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  “Leave that be.” I collected a variety of vials to consume. Uncorking the first vial, I dashed it down, and winced at the bitterness.

  The detective plucked it from my fingers and took a sniff making a face. “Whoa! That’s awful!”

  I snatched it back and carefully placed it in a nearby water-filled tub to be washed. “And what exactly did you expect a transformation potion to taste like?” I returned to the spell chamber opening and consuming the contents of other vials one by one, then added them to the tub.

  “So, the pills are one time only spells. What about the stuff you downed like cheap tequila shots?”

  I poured two glasses from the full decanter on the table beside my bed and handed one to the detective. When he looked skeptical, I reassured him. “It isn’t spelled, just ordinary mead.” I squelched the smile that threatened to emerge. “The duration depends on the particular potion consumed.” I sipped the mead and sighed. “The transformation one lasts seven turns.”

  “You took a lot of potions, ladybug.”

  “I usually stagger them, so they don’t all stop working at once, but I want to be in top form for the events to come.” We finished our mead.

  “Do they work on anyone?”

  “They should work on anyone...at least anyone from Ortharos, but rare is it that a spell-maker hands over her potions to another. Look, Detective Arbor. There’s no time for a potion lesson. Much needs to be done.”

  “First thing to do is stop calling me Detective Arbor, Max, is fine.” He gently took the glasses from me and placed them in the tub. I was glad his back was to me. I am sure my mouth was agape. Most men wouldn’t have been that thoughtful, and the glasses would have ended up beside the decanter. This man flusters me so.

  He turned slowly, facing me. “And I am going to call you Phrysia. An unusual, beautiful name for an unusual, beautiful woman.”

  Was he having another allergic reaction? I was thrown off by his compliments. “B--b--b--but my title is Princess--”

  He interrupted. “Or would you prefer Frizzy?”

  “No!”

  Max smiled at my hasty acceptance, and we both laughed at the horrid nickname that Jim bestowed upon me. “Really, what is it with that man and names? At least he didn’t dub me something worse. I guess I can count myself lucky. It doesn’t take a lot for a name to stick around here,” I complained, rolling my eyes.

  “That bad here, huh? Must be like the small-town thing back on Earth. Nothing to do, so people talk.” He winked at me, and I felt an unfamiliar flutter in my stomach.

  I sighed, remembering. “At the Temple of Enlightenment, when I was top of my class and my skills surpassed all others, I grew bold and I thought to make a potion to turn my skin the peachy color so preferred by my people. Instead of peachy skin, pink spots covered my body for three months until the potion expired. For a decade, my classmates called me Princess P.” I grimaced at the memory, as Max tried to stifle a laugh.

  He chortled and fell back against the stone wall. “Why Princess P?”

  “Princess Polka Dot,” I begrudgingly admitted, then smiled. “Though after the first year, no one remembered the polka dot, and they shortened it to Princess P.”

  His infectious laughter enticed me, so I couldn’t help but join in. Looking back, I guess it was rather funny. Max startled me to silence, when he reached out and took my hand in his then ran his fingers over mine. My heart leapt in my chest and I looked away. I wasn’t sure how to handle an emotion known as empathy. No one had ever felt for me or my hardships before. My green skin kept men at bay and no one had ever called me beautiful. He pulled me close so fast that I lost my footing and fell against Max’s firm body. I immediately apologized, then looked into his eyes and realized that his intentions were to have me in his arms. I was sure of his desire as his lips lowered and hovered above mine. In his own way, he was asking if it was okay to kiss me and gave me time to resist. Worn thin with the stress of the past few days I admit, I had no power left to resist such pleasure.

  My body knew its own needs and overrode my logic. His strong hands held me tight when my legs went weak from the foreign emotions coursing through me. The aroma of his warm skin penetrated my senses, begging me to bury my face in the crook of his neck. Light, crisp hair peeked gently from the top of the black, soft shirt he wore, and I longed to see more of his golden skin. I ran a hand through his rich, black hair to test its texture. He moaned and thrust his tongue into my mouth. I faltered. This was alien to me, yet felt heavenly, and I didn’t want this moment to end.

