The Inferno

Chapter 29 A Craving

K neecaps.

That’s what’s in the bag.

Sai had eagerly told me once he’d figured it out and I stared at the bloody bag in a mixture of shock and… awe? I wasn’t sure what the feeling was. Considering what I’d learnt about Kane and his cold, aloof personality, this felt almost like a grand gesture, removing the knees of the men who asked me to get onto mine…

I didn’t let the thought plague me for too long though and soon, the bag had been removed by Julien who held it between pinched fingers, nose wrinkled, as though it was diseased.

Ezekial continued demanding responses from various people on the phone, whilst I forced myself to eat. Kane’s heavy gaze gave me no other option and, I’ll admit, I huffed like a child when I realised I’d have to comply with his command.

Sai remains seated beside me, brushing my skin at any chance he has. Every time an electric current runs along my nerves, creating a hum of pleasure, and I force myself to ignore it between bites.

“His guards have been sighted.” Ezekial’s voice jolts Sai, seemingly too focused upon torturing me beneath the table. “I’m assuming we all want to go.”

“I’ll stay with—”

“Not you,” Kane interrupts Sai instantly, his obsidian eyes and darkened aura leaving no room for discussion.

“We may need you for the prisoners,” Ezekial adds, but I note the way his eyes questioningly search his brother but Kane remains unflinching.

“I want to come—”

“No.” Again, Kane's voice slices through the air and cuts through my words. My sight narrows, coils tighten as his dark irises bore into mine.

“I agree, the threat is too high,” Ezekial says, still assessing his brother with a gentle furrow between his brows.

“I will stay.” Julien's rumble of a voice calms the room which was quickly becoming tense. “Go.”

Kane and Ezekial, needing no other encouragement, simply dissipate into the shadows always surrounding them. Sai raises his brows and slightly shakes his head before quickly disappearing too, a crackle of blue left in his wake.

“Remember when you had to be restrained from coming near me?” I announce into the sudden silence, trying to add humour into the very unfunny words, before popping the final piece of my second pastry into my mouth.

He’s already in Sai’s seat, his movements always so fluid and immediate my heart pounds in shock, power flaring out before sinking back. There’s a small smile upon his plush lips and I rip my gaze away when I realise where I’d been looking.

“No longer want to bleed my dry?” I teasingly ask, but I bite my cheek hard afterwards, reminding myself these are not the type of beings to taunt, but finding my mind does not always agree.

“That urge was eradicated after seeing you almost die in my arms,” he explains, his warm rumble slipping into me, and I find myself sinking back into the chair more. “Even with your blood upon my skin, your divine scent flooding my senses, my last thought was to feed from you.”

“Why?” I ask in a soft voice. I ensure my eyes are locked upon the fascinating flakes of pastry dotted upon my plate, gripping the small glass of water in an intense grip, anything that stops me glancing back at him.

“I’d rather be tortured for eternity by your blood, than never feel you again.”

My breathing stutters at his words as I’m shocked into complete silence. I focus upon keeping my hand steady as a take a small sip of water, anything to give me more time to think of an appropriate response.

“But I thought it was an urge, something primal that you couldn’t control?”

I refuse to look at him as he answers my question, “After witnessing you nearly die, twice, I can assure you I have other urges which take dominance.”

“So... I guess I don’t need to worry about you biting me any time soon?” I add a little, fake laugh at the end.

I don’t know why I’m even bringing this up, surely this is some type of foreplay to vamps? When he doesn’t respond, my heart begins to thud loudly in my ears .

Just when the silence begins to feel too prolonged, I feel his hand clasp the back of my chair. I flinch, my gaze slowly widening when I feel the warmth of his skin along my neck, his fingers gently skim the side of my throat. My blood burns there and then my chair suddenly jolts towards him.

Our eyes quickly settle upon each other and my body flares with heat.

Every. Single. Part.

His hungry, crimson sight sweeps along my form in a slow, languid movement, taking his time, whilst I remain still. My water somehow remaining unspilled in my grip.

When he finally speaks, his eyes drop to my throat, “No, but I would like to heal those marks.”

I’m staring at his lips. Totally unaware of what question he’d just answered, too focused upon the way my legs are now trapped between his large thighs, how his tall body is slightly bent just to allow his fingers to brush along my throat.

My burning blood rushes beneath my skin like an inferno no doubt casting my throat in a flush of scarlet.

