The Yew Stone

Vivid dreams haunted me. Within a vast, bleak realm, a single stone among countless others called out from across the void. So irresistibly compelling was the song. Otherwise, a nondescript, rounded gray rock, a carved rune shimmered with intense magic energy.

But I recognized the rune from my studies — the Eihwaz, one of the Elder Futhark Runes used by ancient Germanic tribes. A simple design, it was a single vertical line with angled branches at both ends. The Eihwaz might represent many things — balance, enlightenment, gateway, or death.

Why would a magic-infused object call to me, the holder of anti-magic?

But most disturbing were the visions of my mother. Eyes closed, she laid on a rock bench, arms crossed on her chest and long black hair splayed beneath. My memories of her were vague, since she disappeared when I was young, yet shrouded in love. She was a dark witch of considerable power, my father had told me. Beneath his sparkling green eyes, he still grieved for her as much as I did.

Somehow, the dreams were related.

Retrieving my mother's amethyst pendant from a wooden box, I fastened the silver chain around my neck. At once, a warmth flowed through me, and I sensed her life aura. Then the stone flashed into my mind.

I have to find it. But I will need help.

Dante, the handsome man who danced Zydeco with me, answered my call. Appearing in a puff of smoke within my apartment, he bent to kiss my hand. "How may I be of assistance, my dear Stori?"

"I need to find a particular stone," I answered. "One marked with the Eihwaz rune."

His dark eyebrows jumped. "The Yew Stone? Much sought, it is. By rumor, its power unlocks the gates to the Underworld, allowing free passage. Why do you seek it?"

"Because that's where my mother is." I stepped closer, gazing up into earnest dark eyes. "The stone calls me. Will you help me retrieve it?"

*****

Because of the anti-magic Null living within me, I could not perform even the simplest spells, certainly not teleportation. But I had a keen magic-sense, enabling me to detect and track magic to its source like a bloodhound. After we dressed for a wilderness adventure, including cargo-pants, sturdy boots, and backpacks filled with supplies, Dante snapped us to the unnamed realm I described.

This place was as desolate as my dreams, and devoid of life, composed of only rocky hills and dusty brown skies. Chilled winds swirled dark hair across my face, inducing me to tie it back into a ragged ponytail.

"A dreary place," I remarked.

"And dangerous," Dante cautioned. "No favor have I done to bring you here."

I closed my eyes and invoked my magic-sense. A brilliant white point appeared in the distance, as if a shining star. "Care for an afternoon hike?" I asked, grinning.

"Lead the way," he responded with a sweeping gesture and boyish, dimpled smile.

We trudged for hours across a Mars-like terrain, but fortunately with a breathable atmosphere. But the desiccant air sucked moisture from our bodies, requiring frequent water breaks until our bottles neared empty. The land trembled periodically, as if offended, sending rocks tumbling down the slopes and kicking up dust. The wind increased to a gusty gale, pelting us with fine blown grit.

"This world seems to despise our presence," Dante shouted over the wind.

"We are not far," I replied, my gut prickling. I tried not to convey my inner tension, triggered by the dark malevolent energy of this place. As if to confirm my feelings, the ground shook again. Nearly toppling, I reached out to Dante to steady myself, finding myself gripping his arms. I paused for a moment as warmth flushed my cheeks and gazed up into deep, dark eyes. But this was not the place for any kind of romantic gesture. "Let's go. The faster we get out of here, the better."

Finally, we came to a tumbled pile of gray rocks beneath a towering granite cliff. "It's here, somewhere," I announced.

"But which one?" he said, narrowing his eyes. "So many..."

There were countless thousands of piled stones, but what better place to hide a single magic stone? "Hmm..." I crawled over the pile, peering down with my magic-sense. Rough edges poked my hands and knees.

"Here, buried below!" I announced, coming to a rest above an object glowing within my mind. Beginning an arduous task, I dug down, pushing rocks aside.

"My dear, Stori," Dante huffed, hands on his hips. "No need to toil thus. Please allow me."

As I backed off, dark-blue treads of magic swirled from his lifted hands, arcing to the dig site. One by one, the stones rose to be casually tossed away. But another rumbling quake interrupted his work and teetered me. These were becoming annoyingly more frequent.

"Stori, watch out!" Dante yelled.

Tendrils of his blue magic wrapped around my waist like a lasso, and I grunted as he yanked. I ended up within his arms just as a fallen boulder pounded the place I once stood, then rolled away.

I sucked in a breath as my body tingled. "Sure glad I brought you along, Dante."

He drew me closer and put on his characteristic warm smile with a touch of bad-boy charm. "Believe me, the pleasure is mine."

Despite my warming cheeks, I pulled out of his embrace. "Let's find the stone and get out of here."

After Dante cleared another layer of rocks, I peered down into the six-foot excavation. "There it is!" The glowing rune looked up at me.

With his help, I scrambled down and snatched up the hand sized Yew Stone. Sparks crawled up my arm. So close to such potent magic, the Null within me woke and growled. 'Easy, now,' I urged it.

As I grasped Dante's hand to climb out, another quake hit, this one more powerful. I lost my footing in the rolling jolts, but he held firm. With thunderous cracks, a rock slab directly above separated from the cliff face.

"Dante!" I screamed as it plummeted toward us.

Then darkness, falling.

I grunted as we landed in a heap — in my bedroom, on my bed. Me, wrapped in his arms... The Yew Stone bounced to the floor.

Breathing deeply to still a racing heart, I stood and brushed dust from my clothes on to my just cleaned floor. "Dante, I am in your debt."

"That being the case," he said, grasping my hand, "care to join me for a candlelight dinner and, perhaps, a moonlight dance?"

I smirked. "Are your intentions honorable, sir?"

Dante placed a wispy kiss on my fingers, sending tiny sparks up my arm. "Not entirely..."