Golden Tattoo

By Helle Gade, Victoria Larque and Matthew J. Stott

Tattoos can be blessing or a curse...

Join us on a journey through the world of tattoos and find out how our imaginative authors explore various scenarios and possibilities. Tattoos can be magical, they can be permanent, they can be temporary, they can be a gift from gods perhaps when one is born with a birthmark... they c

• Language: English
• Publisher: Butterdragons Publishing
• Release date: Dec 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9789493287303

Book preview

THE DEMON IN MY SKIN

Victoria Larque

He was there, suddenly

Annoying and inconvenient

Opening horizons

And telling of worlds beyond

Leaving her no options

She must help him

To be rid of him

But does she want him to leave?

Perhaps, he got under her skin

In more ways than obvious

––––––––

by Helle Gade

Chapter One

Quinn

I woke to my right wrist itching. Drowsy and tired, I scratched at it, making it worse. With a groan, I rolled around my bed and blinked. Sunlight made minute particles of dust dance right before my nose.

Wait a second... Sunlight? I ripped open my eyes and sat up, regretting it a moment later as a pounding headache zinged through my skull. Fuck, I murmured, pressing both palms to my face in order to stem the pain shooting through my temples and forehead. After a few heartbeats the headache lessened somewhat and I was able to open my eyes again and look around.

The hell? I frowned as I beheld my bedroom. Most of my clothes lay on the floor, leading from the door to the bed. My pants hung on the door handle and my panties sat atop my bedside lamp, which was odd, as I still wore my right shoe, sock included.

I looked to the left side of my bed and sighed in relief. I was alone. My arm felt leaden as I reached for my phone and blinked at the time. Groaning, I sank back down and let the phone plop onto my belly. Saturday. No work for me today. Meaning I could sleep. A good thing too, my head felt fuzzy on top of the headache and my tongue tasted like an outdated sponge. Maybe later I’d go for a run and try to beat my time.

An extensive yawn stretched my face as I snuggled into my blankets. The itch was back and I scratched it absentmindedly. Lying there, dragging my nails over the thin skin of my wrist, I tried to recollect memories from last night. It had to have been one hell of a drinking spree. I drew my brows together. I had been home, ordering a pizza, getting ready for a long night of watching my favorite show. Alone. How in the hell did I end up feeling like I had fallen into a bathtub filled with vodka?

Picking up my phone, I scrolled through my contacts until I found my best friend. I hit send and waited as the ringing tone picked up, putting my phone on speaker.

Huh? a sleepy voice rumbled through the connection.

Meg? Did I wake you? I asked.

Yup.

Sorry. I can call later.

Something rustled and there was grumbling on the other end, and it wasn’t Meg’s voice.

Shit, sorry, I said. Shoot me a message when you’re awake, I’ll call again.

No, no. Doesn’t matter. What’s up, sweetie? my best friend asked, still sounding drowsy.

Uhm... I actually just have a question. I worried my lower lip, nervous. Did we go out last night?

No... You said you wanted to spend the night watching that god-awful show you’re so hung up on. So, I went to the bar with Rita and Sal.

I didn’t come by later?

Nope. What’s this about? Are you okay, love?

I looked around my room, my eyes finally coming to rest on my sole, dressed foot. Pangs of anxiety pelted me, but I tried to keep my voice as level as possible. I’m fine. Just feel like I had a rough night. I chuckled, trying to trick myself into relaxing. But how could I, right? I stayed in. I think.

You think? What’s going on, Quinn? Meg’s voice turned worried, making me swallow at my own nervousness.

I pulled myself up into a sitting position and stuffed a pillow behind my back with one hand. I am fine. But I can’t remember anything about last night. Not past ordering my pizza and sitting down on my couch with a glass of wine.

Really? Huh. That sounds strange. Want me to come over? Another muffled string of words sounded over the line. Definitely male and sleepy.

No, no. You enjoy whomever is babbling in the background. I just thought I’d ask.

Nonsense. I’ll be over in a few, I still have time before heading to the shoot. Bye. Before I could protest further, Meg had already ended the call and I was left feeling sheepish.

I’d probably had too much wine, or I had switched to something stronger. The bottle of whisky my aunt had gifted me for my 28th birthday came to mind. Tapping my phone to my temple softly, I decided to get up and do some investigating.

