Chapter 54
Ro
Elegant onyx stripes sat along the curve of his shoulder blade, rolling with each step he took. The vibrant orange, blending with cream fur, created a striking visual. Orange like the bright dusk of a setting sun, black like the deepest depths of night’s shadows, and cream…like the ice variety.
I hadn’t been able to resist reaching out my hand to pet him. He peered back at me with a wicked gleam in his stark gold eyes. I simply smiled, stroking him down the length of his back. All of it was comforting, even the vibrations from the deep rasping purrs he released that radiated into my palm.
“What does it feel like? To be pet?”
“I don’t normally have people petting me as a human, so I can’t really compare.”
I smirked and gave a more forceful pat.
“It feels absolutely wonderful! It’s warm and soft and relaxing. Makes me feel loved,” Braxius chimed in from tucked into the bottom of my hood.
“I know you love them. I was asking Dae.”
“Oh…Well he loves them too. Did he say he didn’t? He’s lying then.”
I snicker softly so it isn’t heard over our collective footsteps.
There were seven of us in the group that had departed yesterday. Two leaders from The Order led the way, rearranging the branches that poisoned the earth from the Black Pool to clear our path. I still hadn’t seen it yet, the origin of the devastating magic. Dae refused to let me go near it.
From the way the veins rotted and robbed whatever they touched of life, leaving decrepit husks and flecks of ash, I wouldn’t argue.
If this curse continued spreading, it would consume the entire continent, leaving only those with sovereignty over it to remain.
Those who had been corrupted by its power.
I may have feared Windguard’s army, but even they were no match for this unnatural destroyer.
Val had gone with the supply run to the south, and I was glad she wasn’t with our party. It eliminated the chance of our lies being exposed.
The Order leaders walked ahead of us like the world bowed to them.
Not that there was much world left to bow, given the devastation of the Black Pool.
We were given a generous portion of food supplies.
Clearly Order members don’t have to ration like the rest of the camp.
In any other circumstance, I would have been on edge, tense the entire duration of the trip.
But as I stroked the soft fur of the powerful beast strutting at my side, I felt at ease.
“A little to the left.”
So Braxius was right, Dae did like being pet. I dragged my scratching fingers to the left.
“And a bit to the right.”
I moved them again.
“And up a little.”
I had to stifle my laughter, but I still sent my joking chastisement. “Stop!” A satisfied chuckle caressed the edges of my mind, smooth as the darkest liquor. “You’re incorrigible.”
“Maybe I just like bossing you around while your hand is on me.”
A flash of heat struck me as I recalled how it felt to have my hands roaming over his perfect, naked body. The thought of submitting to his sensual instruction had that spot between my thighs dampening. Then I thought of him listening to my orders…
“We’re almost there. Don’t ease up your pace,” Carmin said, still leading the way from several yards ahead.
I didn’t get intimidated by many people, but her?
Her dark hair was shorn on one side of her head, and she wore a necklace of sharp animal teeth.
Her biceps were extremely defined, and pairing all of that with her ability to control the lethal force of dark magic kept me vigilant.
The fresh veins of the Black Pool finally came to an end, the land only tainted with remnants of the old curse. Thankfully I didn’t have to worry about where I stepped now.
It was faint at first, the far off echoes of a forest filled with plenty of creatures. Adjusting to the dull roar of life took a minute, but the sounds were comforting.
We continued for another hour or so until we reached the nearest town. A shiver raced down my spine, and I was grateful Dante and Mira got their citizens out.
“You were right. Looks vacated,” Dae said.
“They’ve been evacuating them for weeks. Well, trying to. Those here in the north were the first to understand the severity of the situation. Others down south aren’t spooked enough yet to leave.”
“Leaving their homes is a difficult decision.”
“I just wish they could understand before it’s too late to decide. My mother and father had the wisdom to know leaving Windguard was the safest option. They weren’t willing to risk staying until they no longer had the choice.” I wished the people of Argora Vale would develop the same instincts.
I didn’t know if Taja was already aware The Order of Darkness had discovered a way to siphon dark magic from the Black Pool.
Surely if he did, he would have moved his army to act.
