Chapter 21 Reverie
Reverie
The morning tastes like smoke.
Not the sweet kind from campfires—this is the burned metal ash of the coliseum still dying behind us. The sky is a washed-out purple, like even dawn isn’t brave enough to shine here.
I push myself up on my elbows, and for a heart-stopping second, pain flashes up my side—then fades. Gone. Skin smooth, muscles knitted, blood vanished as if I hadn’t fought for my life last night.
Aurathion healing.
Fast, relentless, and efficient.
My men rouse with me, each immediately alert. Jet takes the lead, examining the corners of the fallen hunting cabin. Thanks to Torren and his annoyingly practical knowledge of Bellona’s secret structures, we managed to find this place.
Zeke rubbed his face, his voice gravelly. “How long have we been asleep?”
“Two, maybe three hours,” Oren said, already armed and ready to go.
Chloe yawned. “Feels like six minutes.”
Zane scoffed. “Be thankful you got to sleep. I spent two hours being Reverie’s mattress.”
I slapped his chest. “You volunteered.”
He kissed the tip of my nose. “I did no such thing. I was forced by destiny, gravity, and the need to have those incredibly perky boobs smooshed to my chest.”
Nathan sulked, “And the fact that your Draxon wouldn’t allow any of us to get near her.”
We laughed briefly, none of us able to forget the danger we’re in for long. If caught, none of us would survive. I could accept my death, but I couldn’t bear the deaths of the people I love.
Jet catches my gaze. “You healed?”
“Seems like it.” I touch the spot where the Cryptfiend bit deep enough to scrape bone. Nothing. Not even a scar. “Faction perks?”
Zeke huffs a laugh. “Perks? More like blessings from the Ancestors.”
Across the cabin, Torren pushed off the wall, obviously annoyed. “We need to move. Selene and Seamus were in the coliseum when the explosions started. Ubel too. They’ll be screaming for your return.”
I shivered at the thought of what that would mean. But it also reminded me of his strange fight with Ubel. Why did it seem like I was the only one who noticed? And why hadn’t I mentioned it to one of my men yet?
Silence cracked through the room like lightning.
Oren turned slowly, his entire aura sharpening. “You saw them alive?”
Torren nodded. “Hard to miss the people screaming orders to capture or kill the girl who just slaughtered their prized monsters.”
The temperature in the room dropped ten degrees as Zeke and Zane went still—too still. That Draxon edge beginning to bleed through their eyes.
Nathan’s voice sounded full of delight. “And now they’re ready to go on the hunt for the soon-to-be dead fuckers.”
“Every warrior in Bellona will be looking for you,” Torren continued. “Including the ones who won’t bother taking you alive.”
Zane rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck. “Let them fucking try.”
Jet leaned against the broken window, peering at the tree line. “How much time do we have?”
“Not enough,” Torren said. “But the cabin is hidden. You’re safe for now.”
“For now,” Oren echoes, voice like steel. “We leave this minute. What’s the plan?” He reluctantly directed the question to Torren.
“At this point, all known portal access has been terminated. We must distance ourselves from Bellona as much as possible. From there, we might locate the one I’ve heard about.
If it’s damaged, you still have an advantage.
He looked at Pantar, who was curled up in the corner.
“It’s fortunate that you have a Fellat bonded to your Nexus. ”
Oren nodded, “We leave immediately.”
Everyone began packing what little they had, checking weapons, and grounding themselves for another run.
I stand easily, no pain, no weakness: the bite, the bruises, the agony from the fighting…
all gone. Aurathion blood is fast—but my healing has evolved since the voices have made themselves known.
Zeke watches me with something like awe. “You heal quicker than us.”
I hadn’t mentioned the voices yet, but in my defense, it may be a while before we can settle enough to have some of the discussions that are needed.
“Probably because my body is used to it.” I winced, realizing that my statement would remind them of some of the things I went through.
Zane snorts. “New rule: no torture or almost dying.”
I smiled, grateful that he brushed it off for now. The things done to me can’t be unpacked in a few minutes, and honestly, I might decide never to unpack them. I knew they would feel that everything was their fault, and I didn’t want that for them.
Chloe slung her bag over her shoulder, eyeing Torren. “If he’s coming, someone has to babysit him to make sure he’s not going to stab us in the back.”
Nathan lifted a brow. “Dibs.”
Zane raised his hand. “No, no, I want to babysit the mysterious man who looks at my Nexus like she’s a Snickers bar.”
