Magical Journeys: The Dark Realm: Magical Journeys, #1

By Terri J. Taber

Have you ever wondered where the elves, fairies and other mythical creatures went after the fall of King Arthur? What if you found out that some of them lived among us... That you might even be one? That is what Melissa Star had always wondered. Melissa moved to the small town of Ely, Nevada to live with her step-father and on her first day at her new school she meets an enchanting young man named Jason Marks. Jason takes her to a magical planet filled with the creatures of Myth and she discovers that she is a descendant of Arthur Pendragon and she must defend the planet from an evil warlord bent on controlling her and everything around her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Terri J. Taber
• Release date: Feb 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386761655

Book preview

Magical Journeys:

The Dark Realm

TERRI J. TABER

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011 Terri Taber

Cover Artwork By: Leah Keeler

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Artwork By: Kai Pejcha

One

YOU DON’T REALLY HAVE to drop us off at the front of the school. A young girl said as she sat in the passenger seat of her mother’s squad car while her best friend sat in the back.

Your school is on the way to the station. The girl’s mother said. Besides I wanted to see you off to your first day of your senior year.

Exactly, Senior year. The girl said. I should be driving myself to school, not getting a ride in my mother’s police cruiser. I’ll bet you anything that Alicia isn’t comfortable sitting in the seat where the criminals are kept.

Is that true, Alicia? the young girl’s mother asked her daughter’s best friend in the back seat.

I’m fine, Officer Star. Alicia smiled from the back seat. Melissa is just worried about her image because she wants to be prom queen this year.

I’ve told you time and again, Melissina, that popularity isn’t everything. Melissa’s mother said. You should be focusing on your grades.

I was top of the class last year. Melissa said.

I know. Officer Star said as she parked a little ways from the school and turned to look at her daughter. You know I only pressure you about your grades because I love you right?

.I know, mother. Melissa smiled. I love you too.

Officer Star leaned over and kissed her daughter on her forehead gently before pushing Melissa’s purple and black hair behind her naturally pointed ears. I have to work a double shift tonight so you’ll have to find another way home tonight.

I’m sure one of Alicia’s cousins can bring us home. Melissa said. I have cheerleading tryouts anyways.

I forgot about that. The mother said as she squeezed her daughter’s hand. No matter what happens today, everything will be ok.

Melissa frowned at that for a moment before shaking her head. Have a good day at work, be safe.

I will, Melissina, the Goddess is with me. The mother smiled softly as she tucked her black and purple hair under her hat. It was something that was common in the family according to her mother but the medical condition the doctors has used to explain was named after Melissa as if the doctors had never seen it in a child before. They used that condition to explain her pointed ears and her inability to eat animal flesh, any animal flesh.

And the Goddess is with me. Melissa replied to her mother before opening the door an getting out of the cruiser and opening the back door for Alicia.

Thanks for the ride, Officer Star. Alicia said.

Not a problem, Alicia. The mother said. And please, Call me Vivian.

Bye, Mom. Melissa smiled before pulling Alicia toward the school.

Vivian waved before starting to drive away and turning on her police radio. Melissa waited until she couldn’t hear the radio anymore before going into the school.

It was around noon when Melissa started to feel like something was off. She had excused herself from her friends in the lunch room to use the little girl’s room when a man with green streaks in his brow hair rushed up to her. She had never seen him before but he seemed to know her and he seemed like he was familiar to her as well but she couldn’t remember where from.

You have to listen to me, He said urgently. Do not walk home tonight and call your mother to tell her that she shouldn’t go on patrol in Sun Valley tonight. You have to do this!

Excuse me? Melissa frowned. Who are you and how do you know my mom is a cop?

Trust me. He said, his brownish orange eyes sparkling with worry.

I’ll see you again. He said before bolting towards the edge of school grounds with two school police officers right on his tail before the intercom went off.

All students report to designated code yellow locations. Mr. Greggory, the vice principal, said over the intercom.

Melissa headed back towards lunch room, the closest code yellow zone, and her need for the bathroom forgotten. As soon as she sat down next to Alicia her best friend put a calming hand on her leg.

You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Alicia commented.