Then again, if The Order and the king have been conspiring to rid his kingdom of the magically blessed, maybe that fool thinks he’s only benefitting.
Which would mean he’s seriously underestimated their might, but his foul hatred for magic wielders might be the perfect blind spot The Order needed to thrive behind.
He was right about one thing, though. The Order was hiding something, and I hoped tagging along on this mission would reveal it to me. Not for Taja’s sake, but for all of ours.
After an hour or so, we came to a tiny village.
Small homes scattered the well-worn roads, though no evidence of anyone living here remained.
Chimneys didn’t emit smoke, no candles lit windows.
The trees struggled to produce flourishing green leaves, scantily covering mostly naked branches.
Only the evergreens and measly patches of grass added color to the bleak, blackened landscape.
“Teams of two scour the homes,” the other Order member barked.
Dae shifted by my side, returning to his human form. His hand immediately pressed against my lower back, steering me toward one of the houses near the end of the lane. No one spoke, only unquestioning obedience as the others paired off and picked their targets.
The Order leaders kicked down a front door, knocking it off its hinges and splintering the wood. No subtly, no preservation, just sheer force and brutality. The next team followed suit for the home beside, smashing a window needlessly..
I bottled my growing rage. These were people’s homes, their refuge. While they may have had to evacuate, there was still the chance they would return one day. Now they would come home to find their things ransacked and senselessly destroyed.
As if Dae could sense the anger vibrating off me, he nudged with more force to keep my steps from faltering as I shrewdly eyed the other teams.
When we reached our door, Dae simply turned the handle.
“Did they even try that?” I hissed under my breath, storming into the home so I could freely grind my teeth.
Echoes of tossed furniture resounded from across the street, and I slammed the door shut behind us to muffle the sound. Dae stepped forward, checking the lone bedroom off of the open living room.
“No one’s here,” he said. “Looks like it’s been a while. There are cobwebs on the candles.”
I threw myself down on the dusty plaid armchair with wooden arms. My feet were screaming from the days of travel it took to get through Witches Pass.
I gazed around the home, crowded with mismatching furniture pieces and trinkets that must have been a century old.
There were quilted blankets that were well used, pots and pans that’d been passed down for a few generations, intricate carvings that’d been crafted with care.
Were they gifts? A hobby? Heirlooms? These houses held ghosts of memories that their owners may never remember after being forced to flee.
All because a few sought power and destruction.
And here I was, aiding them. It was enough to make me sick.
It almost seemed like we’d turned back the clock, like we were traveling with the original curse bearers. It only served as a reminder of what was at stake. Would the other kingdoms on the continent be left as time capsules if The Order of Darkness infected more of the land?
“We can’t rest. Not until they deem that all the houses are clear.”
I rolled my eyes. “They can go kiss a table for all I care.”
Dae snickered. “Gotta keep that mask on for this trip, Ro. They’re going to be irritated when we come back empty-handed and if we don’t show full alignment with their values, we’ll be the perfect targets for them to take out their anger.”
Braxius wriggled out of my hood, resting on my shoulder. He stretched his little muscles and gave a yawn.
“You’re tired?”
“Traveling is exhausting.”
“Usually only when you’re the one walking.” I poked his reptilian side.
Dae glimpsed out the window, pushing aside the dark purple curtains. “They’re already moving on. We should keep going.”
I sighed. Braxius nestled his way back into my hood, muttering about how he was going to stretch his wings tonight.
Dae and I surveyed the next house, and the next, and the next until we reached the last house in the row.
The sun began to set, casting the deserted homes in empty shadows.
As I stared at the final empty bedroom, it became harder to bury the rising tide of surly emotions after we’d invaded home after vacated home.
Braxius zoomed about, landing on top of a cabinet to sniff a dying plant.
“Ready?” Dae asked from the living room.
Ready to stop defiling others' personal spaces? Yes. Ready for whatever plans The Order would execute next? Not by a long shot. I stepped into the living room, letting my eyes roam over the charmingly handsome man before me.
A second passed by as we stood in silence. Then Dae moved, hands cupping my face, and kissed me with force. I nearly stumbled, my knees almost giving out at his masculine demand. In an instant, all my stress melted away, heated by his passionate touch.
