Moments of Darkness Read online

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Cat Got Your Tongue?

  Careful Study

  Jareth's Duty

  The Chosen One

  The Gem and The Hide

  Tear In the Realm

  With All My Love

  Zombie Says

  Super Moon

  The Scientist's Destiny

  From Beyond the Wall

  Marital Bliss

  A Dragon's Bargain

  The Arc Device

  About the Author

  MOMENTS OF

  DARKNESS

  JASON J. NUGENT

  Copyright © 2016 Jason J. Nugent

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Cover art by Dan Brown.

  To my wife and son for putting up with me as I continue to follow this journey.

  And to you the reader, I cannot express my gratitude enough.

  Thank you.

  Thanks to all who’ve supported my writing over the years and encouraged me to continue.

  Thanks to Dan Brown for the amazing cover art.

  Thanks to Sam Bell, MK Juarez, Sarah Marchant, Chris Grissom, The Book House in St. Louis, Sage La and Garrett Pomichter with the Hangin’ With Web Show, Carolyn Ballard with the Diversity of the Minds Radio Show, Cheshire and the crew at Status Quo, and others who’ve taken the time to review and share my work.

  I’d like to especially thank fellow writers Aaron Hamilton, Stephen Hunt (and the Inklings Press crew), Mike Wolff, F. Kenneth Taylor (Some’n Unique Magazine), Kevin Daniel (Some’n Unique Magazine), Mark Pannabecker (and the St. Louis Indie Book Fair), Vince Churchill, Eric Asher, Maria Haskins, Terri Pray, Lakesha Mathis, John Smith, and Ray Wenck.

  You guys rock!

  Cat Got Your Tongue?

  Reena sauntered across the dance floor of Club Kitty, aware all eyes were on her, as expected. She worked hard for that effect. Her crimson lips curled up in a wicked smile. Tall heels clacked on the floor over the thumping beat of the music as she strode straight towards her mark. Her black skirt swished along her thighs, showing long legs covered in fishnet stockings. Lights flashed on and off to the rhythm of the music cutting the darkness in the club.

  She stopped, her target close enough to taste.

  “Hello, my name is Reena. And you are?” she said to a tall man dressed in dark jeans and a white v-neck t-shirt with a small lion embroidered on it.

  Before he could answer, a voice spoke in Reena’s head.

  “What the hell are you doing, woman?”

  “Excuse me. What?” Reena said out loud.

  “I asked you what the hell you’re doing? You can’t kill him here. You won’t kill him here. I won’t allow it.”

  Reena’s heart thumped louder than the music. The tall man hadn’t spoken a word to her, yet the voice sounded clear as though it came from in front of her.

  No, she thought. It’s coming from over there. She turned her head toward the bathroom hallway and there stood a black cat with a white stripe on its face, staring directly at her. No one seemed to notice the cat. Its green shimmering eyes staring at Reena.

  “That’s it, woman. I said no. Not here! Not ever!”

  The man reached out towards Reena, noticing how her face twisted in confusion.

  “Are you all right? My name is Tomas,” the man said. Reena nodded as her attention fixed entirely on the cat.

  “Did you…hear anything?” Reena asked, her eyes still on the cat.

  Tomas laughed. “Other than you and this music, no. Should I?”

  Reena turned towards him, finally registering his presence. “You… didn’t? Are you sure?” She had to yell the last part over the music.

  “Of course he’s sure, you idiot!”

  Reena’s head whipped back to the cat. It licked its paw and rubbed its face.

  “I know what you’ve got planned. You have a knife in that purse of yours. And you aren’t fooling anyone with that Gucci knock-off! Leave the blade alone, turn around and go. Now! I won’t tell you again.”

  When the cat finished cleaning itself it sat upright, its front paws making a clean line down the front of its body with a long tail curled around them.

  “Fine, I won’t kill him then! I’ll go. But if I ever find you alone, you’ll be the one with a blade in its heart!” Reena yelled. Unfortunately for her, the music stopped between songs. Everyone in the club heard her yelling at the cat.

  Tomas backed away from her as though she were a leper. Bouncers ran towards her, shoving people out of their way.

  As the bouncers carried Reena out of the club, Tomas turned towards the cat.

  “Thanks, Marty! You saved me there,” he said to the cat. Marty turned his head upwards, eyes squinting.

  In his head, Tomas heard the cat’s calm, friendly voice. “Anytime, Tomas. But please be a bit more careful. Good looks aren’t everything, you know. However, they do make a tasty treat.”

  Tomas nodded his head towards Marty, winking one of his green eyes. The cat jumped up and scurried away.

  Outside the club cats wailed and a woman shrieked. One of the bouncers rushed inside.

  “Help! These damn cats are eating a woman! Someone get help!”

  Tomas smiled. In his head, he heard Marty. “Thank you, Tomas, she’s delicious.”

  Careful Study

  Gre-Ath watched the large blue and white globe grow larger through the small window. Soon after launch systems broke down. Too many unplanned course corrections depleted the ship’s fuel. They abandoned sections of the ship when the other Hrathmon died. Only Gre-Ath survived.