I’ll explain when the code yellow is lifted. Melissa said weakly.

Uh-oh. Alicia frowned before continuing in Spanish, knowing full well their other friends didn’t know how to speak Spanish. That bad?

I just don’t want to be questioned by the school police and have my mom dragged into this. Melissa replied.

Why? Alicia asked. What’s going on, boo?

I think I met the cause of the code yellow. Melissa said softly. He stopped me as I was heading to the bathroom.

What did he stop you for? Alicia asked.

He warned me about walking home and said my mom shouldn’t go patrolling in Sun Valley. Melissa whispered quickly as Sargent Blummer of the JROTC class walked by.

That’s so weird. Alicia said.

Did you talk to Marco about giving us a ride after tryouts? Melissa asked, changing the subject when Blummer started to linger.

He said he can take us as far as downtown. Alicia said. He has to work at the Circus Circus Midway tonight. We will have to take the bus up to Sun Valley from there.

Melissa heaved a sigh as she looked over at the cafeteria entrance, wondering if that strange man had managed to escape the school police.

Getting off the number five bus, Melissa sighed as she looked up the mile long hill they had to walk in order to get to their houses on Thorn Berry ct.

At least it’s not stifling hot right now. Alicia said.

There is that. Melissa smiled as they started to walk towards their houses. They had barely made it up the hill a block when Melissa’s mother’s cruiser pulled up in front of them.

Mom? Melissa frowned when her mother got out, her uniform ruffled and her hat askew. What’s going on?

Get in the cruiser, both of you. Vivian said urgently as she came around her car to their said of the car.

Mom, what’s going on? Melissa said before there were several cracks around them and all of a sudden they were surrounded by shadowy figures. The next thing Melissa knew she and Alicia were pushed behind her mother and her mother pulled out her police side arm.

Everything happened so fast, there was a flash of light, followed by a gun shot and then the shadowy figures were gone and Melissa’s mother was on the ground, bleeding from more wounds than was possible from one gun shot.

Mom! Melissa screamed as she knelt down beside her mom. Alicia! There’s a first aid kit underneath the passenger seat in the cruiser.... Mom stay with me.

Melissa made sure Alicia was moving before grabbing her mother’s radio off of her shoulder. 10-00, I repeat, I have a 10-00 on the corner of 5th and Yukon in Sun Valley.

What’s your call sign? The dispatcher said back.

I don’t have a call sign, I am the officer’s daughter, we were ambushed. We need help, she’s bleeding badly. Melissa said frantically. Please.

Calm down, Officers and Remsa is on the way. The dispatcher said.

Alicia brought over the first aid case and Melissa opened it quickly and pulled out a wad of gauze and applied it to the biggest wound in her stomach and put pressure on it, just as her step father had taught her. Stay with me, Mother.

It’s my time, my daughter. Vivian said in the secret language she had taught her daughter. I have to go with the Goddess now.

No, mom, don’t talk like that... Please. Melissa begged.

Always trust in the Goddess, Melissina. Vivian whispered as she reached up and cupped her daughter’s cheek.

Melissa bit her lip as her mother’s hand fell from her face and her eyes slowly closed as the other officers and the paramedics arrived. Melissa numbly let Alicia pull her away from her mother to give the paramedics room to check on Vivian.

I will always trust.... Melissa whispered in the strange language. I will always trust in the goddess....

Melissa had lost track of how long she had been in the police station and now many times she had given her statement to cops who didn’t believe her story of shadowy figures and flashes of light. She was falling asleep with her head on the interrogation room table and didn’t even move when the door opened to admit someone. She nearly jumped when a pair of strong hands took hers. She looked up and almost cried with relief when she saw her step father standing there.

Glen... She said weakly. You’re here from Ely already?

Mel bell you’ve been in here a long time. Glen said softly.

Why are they letting you see me?

They aren’t charging you and Alicia with anything. They have no evidence and your stories match to the letter.

Are they going to find the men who really did this?

Without a description of your attackers there is nothing really to go on. Glen said softly.

Oh... Melissa whispered.

I’m sorry, Mel bell. Glen whispered.

So what’s going to happen to me? Am I going to live with Alicia’s family?