“I’m not taking your blood.” I wanted my voice to sound hard, controlled, a mimic of Kane’s. Instead, it’s low and husky, and did absolutely nothing to calm the heat building between us.

I mentally cringe at myself, hearing my words which sound like utter contradictions with the tone.

Julien clearly hears it too. I watch his full lips pull into a soft smile, barely revealing his fangs. The sight makes my heart race, sending no doubt more blood to my flustered skin.

“You made that clear, Little Empath,” he says, slowly pulling back to align our sight again. I watch as he carefully removes the glass from my tight grip, placing it upon the table, then moulds both his large hands onto either side of my chair, trapping me in place. “You don’t need to ingest it to heal. It can be used as a salve too, no drinking required.”

“I’m not concerned with having scars.”

“I am.”

Although my body is almost on fire with need, a trickle of anger threads between it, allowing me to fight away some of the heat. “Well, seeing as this is my body we’re talking about, your concern means very little, Julien. ”

I keep making the mistake of saying their names.

Julien's gaze darkens, shimmering crimson twisted with black swirls as his hands move to my thighs and, in one quick manoeuvre, I’m pulled onto him.

Straddling his lap.

Even now, his towering height means my eyes just meet his jaw, my head tilts up on its own accord, meeting his predatory gaze once again in an utter haze.

“What do you know of my kind, Little Empath?” His voice is sickly sweet, a dark melody that has my blood singing as he appeals to that side of me. I feel my eyes begin to bleed out as his hand clasps my throat, urging me to stay focused and respond to his words.

“Greedy,” I whisper, it’s all I manage because the feeling of hunger and desire is flooding all other emotions.

The feel of him beneath me, his hard chest, which my hands have fallen against, his fingers across my throat. I want more .

The rumble of his laugh makes me sigh, the sensation running over my skin and adding to the fire.

“Yes, we are greedy. Most creatures of the dark are. But it’s more than greed. When you have lived as long as I, greed doesn’t cut it. When we find something we want… We become fixated. We crave it.” His nose runs along my jaw, slowly slipping lower until I feel the edge of his teeth along my throat. I don’t even flinch.

“I crave you, Jasmine.”

Darkness consumes my gaze, his words igniting something within me, and my power forms around us in a sudden flare. I try to move forward, to be closer, but his hand around my throat stops any movement.

I feel the smile of his lips as he continues to tease my neck with small caresses of teeth, little nips, all the way up to my jaw again. All the while, I’m held in place by his one hand and my power flares erratically around us, amplifying every single sensation.

“Let me heal you,” he murmurs by my ear. The deep sound causes a soft whine to fall from my lips and his entire body tenses beneath me. “Little Empath, I only have so much restraint. Please, let me heal you.”

Our gazes lock, black orbs reflecting each other, my body so highly strung his grip upon my throat is holding me entirely.

Words are too difficult. If this is all he wants, if it means I can keep feeling him like this… I barely manage a nod .

What I didn’t expect, was for him to use his mouth to heal me.

The instant he removes his grip around my throat, his lips replace them. His hand now fisting my hair and the other engulfing my hip, hauling me closer until I can feel all of him.

I moan, the sound vibrating the entire room as his tongue and lips tentatively caress my skin. Every single touch is amplified by me, engulfing us both with the lust filled sensation as he tortuously heals me.

My body moves with his touches, every swipe of his tongue, I match by rolling my hips against him. Every teasingly slow caress, I mirror with my own. I feel him moan against my skin when he realises. But I don’t stop.

I grind into him, matching every leisurely touch of his with a slow, controlled movement of my own which pushes us both to the edge.

“ Are you trying to seek release?” His voice inside my mind just adds another layer of pleasure, his lips continuing their journey along my throat, and I whine with wanton need at his question. “Answer me.”

“Yes.”

The low growl in his chest nearly tips me over. I have to still my movement to catch my breath because of it, the sensation causing a tremor to erupt over my skin.

His lips peel away from my throat and I nearly whine at the loss of contact, until his devouring gaze locks with mine again. His fingers bruise my hip as he holds me in place. When his eyes drop to my parted lips, I lean forward.

No longer trapped by his hold, I skim my lips along his before pulling on his bottom lip with my teeth. The growl he emits sends another vibration of pleasure along my skin and I gasp against his mouth. The sound is instantly swallowed by his lips.

A craving indeed.