  He wrangled all five hundred and thirty-seven dead bodies and stuffed them in the cargo holds. Red-skinned bodies floated and banged against the hull of the ship. With almost all systems shut down, the sound reverberated throughout the dark ship reaching Gre-Ath who concentrated on the black expanse through the window.

  Minimal use of inside illumination conserved the remaining power. The globe framed by the window glowed bright. According to all indications, the planet offered perfect atmospheric conditions to sustain Gre-Ath’s life. And the animals inhabiting it appeared edible.

  Preliminary reports indicated the animals on planet were hostile towards each other and presumably to outside species. This concerned Gre-Ath, except they were about half a Hrathmon’s size. A single Hrathmon in full battle fury intimidated most other species in the galaxy. Gre-Ath hoped it was enough to subdue the primitive life on the planet.

  Risking wasted energy, he set the nav system to autopilot.

  Gre-Ath adorned the traditional Hrathmon battle dress. Plated bone armor and thick chains increased his bulk to even greater terror-inducing size. After adding a short sword crafted from the charred remains of his last victim and a large Hrathmonian battle-axe, the imposing figure stood at the door waiting to land.

  The ship slowed and thudded to a stop. Gre-Ath flexed and took several deep breaths. A quick prayer said to Joranda, goddess of the Hrathmon, and the door slid open.

  It was dark outside. Lights dotted either side of a busy street. Small transports with round wheels blared noisy introductions. The native animals crawled out of the moving things and yelled in a strange language.

&n
bsp; Gre-Ath’s stomachs gurgled.

  Shouting with an enormous voice that made the animals cover their ears, Gre-Ath stormed out of the ship swinging both left arms and both right arms as if to sweep the animals out of the way. The small creatures screamed when he flung them high in the air. Breathing deeply in the new atmosphere, Gre-Ath felt alive. The fresh air filled his body with a vigor and vitality unknown since leaving their home.

  A fat little animal ran towards Gre-Ath, shooting something that pinged off the dark purple armor on his legs. Gre-Ath smelled its exquisite blood.

  He grabbed the animal with his four hands, holding its legs and arms apart. It shouted in a language Gre-Ath didn’t understand. There were lessons on-board the ship he could’ve studied on the long trip to learn the language or even use the ship’s built in translator, but it didn’t seem worth it to waste power. The scent of a delectable meal was too powerful to ignore and speaking wasted time.

  Gre-Ath opened his large mouth with three sets of razor-sharp teeth, saliva dripping from them. The animal squirmed when it saw his teeth. It struggled against the grip of the larger and more powerful Gre-Ath.

  Then it went limp.

  Gre-Ath shook the animal as if to revive it. Nothing. Other animals gathered around him, some with small metal objects aimed towards the ship and some at Gre-Ath. The noisy transports crashed into each other. The sound of the animals confused him.

  “Gre-Ath, what are you doing?” Gre-Ath’s large yellow eye opened wide. The voice came from the ship. Turning around still holding the animal, Gre-Ath gazed on the council of elders standing in the doorway of the ship.

  Immediately he bowed to one knee. “My lords,” he said, “I presumed you were dead. Your bodies were devoid of life. Joranda called you to the other side.”

  “Foolish one! Had you studied like you were told, you’d have known we were going into deep slumber preserving our energy on the long voyage. Stop playing with the animals! You’re causing problems and making them anxious,” the Chair of the Council said.

  Gre-Ath considered the limp animal. “But I found food!” he said holding it up as an offering.

  “Enough! We will not tolerate your insubordination any longer! We did not come here to eat these creatures! We came to help them!” The Chair motioned towards Gre-Ath and three heavily armored Hrathmon seized him.

  “No! Wait, we can defeat them! They’re weak! And their blood smells delicious!” Gre-Ath said. The guards knocked the animal from his hands and it fell listless to the ground.

  They escorted him into the ship despite continued protestations.

  ***

  The Chair scanned the mass of animals congregating around the ship. They seemed attracted to the foreign object.

  The Chair spoke to the animals with the ship’s small translator. “Greetings,” the Chair said in the language of the animals. A silence swept across the animals. “Please excuse our mistake. Our young Gre-Ath meant no harm. We will go in peace. We came to help.” The Chair let go of the translator. The Council stepped back into the ship, the door closing behind them.

  “Ready yourselves,” the Chair said to the Council and the assembled Hrathmon behind them. The crew stood in the corridors ready for instructions.

  “Ship, to the designated landing site,” the Chair said. The ship rose in the air moving fast towards the secluded site. By the time they reached the location, darkness faded and the bright yellow sun shone on the ship. It differed greatly from their red sun.

  The ship landed and the Hrathmon waited for the door to open.

  “We embark on a new mission of alliance and friendship,” the Chair said, “follow my lead and we will fulfill our destiny.” The doors opened and the Hrathmon filed out.

  No sooner had they stepped on the open field then their skin smoked. Streaks of burnt red flesh appeared where sunlight shone on the Hrathmon. It sizzled in the harsh rays. The Hrathmon screamed and shrieked as the sun burned their flesh. Smoke wafted in the air. They froze in pain, unable to return to the ship and safety. Soon five hundred and thirty-seven dead, charred remains of Hrathmon lay on the surface of the strange planet.

