POLTERGEIST:

THE LEGACY

WHEEL OF FIRE

PART 2

BLOOD PRICE

Introduction

“Nick.”

Nick frowned. He was tired. Tired of the rain. He wanted it to stop. Rain made everything a chore. And now, even in his sleep, it wanted to get on his nerves. It sounded like a voice, calling to him. He turned over, his entire body irritated.

“Nick.”

He twitched, his nose wrinkling.

“This is important.”

Nick found himself in the forest. His shoulders sagged a little. The forest with Merlin was an exciting place. The forest on his own was drab, almost colorless. An endless, eternal expanse of shades of gray. Merlin always knew exactly where she was here because she’d explored it since she was a child. Nick knew enough to stay close to the main drag. He looked round and discovered he was just off one of the paths and he stepped toward it. The trees behind him clustered thickly, dense with undergrowth.

He didn’t know why he was here or which direction to go. There was no way to tell north or south – there was never any sun. The forest just .. was.

Someone stepped out from behind a tree. Nick felt the thin shadow more than seeing it and he spun sharply, only to step back, hands rising to show he was unarmed, and to suck in a quick breath of shock.

“I’m pleased you answered my call.”

“I do something wrong?” Nick asked, his voice just slightly hollow with natural dread.

Michael smiled quickly. “No. But I do need you to come with me. And I must ask you to hurry. We don’t have much time.”

Nick had only met Michael twice before but he knew you never said no to the boss. Accordingly, he set off, following Michael along the path at a brisk walk and occasionally even jogging to keep up with the other’s long legged stride.

Michael didn’t appear any different. He still wore his biker leathers. His hair was still long, curling on his shoulders. His gaze was still as sharp. But his voice … Yes, that had been different.

On the previous two occasions, Michael had been .. gentle. Nick had sensed an iron will behind it but his voice had been mild. Pleasant. Now there was an edge to it. Some of that iron will was showing thru.

“Can I ask why?” Nick inquired, curious yet cautious. “Is Merlin in trouble?”

Michael hesitated then shook his head. And that moment of hesitation shook Nick’s soul.

“What’s going down?” Nick asked, fear now edging his voice.

“Nothing.”

“Then why call me over here? Why do I have to go with you? An’ what’s the hurry?”

“I will answer all your questions at the end of this journey. I promise. For now, please, I must ask you to walk.”

Nick walked. He ached to know why and to where but he remained silent. Michael had promised. That was enough.

Eventually, Michael turned off the path and plunged into the forest. A hundred yards in, there was a clearing and, there, he halted.

“Nick,” he began without ceremony, “you are the husband, the rightful partner, of a Flamefall. The time is coming when you must put your soul on the line in battle. There are no guarantees. Will you do what must be done?”

He didn’t hesitate. Nick nodded.

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