The way his mouth dominates mine, his tongue and lips taking complete control, forcing me to submit to his will as I become weightless in his hands. I’d simply melt into the floor without him grasping my waist.

“Don’t you dare.”

I still at the new voice, my eyes return, power snapping back into me. But Julien doesn’t stop, he only slows his kiss, moving to place his lips upon my jaw as I try to look over my shoulder .

Sai is leaning against the fireplace, smirk set in place, eyes glowing intently and matching the bright flare of his markings.

Julien grips my jaw, pulling me back to him. “ Ignore him, mon envie,” he murmurs, placing another delicate kiss to my throat.

“ Fuck, you look good together,” Sai hisses, and the praise only makes this so much more intense. “But I mean it, Julien. Don’t you dare make her come,” Sai calls from behind us, his teasing voice holding a clip of annoyance as I feel him move closer.

His power eagerly wraps around me and my eyes roll back at the sensation of the two of them together.

" Do we feel good together, mon envie? " Julien murmurs, still placing kisses against my throat. "Do you want to feel more?" I don't think I'm capable of forming words. Not when I feel Sai's fingers suddenly caressing my spine.

I think I nod.

"Stop being a fucking tease, Julien," Sai says, but his reprimand is full of heat and his fingers never stop touching me, dipping under the hem of my t-shirt to feel my bare skin. " Fuck, I can't stop touching her. "

" Then don't. " Julien is suddenly kissing me again, in slow, greedy movements and Sai's fingers continue their delicate assault, dancing over my stomach, travelling upwards.

I feel dizzy, light-headed, absolutely intoxicated by the feel of them together . And when Sai's fingers finally skim the curve of my bare breasts, I moan against Julien's mouth causing both men to shiver.

"Fucking hell , " Sai groans. Then he stills, his fingers touching me one last time before he moves away completely. "We need to stop. They're coming back."

I'm not proud to admit that I whine from the loss of Sai but Julien's lips immediately halt the sound by kissing me.

"Mate, listen to me." The serious tone of Sai's voice makes us both pause. "They're coming back, now ."

Finally, Julien's lips slowly stop moving, now truly hearing Sai’s words. He leans back, fully removing his touch in order to lock his sight with Sai over my shoulder.

“And after that shitshow, mate, we’ll be lucky if Zeek and Kane don’t go scorched earth on this place.” Sai laughs but it’s filled with fake humour and tension. “Let’s not give them another reason to lose their shit right now. ”

Again, there’s a slight tremor in the air before they appear.

Julien's lightning-fast reactions mean I’m suddenly stood, trying to find my footing after being on the edge of an orgasm with some difficulty. Thankfully, Julien stays strong behind me, allowing me to fall back into him slightly just as the brothers appear.

Immediately, my eyes bleed out again. I have no time to contemplate the fact I was just kissing Julien, or that Sai seemed to like it, or that I seemed to like it—the two of them together…

No, the sight before me eradicates those thoughts.

Instantly igniting a dangerous fire of pure black fury.

I hadn’t seen Sai fully before, not in my fog of lust, I wasn’t able to see what I did now.

The darkness uncoils within me, eagerly flooding through my veins, staining everything internally as my gaze furiously flickers across the three men covered, drenched, in bright red blood. Their tense bodies are shaking from adrenaline and an evident fight, their eyes are wild, all black, fixed on me, and my power instantly reacts.

It unfurls in heavy black waves and encases the three of them, plunging them to the ground. Vines of black, inky tendrils begin to run upwards from my fingertips, creating lines of power along my skin until they reach my throat.

“Who did this?” I ask, my voice echoing, demonic, latching onto every molecule of the air.

Shadows suddenly erupt and spike into the room, blooming and smothering any remaining light, a window cracks as I step closer to the three.

But they can’t speak. Can’t move.

Their faces are cast towards the ground and their arms strain against it as they attempt to push themselves up.

My power has taken over. It’s wrapped around them, tightening and pulling, removing any injuries it can find and replacing hard emotions with soothing ones.

“Jasmine.” Julien places a hand upon my shoulder, but my power sinks into him too, rendering him to his knees like the others.

My fury, the rage—it’s unbearable.

Coursing through me with such intensity my hands begin to shake, my spine now alight with agony as my power continues to feed and take, unsatisfied with simply healing pain and burning with the need to inflict it .

I can’t control it.