“Careful. I bite.” Torren smirked. “And if I wanted to stab you, I had plenty of opportunity last night.”
Zane growled deep.
Jet stepped between them. “Enough. We need to move.”
Oren opened the cabin door. Cold, sharp morning air poured in. Behind the trees, Bellona’s glowing skyline rose—a mix of orange and black, resembling a funeral pyre.
Oren stepped out first.
The rest of us followed.
Torren fell into step behind us, silent and watchful.
I heard a bird shriek overhead, then watched as it landed on Nathan’s shoulder.
“I was wondering where you were. Nexi, meet Dale.” Nathan grinned. “I named him with you in mind.”
“I like it.” I stepped closer and ran my hand down his soft feathers.
Pantar butted me with his head. “Time to get moving. You can pet the chicken later.”
Seems my men weren’t the only ones with a jealous streak.
I whispered with a smile, "Let’s get out of here then."
The forest quickly swallows us with towering trees that resemble pines, thick underbrush, and a silence that feels like it’s holding its breath. Bellona smolders behind the trees, sending thin gray ribbons of smoke into the sunrise, but each step forward feels like we’re peeling away chains.
I’m oddly eager to see this land that might have been my home if circumstances had been different. I was captured and brought directly to the coliseum, so I haven't seen any of the countryside.
Pantar pads beside me—massive, sleek, black fur rippling with every step.
His tentacles curl slowly and cautiously as he scans the woods.
Not even the men breathe too close to him.
One growl from Pantar last night convinced everyone that I am his person, and he is very willing to enforce that.
He only deferred to Zane when his Draxon appeared, reassuring Pantar that I was as safe as when I was with him.
We travel quietly for a while—there are too many shadows among the trees, and too many sounds that don’t belong in the forest. Zeke and Zane continue partially shifting, nostrils flaring, eyes flashing, ensuring nothing gets close without their knowledge.
Every few minutes, Torren points in a new direction, guiding us through terrain only someone from Bellona would recognize. The men don’t trust him—and even after everything, neither do I—but he’s useful. Infuriatingly useful.
Oren raised his fist.
Everyone freezes.
Pantar crouched, muscles coiled, growling low.
Zane murmured, "There are two scouts."
My heart rate soared, and my breathing became uneven. I would not go back.
Nathan moved to my side, voice soft. “Look at me.”
His hand cupped the side of my face, thumb brushing just beneath my lips. There’s no teasing in his eyes—just rage, fear, and want. The forest faded, danger faded, everything narrowed to the heart of him.
“You’re scared of being recaptured.” He murmured. “I’ll never let that happen.”
“I’m fine.” I averted my eyes, unable to meet his gaze as I lied.
He huffed a breath—half annoyance, half desperation—and then he kissed me.
Not gentle or careful.
Hungry.
His mouth crashed against mine, his other hand slid to the back of my neck, and he pulled me in.
The world tilted—heat, breath, teeth, the taste of smoke, adrenaline, and him.
He kissed like he was trying to steal the memory of every hurt that was done to me while I was here.
Like he’s staking his claim all over again.
My fingers twisted into his shirt, pulling him closer. The fear, the exhaustion, the chaos—all of it melts under the heat of his mouth.
When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against mine. His voice is a rough whisper. “Don’t do that again.”
I was confused and asked, “What?”
“Lie to me.”
Zane cut in, grinning, “I enjoyed the show, but Nathan's technique could use some improvement.” Nathan flipped him off. “The scouts are nearing, so wrap it up, Loverboy.”
Nathan pressed one more quick, fierce kiss to my lips and stepped back, fire sparking at his fingertips. Then he motioned Dale to go scout.
“I’ll follow the chicken. I do not trust his skill.” Pantar grumbled and then disappeared.
Oren gestured sharply. “Move. Now.”
We slip further into the woods, fast and quiet, shadows clinging to us.
Torren is the only one who looked completely calm. “There’s a cave up ahead. Hidden by rockfall. It’ll buy us a few hours.”
Zeke muttered low. “Convenient knowledge.”
“Yes,” Torren said dryly. “That’s why I mentioned it.”
Whether we trust him or not, every step brings us farther from Bellona’s reach. And with Nathan’s kiss still burning on my lips, I suddenly feel very, very alive.
The forest felt wrong.
Too quiet. Too still. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath as we picked our way toward the narrow stone opening Torren swore would lead to an old mining tunnel. A half-collapsed cave mouth yawned ahead, gnarled roots curled over it like skeletal fingers.