With a groan, I rolled out of bed and stumbled through my bedroom, leaving my clothes where they had fallen. Slowly, I peeked into my open-plan living room and kitchen and raised a brow. It looked like a tornado had erupted in the middle of it. My couch was not in front of the TV, but had been scooted to the very back of the room, hitting the wall. Blankets and cushions lay strewn around it. My coffee table was knocked over, spilling forth books, an empty pizza box, glass shards, a wine bottle, and a myriad of other things.

Holy shit, I whispered, vanishing in my bedroom once more. Quickly, I got rid of my shoe, drew a bathrobe around me and slipped into my loafers. I exited my bedroom, propped the table back up, and began gathering the glass shards. One leg of the table was cracked and the poor thing now tilted a bit. Keeping myself busy, I tried hard not to let panic get ahold of me. What had happened? And why couldn’t I remember a thing?

Yet again, I scratched my wrist without looking, focused on a shard of glass hidden away under the coffee table. I bent down to get it, careful not to nick my skin on the sharp edges.

This is too damn weird, I told no one in particular as I set the shard down on the table, then went to slide the couch across the room and to its original place. I sank down on it and slapped my palms to my thighs. Concentrate, Quinn. I sat there, trying hard to recall my previous night. And...nothing.

I had snuggled into my cozy blankets, turned on the TV and waited for my food. Apparently, it had arrived, evident by the box now sitting on the coffee table. But I could neither remember the person who’d brought it, nor eating the entire thing. Again, panic threatened to tighten my throat, as I was unable to shake the feeling of dread creeping up on me. I did not have blackouts, not even when I was heavily drunk. I normally recalled everything. Not always good, but it was the one thing I could count on.

My doorbell rang, so I sprang from the couch and sped through my apartment. Ripping open my door, I revealed Meg, standing in the hallway, looking tired and disheveled. Even so, she was stunning, her dark curls bouncy and her tan skin smooth. She smiled, flashing me her pearly-whites with that enchanting gap between her two front teeth, before pulling me in for a hug.

What’s going on, love? Remember anything yet? she asked as we made our way into my living space.

Absolutely not. The place was a mess, I told her.

And this is different from the norm, how? She threw me a cheeky grin, making light of my usual chaos.

Well, the coffee table was knocked over, there is glass everywhere, so don’t take off your shoes, and my couch was all the way over there. I pointed at the wall opposite of the TV.

Meg frowned at my arm. Fascinating. Now onto more important matters – when did you get a tattoo? And why was I not with you when you got it?

What are you talking about? I asked, before turning over my arm to frown at my wrist. I blinked when I saw she was right. A tattoo sat on my wrist. Black. Depicting a horned figure with a tail and bat-like wings. What the hell? I gasped, running my fingers over it, on the verge of freaking out. I swallowed, feeling my heartrate pick up. Then everything stopped. The tattoo moved. The tiny horned creature seemed to turn to the side, pulling up its legs as though sleeping. I screamed, shaking my wrist like a madwoman.

Chapter Two

Beliam

A loud scream ripped me from my slumber, sounding through me and suffusing my entire body. I jerked up and went to rub my eyes, but my arms and hands felt incredibly light. With all the subtlety of an erupting volcano, I was thrown about, shaken, and rattled. Grabbing hold of anything I could find, my palms met warmth. Smooth skin was all around me.

Satan’s hairy butthole, I yelled, holding on as the shaking grew stronger. Then something brushed over me, making my hackles rise. I looked up and beheld a giantess, bearing down on me. She was the one screaming and swatting at me. I scampered away, but found my hands and feet glued to her skin somehow, so I scurried up her arm and onto her shoulder, evading her palms. Still, she screamed and smacked at me, so I retreated to her back.

Hanging in the nape of her neck, hidden by long dark-red tresses, I peered down what looked like a bathrobe. A slope of smooth, naked skin, leading all the way to a plump bottom. The bathrobe was ripped off.

Get it! It’s on my back, the giantess wailed. Another one of them emerged, gathering her hair to the side to reach me. This one started jabbing at me as well and when she struck me, I felt the wind get knocked from me as though I had been hit by an avalanche.

Stop this nonsense! I yelled.

Smack.

Refrain from the swatting immediately, giantess, or I will seek shelter between this one’s cheeks, I roared, getting ready to slide down.

Wait, Meg. Wait! the one I found myself stuck to said, turning from the swatting hands. It-he... just talked to me.

What? What the hell is this? the giantess Meg asked.