“ It isn’t our blood.” Kane's normally cold voice is strained and the words struggle to pierce my anger, they’re not registering past this deep hatred, the burning need to enact revenge, to slaughter anyone that had touched what is—

I flinch in realisation of my thoughts, then, at Kane’s words.

It isn’t their blood.

My ravenous powers are healing nothing because there’s is nothing to heal.

They’re not injured. Barely fatigued.

Like my fingers had caught the edge of a flame, seeing them all upon the ground because of me , hearing them strain as they attempt to push past my hold… I falter and it breaks the spell.

I feel a physical snap as I force my power to return, so hard, so sudden, I stumble backwards until I hit the table with a thud, my hip catching the brunt of the impact but the pain helps to ground me further. I stay glued to the table, hands behind me, waiting to feel each tendril return.

I wince with each coil tightening back in place, the lingering essence like a new burn, an open wound, as the inky markings also fade back into my skin.

My eyes return, the room lightening again, and I finally look up.

More silence but silence which is dotted with deep inhales, grunts and movement as they all begin to stand.

A new emotion blooms, it’s one of my own, it drowns me. I’m flooded, head to toe, with embarrassment . The feeling is so intense I can practically feel my skin glowing.

My eyes search the ground for something, anything to fix my focus upon.

I refuse to meet their eyes, the ones I can currently feel boring into me whilst I endure the painful silence.

“Well, I’m just gonna put it out there, guys,” Sai begins, punctuating the silence with his eager need to fill it. “I’ve never been more turned on in my life.”

My embarrassment reaches new heights and I wonder if empaths could die from too much of one emotion.

“Shut up, Sai,” Ezekial admonishes, and I hear a slight rumble emit from Julien in agreement .

Still, I stare at the floor, begging the ground to open up and drag me down, suffocate me, anything that would get me out of this room and away from these men.

“I’m sorry,” I mutter quietly, shaking my head slightly in complete disbelief, cupping my hands before me nervously. “I don’t know why… I don’t know what…”

My quiet words slowly descend into silence, only intensifying the blush I feel crawling all over me. When I feel someone move, I flinch and take a step to the side, distancing myself.

I know they’re having a silent conversation. I can practically feel the words slipping through the tense air as I continue to wring my fingers and wait for their decision.

I'd just been kissing Julien.

Then, I’d taken them all to the ground.

The most powerful creatures I’d ever met, paralysed by me , and I hadn’t even meant to.

I lost control again .

Whatever this is, this darkness within me, it was dangerous… Alexis’ was right to keep the mark in place.

“Don’t block us out, Red.” Sai’s unusually soft voice urges me to peer up, but I don’t. I lock my body in place, forcing myself to appear vulnerable and weak, anything to make them believe I wasn’t a threat, that I didn’t need to go back into the cell or the ominous pit they kept mentioning. “We can almost hear your brain buzzing right now, stop shutting us out…”

I catch the edge of a shadow zipping along the ground just before it makes contact with me, the small sliver wrapping tightly around my leg and instantly plunging me into a gentle haze.

That bastard.

I try to be angry, try to bring that previous burning rage back to the surface, but when Kane closes the proximity, his hand tilting my head up to meet his. I’m fully submerged in his heavenly darkness.

My body falters under his touch, unable to fully stand but he effortlessly props me onto the edge of the table, our gazes almost meeting now.

“Speak your mind,” he orders, the tone a touch softer than usual. His eyes glint with a metallic edge, his face is splattered with fresh blood which only adds to his predatory form. I don’t even attempt to pull away .

“Please, don’t put me in the Pit.” At my words, the entire room vibrates. Even in this peaceful haze, with Kane’s fingertips absent-mindedly brushing my jaw, I flinch.

“We’d never put you there, Jasmine.” Ezekial’s voice only adds to this dark reprieve, he moves beside his brother, silver gaze lit with genuine concern and a sliver of shock.

“Why the fuck does she think that?” Sai bellows from behind Kane. I catch a glimpse of his wild gaze, piercing blue entrapping me for a moment.

“I’m not in control. I'm dangerous,” I reply, unable not to, sighing when the shadows seem to melt further into me, as though rewarding me for my response.

“We’re all dangerous,” Kane remarks, coldness sweeping along my skin which erupts in goosebumps.

“I can't control myself. I hurt you all,” I add. I think I manage to frown slightly, it feels like it.