No... Glen said not meeting his step daughter’s eyes. Your mom made me your guardian in the event of her death... You’re moving to Ely with me.

I can’t move to Ely, I can’t leave Alicia, we are in our senior year of high school. We are supposed to graduate together. Melissa said.

I’m sorry but it is your mother’s wishes. Glen said as he squeezed Melissa’s hand. Everything will work out.

Melissa nodded as tears filled her eyes as she thought about her mom.

Let’s get you to the house. Glen said softly. Sargent Parrettii gave me your mother’s keys.

Melissa nodded as she slowly rose to her feet on shaky legs before following Glen out the door into the main part of the station.

That is where she saw him again. The young man who had warned her about what would happen. She started to move towards him but some officers were pulling a couple of perps in between her and the man and by the time they had cleared the way he was gone.

It had taken Melissa a couple of days to go through her things and decided what she wanted to keep and what could be donated even with Alicia’s help. In fact, Alicia’s help might have slowed down the process because they would stop when they found something from their child hood together and reminisce.

When they final box was packed and everything was loaded into the moving truck Melissa didn’t feel ready to say goodbye to her childhood home or her childhood friend.

Alicia saved her the trouble, she threw her arms around Melissa and pulled her into a strong hug. You don’t have to say anything, Boo. She whispered through tears. I’ll email you every day, and you have to come visit in the summer.

You know I will. Melissa smiled. We have to do our yearly Rein faire trip. Melissa smiled.

Damn straight. Alicia smiled as she pulled away. Be safe.

Aren’t I always?

Alicia chuckled at that. Call me when you get there.

Of course.

Come on Melissa, it’s time to go. Glen said softly.

Melissa nodded as she threw her backpack over her shoulder and headed towards Glen’s jeep.

Two

MELISSA LOOKED OUT the window of her stepfather’s Jeep and sighed as the Nevada landscape passed in a blur. The moving van full of her things followed behind them, almost like how a hearse follows a police escort. She didn't want to move from the fair city of Reno, Nevada, but she had no choice.

Her stepfather was a doctor at the hospital in a small town called Ely, Nevada, the capitol of White Pine County, and she didn't like that she had to move there with him. She had always loved the city life and now it was gone. She had never gone to visit her stepfather in Ely, before and now she was going to live with him. It was going to be hell on Earth.

You'll love this place, Mel Bell. Her stepfather said. I grew up here, the people are very friendly.

Melissa looked at her stepfather and noticed for the first time that week how sad he was looking. His short black hair was unkempt and looked oily and unwashed, his brown eyes reflected a deep sadness that Melissa felt that he shouldn't feel. He was the one who left them. Melissa felt anger towards him because he thought he had a right to be sad over her mother’s death.

Glen, will you please not call me that? Melissa said, rolling her eyes as she put on her headphones.

Oh, I forgot you’re what, sixteen now?

Seventeen. Melissa grumbled. Just because you forgot my birthday doesn't mean it didn't happen.

Mel, I am sorry.

Glen, I’m only here because Mom was killed by a bunch of gang members. Melissa said. I would have preferred to stay with Alicia’s family in Reno, but you had to come waltzing back into my life and whisk me away to this small little town in the middle of nowhere.

Mel...

Just don’t talk to me till I graduate.

If that is what you want...

Yes, it is what I want. Melissa whispered, as she continued to stare out of the car window.

Alright then... Glen said. But can I ask you one thing, though?

You’re going to ask it anyways, so I guess you better go ahead. Melissa said, as she looked at the desert landscape outside the car.

Why didn't you tell the cops about what happened to your mother?

What do you mean? Melissa said. Like I told the cops. She pulled out in front of us looking scared then some men surrounded us from out of nowhere and there was a flash of light and the sound of a gun shot and when I looked up the men were gone and mom was on the ground.

You’re sticking to that then?

What is there to stick to? Melissa asked. It's the truth.

Mel...

Just don’t talk to me alright?

Alright... Glen replied, with a frown as he drove the car.

