Lamma's Night (anthology)

She closed her eyes and began the chant common to both spells, sanctifying the circle and honoring each of the four quarters with a gift: a feather for the East, a lit flame for the South, a bowl of water for the West, a dish of loam for the North.

'I call forth representatives of the forces of Light and Shadow, who would battle for the soul of this man!' she cried imperiously, flinging up her hands. To her right, she felt rather than saw something warm and protective materialize. But on her left, the essence of darkness manifested, and from that part of the room she sensed a deep, deep cold, and a malevolence that extended far beyond the confines of this world. She shuddered, but knew that her circle protected her.

'I summon the spirit of the wizard Blayne of Greenhaven to this which was his home in life!' Her voice was hoarse, and she realized that the wind had risen. In the distance, but growing ever closer, thunder boomed. A storm would be here soon.

Dust billowed, caught by the wind, directly outside the door. No—not dust. It was something else, something that swirled and twisted and out of which grew a shape, a shape that Lauris knew, had held, had kissed.

He was nearly transparent at first, then began to take on color and detail. He stood at least six feet, slender but not slight. His face contorted with the agony of being brought back into form and substance, but it was a face with clean lines and dark, wise eyes. His hair was the color of wheat, his skin milky pale.

Lauris's voice caught in her throat. The next step to complete the incantation—either one—was to issue a Command. One word would send Blayne back permanently into the sleep of death. The other would give him a second life.

Shadow crouched behind her, safe within the circle. He hissed and cowered, spitting angrily. Does he know something I don't know? Lauris thought despairingly. But that could not be it; for good or evil, Blayne was at the moment an unnatural creature, caught between death, undeath and true life. She knew that Shadow would have hissed at her, had she been where the other wizard was now. The familiar's hostile reaction was no clue as to Blayne's nature.

She had to speak, choose, or else the circle would collapse and the agents of Light and Darkness would battle for possession of them both. Desperately, Lauris glanced to Them for aid, but They remained silent. This was her choice.

Let me come, pleaded Blayne silently, warm in her thoughts. The Blayne-thing stretched out its arms imploringly.

If she chose wrongly...

She opened her mouth, not knowing which Command would come out, surrendering to that part of her mind beyond thought.

'Come!' Lauris cried, sobbing. Beyond all logic, she loved him, and she would take the risk.

The next second was the longest in Lauris's life. Even as the thunder boomed and the heavens opened, there was an equally loud shriek from directly outside her circle. The agents of Darkness and Light vanished. Where they had been now lay, respectively, charred ashes and flower petals.

Blayne shuddered, then collapsed. Color suffused him. He was real, solid, whole—alive. Lauris's own knees gave way beneath her, and she stared, wide-eyed, at the man whom she had given new life.

Groaning, Blayne struggled to his knees. She realized now that he wore the same clothes in which he had been buried; they were partially decomposed, though the human flesh they adorned was whole. She couldn't speak; could only stare.

He lifted his head, his beautiful, wheat-gold head and pierced her with his blue gaze. A slow smile spread across his handsome face. 'Lauris,' he said, softly, tenderly. 'Oh, Lauris, my love...'

Then he stumbled to his feet and reached for her, his boots smudging the circle of wheat flour as he entered her sacred space. Lauris's fear bled out of her. Nothing evil could enter that circle, and as his strong arms went around her she eagerly turned her face up for his demanding, hungry, joyful kiss.

Blayne.

It was sweeter than the dream, at once simpler, more human, and more powerful. She melted into him, and if his wise, wizard's hands had moved to remove her magical garb, she would have made the second move to lovemaking herself. She was dizzy with joy and relief. Blayne, Blayne...!

But he tore himself away from her, panting, and his hands moved from her waist to her upper arms. 'I pray to all the gods that there will be a chance to love you afterward... but now, there's no time...'

'Wh-what?'

He was exasperated, but his blue eyes never lost their gentleness. 'Lauris, what do you think happened to me? I was murdered!'

A chill that had nothing to do with the night air shuddered through her. 'By whom?'

'Aelfric!'

'Impossible,' replied Lauris. 'I sensed him... every time I talked to him. I would have been able to tell if he were evil!'

Blayne shook his head. 'He was able to block your sensing. Who better than a wizard to hide his true nature from another?'

Lauris's heart began to thud in horror. Blayne was right—such a thing could be done.

'Aelfric is an agent of the Dark, Lauris. I discovered his plans and tried to stop him. He killed me; he would have killed you, too. Don't drink from the well in the back; it's poisoned. He did it earlier tonight, just in case he wasn't able to complete the spell.'

'But... but this makes no sense... he was the one who asked me to stay, after...'

'He had to! Think how strange it would have looked for a headman not to ask any wandering wizard to abide and protect the town. He never thought you were a real enemy; you're young, and you're a woman.' Blayne's lips