  I locked my hand into the thick hair at the nape of his neck, and tentatively met his tongue with my own. He pressed my form firmly against him, gripped my thighs and lifted me so I could wrap my legs around his waist. I gasped at the pleasure that electrified my core, but could not follow through.

  As he turned and pressed my back to the stone then lifted my cloak, I pled for him to stop. I gasped, fumbling for his hands to release me. “We mustn’t.”

  “Why not?” he asked calmly as he released me, still standing distractingly close.

  I pushed against his chest to separate us, but this only muddled my protest. All I could think about was Max and how incredible he must look naked.

  His ragged breathing made me want to throw caution to the wind and join him on the floor of my chamber.

  “In case you suffer from memory disease, there is that small task of destroying the necromancer and saving the whole of Ortharos,” I said with a sigh of frustration.

  Then I hardened my resolve and broke away, resuming packing the remainder of potions. Placing the ones I needed carefully into the pockets of my cloak, I tried to ignore his presence.

  Chapter 35

  Mindy

  After I gave Mom and Harry the rundown on the morning’s events, including those following the Lucky Dog visit, both stared at me slack-jawed.

  “I know it’s hard to wrap your head around, but over the last few days, I have developed powers. Once I learn how to control them, they will be beneficial, however until then, I keep screwing things up. Rapunzel is stable, at the moment, but from what I saw back at ISMAT, she is a loose cannon. It seemed like her powers fizzled at Max’s, but she pulled off a really cute helmet with her hair.” I smiled at the vexing memory of me chasing her on the Huffy. If Sammy grew up to be as shallow and demanding of a teenager, I would shoot myself.

  “She’s here in the barn, you say,” Harry repeated, looking out the window. Mom shifted her weight from foot to foot, gazing at the kitchen.

  Mom’s brow wrinkled in consideration. “Maybe I should call for Winni. From what Winni has mentioned about the golden Princess Rapunzel and her green twin, I am not sure Winni or Prince Grrlec are safe.”

  “Yeah, that’s why I am in here, and she is out there. Hopefully, she remains as mentally stable as when she arrived, but I didn’t want to take any chances. I was hoping Harry might be able to help us.” Turning back to Harry, I asked, “Do you think you could arrange a meeting with the ISMAT council, so they can see Rapunzel in her subdued state and reconsider the information you have gathered about ORBs? I know you have been an advocate for peaceful restraint of ORBs until we can stabilize their dementia. Rapunzel is proof. Her mental state improves as each hour passes.”

  He nodded and patted my shoulder. “This is most interesting, and I will see what I can do. First, let’s secure Winnalea and the prince so there are no ill consequences to report at the council meeting.”

  We followed Mom to the kitchen, but Winnalea was nowhere to be found. Instead, we encountered a skeletal figure in the pantry. Its hands flickered as its knees rose and fell to no avail. It was seemingly alive, but, like a puppet whose strings had been clipped, abruptly, the skeleton clattered to the floor and ceased to move.

  Mom stated the obvious, “Winni’s disappeared.”

  “What in the blazes?” Harry’s tone was hushed.

  “Impossible--the necromancer is alive,” Rapunzel exclai
med over my shoulder as we huddled, looking into the pantry.

  “’Punzel! You promised to stay in the barn!” I scolded.

  “Yes, but you didn’t mention spiders. And a big, black hairy one was crawling on my bench. I wasn’t sitting there waiting to be eaten,” she exclaimed aghast.

  “A spider cannot eat you,” I explained.

  “Well, the ones on Ortharos most certainly will and, by the time it finishes, you will look very much like this skeleton.” She pointed at the still figure on the floor, reprimanding me for my lack of good sense.

  “Hmmm,” I contemplated. “Well, since you are here, this is my mom, and Harry. I told you he has studied the people arriving from your world to ours. He will try to help us, so please behave,” I admonished. “No lighting anyone or anything on fire, please,” I cajoled.

  Rapunzel sniffed with offense. “My fire power has diminished entirely, and I seem to be stuck here like this.” She waved her hand down at her long, green, velvet robe embroidered in gold thread and sparkling, iridescence filament. Her jewels were the clearest emeralds and diamonds. It was a wonder she could stand from the weight.

  At least she wasn’t stuck in that ridiculous version of me.

