Chapter 5
Portarius
Her hazel eyes flare wide, a flood of terror flashing across them before she squints at me, a determined look on her face.
I can see each movement before it plays out.
Micro involuntary mannerisms give away each action as her limbs have a conversation with her brain.
My skin tingles at the thought of a chase.
It has been far too many years, and despite being able to catch her with ease, I can still let her think she has a chance.
Crouching, I feign adjusting my pant leg, smoothing and tugging at the worn cotton when I hear her scramble, and she begins sprinting down the jetty, grinning to myself as her honey coloured hair trails behind her.
I'm about to make an exaggerated show of giving chase.
Maybe a startled yell of surprise, or I could wait until she's rounded the Gate and swim across it to intercept her.
That is, until I see the familiar movement behind the tree line.
The Ananea from earlier still lurks despite my obvious protection of the woman.
He should know that she has shown no recognised signs that her soul is in distress.
That I would never allow him to intervene.
She is disorientated, yes, but she does not scream or weep, claw at her eyes until they bleed.
She is simply exploring her options of escape while she comes to terms with the situation.
The human woman continues to run, and despite her agility, she is very slow by Hell's standards.
A long obsidian barb extends from the tree line, its exoskeleton catching the light of the midday sun.
The Ananea steps closer, a second barb, along with its face being revealed.
He is not one I am familiar with. Possibly a lone traveller who felt the hum of a Gate, but there is no excuse for the behaviour they are displaying.
“Stop, human. There is danger!” I yell, but she only glances back to look at me, determined in her escape.
She has not detected the threat. Her instincts are woefully inadequate for this realm.
The unfamiliar Ananea has fully emerged from the tree line now, its bulbous belly dangling from its shoulders.
He looks at me, and I see when he makes the decision to chase her.
His six spindly legs scurry at a rapid pace while the two front legs extend over his head and shoulders, the barbs snapping against each other in anticipation of prey.
Each step I take down the jetty is at least ten of her strides, and in the seconds it takes to reach her, the Ananea has matched my pace.
A trail of dust flies in the air from the speed we travel, and as I take a final leap, pulling her into my arms, I feel the piercing sting of its poison barb impale the flesh of my back.
A harrowing scream rings out, a look of terror etched on her face as she stares, paralysed by fear, toward the creature swaying at the edge of the Gate.
Her arms circle my neck as I hold her against me, one arm wrapped tightly around her, holding her securely while the other extends toward the feral Ananea.
I have no weapons on me today. A sign that I have become complacent in my duty.
I feel the presence of my warrior, but there is not enough turmoil for him to rise to the surface.
Her panicked cries echo across the Gate, the still water rippling in response.
Our bond allows it to feel my emotions, and right now, it can sense the tension between me and the rogue Ananea.
Slowly, it creeps. Like black tar. Sneaking up the small incline of its edge until it wraps around one of the Ananeas' legs, spreading until all six stand in its water.
The Ananea doesn't register his impending fate as the water inches higher and higher, darkness overtaking it, smothering his limbs until it surpasses his belly.
His humanoid face snarls, none the wiser, choosing to wait out my death, hoping the poison of its barbs will start battering its way through my system.
He must have travelled from far across the realm if he does not understand that my death will never happen.
My body will simply heal itself, and I will continue on.
I may, however, let the water of the Gate expedite the process.
“Your face is wet?” I say, unsure how she would prefer to be consoled. “You should keep your droplets inside your body where they are safe. The Ananea’s death will come shortly. If I may place you down to heal my wounds?”
I lower to one knee as her gaze remains transfixed on the Gates' water flowing up and over each dip and ridge of the Ananeas exoskeleton. His eyes flare wide, and I see the jagged movements as he tries to escape. A voiceless scream as the look of horror cements itself. It will not be long now.
“It's like a mutated spider,” she whispers, her fingers gripping me tighter. The dark water seeps inside his mouth and ears until suddenly he blinks, his once yellow eyes now completely black as he's consumed by the darkness of the Gate.
“Don’t worry, the Gate has him now. He cannot hurt you,” I mumble, aware of the lemon and eucalyptus scent wafting from her. It's cool, sharp notes, a refreshing change to the warm smell of the crops in the fields.
“The Gate has it? The Gate…” Gasping, she brings her hand to her mouth, covering an errant sob that escapes her.
“The pond is the Gate … I came through the water. Is that right? I stepped into the water at the hot springs, and it took me here? Can I go back then? Can I go back home?” Her voice rises an octave with each question, pupils blown wide as her head swivels in panic.
Searching for a way home while the water slinks back to the edge, taking the body of its prey into its depths.
“It is a lake, not a pond.” I correct her.
“A simple error if you are not familiar with the differences. I must bathe in the waters. You can wait here for me,” I say, attempting to settle her on the warm ground.
But she pulls her legs away, wrapping them around my waist, half hanging over my shoulder.
“No. Please don’t leave me.” Her sobs become uncontrolled, and I feel each tear fall to my skin. “Please.”
My body is not pleased with letting her go either. “I need to heal my wounds. It will be faster if I bathe here instead of the water in my home. It will heal me. Do not waste your droplets,” I explain softly.
“Wait,” she says, her voice breathy. “You can't go in the water, it could hurt you. That thing is in there now. Please don't leave me,” she chokes.
“Sweet, sweet human. The Gate will not harm me. I am its keeper. We are bound together for eternity. It is as much a part of me as I am of it.”
I move again to try and put her down, but she just holds on tighter, and I can't help but chuckle as I try to placate her.
Her body feels nice pressed to mine. I barely notice the sting of the Ananea puncture as she shifts around.
Spreading one of my hands across her back, I gently rub her soft flesh.
She is a comfortable weight I have not felt before.
“Do not fear the Gate, human. I am stepping in now. Please do not scream, for you are close to my ears, and it is worse than a young babe pulled from their mother.”
“I am not a baby!” she snaps, gasping as I step into the water. Her fingers dig into my flesh, and I stop when the water reaches my knees. The cotton of my pants is wet, and I unfasten the waistband, letting the fabric fall.
“An offering, my friend, I will not take your droplets home with me.” I chuckle, staring out at the still water as I feel the smooth path it makes up my body to my wound. Its crisp water invading my senses, extracting the Ananea poison.
“What's happening?” she begs, and I glance down to see her eyes firmly closed, fresh tears clinging to her lashes.
She is so vulnerable, so weak, but at the same time, she has lasted longer than many of the humans that came before her.
The last of the water leaves my body, the puncture nothing more than a slightly raised patch of skin.
Bowing my head in thanks, the fingers of my free hand graze its surface as I commence the short walk back to my home.
Suddenly nervous that this small human woman will not like the offerings I have for her.
“I gave the Gate my pants. They were saturated, and I did not want to take any unnecessary Gate water with us. I have many more pairs at my cottage. Do not cry for them.” I say, trying to reassure the human in my arms. She is kind to be so concerned, however, it is not needed.
“Let me show you your lodgings and get you settled. You will be tired after your travels.”