We stumbled, my back slamming against the closed door, crushing my quiver and bow. He sent his hands on an exploration of my body, pressing and gripping with no restraint. A moan slipped from my lips, and he growled in response.
“You were teasing me all day with your petting,” he whispered, sending shivers down my arm. When he gently nipped my earlobe, my breath shuddered. “I want to return the favor.”
I had no defenses. They crumbled the moment he slid his hand between my thighs and stroked. My bones turned to jelly, and I slumped completely into his possessive grip. I flung my arms around his neck, holding on for dear life, releasing a sensual cry.
“You’re a goddess,” he rasped. He rubbed and grazed until I couldn’t tell which way was up or down. The very air I breathed became ecstasy under his touch, and just when I found a rhythm, he pulled his hand away.
My jaw fell to the fucking floor, pulled down by the sudden drop in pleasure. He stepped away, creating an aching distance between us.
“What are you—”
“You didn’t think you’d get off that easy, did you?” He winked with an infuriating amount of charm. “You teased me all day.”
Left slack-jawed and wanting, I came to the unfortunate conclusion that this was neither the time nor the place, considering the other vandals voices were gathering outside. I straightened quickly, smoothing out the wrinkles in my clothes and cleared my throat. “Game on, Dae.” Oh, he’d regret that.
I strutted past, letting my shoulder brush against his. He chuckled and gripped my arm, lowering his mouth until it grazed the shell of my ear.
“I’m not going to make you wait very long.
I don’t think a war with the gods themselves could keep me from you.
” The sensual promise nearly had me bending over on the spot.
Instead, I lightly ran my fingers down the first evidence of a growing problem in his dhoti.
In a ploy of pure temptation, I released a small, feminine moan.
Dae’s eyes fluttered closed as he sank into my touch. Despite my throbbing clit, I pulled my hand back. “It won’t be the gods that bring you to your knees, Dae. It’ll be me, whenever, and wherever I choose.” I winked.
That dominating grip secured the back of my neck as he peered down into my eyes.
Our breaths mingled, heavy with prolonged desire.
His gaze slid to my lips. “I can’t deny how right you are.
” He raised his other hand to gently tuck a strand of loose hair behind my ear, knuckling gently running over my cheek.
He didn’t have to say it, that this thing between us surpassed the physical.
I already knew it did.
After indulging in a few more seconds of isolation from the rest, Braxius returned to my hood and we stepped into the night. Members congregated on a stoop a couple houses down the lane, and we joined.
“Forage whatever you can from the homes for your meals. Patrols will be two at a time. Roiden and I will go first. You all can sort amongst yourselves after that. Four hour shifts each,” Carmin dictated.
“But that leaves one group short a man,” Carr said.
He’d been disgustingly near giddy this entire trip, rubbing his hands together in preparation for finding magic to steal.
It was easier to hold back my sneers knowing he would return empty-handed.
Still, I kind of wanted to unevenly shave that stringy blond hair of his.
Lost in thought, I almost didn’t notice when Carmin sic’d her predatory gaze on me, her lips pulling into a menacing grin. “The new recruit can handle a double shift. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I nodded, not letting a single second of hesitation pass.
She peeled me apart from head to toe, looking for something to use against me. I stood unflinching under her scrutiny. Her eyes searched mine for another moment, but finally tore away. “We’ll be back in four hours.” She and the other member of The Eleven, Roiden, strode off into the night.
“I call last shift!” one of the men exclaimed before darting into his claimed cabin.
“I’m with him,” the other said, not bothering to make direct eye contact before walking off.
Only Carr remained. “Guess that means I’m with you,” the thirsty magic-drainer stated.
“We’ll take the next shift,” I said, referring to me and Dae.
“Whatever. Get me when you’re done.” He left without negotiating, rubbing his neck as he walked away while horking a thick glob of spit.
“Nasty,” I thought.
“And he stinks,” Braxius added. My grimace flinched into a smile.
“Eager to work?” Dae asked once only he and I remained in the all too empty town, the others gone to claim sleeping quarters.
A wry smile was my confirmation.