Melissa rolled her eyes as she stared out at the Nevada desert landscape as it passed by the car. As the sagebrush and rocky desert landscape passed by the car, Melissa couldn't help but feel as if her whole life was ending. How could her mother leave her when she needed her the most? Things were changing in Melissa, she had a secret and now no one would understand what was going on with her.

The rest of the ride to Ely was quiet; neither said a word to the other. When Glen pulled the car up in front of the big grey house on the corner of Park Avenue and 10th Street, Melissa couldn't believe her eyes. It was the most beautiful house she had ever seen, with two stories and an attic. It was certainly an older house. It was an old Victorian house with white trim and a back balcony coming up off the second floor. It reminded Melissa of something out of a fairy tale, there were trees all around the edge of the property which made it look like it was in the middle of a forest.

Like it? Glen finally asked, after they had stood there for a few minutes.

Can I have the attic?

If you want it? Glen said, with a soft smile as he opened the door to the house.

Melissa almost recoiled at the ugly orange-red shag carpeting on the first floor and up the stairs.

It’s hideous. Melissa said, with disgust in her voice.

Don’t worry; it’s going to be removed. Glen smiled. There are lovely hardwood floors underneath.

Melissa just nodded and found her way to the stairs and up to the attic. There were two rooms in the attic, one had a nook in the wall for a desk and on a dresser on the other wall, and the other already had a bed in it and a vanity with a mirror on the other side of the room. It was almost as if the place was built for her.

Like it? Glen asked, from behind her. I've been renovating it especially for you.

You almost sound like you knew mom was going to be killed and you would get me. Melissa barked, as she turned around and narrowed her eyes at him.

With your mother’s line of work there was always a possibility. Glen shrugged. Plus there was a possibility that you would come here to visit.

Mom was a great cop.

Maybe but she didn't know when to call for back up. Glen said, as he walked over to the window. In the end it was her undoing.

She was protecting me and Alicia. Melissa said.

Her Captain told her to take her partner with her and she didn’t. Glen explained. She took an unnecessary risk.

Melissa turned away and fought back tears. Is there internet? She managed to get out without crying.

There is a CAT five jack by your desk. Glen said. I wouldn't want to deprive you of Alicia and the others. You need a cord?

Got one. Melissa whispered, as she set her laptop bag down on the desk.

Cheer up, Mel you'll start making new friends tomorrow when you start school.

In this little, Podunk town, I doubt it. Melissa growled, before going over to the bed and lying down.

Night, sweetheart.

Whatever. Melissa said before going to her desk and setting up her computer. It took her a few minutes to set up the network on her laptop before she could access the internet. In her email she had about ten messages from her best friend, Alicia, wondering if she had gotten there ok. Melissa opened a new message and sent Alicia a quick email.

Cia,

Glen came and got me this morning before school and moved me to the middle of nowhere. Apparently mom granted him custody in the event of her death. I'll email you tomorrow when I am less tired and done packing.

Don’t worry about me; I am fine... for now.

Mel

Melissa shut down her computer and went to the part of the attic that held the bed, wishing that graduation would come early so that she could hurry up and get out of this small little Podunk town.

The next morning Melissa woke up with a start, like from a bad dream, but she couldn't quite remember it.

Mel! Glen called up the stairs. You’re going to be late for your first day of school!

Melissa groaned and pulled the covers off and turned on her light. Her eyes focused and she saw a small blue box lying next to her bed which she reached out, but caught sight of the clock first and cursed. She was going to be late like Glen said.

She got out of bed, pulled on her favorite jeans and shirt, and ran a comb through her black and purple hair and before bolting downstairs.

When she reached the kitchen she was amazed at how great it looked. I had all black marble counter tops and polished cheery wood cabinets and marble black and white floors. She didn't have time to take it in because as Glen had said, she was running late.

You’re not that late, the high school is just down the street. Glen said, with a soft smile. Breakfast?

No time. Melissa said, as she dug through one of the boxes.

What are you looking for?

I am looking for the note from Doctor Calvin explaining my hair and ears. Melissa said, as she pushed a strand of purple behind one of her pointed ears.

It’s already in your backpack. Glen said. Now eat.

Melissa took one look at the table and her stomach turned. Meat?