  I sighed with relief. “Thank heavens.”

  Now the prince would be safe, and I would have an easier time convincing the council. Rapunzel’s pride deflated, and tears formed in her eyes. I felt a little sorry for her. She was a princess, evil or not. She no longer had powers and was normal, with no defenses in a strange place. It had to be hard.

  “If you fear my small fire play, pray you don’t meet the necromancer, Liotte, creator of the living dead in your pantry. You have never met such a force of power. Of that, I am sure.”

  The feeble skeleton stirred again. Rapunzel eeped. “Something more than an animated corpse,” she whispered.

  Harry walked around the skeleton and squatted to get a closer look. “What is this exactly?

  Rapunzel studied the form. “This is the culmination of Liotte’s secret life work. He has succeeded.”

  Smart enough to be afraid if Rapunzel was afraid, I had to ask, “What was his life’s work?”

  “I hunger and thirst. If you want answers, at least provide for my needs.” Rapunzel pouted, which was apparently the go-to expression for her.

  “Winni could fix you up, but she isn’t here, however there’s leftover potato chips.” Harry brought the bag to the table and poured the remains into a bowl.

  Rapunzel hogged the Lay’s. “Hey! I’m hungry too,” I complained when she moved the chips out of reach. I went to the sink to get a glass of water. On my way to sit at the counter, I stopped behind ’Punzel, tapped her left shoulder, then darted to her right and grabbed the bowl.

  “I am a princess and you do not treat me with the reverence you should,” Miss Indignant said.

  “News flash--not on Ortharos anymore and not a princess here, so stop pouting!”

  Harry, who has more experience than I, stood and gave a deep bow. “Princess Rapunzel, we beg your forgiveness. Normally royalty is received differently. We have great need of your expertise. Magic is non-existent here and this...” He waved a hand toward the corpse. “We have no experience with.”

  The skeleton edged toward the door, flopped over, and rolled to a stop.

  Rapunzel smiled. “You are forgiven,” she proclaimed. When I snorted, she turned to me. “You...grudgingly.” Rapunzel cleared her throat. “Blinks have occurred since time as we remember it. The necromancer wanted to use energy from your world to retrieve a soul damned to hell, a demon, and imprison its life force into an animated corpse. I believe that is what we currently observe.”

  Harry clasped his hands together in excitement. “A demon? They exist too?”

  “Are you so naïve?” Rapunzel asked.

  I watched as the skeleton inched forward. “The more important question is what do we do with it?”

  ’Punzel sniffed. “Well, with my powers, I could incinerate it.”

  The skeleton rolled once more and hitched up against a flower pot. Its arm flipped up and into the soil. The bones glowed as the corpse rose to its feet. Much like a robot, the neck creaked as the head inched around in full circle. The vertebrae must have broken in the pantry. Its hands clamped onto its skull to straighten the awkward position. Awestruck, we stared at the thing while ’Punzel grabbed the broom from the corner of the room and stood at the ready, holding her weapon as if it was a grand sword.

  “Wake up, you morons! Do you want the flesh eaten off you? It may be slow now, but it will pick up speed, and then we will join the land of the dead. We need fire, and we need it quick!”

  I pulled out my revolver from the holster attached to my right calf and leveled three shots into its skull. It pulsed backward as each bullet chipped away bone. I stood speechless, as the bones crept toward me.

  “Run!” ’Punzel yelled.

  The prince chose this moment to enter the kitchen. He pointed to Rapunzel and wailed as if she were the flesh-eating beast to be feared. I held my hands up and approached him. In my rush, I bumped the chip bowl and sent it flying. When it crashed on the floor, he screamed, but I latched onto him before he ran from the room and pulled him toward the front door.

  “Prince Grrrr.” His name escaped me so I merely growled. “Run outside! We need to get away from the bones!” My panicked voice squealed.

  “Princess! Bad!” he informed me with great terror. “I protect you.” He pushed me behind him.