“You didn’t hurt us, Little Empath.” Julien's silky voice reminds me that, only moments ago, his lips were on mine. The memory nearly makes me fall.

Luckily, I still have a table beneath me and Kane is holding my face. Julien's towering height allows me to see him behind Kane, crimson eyes simmering with a hidden emotion I struggle to detect in this state.

“You couldn’t fight back, you—”

Sai’s wicked laughter ripples through the air, cutting off my words and his vibrant blues are piercing into mine beside Ezekial. “Oh, we could have, if we wanted to.”

I definitely frown this time.

I feel the deep line I create between my brows and, without words, Sai continues, “But we didn’t because we’re all sick fucks.”

His gaze dances across the others, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips, creating a dimple. He seems to wait for a response from them, his gaze narrowing slightly when he doesn’t get one.

So instead, he dramatically puffs out his cheeks, slowly releases the air between his pursed lips, and, with his eyes locked on me, he finally adds, “We liked it, Red.”

His eyes flash, markings pulse, and I’m completely transfixed. “Like, really , liked it. If you wanted to try it again, I’d be more than—”

“Sai, I swear, if you don’t shut that smug mouth of yours, I’ll give Jasmine something to actually heal.”

Why, oh why , does that make my heart race and skin light with pure excitement?

The thought of Ezekial and Sai fighting, even just imagining it, tempers this blissful haze, fracturing it just so .

Until Kane emits a very sudden, very small, laugh .

The sound is almost like a huff, not fully complete, like his body isn’t even sure how to create the sound. But it vibrates all over my body, I feel my eyes bleeding out and my entire body weight drops into his palm.

“She likes that idea, brother.” Kane’s words ignite the men into action.

Instantly, they become a blur of movement and I attempt to keep watch but Kane and Julien block most of the scene from my view.

Are they’re actually fighting? The sound of a thud and a brief groan, replaced by a hoarse laugh, answers my own question.

Worry and concern plague my features, Kane notes it instantly, lowering his face to ensure my eyes catch with his black ones. “They’re fine, they needed this.”

“Oh, you fucker,” I hear Sai pant out, humour still hanging onto his words. “Is that how we’re playing? Powers too? That doesn’t seem very fair, my Lord .”

“All’s fair in love and war, enforcer ,” Ezekial mocks, causing another laugh to fill the air before the heavy thuds continue. “I would trap you in that mind of yours, but you’d probably enjoy that you little—”

His words are cut off by a crackling noise, my eyebrows shoot into my hairline and I frantically search over Kane’s shoulder, past Julien who has also turned to watch the onslaught.

Vivid lines of iridescent blue are wrapped tightly around Ezekial’s body, highlighting the streaks of blood staining his clothes, flickering violently, and causing him to strain under the painful current.

His teeth are gritted and bared as he stares across at a smirking Sai. Sai’s markings pulse, surrounding him in a plume of violet, highlighting his ivory skin in a lilac tinge which makes him seem more God-like than usual.

“What was that, your highness ? I can’t quite hear you, mate. Speak up!” Sai taunts, running a thumb across his lip which is bloody.

Again, a sudden heat runs through my body, urging me to move towards him and take his crimson thumb into my mouth.

I shut that thought down instantly, I think, but the way Kane’s lips pull into something resembling a small smirk, I’m not sure I did it fast enough .

An eruption of darkness floods the room and the urge to seek out Ezekial wracks my body, feeling, knowing, that this is all him. The flicker of metallic wisps and glimmering of the air being additional tell-tale signs.

“Oh, fuck ,” I hear Sai mutter, catching the widening of his eyes as he takes a step back and strengthens his stance, there’s a tinge of panic in his otherwise teasing voice. “Just not the face, mate. Anywhere but the face—”

His words are cut off by the shadow which plunges towards him, engulfing him. Until I realise, it isn’t a shadow at all, but Ezekial cloaked in darkness. His eyes are piercing reflective lights, new moons cast in a starless night, which bore down and into Sai’s face as his fist grips Sai’s bloody shirt.

“I need to feed,” Julien calmly states, seemingly bored with the show, eyes focused upon me although he speaks to Kane.

“I noticed the marks were gone,” Kane adds, casually continuing the conversation as though Sai isn’t desperately trying to defend himself from the shadows striking him, or the black shapes which have begun to form in the room. “Go, I’ll ensure this doesn’t escalate too far.”

