since you are so chatting. The meowing was getting tiresome.”

I nodded my feline head and began to regal the Waters clan with my tragic story of how I ended up here and my revenge plot against the dastardly dashing men who put me in my current condition. ‘Both Korbin and Jona would pay dearly. Oh yes! They would pay!’ I thought as the Waters women patiently listened and said nothing until I finished.

They sat in silence around the kitchen table processing my harrowing tale. My tail flicked back and forth as I waited for any kind of response. These humans were slow thinkers that was for sure. If I didn’t need their help I would have moved on to find another body to jump into.

Stormi sat back in her chair, her food half eaten on her plate. She laughed slapping her knee, “Pissed off some powerful people, did ya? We wouldn’t want to run afoul of the New Orleans coven or Abigail Winters. She is no one to trifle with.” Stormi rubbed her chin in thought as I looked up at her. 

“You could say that”, I replied managing to give her a haughty look in this feline body.

“Then we play nice with this Winters chick and stay away from New Orleans,” Misty stated. “Fine by me. I think I have warrants there anyways,” she mentioned before shoveling more food into her mouth. “What are we going to do with you?” Misty asked around a mouth full of food.”

‘Neanderthal.’ I balked at her poor manners. ‘Disgusting.’ But before I could say as much a familiar masculine voice cut me off.

“I could assist with that,” that masculine voice said from the darkened doorway. All of us turn towards him as a mysterious figure emerged from the shadows beyond the door. My fur instinctively stood up on end as I hissed at the newcomer.

“You have got a lot of nerve showing your face here, Mallec,” I hissed.  

“Indeed, I do. I have it in spades,” Mallec chuckled as he stepped into the light.

August 7, 2025

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Chronicles of a Soul Jumper Part 13

Floating through sightless darkness, the flutter of butterflies filling my belly, my only company. This inky blackness surrounded me, engulfed me with no noise, no smell, no taste, nothing but my thoughts. ‘Is this the void everyone talks about?’ I wonder.

‘I get it now. I could stay here forever. No pain. No stress. It isn’t even cold like I thought…’ My thoughts are interrupted as I am ripped out of the peace of oblivion, slamming hard onto the hardwood floor. All my senses overwhelmed by being reintroduced to life.  Even though landing was hard, I deftly navigated it with all four paws and my swishing tail. Balanced perfectly in this fur body.

‘Well this sucks. Back in this ball of fluff,’ I think with a sigh. Blinking into the sudden brightness, I sit on my hunches and lick my front paw, appreciative of the agility of cats. In my human body I would have been sprawled out over the floor.

As I contemplated what had just happened moments before, I have to dart out of the way as Krystal nearly crashes down on top of me. Her screech brought the wild haired woman from before into the room. Stormi just stands there and wipes the flour from her hands onto her half apron as she assesses us. We are in a house that I assume belongs to them.

“Good, you made it home. Dinner is almost done. Where’s Misty?” Stormi asks the disheveled lump that is her niece. Krystal untangles herself and jerks her head around as she realizes where we landed.

“Shut the portal! Shut the portal! Lock it down!” Krystal shouts as she struggles to stand. Stormi doesn’t hesitate. With a circular wave of her hands, she brings them together with a loud clap. The resounding clap reverberated throughout the space causing the swirling hole to blink out of existence allowing Krystal to exhale in relief. Unceremoniously, she picks herself up the rest of way and leans against a nearby patchworked chair.

“Do you mind telling me what that was all about?” Stormi asks eyeing her niece as the front door opens. Krystal starts, jumping into a half-hearted and clumsy karate stance in an attempt to defend herself against whomever just entered the house.

‘She wouldn’t be able to take on anyone standing that way,’ I surmised continuing to lick my front paw in amusement. Just then Misty and an older woman with a long white braid slung over her shoulder enter the small room to join the commotion.

Misty raises an eyebrow at her sister. “You wouldn’t be able to take on a sleepy toddler in that stance,” she smirked turning her questioning gaze to her aunt Stormi. Stormi just shrugs and goes back to the other room she had originally come from.

“Uh, you okay, sis?” Misty asks Krystal who visibly relaxes taking another deep breath.

Growing tired of the drama I meow and purr loudly winding my way through Misty’s legs. The other older woman takes one look at me and picks me up by the scruff of my neck. One minute I am blissfully marking Misty as mine and then neck I am in the most humiliating and vulnerable position I have ever been in. But before I could protest or scratch that old witch’s eyes out with my mini talons, she produces a long sharp pin out of nowhere positioning it way too close to my heart.  Not just any pin but a nebulas pin. Those things aren’t allowed outside of official S.N.O.B channels. How did she get one?

“Meeeeooooowwww!” I wail as I bat at the pin trying to get it as far from me as possible. The sisters turn towards us as I square off with this old wild woman.

“Why don’t we all calm down and come eat. Dinner’s ready,” Stormi says shaking her head and ducking back through the door frame again. Misty carefully approaches me and the old crazy bat who was currently trying to murder me with her eyes.

“Aunt Flo, why don’t you give me either the pin or the cat,” Misty says placing a hand on her aunt’s arm. I meow and Misty rescues me from the evil wench’s grasp. Petting me to sooth my frazzled nerves as she hands me off to Krystal, who continues with the soothing pets. I think we both needed the reassurance. It had been a long day, and I was not looking forward to any more drama. Maybe a nice pinot and some tuna. Wait… Eww. Maybe not that combination. Damn cat brain.

“Care to tell me what is going on,” Misty asks Krystal who is steadily stroking my fur pulling a soft purr escapes from me. “I only left you at the store an hour ago. How much trouble could you have gotten into?” she asks.

“Jona,” Krystal whispers into my fur. I think she didn’t want to say his name too loud in fear he would find us again.

“Jona?” Misty asks confused. “Care to elaborate?” Misty probes folding her arms waiting for an answer.

Krystal clears her throat, “A mistake. He was a big mistake, and I really don’t want to talk about it.” She sighs and plops down into the patchwork chair she had leaned against earlier.

“Okay, I guess we can talk about it later,” Misty comments understanding she wasn’t going to get any further in her questioning with her sister. Misty turns to an irate Aunt Flo who has turned as red as a beet. I could almost make out a faint breeze lifting her fly away hair from around her face.

“Unacceptable,” Aunt Flo announces, stamping her foot and rounding on us. “Krystal, I don’t know what you have been getting involved in, but please remove that djinn from my house!” Flo shouts pointing her finger at me making my furry eyebrows rise in shock. “She is a foul creature and deserves her current predicament.” Flo finished and leaves the room through the door her sister had exited through earlier.

“Wait what?!” Both sisters exclaim as they stand there slack jawed at their aunt’s announcement of me.

‘How the Hells did that witch know what I am?!’ I think, indignant of being called a foul creature.  

July 25, 2025

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