Oh, I forgot the doctors in Reno say you can’t have it. Glen said, as he pulled out his wallet, Get something at the McDonald’s next to the school.

I have money. Melissa said, as she waved the money off, grabbed her keys and left the house.

As Melissa walked up to the school with her black messenger bag she thought it was the oddest looking school she had ever seen. The schools in Reno had basically looked like prisons for kids; some had even had barbed wire fences and metal detectors. This school was open and bright. The lockers were placed outside and the hallways were open to the elements. The doors to the classrooms were on the outside of the building and it looked like the eating area was outside as well. Melissa felt that she would be a perfect fit in this school as she made her way up to the school with a smile on her face.

A pair of brown gold eyes watched Melissa as she walked alone towards the school. They watched her cross the parking lot and their owner couldn't believe that he had finally found her and she was exactly as he remembered. He wondered why the ionization of the mother world did not age her like it did most of his kind when they traveled here. He decided it didn't matter, she was safe and that was all that mattered. Now his mission could be completed.

Jason Marks waited until Melissa was inside the school before following her.

When she got to school the hallways were already a buzz with her arrival.

News travels fast in small towns...  She thought bitterly, as she headed to the front office.

She gave the excuse for her hair and ears to the school nurse, and like every other school she had been to before this one, the nurse had to call Doctor Calvin to confirm her disorder. She rolled her eyes, and made her way down the hall once the office released her schedule to her.

Melissa looked around her and she loved that all the hallways and lockers were mostly outside. Reno schools were all inside with the exception of Hug High. She loved that she could get fresh air anytime of the day in this school. She took a minute to take it all in before looking at her schedule so she could find her locker and get to her first class.

Walking down the hallway, she was so engrossed in her classes that she didn't even see the locker door open until right before she collided into it.

She looked up from the ground and saw the most frustrating sight she had ever seen in her entire life. Brown hair was tussled in front of his eyes, peeking out from under a green winter hat, just barely letting the yellow-brown sparkles of his eyes shine through from behind the strands of his hair. Around his eyes there was just the faintest hint of scars, as if he had come from a rough childhood. It was the young man who had warned her about her mother’s death back in reno. Melissa looked at him for a long moment, she hadn’t realized before just how handsome he was. She couldn’t figure out if she was more attracted to him or frustrated at the sight of him

Melissa could have died right then, and not only from his gorgeous looks, but also from the fact that it was his locker she had just gone face first into, dropping all of her books on top of his feet and possibly breaking a toe or two.

I am so sorry She whispered, trying to hide her annoyance at her own clumsiness as she backed up a bit before she bent down and started to pick up her books.

She imagined him bending down right in front of her to help her finish picking up the remainder of the mess she had created, but he never did and the frustration with him was there stronger than ever.

You might want to watch where you’re going. He smiled My name is Jason. What’s yours?

M-Melissa... She whispered, as another girl walked up to them and placed a hand on Jason’s shoulder.

Melissa was so focused on picking up her books and not trying to cause too much of a scene, that she didn't even notice the change in Jason’s face when she said her name.

The girl that had joined Jason had obviously died bright red hair with blond undergrowth at her roots. She placed her hand possessively on Jason’s shoulder and had a look on her face that clearly said, don’t even try it.

Great... Of all the boys in this small town I had to find the hot one with a girlfriend... She growled to herself. Why do I always have such rotten luck?

What have you done to another poor girl, Jason? She looks like she’s run into a locker.

Melissa had a feeling of foreboding as she looked at the girl. She wasn’t the prettiest girl Melissa had seen but she wasn’t the ugliest. However, there was something in the girl’s grey eyes that told Melissa that the way she was being nice to Melissa was just an act.

Melissa couldn’t understand what she had done to merit this girl’s hatred of her and she made a mental note to keep her distance.

She...did. He smiled, She ran right into my locker.

And why aren't you helping her with her things? She smiled, as she bent down and helped Melissa pick up the last few scattered books and papers.

I didn't want to risk bumping heads. Jason smiled, More of a headache for her in the end after all. Why do you care, Dawn?

Well, I don’t want to see this poor girl getting her butt kicked by a dork like you.