Day 1
On the first day of Hexmas, my true love sent to me…
A serpent in an apple tree!
The Apple
“Come on, do it,” the serpent said. Its eyes were all-knowing. Wisdom etched into beady gold gems. I couldn’t resist any longer and picked an apple from the tree.
The serpent hissed. “Good.”
Taking a bite, I felt a sinister energy course through me. I darted my eyes and tried spitting, but it… tasted so damn good. I simply couldn’t. Wouldn’t.
Adam dashed toward us. “Eva—no!”
The serpent flicked its tongue. “You know what to do.”
“Eva, what have you—”
I hated Adam for always taking my fun away, I thought, plunging a dagger through his heart.
Day 2
On the second day of Hexmas, my true love sent to me…
Two dark elves and
A serpent in an apple tree!
Home Is Where the Dark Is
Alana followed me up the master’s spire. Silly girl, but we did grow up together. I sighed, remembering better times.
“Please come back,” she said, tears streaming down her face.
“No, I’m going home.”
The surface world wasn’t what I imagined. We were slaves the moment we stepped into human territory. Even surface elves mock us.
“We’ll get used to the light—I promise,” she said. “Besides, aren’t you tired of living in the dark!?” She tried grabbing my arm.
I smiled, closed my eyes, and stepped back, plunging myself into the eternal abyss below. The darkness is my home.
Day 3
On the third day of Hexmas, my true love sent to me…
Three foul crones
Two dark elves and
A serpent in an apple tree!
The Feast
The warty Cabot sisters sniffed the boiling pot.
“It’s missing something,” Agnella said.
“Oh—I know!” Micrah tossed in fresh troll fat and human eyes.
“Bah! Do you even know how to cook?” Hagris said.
Micrah sprinkled bone dust into the mixture. “Now?”
Hagris took a whiff. “You ruined it!”
Waving a haggard hand over the stew, Micrah’s eyes glowed red. “One more time—dear—sister.”
Eyes rolling, Hagris leaned in. A rotten arm erupted from the concoction and grabbed her nose, dragging her in. Her scream cut short.
Micrah tasted a spoonful of her finest work. “Perfect.”
Day 4
On the fourth day of Hexmas, my true love sent to me…
Four wailing wraiths
Three foul crones
Two dark elves and
A serpent in an apple tree!
Hide-and-Seek
Elmyra counted to ten. “Ready or not, here I come!”
The cool night breeze made the forest sway. Something rustled from a bush and she grinned, chasing after it. Maybe it was Mikael. He was never a good hider.
At a clearing, moonlight revealed Elmyra’s prey. Red hoodie, black pants.
“Found you, Nikki!” Elmrya tagged her friend, spun them around, and screamed. Nikki had no eyes.
Elmyra turned to run, but her other friends surrounded her. More missing eyes. They all screamed.
Something tapped her shoulder. “You’re it!”
Elmyra spun around as razor sharp icicles sank into her face.
Day 5
On the fifth day of Hexmas, my true love sent to me…
Five glowing rings
Four wailing wraiths
Three foul crones
Two dark elves and
A serpent in an apple tree!
The Merchant
Ma’Ruuden opened the silver box containing five perfectly crafted rings.
The woman gasped. “We must have them!”
Her husband turned his gaze from wife to rings. “How much?”
Ma’Ruuden flashed a toothy grin. “This one sees you have an eye for quality. Please—try them on first.”
The couple seized a pair. Perfect fit. They caressed their hands as the rings glowed a soft green. A sign of their next victims.
The couple screamed as their hands fall off. Legs and heads followed.
After cleaning up, Ma’Ruuden welcomed the town necromancer and presented her with his latest wares.
Day 6
On the sixth day of Hexmas, my true love sent to me…
Six spiders nesting
Five glowing rings
Four wailing wraiths
Three foul crones
Two dark elves and
A serpent in an apple tree!
Help Wanted
“Please come in,” Baronia said, gesturing toward her elaborate manor hall. “Good help is so hard to find.”
The maid bowed. “Thank you, Milady. Where may I begin?”
This new maid looked healthier than expected, Baronia thought, smiling. A little extra gold would fool any peasant. “This way, my dear.”
They entered the dank cellar, and Baronia locked the door behind them.
Hundreds of long, hairy legs scrambled from the shadows toward them.
The maid screamed.
Massive spiders took turns reducing their meal down to the bone.
Baronia frowned. “I’m sorry. I know how hungry you all get.”
Day 7
On the seventh day of Hexmas, my true love sent to me…
Seven sirens swimming
Six spiders nesting
Five glowing rings
Four wailing wraiths
Three foul crones
Two dark elves and
A serpent in an apple tree!
Siren’s Lust
Don’t know why, but I felt drawn to them. I jumped into frigid water and they swarmed me, giggling.