I dunno. But he said he’ll hide in my – she shuddered and goosebumps rose all around me – never mind. Just stop.

It was quiet for a moment, then the giantess addressed me directly, Hello? Tattoo-type, little man? Will you come out so we can talk? Her voice shook, telling of her fear.

I can’t believe this, Meg said, fear stark in her voice as well.

Will you cease to smack and rattle me? I asked.

Promise. Just don’t hide...you know...

I rounded her nape and slid down her shoulder and onto her arm. I still can, mind you. If you try anything. I warily watched her as she frowned, her other hand rising and shaking, before she seemed to force it down. A strange little sound escaped her, half squeak, half groan.

What are you and why are you on me? she asked.

I halted in the crook of her elbow and looked from her to her friend and back. I am Beliam, but I have no idea why I seem tied to you. I took a chance and tore my gaze from her to look down at myself. Sulfur and ash, what... This can’t be right. My body didn’t look like my body at all. It was two dimensional, as though painted to her skin. I tried pulling away, but I was stuck, embedded in her. Mother of a hellhound, I whispered.

For a second I just sat there, unable to wrap my head around what I was experiencing. This had to be a dream. Only, my kind did not dream. Then anger followed on swift feet, rolling over me like a tidal wave. It had to be magic, a curse, a spell... Something. Who would have dared to pluck me from my domain and fuse me to a giantess? And how?

Where am I? I asked.

A large, raised brow answered me, accompanied by a set of surprised gray eyes that reminded me of the ash falling from my mountain occasionally. She was stunning. Her red hair, the color of cooling lava, was dark and framed her round face perfectly. Pouty lips and a small, freckled nose rounded off her very expressive features.

In my apartment, she said, seemingly confused.

Apartment? Your lair?

What? No. My apartment. It’s in a building, in Riftain.

That tells me nothing. What plane is this?

What plane? The giantess stared at me blankly.

Plane? Does he mean like airplane, or dimension? the other one asked.

Yes, I mean dimension. What is an airplane?

My host looked at me. As in Earth, dimension?

What? I’m on Earth??? I yelled.

Of course, you are on earth, my host said. Where did you think we were?

You are...human? I asked. When I was met by a nod, ice seemed to swell in my veins as panic rose inside me. When it dawned on me that someone had, not only, snatched me from my mountain, but sent me to another plane, and painted me onto a human woman, I spilled forth a slew of curses. Earth. I could not believe it.

Chapter Three

Quinn

The tiny man – Beliam – flashed from my elbow to my wrist, and up my arm again. His tail twitched from side to side and his wings snapped open and closed. It tickled me and I tried hard not to scratch at him. He raged and shouted, threw his fists in the air and let out a slew of curses that had even me blanching. I was no stranger to swearing, but his was colorful to say the least. And it didn’t stop.

He roamed up and down my arm, leaving me helpless as I watched on, wondering what was happening to me. I swallowed continued to force my free hand to remain still. My instinct to swipe at him was strong – doubled by his tickling movements – and I did not want him to hide where I couldn’t reach him. Ugh, even thinking of what he’d said left me feeling queasy. But as minutes passed, I dealt with him traveling over my skin, getting used to the feeling of tiny feet and hands scampering around. I should panic, and yes, there was anxiety brimming my mind, but I forced it down. It wouldn’t help in this situation.

What is happening? Meg asked at my side, staring at the horned man pacing my arm. She seemed much less freaked out than me, her curious expression glued to Beliam.

I have no idea. I envied Meg’s ability to take stuff in stride. It made her easy to be around. And she always came up with the strangest things to do.

What is he saying? she asked.

I blinked at her. You can’t hear him? He is pretty loud.

Meg shook her head. Nope. I just see him stomping around on your arm, which is weird enough.

True. He thought we were giants. Also, he did not take it well that he is on Earth. I shuddered. It makes you think... where is he from if not here?

By the looks of him, who is to say? Meg shrugged. I mean, he is a tiny, horned, tattooed man. He could be from god knows where. And this could all be a dream. She sighed. I’ll wake to my nightly conquest any second now. BTW, he is fine.

You say that about all the people you hook up with, I said.

Meg smirked. Because it’s true.

You, human woman! the tiny man shouted.

I faced him, stemming the urge to swat at him again.

