24 Hour Contest

Glancing out the cabin window, she saw the dark purple clouds racing over the hill. The air pressure dropped, and the wind wailed. She leaned forward, steadying herself on the counter. She blew a tuft of her corkscrew red hair out of her face. The storm would be here any minute. Just in time.

He snarled at something outside. Her skin prickled, and she made her way to the front door.

“Mortimer. Come!” she hollered, pulling the door open and stepping onto the wraparound porch.

The outside air sent shock waves through her body.  Electric and cold all at once.

Mortimer didn’t come running, but his noises got louder. Then a distinct growl. A warning.

At the bottom of the steps, she rounded the corner and saw him over by the fence, the rickety one. Poised, her black wolf, had found something he didn’t like.

“Mortimer. Get to me. Now!”

The black wolf turned and barked, but then whined and complied, trotting to his master.

A blast of cold air slapped her in the face. She stood frozen, waiting. Mortimer at her side, ready to defend. It was happening now. The last one had found her.

A vermin-riddled four-legged mutt of a critter stood on its hind legs at the fence. With a low guttural howl, the creature strained and morphed into a woman. A beastly sort, with wild yellow eyes and a few graying teeth. A greenish stench cloud surrounded her, “Kalliroi.”

“Aurello.” Kalliroi said with a curt nod. “You’re not welcome here,”

But the woman lifted the latch on the gate and sauntered into the yard.

Mortimer growled.

“That thing going to attack?”

“If he has to,” Kalliroi folded her arms and stood taller. Her reddish curls danced in the stormy air.

“Now what can I do for you? Why have you invaded my exile? Uninvited?”

“Three sisters have come before me to find you, yet none of them have returned. Tell me, have any of them found you?” The yellow-eyed woman asked.

“Sisters of yours, have come looking of for me? Well goodness. Whatever for?” Kalliroi replied avoiding the real question.

“They thought you might be interested in helping us,” Aurello said. Her eyes intent.

“Helping you? Oh no. Remember I am forbidden to help either side, the youngest or the oldest. Do not come here and attempt to sway me.” Kalliroi said. The corner of her mouth twitched. “I know the consequences.”

“Some of the most horrific consequences,” Aurello gave a terrifying gray grin.

“Indeed.” Kalliroi’s jaw clenched.

“Now tell me, have my… our…sisters been to visit you recently?”

“Look Aurello, do not waltz in here under the impression that because we share a wicked witch of a mother, we are sisters.” Kalliroi voice icy and her eyes hard, as she stepped forward. Soon her mouth was only inches from Aurello’s ear. Her words hushed, “Now, is there anything else?

“There are other ways to persuade you, to see things our way. I must take you take you with me, I’m afraid.”

“I’d like to see you try,” Kalliroi gave the tiniest nod.

Mortimer bared his teeth and his body echoed a threat.

“With a flip of my wrist, I’ll snap that beast’s neck in half.”

“Maybe,” She said. Patting her wolf, he whined in protest, but stood down. “What about them?”

The women looked around and sets of eyes appeared around the cabin, surrounding them. A collective growl warned.  

Before Aurello could raise a hand in any direction, a large gray wolf lunged from the bush, grabbing her by the throat and pinning her on the ground. Her bulging eyes asked a million silent questions.

“Mortimer’s not my only pet. I’m more of a pack animal.” Kalliroi said with a light smirk, as she kneeled next to her trespasser.

“The ones before me?” Aurello choked.

“Yes. They came. All of them.”

“And?”

“And I killed them. I had no choice. They came for me, and I can’t do what you want. I won’t. I will protect what is mine.” Kalliroi whispered staring at every inch of Aurello’s face. “It’s never a good idea to mess with a 7^th daughter. You should know that.”

“You look like her.” Aurello spat.

“Who?” Kalliroi’s eyes widened, caught off guard.

“Our mother.” The witch softened. “You have her eyes.”

The storm around them stilled. There was a connection. They shared blood, but it wasn’t enough to give up her true loved ones. Kalliroi kneeled next to the pinned woman and pointed the tip of the blade at her heart, slanted just to the right.

“Take a message to the hells for me.” Kalliroi whispered as she pushed the blade, “There is no way. In any realm. That I will let mother kill any more of my daughters. If that means I have to kill everyone one of hers, I will. You make four.”

As the athame punctured the witch’s heart, Kalliroi’s eyes rolled back in her head. The vision. The one she needed. Loud and clear, she saw it. The diamond, glinting in the moonlight, hidden in plain sight. On a mountain top, only a realm or two away.

When the vision ended, Kalliroi snapped her fingers. A tempest swooped in, picked up the yellow-eyed woman and carried her away.

Then she stood and patted Mortimer, “Come on, boy. We need to get to the Looking Glass. Those at home need to know about the mountain and the last gemstone. It’s the only way to save Giselle. My sweet 7^th daughter.”