“Such a man!”
“This’ll be fun.”
“Relax, you’re gonna love this.”
Such intoxicating voices, I thought. My crew warned me about sirens, but I honestly didn’t see what the fuss was about. Women this gorgeous couldn’t be ignored.
The sirens tore off my clothes and left me bare. Joy. They caressed my body as one kissed me. Ecstasy.
Water filled my throat, and I thrashed about.
I awoke deep in black water and realized my greatest fear. Dying alone.
Day 8
On the eighth day of Hexmas, my true love sent to me…
Eight mages casting
Seven sirens swimming
Six spiders nesting
Five glowing rings
Four wailing wraiths
Three foul crones
Two dark elves and
A serpent in an apple tree!
Blood Mage
Auriel smiled. “What could go wrong?”
Ezra, Gyna, and Millennia looked at each other. “How about getting us expelled, for starters?” Millenia said, shaking her head.
“Relax, it’s just a prank,” Auriel said, winking. It was almost time to choose advanced-level magic specialties, and he eyed one in particular.
“Fine,” Millenia said, waving him off.
Auriel sliced his fingertip and jumped on a table. “Spell fight!”
Crimson tendrils shot out of his finger and pierced his classmates until blood draped the halls of the academy. If this didn’t get him into the Master’s Blood Magic Program, nothing would.
Day 9
On the ninth day of Hexmas, my true love sent to me…
Nine dwarves a-drinking
Eight mages casting
Seven sirens swimming
Six spiders nesting
Five glowing rings
Four wailing wraiths
Three foul crones
Two dark elves
And a serpent in an apple tree!
The Alchemist
“Oi, drink up lads!”
The dwarven mercenaries sang, danced, but more importantly—drank. Not realizing their fate. This time would be different, I thought. This batch is my best work yet, and with the barkeep and town guard paid off, nothing would stop me. Not with the Ice Festival fast approaching.
As I took notes from the corner, the dwarves stiffened. Frost enveloped their bodies and the temperature in the tavern dropped instantly.
I laughed, admiring my work. Realistic ice statues ready for the festival. I wonder who will win this year’s prize?
“Sef’s Alchemy Shoppe, that’s who!”
Day 10
On the tenth day of Hexmas, my true love sent to me…
Ten swords a-chopping
Nine dwarves a-drinking
Eight mages casting
Seven sirens swimming
Six spiders nesting
Five glowing rings
Four wailing wraiths
Three foul crones
Two dark elves and
A serpent in an apple tree!
A Knight’s Honor
They say when a knight performs his duty, there is no greater honor. For king, queen, and country.
Malek served his masters well over the years, eternally loyal, and never questioning orders. Ever. But on this snowy night, by the holy flame’s warmth, he prayed The Maker would forgive him for what he and his fellow brothers-in-arms were about to do.
“For the King!” the commander said.
Their swords came down, and the heads of women, children, and elderly rolled every which way. Crimson streaks painted the pure snow. Their eyes frozen in time. Heretics, they said.
Day 11
On the eleventh day of Hexmas, my true love sent to me…
Eleven puppets dancing
Ten swords a-chopping
Nine dwarves a-drinking
Eight mages casting
Seven sirens swimming
Six spiders nesting
Five glowing rings
Four wailing wraiths
Three foul crones
Two dark elves and
A serpent in an apple tree!
Puppet Master
Such beautiful creatures—my puppets. Colorful outfits, funny hats, and merry faces. How I made them sing, dance, and bring joy to so many. I loved every second. The cheering, the laughing. What wonderful times we had.
Twirling in air, I smiled as my body jumped through a flaming hoop.
Staring up at the giant child, I wondered how foolish I’d been. How careless I’d become to let a child make a fool of me. Where did he get such power?
The giant child twirled my strings along with the rest of the villagers. “Dance my little puppets!”
Day 12
On the twelfth day of Hexmas, my true love sent to me…
Twelve hexers hexing
Eleven puppets dancing
Ten swords a-chopping
Nine dwarves a-drinking
Eight mages casting
Seven sirens swimming
Six spiders nesting
Five glowing rings
Four wailing wraiths
Three foul crones
Two dark elves and
A serpent in an apple tree!
The Lich Queen
Witches stood inside the King’s chambers, chanting by the blood-soaked pentagram. With the ritual almost complete, they sliced their palms, letting blood droplets fill the crevice that fed into the middle of the circle.
Finally, their savior would return.
A fierce wind swept through and the King emerged from his long slumber. One by one, he slew the witches where they stood.
“Thank—you—Milord.”
As the King glared into his last servant’s eyes, a reflection he hadn’t seen since murdering his wife made him freeze. His pulse quickened, eyes growing wide.
“Hello, Love,” the Queen said.
Copyright © 2023 Jeff Aybar. All rights reserved.