Ch. 34
“Undaunted”
Zanir takes a step into Farrah’s sword and a trickle of bright red blood drips down his neck. “Someone who can give you information about the bindings of creatures throughout Adros, through all regions, really. Someone who can provide you with information about the vampiric clans in the endless forest, and possibly even get you help for the war that I know you know about. The very war that is starting to brew across the sea in the fae lands that is threatening your Forsaken Clan because I know your people are being taken, too.” He pushes Farrah’s sword with his hand, and she drops in to her side. “Of course, in exchange for something that was taken from me.” Zanir looks over both Farrah and Mother before saying, “You can call me Zanir. Zanir Strife. If you prefer to be formal.” He walks past Farrah, Mother, and Devlyn. His eyes are raging with that orange flame that is clashing with the deep cerulean. They are battling within his eyes. “That asshole sadly is already taken…”
Strife? Really? I feel my eyes flick to the back of Mother.
Her body is rigid, and she watches Zanir has he passes, but doesn’t fully turn around… Devlyn does. Her eyes large moving between him and me as he gets closer. My wide lavender eyes meeting the gray storm of hers.
Holy fucking shit.
I will do as I please and no one will tell me otherwise, and that includes you. Zanir rings through my skull.
Zanir’s arm reaches undermine and hoists me up. Taking all my weight from my good leg. I can feel my body start to become cold. Starting at my fingertips and moving up my hands. Great. Just great.
“He is with me, and our agreement was information for the return of his…property.” I nearly choke on the words. “Do you grant us entry?” I say with a wince.
I would suggest waiting to avenge your wrath on me for touching you without permission until later, little bat, or unless you have another plan.
I have nothing to say for once my mind is silent.
Mother’s fists clench and unclench at her side. I can feel anger growing within her. If fire was one of her powers, she would be ablaze. She raises her head to the sky, a deep breath in.
Shit.
“Granted.” Mother finally turns around, but she doesn’t look at the mortal vampire man that did not fear her or her guard. Even though he should. Not to Devlyn, who’s wide eyes are still scanning between Zanir and me. Not to Farrah who has sheathed her sword. At least he has gained her respect. No, Mother’s mauve eyes are starting straight at me. Ripping away each layer of skin, searching for that child she could punish further. I see her nose flare. Can she smell the change? The power that is stirring inside. I feel my skin start to prick along the edges.
“I will be expecting…you both in the grand hall for dinner then… Zanir Strife…It’s a pleasure…” Is all she says before leaving and walking back into the castle walls. But as she passes us, I noticed the slight change in her eyes as she finally looks at Zanir. Something softer moves across her face, but it leaves quickly like it was never there to begin with. Maybe I am making things up, Nyx I need to rest.
Farrah is close behind Mother. Hot on her heels. Devlyn following suit, she gives me a quick look as she swiftly moves by. Her gray eyes laced with worry, but her gaze turns to Zanir. Her eyebrows burrow, her lips form into a fine line, and she nods. As if an unspoken trust was formed in that moment, but then her eyes fall to me. That hard role broken in that second her eyes meet mine. I felt a shift between us. Like she knows something but can’t tell me. I’m not sure how to describe it, but I felt it as she breaks our eyes and follows after Mother.
Before Zanir turns us to the stone door entrance, something catches my attention. Far in the distance, passed hundreds of trees, those dark ones that makes my nose itch and feel stuffy. I noticed a line of oranges and bright yellows. Kind of like a fire but they form a line. It moves with a movement that reminds me of a bird’s wing. We are fully turned to the entrance now. I glance behind my free side…there is no more flame like wings in the distance. Which is weird. I need to sleep for a few days.
I didn’t need saving. I finally say. That is the only thing I can come up with this moment. Shit. Even though I am leaning into him as we slowly pass the entrance door. Coldness causing bumps to form on my arms. Remain. Calm. My head spins.
Once we are clear of the door, the enormous door starts to climb back upwards and closes into place, much like the coldness I feel crawling over my skin.
Zanir says with a small chuckle, Who said I was saving you?
Typical. He is basically carrying me, though. Neither my snapped ankle nor the other one are touching the ground. Perks of being small and having a mortal vampire man triple your size holding you, well carrying you, I guess. Shit.
The conflict between you and her, your Mother, could have cut both of you, and everyone in the way, physically. So I assumed she would listen to me more than you, anyway. I did us both a favor. I wasn’t killed on the spot, and you didn’t fall on your face.
I wouldn’t have fallen.
You already did… He loosen his grip around my back, and I feel myself slip. But keep telling yourself that. I instinctively grab at his shirt. Hmm…
Remind me once this is healed, to kick you in the face to make sure it is properly restored.
There is that vicious little bat. A laugh rings through my skull and my heart flutters. The coldness within flicking with a small sense of warmth. That is new…Gross. NO.
Thankfully I spot some blonde hair to distract me in the distance. His brown eyes meeting mine, and he starts heading our way.
“What the actual fuck?” Iamys breathes out while coming to my free side and sliding his arm around me.
I am officially being carried now. Two larger than me males, carrying me like a small sack of potatoes. I fucking hate this.
