Dangerous Illusions
READING AGE 18+
The thing c****d an eyebrow and tilted its head to one side like a curious dog. In a deep and grating voice, it said, "Why do you laugh at me, Leila?"
"Because I was so f*****g scared," she said, giggling, "but it's just a nightmare."
"Do you often have lucid nightmares, Leila?"
"More often than not. So what's your story, big guy? Here to steal my soul?"
It then did something Leila thought rather unbecoming of a demon. It rolled its eyes and sighed.
"Lucid dreamers," it said, "are as gods in their own dreams. If this is a dream, Leila, why don't you fly away? Or wish me out of existence? Go on, try. I will wait."
Leila often—usually—flew in her dreams, and controlling them was a skill she'd practiced since childhood. She closed her eyes and willed herself to rise from the bed.
Nothing happened.
The creature's predatory grin returned, and it said, "I do not want your soul, Leila. I am more interested in your body."
Panicking, Leila drew herself up to a sitting position and racked her brain for a way to fight off the creature. The creature did not move. Rather, it shook its head and muttered, "Every time. Every single time."
Unfold
I was extreme happy to discover the Bender-Wall spell. It required no words at all, but about 150 finger movements. It was perfect for this exact situation, where I knew they would put my hands behind me. They never put a mage's hands where he or she can see, or else risk us casting some powerful spells, even if handcuffed. She just hadn't co……
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