  ***

  Held in confinement, Gre-Ath escaped death. He heard screams and wondered what happened.

  He beat on the cell door. A small buzz sounded, a click, and the door opened. Carefully Gre-Ath stepped into the corridor. With silent steps he made it through the maze of corridors until reaching the door leading outside. It was bright and Gre-Ath stopped short of opening the door.

  Through a small window in the door he saw bodies lying on the ground, many still smoldering. Gre-Ath grinned. “You should’ve studied,” he said mocking the Chair, “the yellow sun is dangerous to us.”

  A loud rumbling sound from Gre-Ath’s stomachs made him wince. He called out to the ship. “Ship, return to previous destination. I’m hungry.”

  The ship rose and sped across the planet. The sun dropped below the horizon and the safety of darkness returned. He watched through the window as the landscape whooshed by until the ship descended to where they first landed.

  Jareth's Duty

  Jareth dropped his dark brown leather sack, kicking up dust from the road as he did. He rubbed his shoulder where the strap dug in. The dingy light cotton shirt offered no protection from the strain of the bag. Soon though, he’d be rid of the burden.

  He held his hand above his eyes shielding them from the morning light. Ahead he saw the bridge he’d need to cross which marked the entrance to the verdant Valley of Doshaki. There in the lush green he’d find rest and the final destination for the creature in the bag he carried.

  Picking up the heavy bag, Jareth continued, the weight of his task pulling on him.

  As he approached the small bridge made of

  rough stone overgrown with the most vibrant green moss, Jareth let out a deep sigh.

  “I’m almost there,” he said. “This bridge is the last obstacle. I can relax when I unload this curse.”

  After losing his horse early in his quest he enjoyed hearing his own voice. It soothed him. The stable boy tried telling him the horse was in no shape for traveling though he ignored the warning. The boy was right and Jareth left his dead mount along the side of the road. He scribbled a note and attached it to the saddle in hopes one of his father’s men stumbled across it. Most of them couldn’t read, so he drew the royal symbol of a dragon on the note as a way to attract their attention. It was the best he could do, his duty took precedence.

  That was four weeks ago.

  Jareth’s once muscular frame lost strength from a severe lack of food and water. Rations were packed in the saddlebags of his horse, but once the horse died he had no means to carry the items. He had the heavy sack, but that carried the sacred remains of the last dragon. He couldn’t sully the remains with food and water, so he left them with the horse. Duty dictated he bring the dragon back to the Valley of Doshaki and burn it on the altar, a commitment imposed by the ancient covenant between his family and the dragons.

  He crossed under the bridge that opened to the valley where the archaic dragon altar lay. Their covenant dictated the oldest male royal offspring perform the duty whenever the time came. Centuries had passed since one of Jareth’s family performed the rite and he took to his task with great eagerness much to his father’s dread.

  Dragons were scarce as hunters and wars killed off the noble beasts. One of his father’s huntsmen found a dragon in the royal woods and brought it to the king. Jareth knew of no other dragon in the land other than the tiny young dragon he carried on his back.

  The king grieved and called for a long funeral feast and time of mourning. He avoided Jareth and didn’t speak to him. It was as if his son was a leper to be shunned. After the time of grieving concluded, Jareth fulfilled his royal duty. Other than taking the wrong horse, he did everything according to custom.

  Jareth passed the bridge without incident. Rumors in the kingdom warned of deathly beasts that prevented access to
the valley waited at the bridge but he found nothing of the sort.

  Soon he made it to the altar. Like the bridge earlier, moss covered its thick cut gray stones. The altar was an unused mass of stones being swallowed by the surrounding grass.

  “Finally, almost done,” he said. He took the bag and placed it on the altar, the sudden loss of weight lifting his mood. He opened it and pulled out the small dragon body. Black glossy scales tinged with red sparkled in the light of midday. The shiny body contrasted against the dull gray and green altar. Jareth held up the small lifeless dragon almost dropping it. Not wanting to test fate by desecrating the body, he laid it on the altar.

  Jareth removed the sack leaving the body alone on the lichen-covered stone altar. He went to one knee and prayed.

  “Oh mighty dragon lords of before and once again, I come to you today offering one of your own. I know not what her name is or where she came. I bring her back to you and bestow her body where it belongs. From fire to fire her body goes. Please accept your kind back to your realm so she may live once again with you.”

  After his prayer, Jareth stood and marveled at the young dragon for the last time. He lit the dragon on fire using his flint. The body burst into flame, igniting quickly. It nearly caught Jareth’s shirt on fire but he pulled his arm back in time. The body ignited in hues of blue and purple and deep crimson.

  Immense heat radiated from the inferno on the altar. Jareth stepped back and bumped into something solid.

  He spun. Behind him stood three fierce dragons unlike any he’d ever seen.

  Bodies of bones with their flesh dripping from them snarled at him. They were missing eyes and scales and had torn wings unusable for flying. Jareth’s eyes grew large at the horrific sight before him.