Chapter 13
Thirteen
Ziggy
“ H e would keep me waiting on such an important night,” I grunt, pacing at the boundary line.
Keir should have been here twenty minutes ago and I’m growing rather impatient. Why I hinged this plan on a demon’s cooperation is beyond me. Without him the barriers stay up and we remain powerless. While most of us are skilled fighters, we have very little chance of winning this war otherwise.
When the demon said we have to work as one, do you think that was figuratively or do we need to figure out how to literally be put back together like a puzzle?
“Hmm, good question! I’m going to say let’s work as a team and take it from there,” Dorran offers.
Kai makes a sound reminiscent of sucking your teeth. “That requires everyone agreeing. I’m skeptical about how realistic that is.”
Dorran burst out in laughter at Kai’s reaction. “Oh sweet, ancient, cranky pants. You mean you want us to agree with you . You’re going to have to loosen up a bit.”
Kai huffs, ready to start with another drawn out monologue when Rune cuts in. “Can we shut off all humanity?! That’s really what’s going to make the difference tonight. None of those pesky feelings getting in the way.”
The system is quiet for a moment, seriously considering Rune’s words.
I almost hate to say this, but Rune is right. We are going to have to do whatever it takes and I don’t know if I’m going to be able to walk over the wounded and dying to complete this mission.
I feel blood rush to my cock, hardening within my tight pants.
Really, Rune?! This is not the time.
Rune scoffs. “It’s always the time, Zigmund. You need to learn how to give into your darker desires—they’re not going away.”
The three guys erupt into debate about what is appropriate behavior and how we are going to work as a unit if none of us can get on board with the other. Their voices become so loud the sounds vibrate my skull, triggering intense vertigo. Dropping into a squat I cradle my knees, tucking them tight against my chest.
One…in…two…out…
Breathing doesn’t help at all. If anything, my chest feels tighter. Acid rises from my stomach, threatening to eject from my mouth. I can’t handle this.
“ Shut the fuck up! Just stop !” The words fly from the depths of my chest, loud and demanding. And surprisingly, it works. Blissful silence. Just the sound of the breeze against the dry foliage.
“Such a shame. I thought by now you would have figured out how to become a functioning system. Not personalities clawing for a scrap of control.”
Flinging my head up, I find Keir leaning his shoulder against the barren tree. “Did you have something more important going on tonight?” I grind.
Keir’s pointed teeth glimmer in the moonlight as he grins. “There was some business to handle. Had to make sure everyone left satisfied.”
Taking in his sallow complexion and the memory of his necrotic skin, a chill runs over me. Dear gods, bless whoever fucks him.
Shrugging, he digs into his pocket. “I have your gift,” he jeers, proceeding to toss a corked bottle of dark liquid. I spring up from my squatted position, quickly snatching the warm glass midair. The pear shaped bottle is sizable, my hand just closing around it. Holding it by the neck, I examine the contents—dark, thick liquid that shimmers in the moonlight.
Narrowing my eyes, I look at the demon.“What is it?”
“How you’re going to get your merry band of misfits together. Just pop the cork, chug it down, and give everyone a nibble.”
“Give everyone a…you expect me to go around biting beings?! I thought you were going to drop the barriers.”
Pushing off the trunk, Keir dusts off his maroon overcoat with a satisfied smirk. “Oh, I already have. However, the full potential of their magic isn’t going to come rushing back. Shit, some of them were here before their powers could manifest.” Dirt crunches beneath his hooves as he stalks toward me with a wicked glint in his eyes—the closer he gets, the more translucent he becomes until he’s vanished.
Pressure forms around my wrist as if someone has tied a rope to it. Gradually getting tighter until I can feel my blood pound against the restricted area. I try to yank my arm back, but I’m pulled so hard that I’m hunched over. Midnight purple eyes appear, Keir's long bulbous nose almost pressed to my upturned one. His fingers loosen on my wrist, sliding up my forearm and taking my tunic sleeve with it, to reveal the dark imprint of teeth.
“How’s my last gift faring,” he questions in a deep honeyed voice. “I was sad to see the crystal-eyed queen no longer carrying her own marker. She always smelled so divine. ” My toes curl in my boots as the mark begins to sizzle beneath my skin. “It’s a good thing I was able to taste her in other ways. ”
Flinching back, I create space between the demon and myself. When did he see Lydia? Wait…he TOUCHED Lydia?!
“Can we kill him yet,” Dorran sighs in an embittered tone.
“Demons don’t have souls, Dorran. I thought you were smarter than this?” Kai says flatly.
“Gentleman, you’ve got this all wrong. Yes, demons don’t have their souls. But they’re made up of the many delectable souls they have collected.” If Rune had his own chest it would be puffed up, preening like a peacock.