“Gash neck, I am not sure if you are just that arrogant or just that ballsy. I mean, impressive none the less, but you just walked past one of the most power beings I have ever known and survived to tell the tale…at least for now.”
Zanir doesn’t say anything and has replaced his expression with that nonchalant role, but the fire in his eyes is still exploding. Popping like the fire at our past camps.
“I need to find Oana. No healer will touch me on command of Mother.” I feel Zanir’s arm tighten around me. Warmth. Shit. “Where is Halfy?” As if speaking his name makes him appear, I see a white flash between some wagons. “Iamys, can you get my satchel from Halfy…”
Iamys gives a look, but slowly rests my good leg on the ground and my weight is shifted back to Zanir. My muscles are screaming, and I lean back into his chest.
I’ll take that as a thank you.
I shove a shoulder into his chest with a whimper. Ward burn stinging down to my fingertips. Coldness within me seems to be battling with warmth, too which is great. I need to find Oana, like NOW.
Iamys makes it to Halfy and I can see his ginger eyes searching me out.
Halfy, I am going to see Oana. She will fix this, I promise. Meet me in my wing come nightfall. I don’t want to be alone my first night back.
Halfy shakes the satchel off into Iamys open hand. He turns and takes off in a different direction. Iamys quickly moves past the wagons, scouts, guards, and even passing some clans people. Shit.
Past the castle large entrance door leads straight into a crowded market full of shops, horse stables, and everything a castle fully of citizens would need. Shit.
I can feel the hundreds of eyes that are starting to land on me now. I know the whole situation of earlier is starting to spread like wildfire. I need to get out of here. I need to find Oana. The cold starts to creep up again. Oh, it is good to be home. NOT.
Zanir’s hand give me a small squeeze to my side. Calm. Warmth. Fucking shit.
Iamys makes it back to us and hands me the bag. I shift my weight on to my good leg, but still leaning into Zanir for support. His warmth is what is battling my cold. Which is…great and gross. I hope this works. I need some normalcy to calm my powers, to calm whatever the fuck this is. Nyx, I need a drink. I need Oana.
I mumble a spell and reach into the bag. Clever witch. The locket appears at the bottom of my satchel, and I pull it out…A lace my fingers around it and say, “Oana meet me in the grand library…like yesterday and bring some bandages and supplies with you. Think about the time I shattered my wrist trying to catch that wild Pegasus? Same thing kind of, but not nearly as cool. I will also be bringing visitors…so bring some ale for me and my snapped ankle…but mostly for me.”
I feel the locket buzz within my hand. She heard me. Thank, Nyx.
Ch. 34
“Undaunted”
Zanir takes a step into Farrah’s sword and a trickle of bright red blood drips down his neck. “Someone who can give you information about the bindings of creatures throughout Adros, through all regions, really. Someone who can provide you with information about the vampiric clans in the endless forest, and possibly even get you help for the war that I know you know about. The very war that is starting to brew across the sea in the fae lands that is threatening your Forsaken Clan because I know your people are being taken, too.” He pushes Farrah’s sword with his hand, and she drops in to her side. “Of course, in exchange for something that was taken from me.” Zanir looks over both Farrah and Mother before saying, “You can call me Zanir. Zanir Strife. If you prefer to be formal.” He walks past Farrah, Mother, and Devlyn. His eyes are raging with that orange flame that is clashing with the deep cerulean. They are battling within his eyes. “That asshole sadly is already taken…”
Strife? Really? I feel my eyes flick to the back of Mother.
Her body is rigid, and she watches Zanir has he passes, but doesn’t fully turn around… Devlyn does. Her eyes large moving between him and me as he gets closer. My wide lavender eyes meeting the gray storm of hers.
Holy fucking shit.
I will do as I please and no one will tell me otherwise, and that includes you. Zanir rings through my skull.
Zanir’s arm reaches undermine and hoists me up. Taking all my weight from my good leg. I can feel my body start to become cold. Starting at my fingertips and moving up my hands. Great. Just great.
“He is with me, and our agreement was information for the return of his…property.” I nearly choke on the words. “Do you grant us entry?” I say with a wince.
I would suggest waiting to avenge your wrath on me for touching you without permission until later, little bat, or unless you have another plan.
I have nothing to say for once my mind is silent.
Mother’s fists clench and unclench at her side. I can feel anger growing within her. If fire was one of her powers, she would be ablaze. She raises her head to the sky, a deep breath in.
Shit.
“Granted.” Mother finally turns around, but she doesn’t look at the mortal vampire man that did not fear her or her guard. Even though he should. Not to Devlyn, who’s wide eyes are still scanning between Zanir and me. Not to Farrah who has sheathed her sword. At least he has gained her respect. No, Mother’s mauve eyes are starting straight at me. Ripping away each layer of skin, searching for that child she could punish further. I see her nose flare. Can she smell the change? The power that is stirring inside. I feel my skin start to prick along the edges.
“I will be expecting…you both in the grand hall for dinner then… Zanir Strife…It’s a pleasure…” Is all she says before leaving and walking back into the castle walls. But as she passes us, I noticed the slight change in her eyes as she finally looks at Zanir. Something softer moves across her face, but it leaves quickly like it was never there to begin with. Maybe I am making things up, Nyx I need to rest.