This situation is unacceptable. Beliam stomped his foot and his tiny wings flapped open. It felt like a brush of wind. We will remedy it posthaste. Do you know any witches, warlocks, or wizards?

I gawked, unsure whether I had heard him right. Witches? I don’t know any witches, wizards, or warlocks, come on.

I do, Meg said.

I snorted. You do not.

Silence, befreckled human! Let the Meg speak.

I glared at the two-dimensional man, then sighed and shrugged, looking at Meg. He wants to know what you apparently know. I refocused my glare on him. "And it’s just Meg. Not the Meg."

Meg winked at him and stepped closer. Well, I’ll tell you where to find a witch, if you tell us what you are and where you came from. Also, it would be nice to know what the hell is going on here.

I nodded along. What she said.

His tail swished back and forth, tickling. This time I stifled a giggle and extended one finger slowly to scratch where he had swished. Please don’t do that, I said.

Ticklish, are we? His voice sounded cheeky and deep, vibrating into my skin and surprising me. But when he cleared his throat and spoke again, no hint of that cheek was to be heard. As I said before, I am Beliam, the demon of Mount Untra. I am the watcher of its flame and guardian of its rivers of lava. My name is legend.

Are you from Hell? I asked.

He chuckled. Hell? No, that is a different plane. I am from Duuv, land of rock and volcanoes. But my plane is what you would call ‘Hell adjacent’. Beliam tapped the tip of his long tail to his temple. Someone must have pulled me through to this plane and tied me to you. I wonder how that happened. Whoever it was will rue the day this stupid idea popped in their heads. I shall crush them with fire and rock.

There are...other planes? I asked, hearing my voice break.

Of course, or did you think I sprung from the Nile? Not to fear, befreckled human, our realms rarely touch, and there are countless others out there. He seemed to think his words had a soothing effect. They did not. My heartrate picked up and my breathing sped to a pant. I would have called him a liar to calm myself, but there was clearly a man sitting on my arm, telling me about different realms and magic. It was hard to deny anything of what he said. How was I supposed to know what was true?

You okay, Quinn? Meg asked. What did he tell you?

I relayed to her what Beliam had said in as few words as possible, having to stop and catch my breath once or twice.

Really? Meg looked from me to the demon-man on my arm and back. That is amazing.

You think so? Amazing isn’t the word I would use, I said.

Right, Beliam said. I woke up to screaming, shaking, and being swatted at. In a different dimension than my own. Amazing is not how I would describe it. No matter. We will rectify this now. Th – Meg said she knows a witch. She will take us there now.

He wants you to take us to this witch, I told my friend.

Meg grinned. I don’t know any witches.

What?! Beliam screamed. Foul wench! I will cut your lying tongue from you pretty mouth! You dare deceive me?

He jumped up and down, throwing his fists in the air while ranting.

He did not take that well, did he? Meg asked.

Nope.

Hang on. My friend got out her phone and started typing. There is an esoteric shop a few blocks from here. I don’t think we’ll find a witch there, but maybe it’s a place to start?

I’ll try anything, I said, while Beliam still cursed at Meg.

Chapter Four

Beliam

I was fuming. Not only was my mountain left defenseless without me – with a whole slew of idiots who would try to take it – but this human woman, Meg, had lied to me. I was of the notion to smite her frail human form from existence, but alas, I could not. Being frail myself, stuck to Quinn, and about a fraction of my normal size, I was helpless. Spells. Damn the rock, I hated them. It had to be a spell of monumental proportions. The question remained, who was powerful enough to not only cast me from Duuv, but bind me to a human? And where was my body? Gone? Lying dormant somewhere? Occupied by an enemy? Each scenario I thought of was worse than the last.

Still busy raging and doling out threats, while wracking my brain, I came to realize my host was on the move, putting on clothing and shoes. I pulled myself onto the back of her hand to watch from there. We entered another room, this one smaller and cluttered. Cozy. It had a huge pad of blankets in one corner. This had to be a bed. I had a slab of stone I slept on, making the view of so much softness a tad discomforting. What is happening? I asked when we stood in front of a mirror and Quinn fidgeted with her appearance. Are we going somewhere?

We are, Quinn said. Meg found a shop that sells esoteric stuff. The owner claims to be a witch.

Fantastic news. I smiled. We will force this fiend to divulge all her secrets and send me back home.

I am not sure she is a real witch. Not the kind you would be looking for anyway. Magic...it doesn’t exist.

"Of course, it does.