He gives Kane one soft nod, but his burning gaze never leaves me. " We are far from finished, mon envie. "

Then he leaves. With Kane's touch, I'm not able to fully digest his words and I'm soon distracted by the fighting again.

Ezekial's shadowy blobs quickly form and I audibly gasp at their solid shape. Two Dobermann-like creatures, black with a slight metallic sheen. Pointed ears and horns sit upon their narrow faces, their small leathery wings adding to their large size as they stand behind Ezekial. Their bright silver gazes watch Sai as they slowly begin stalking towards him, muzzles peeled back, snarling and revealing furious fangs as they get closer.

“Nice doggies, good doggies,” Sai desperately coaxes as another shadow attempts to swipe at his face, his power crackles when they defend it. “Has daddy not been giving you enough attention? Do you want a new daddy? A better looking daddy? A more stable daddy?” Sai’s teasing tone only creates more growls.

Ezekial releases Sai's shirt and lets him drop to the ground with a thud, his dogs lower their bodies, prowling even closer .

When Sai realises they’re almost over him, his hands begin to rise, vibrant markings blaring from his palms as he lays on the ground in surrender. “OK, you win, Zeek! Take the hell-hounds back!”

His voice has an edge of panic and I urgently watch, waiting for the shadowy creatures to stop.

But they don’t.

And Ezekial’s jaw seems to tighten, his eyes glowing intensely, body hard and alert. Not the form of someone about to back down.

I’m on my feet, Kane’s touch falling due to the sudden movement, and Ezekial’s eyes reach mine just before I speak.

“Here,” my soft order is layered with darkness, echoing around the room, causing everyone to still. Including the dogs.

They react immediately, both turning towards me. Simultaneously, their noses scent the air before their silver eyes dart to me.

The snarling stops, their ears drop and small tails begin to wag as they bound towards me.

“What. The. Fuck.” Sai’s shocked disbelief almost makes me laugh.

But I’m too busy stroking two giant dogs, larger than I realised now they’re sat nicely before me. I use both my hands to stroke each of them between their horns and soon, their black tongues are lolling out of their mouths.

“I love animals,” I murmur, ignoring the fact these creatures might not even be real, just shadows created by Ezekial, but I continue my touches as they roll onto their backs to ensure I can scratch their dark grey bellies. “You’re so beautiful,” I croon, crouching to reach them better.

“How did you know they would listen?” Kane’s voice is behind me, a touch of curiosity lingering between the icy tone.

Maybe it’s the after-effects of his haze or the darkness of the room, but I want to reply, “I just did.”

I add a small shrug, peering over my shoulder to see him towering over me, his dark, heavy gaze filled with questions as he turns to look at his brother for answers.

“They remember her,” he quietly responds to his brother’s silent question, repeating what he’d already told me, whilst watching me.

“This is more than just remembering,” Kane states. “They’re submitting.”

My brows scrunch over his words, not entirely understanding the implication, why he’s suggesting this means more than simply by ability to interact with animals.

“Empaths are usually skilled with soothing animals,” I decide to add. “It isn’t unusual.”

“These aren’t just normal animals, Red.” Sai is crouching with me now, facing me across the shadowy dogs, who are still on their backs, not even reacting to the man they were about to maul moments ago.

His gaze has returned to its normal piercing blue, still enough to make the air feel electric when I breathe but no longer wild and frantic. He peers up at the other men, as though silently gauging what he can and can’t say.

I frown at that, feeling the uncertainty crawl over me.

“You’re hiding something,” I state, suddenly feeling overly confident. Maybe it’s the fact I have two deadly creatures rolling beneath my fingertips… I slowly stand, warily watching the three men whose gazes all land upon me once more.

The loud whine and hard thumping of tails upon the ground breaks what could have been an awkward silence, the two gorgeous creatures staring up at me with wide, silvery, puppy-dog eyes.

My heart aches at the adorable sight, but before I can reach out again, Ezekial’s voice commands them, “Return.”

Gone, instantly, disintegrating into the shadows engulfing the room still.

Slowly, the shadows begin to rescind, allowing beams of light to permeate the dark once more, casting us all in a warm glow which soothes the chill.

“A conversation for another time,” Ezekial says, his words calm, controlled, nothing like the man who was fighting Sai. “We have a lot to discuss, let’s recharge and regroup in the evening.”

His grey eyes meet each of us, lingering with mine for a second longer, before he too slips into the remaining shadows like his creatures.