Farrah is close behind Mother. Hot on her heels. Devlyn following suit, she gives me a quick look as she swiftly moves by. Her gray eyes laced with worry, but her gaze turns to Zanir. Her eyebrows burrow, her lips form into a fine line, and she nods. As if an unspoken trust was formed in that moment, but then her eyes fall to me. That hard role broken in that second her eyes meet mine. I felt a shift between us. Like she knows something but can’t tell me. I’m not sure how to describe it, but I felt it as she breaks our eyes and follows after Mother.
Before Zanir turns us to the stone door entrance, something catches my attention. Far in the distance, passed hundreds of trees, those dark ones that makes my nose itch and feel stuffy. I noticed a line of oranges and bright yellows. Kind of like a fire but they form a line. It moves with a movement that reminds me of a bird’s wing. We are fully turned to the entrance now. I glance behind my free side…there is no more flame like wings in the distance. Which is weird. I need to sleep for a few days.
I didn’t need saving. I finally say. That is the only thing I can come up with this moment. Shit. Even though I am leaning into him as we slowly pass the entrance door. Coldness causing bumps to form on my arms. Remain. Calm. My head spins.
Once we are clear of the door, the enormous door starts to climb back upwards and closes into place, much like the coldness I feel crawling over my skin.
Zanir says with a small chuckle, Who said I was saving you?
Typical. He is basically carrying me, though. Neither my snapped ankle nor the other one are touching the ground. Perks of being small and having a mortal vampire man triple your size holding you, well carrying you, I guess. Shit.
The conflict between you and her, your Mother, could have cut both of you, and everyone in the way, physically. So I assumed she would listen to me more than you, anyway. I did us both a favor. I wasn’t killed on the spot, and you didn’t fall on your face.
I wouldn’t have fallen.
You already did… He loosen his grip around my back, and I feel myself slip. But keep telling yourself that. I instinctively grab at his shirt. Hmm…
Remind me once this is healed, to kick you in the face to make sure it is properly restored.
There is that vicious little bat. A laugh rings through my skull and my heart flutters. The coldness within flicking with a small sense of warmth. That is new…Gross. NO.
Thankfully I spot some blonde hair to distract me in the distance. His brown eyes meeting mine, and he starts heading our way.
“What the actual fuck?” Iamys breathes out while coming to my free side and sliding his arm around me.
I am officially being carried now. Two larger than me males, carrying me like a small sack of potatoes. I fucking hate this.
“Gash neck, I am not sure if you are just that arrogant or just that ballsy. I mean, impressive none the less, but you just walked past one of the most power beings I have ever known and survived to tell the tale…at least for now.”
Zanir doesn’t say anything and has replaced his expression with that nonchalant role, but the fire in his eyes is still exploding. Popping like the fire at our past camps.
“I need to find Oana. No healer will touch me on command of Mother.” I feel Zanir’s arm tighten around me. Warmth. Shit. “Where is Halfy?” As if speaking his name makes him appear, I see a white flash between some wagons. “Iamys, can you get my satchel from Halfy…”
Iamys gives a look, but slowly rests my good leg on the ground and my weight is shifted back to Zanir. My muscles are screaming, and I lean back into his chest.
I’ll take that as a thank you.
I shove a shoulder into his chest with a whimper. Ward burn stinging down to my fingertips. Coldness within me seems to be battling with warmth, too which is great. I need to find Oana, like NOW.
Iamys makes it to Halfy and I can see his ginger eyes searching me out.
Halfy, I am going to see Oana. She will fix this, I promise. Meet me in my wing come nightfall. I don’t want to be alone my first night back.
Halfy shakes the satchel off into Iamys open hand. He turns and takes off in a different direction. Iamys quickly moves past the wagons, scouts, guards, and even passing some clans people. Shit.
Past the castle large entrance door leads straight into a crowded market full of shops, horse stables, and everything a castle fully of citizens would need. Shit.
I can feel the hundreds of eyes that are starting to land on me now. I know the whole situation of earlier is starting to spread like wildfire. I need to get out of here. I need to find Oana. The cold starts to creep up again. Oh, it is good to be home. NOT.
Zanir’s hand give me a small squeeze to my side. Calm. Warmth. Fucking shit.
Iamys makes it back to us and hands me the bag. I shift my weight on to my good leg, but still leaning into Zanir for support. His warmth is what is battling my cold. Which is…great and gross. I hope this works. I need some normalcy to calm my powers, to calm whatever the fuck this is. Nyx, I need a drink. I need Oana.
I mumble a spell and reach into the bag. Clever witch. The locket appears at the bottom of my satchel, and I pull it out…A lace my fingers around it and say, “Oana meet me in the grand library…like yesterday and bring some bandages and supplies with you. Think about the time I shattered my wrist trying to catch that wild Pegasus? Same thing kind of, but not nearly as cool. I will also be bringing visitors…so bring some ale for me and my snapped ankle…but mostly for me.”
I feel the locket buzz within my hand. She heard me. Thank, Nyx.