Before I can fully digest what Rune has dropped on us, Keir dematerializes. “Be careful, Zigmund. You don’t want to make enemies of the wrong beings.” His disembodied voice buzzes in my ears. “I’ll be back to collect what is mine.” With his exit, my ears pop with a release of pressure, leaving my mind swimming with a list of questions.
Thick, sap-like, liquid coats my mouth as I pour in the contents of the glass bottle. The taste is acidic, leaving my tongue bone dry. Not the worst thing I’ve drank, but definitely not pleasant.
“Interesting,” Rowan trails off, his tone condemnatory.
Corking the bottle, I shove it into the satchel attached to my belt. “What?”
With his boot against the edge of the table he ties his laces while nodding to my hip. “You just chugged down demon blood like it was the first sip of water you've taken in years.”
My eyes dart to where the bottle is stored then back to Rowan, my lip curling back in disgust. Of course it was his blood that I so carelessly ingested. I’ve been greatly underestimating Keir’s ability to manipulate, which is incredibly stupid on my part. Trusting a demon blindly that is.
Rowan reaches into his boot and pulls out a small flask. “Drink. You’re too damn tense. Plus, your teeth are stained.” He reaches over to hand it to me, shaking the liquid around in the container.
Twisting the top off, I tilt my head back as I drink down the liquid courage. All it takes is one gulp for fire to build in my chest causing me to cough and sputter. “What the fuck is this?! Are you trying to kill me?”
Rowan lets out a deep chuckle. “It’s Bellatonic. Really gets you going.”
I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, giving the flask back to him.“You realize I’m not an earth elemental. Nightshade could still kill me.”
“Not when it’s cut with willow and a touch of bliss,” he boasts with a wink.
“We are going to be high as a kite running through the fields with our hair whipping in the wind. This night just keeps getting better!” Dorran absolutely hums with giddiness, my skin pebbles with a chill.
Rolling my eyes, I hold out my hand for Rowan’s arm. He presents it without question or a flinch as my fangs pierce his skin. Keir’s black iridescent blood pools in the divots of the bite mark, settling into a purplish color on Rowan’s blue skin. An exalted grin stretches across his face, his eyes sparkle with life.
Rowan splays out his fingers and I watch in awe as they grow into roots, burrowing underground. The ground shakes and flowers and greenery sprout up, spreading past the bottom of the tent. Pushing past the tent flap, I discover Rowan has created a dense forest. Enormous trees block out the night sky, hornberry bushes line where the boundary once sat. The camp is alive .
Dropping my knee, I run my fingers through the fresh grass feeling a zing of power shoot through me. “Incredible.”
“There aren’t a lot of my kind left. Dryads are very, very old creatures, and with full access to their powers, are close to immortal,” Rowan confides, stepping beside me. “But over time beings have figured out how to weaken us, cutting off our power sources. And the ones who still held power were threatened into submission, or died.”
Kneeling down, he reaches into his boot pulling out a distressed card—amber eyes locked onto it like it holds the secrets of the universe. It takes him a few moments for the haze to lift, but when it does he stands his arboreous frame too full height, rolling his shoulders back with confidence.
“I knew this day was coming for a long time, Zigmund. I never knew the specifics, but I knew there would be a day when it all crumbles. A day when the skies would change and someone would fan the flames of rage, bringing this place to the ground.” Rowan’s deep timber commands attention. Rolling the card between his fingers, he presents it to me. Carefully, I slide it from between his fore and middle finger and am immediately overtaken by the thick magic pouring out.
My eyes widen to the point of pain.
“The Tower.” I meant it to come out as a statement, instead it sounds like a proclamation.
Rowan hums proudly and when I turn to him the feeling is reflected in his eyes. “I’ve been waiting for you. It had to be you.”
My lips part, dying to say something, but snaps shut. There are no words to appropriately respond with. Hell, even the guys are silent.
Lydia appears from the newly grown forest glowing with excitement, looking stunning in her armor and draped in weaponry. “Ziggy, this is incredible! Not only is it gorgeous, but most of the prisoners, unlike the staff, are from Terra. They’ll easily navigate the woods.” Rushing forward, Lydia throws herself into Rowan's open arms. “I always knew you were a good man. Thank you for keeping me safe all these years.”
Rowan kisses the top of her head like a proud father. “Thank you for keeping my daughter safe and hidden. Now I can have two.”
Watching their interaction fills my heart with joy. Lydia deserves a loving parent—a narcissistic father and an absent mother could never be considered parents.
Lydia releases Rowan, prowling to me with an evil glint in her eye. Snaking her leather clad arms around my neck, she pulls me in. “Everything is good to go. Ready to get our army?”
My head fills with chatter of excitement and lust. “I’m not the only one who’s ready.” Cupping her cheek, I press my lips to hers. “It’s time to show them what happens when there is nothing left to lose.”