'Ow!'�

Arsi stared as blood seeped through a cut created by the shattered mirror. She raised her fingers, turning them to see better in the candlelight. Black in darkness becomes red within light. The last image in the mirror was lightning flashing outside her window, giving her black hair a blue tinge.

Trepidation grew, spiraling within. Broken mirrors were a portent. She frowned at the araneous cracks. They gave the impression of a thousand facetted pieces. Mesmerized by her fragmented reflection, she began to notice a strange mist. It seeped from the fissures, increasing in thickness, surrounding her like a shroud.

An unseen band tightened around her lungs, stealing her breath. Loss of air culminated in shaky knees. 'Saints above, what is this?'�

She stepped away. Her breathing, now rapid and shallow, filled the chamber. She shuddered, her heart racing.

Someone with a strange accent spoke. 'Don't be afraid.'�

The band around her released. She inhaled sharply and stumbled back from the person who appeared.

'Ah, the blood of a phoenix, a lightning strike, and of course'my mirror.'�

Her heel caught on the fringe of a hand-woven rug. She landed hard on oak planks. 'Omph!'� Arsi moved backward, torn between confusion and curiosity. She stared at him. 'Who are ye?'�

He grinned, showing very white teeth, and then pushed his hand through short black hair. 'I'm Raven O'dara. I'm from the future. Don't fear me.'�

The hairs on her neck stood. He was dressed in dark, unfamiliar clothing. She frowned. She had never seen black boots such as his. Their sheen reflected the candle glow. Disbelief welled. 'The future?'�

He shrugged nonchalant, nodded and spun, studying the room. 'Humph. Let me fix this.'� He swept a hand over the mirror. It became whole.

She gasped. He smiled at the renewed wholeness. 'Ye are a witch?'� Her querulous voice echoed.

'Magical, yes. Witch, no. I'm from two thousand-six.'�

She tried to scamper away across the bed; its quilts hampered her progress. His laughter sent butterfly tingles over her skin, a new sensation for her. 'Ye are a witch if ye claim to be from the future!'�

He pounced upon her.

Although intrigued, she attempted to escape his allure.

More laughter, and then he grabbed her wrists. His face lit with amusement. He tilted his head, eyeing her. 'You're young. Nineteen, maybe?'�

She growled deep in her throat and shook her head. Warmth saturated her, thrumming through her.

Someone shouted outside. The sound of shattering glass assaulted her. A large stone landed on the floor, hostility and mayhem, its tail.

'Come out! Witch!'�

Stilled by the rock's intrusion, she tried to swallow. 'I'm not a witch,'� she whispered through a dry throat.

'I know.'� Raven brushed his finger down her temple, moving it to her mouth. A feather light touch, across tender skin, tickled her. 'You must face this in order to live. That's why I'm here. I will take you from the ashes afterward. You will be fine.'� He rose, pulling her up.

Humanity surged through the door. Frenzied, she tried to escape. There was nowhere to run. Death's shadow appeared everywhere, grabbing and pulling her toward the abyss. Someone hit her on the head. Blackness engulfed her, choking away her scream.

Water.

She gasped at the shock of cold wetness.

'Wake up witch!'�

'I am not''�

Belligerent hatred silenced her. Rough hands clenched. The stake, powerful yet temporary, held her tightly to the place of death. Strange, its purpose should cross her mind in the midst of turmoil. She looked for Raven. There, standing at the back of the crowd. Sudden calmness blessed her.

Someone in the mob stepped through him as though he was not present. Eyes gazing upon her, he smiled. 'The end is truly the beginning.'� He blew a kiss on his fingertips.

The action brought forth acceptance. She studied the wood below. Damp from the rain, it would smolder and start with painful slowness. A quick inhale and release, the fire blazed from her magic, surrounding her, tickling in its warmth.

This is who I am. In a flashpoint of phoenix fire, she sang, blissful in newfound freedom.

Want to comment on this Short Stories? Sign up to Edit Red and you will be able to comment on Short Stories and get access to: Upload your own stories and poems, get readers and their feedback, promote your work...