  I grabbed at his bicep and dragged him while I explained, “Oh no! You see, Princess has no powers on earth. Run from the bones. Follow Mom and Harry.” Only ’Punzel remained inside, and I wondered what we could do to help her. A not-so-nice part of me would be relieved if she was eaten and Sam or Jim popped back in her place, but I knew the likelihood was slim. Thanks to the Blink’s erratic behavior, I would only have this zombie to show the council. I looked at the barn and, without further delay, I ran in to see if there was anything flammable like gasoline or hay.

  Shelves ranged against two of the barn walls with neatly arranged tools, handyman supplies and gardening equipment. Two covered cars took up the majority of the space. Carpentry must be a hobby of Harry’s. A lathe stood in the corner with various pieces of furniture in different stages of completion. A large grill was in one corner with charcoal scattered along its metal bottom and yes, lighter fluid next to a box of long matches. Harry ran in followed by Mom, who was towing the Cyclops boy.

  “Stay here. I’m going back to help ’Punzel.” I grabbed the fluid and matches, ran across the yard and back into the house.

  “Take that,” Rapunzel yelled. I heard the sound of the broom thumping, a crash then a squeal followed.

  “I’m coming, ’Punzel,” I screamed as I ran into the kitchen.

  Rapunzel had the skeleton trapped behind the table. She managed to break three ribs, many fingers and the right tibia.

  “I’ve got fire! Hold out the end of the broom.”

  Rapunzel gave the table a hard push. The skeleton lost its footing and, while it scrambled, she held out the bristly end. My hand shook as I doused it and the floor with lighter fluid. While opening the matchbox, I fumbled losing a handful of matches, but finally I got one out and struck it hard. The head snapped and landed on the table.

  Rapunzel yelled as the skeleton’s fingers scraped the table trying to gain purchase. “Hurry!”

  “Crap, crap, crap!” I shook another match out.

  “No time for crap! We need fire now!” Rapunzel yelled, heaving the table forward once more. I struck the second match which ignited with a fizz and touched the fire to the bristles. With a whoosh, it burst into flames. We turned to the skeleton, but it was no longer trapped. Rapunzel and I shared identical expressions of perplexity.

  “Where did it...” I began, then shrieked when something grabbed my foot and yanked. “Oof!” I landed hard on my backside and sat up. The skeleton’s jaws were clacking open a
nd shut. It was trying to pull my foot into its mouth. I screamed in earnest and kicked frantically with my free leg. Rapunzel swiftly knelt and thrust the flaming end of the broom at the skeleton. It released my foot and keened in such a high-pitched voice that I longed to cover my ears. I scrambled back as fast as I could. Rapunzel poked at the skeleton again as it rolled and curled up, trying to escape, but there was nowhere to go.

  I pulled on ’Punzel’s arm. “It isn’t hot enough for cremation, but hopefully that will slow it down and buy us some time. Come on!”

  “It doesn’t need to burn to ashes. Fire cleanses. The demon will soon return to the Hell from which it came.”

  The skeleton let out one more earth-shattering screech and then stopped moving. I sat on the floor and leaned my back against the kitchen cabinet. ’Punzel joined me.

  I stared at her for a moment, and then said, “I can’t believe you said no time for crap.”

  ‘Punzel shrugged. “Well, there was not. But you can go now if you need to,” she urged.

  I watched her lip quiver with suppressed mirth, and then she gave in to a burst of laughter. I joined her. Mom, Harry, and the prince stood at the doorway, looking at us like we had just lost our collective minds.

  Chapter 36

  The Brownie

  I would like to say I was nae scared of such a thing as Himself, but my knees right near knocked themselves black and blue, they did. Unceremoniously thrown over a saddle, I hung upside down, because Liotte did not have the ability to transport magically and was reduced to normal means of transportation. I could transport, but only enough to bedevil him. If I took the route to show up just out of his grasp a couple times, he would surely turn me into one of his flesh-eating dead. I must bide my time and save my powers for when they might save me.

  I winced as the horse broke into a light trot. The saddle horn dug into my wee ribs, bringing tears to me eyes. The newly-made living dead moved across the valley. Most traveled on foot, except for the few, more sprightly elders whose limbs darted like lightning. They advanced amongst large, black war horses. Withered, dead skin clung to their creaking bones and the green light of their energy source glowed in their eye sockets. This light, their pseudo-soul--so to speak, I had seen before when releasing Princess Rapunzel.