Through the Crystalline Window
Calm and concentrated, Amirah sat motionless. The smell of burning incense swirled into her spot at the center of the circle and it stirred a memory within her. A cold breeze followed, running down her exposed back. She knew what failure this time would mean. The air tingled with a concentrated electricity that fueled an unnatural energy into her body; not wholly unlike a rush of adrenaline just as when prey spots the encroaching predator. Feeling as though her setup couldn’t be any more stable, Amirah slowly closed her eyes and allowed her consciousness to float away.
Inky blackness exploded into blinding light as her eyes reopened. What had been a dark, damp underground compound suddenly became a barrage of lights and sounds inside of what she could only describe as a cathedral to opulence. As her eyes adjusted, Amirah found herself seated at a table in front of a lavish spread of foods beyond her imagination. Pausing only long enough to get her bearings and catch a glimpse of herself in a nearby mirrored wall, she then excused herself away from the table. Retreating to a nearby balcony as her consciousness slowly settled into her target’s body, she found herself to be a wealthy dutchess; preselected in advance as a way inside of this lavish soiree, though she would have preferred one without a jewelry collection that weighed more than she did.
Briefly, Amirah drank in the vista. Its flavor was robust and multi-layered, though overly sweet for her preference. It wasn’t like she couldn’t appreciate the world in which the upper crust of society resided, but the sheer cost of its existence at the expense of countless lives was what soured its taste. Unfortunately, the reason for her risky jump of consciousness was not to dissect the scenery. It was time for a new age and someone had to be the bearer of bad news for the current one. As subtle as possible, Amirah spotted her exit and swung herself over the balcony’s railing. Change often demanded a leap of faith.
To Be Continued…
