The Lich Owl

1. Bloody Oath

The memory was as clear as that night, so long ago, when the crisp, blood moon loomed large and low on the snowy horizon. It was a long time in the planning for that once in a thousand years alignment of the powerful celestial bodies and now its time had come. She had assembled a concoction of various herbs and flowers that only grow under the pale moonlight of winter. The burnt ruminants of a Yule Goat and the final ingredient, the fresh blood of her ever constant companion - The Lich Owl. A few incantations to the powers of the universe and then she had feasted, sealing the bloody oath - a greedy, bloody grin caressing her lips in the ethereal, red light of the moon.

2. Lust for Love

Over the years, she had gone by many names in her desire for love. Hers' was a voracious appetite that literally consumed those unfortunate enough to fall for her womanly guiles. In the beginning, it had been liberating, but now she knew it as a cold, lonely existence, always following an all too well known path. If only they could go into some sort of stasis during the courting stage and just enjoy those powerful emotions that take hold of your heart and bring that knowing smile to that special person without the inevitable desire to consummate - leading to each and every one of them being consumed by what appeared to others as a short, mysterious illness. She knew, however, and soon after it would be necessary to move to another unsuspecting village - maybe it would be different this time...

3. Craving Family

It wasn't that she couldn't love, she had plenty of love in her heart, but when she tried to share it, it just seemed to extinguish the life from those around her. Except for her constant companion, he had always been there for her. "Hey, my beautiful love.", she cooed softly, while stroking the tawny feathers on his back, "You and I are tied together, forever, are we not? Can we add to our family? I would so like to give my love to a child. I see all the happy parents, and can't help but think of the joy they have in giving their love." His piercing black eyes, shone brightly as he gave her a quizzical turn of his head. She knew that look, there would be no happy, joyous family here.

4. Looking for Release

This..., this hell was not what she had imagined, when she set out all those years ago, to preserve her youthful looks and make herself desirable to all men. Her eternal happiness was how this was all supposed to work out, not this eternal misery... she wished she could end this.

"I feel so tired and weary, I think I'll have a little nap...", she mumbled as she lay her heavy head on the pillow. Sleep came quickly to her and so did the nightmares - endless streams of smiling men, followed by deathly stares. It was a dizzying cacophony of sound and sight, whirling around her, through her - she woke screaming later in a pool of sweat and opened her eyes to him, looking silently, knowingly at her from his perch on the rafter.

"Go away.", she pleaded, "You've ruined everything.". A headache seared through her brain as she dozed off into another haze.

Something startled her back into reality. There was an emptiness in the room. She looked up where her faithful companion should be and saw nothingness. "Where are you my love?", she quivered, "You can't leave me now, not after all this time."

Days passed and still nothingness. "This can't be...", she despaired, "I am completely empty now...". A haunting, righteous voice invaded her thoughts, telling her something she already knew deep down in her heart 'Be careful what you wish for...'.