Chapter 14 Winter #2
It needed constant top-ups because my death nature basically killed it all too quickly.
But the top-ups were actually possible constantly—despite how he was framing it to me.
He could invoke them at any time because he wasn’t actually ever completely leaving my system.
He was remaining, but using his warped version of transmutation to appear as though it was just a part of me—hiding in my veins, blood, tissue.
That part was hidden from my death nature all the while he was presenting it in that way—my body couldn’t tell the difference.
But as soon as he used that hold in me to generate the living warmth, my body registered it, meaning my death nature then started nullifying it—killing it, in a way.
Him keeping this sickening hold on me and all the manipulation that went along with it was all so he could leash me from afar—gauge my power set so he’d know when it reached the level he needed, be able to track me wherever I was, even to feel other magical signatures emanating around me so he could tell who I was with at any given time.
It was deeply fucking creepy and disgustingly violating.
The Spiral Thorn explanation had been a partial lie from him. He already had a connection to watch me. But that instrument had opened a door on my end too, for me to reach back. It had to have another purpose beyond that, but I hadn’t determined that yet.
Despite figuring all of that out, I didn’t yet know what the living warmth truly was, what kind of spell or substance—or a combination of both—was making it possible for death to feel alive.
Obviously the notion of being able to feel this forever was no small thing to me.
But Ruxnoth doing this, every additional time he employed it, was making my baseline worse. Instead of the previous… empty numbness, it was now unbearable and painful.
He grasped my jaw and tipped my head back, forcing my gaze to his.
“I know you are overwhelmed by all of this, and that’s why you stayed away, even when you needed me.
But you are doing very well, miraculous boy.
You must also keep in mind that when the time is right and you join me in Sanctus, you will feel this warmth eternally.
You will be revered not feared. You will be protected and adored.
Everything you require for your specific makeup awaits you with me.
” He smiled and stroked my cheek. “There will be no more pain, no more shame, no more heartache and fear… only contentment.”
He pushed more heat into me, clearing away the last vestiges of that awful stabbing ice sensation.
It was all-consuming, and as much as I fucking hated it, he had me pushing against his hands, silently begging for more, a groan escaping me.
“That’s right. You know where you truly belong, what I can give you. I am the only being alive who can provide you with such a gift.”
My eyes rolled back in my head as he rubbed his other hand in slow circles over my abs, sending a wave of sparkling living warmth out every fucking where.
Oh, fuck… get a grip. Get control.
Focus.
Focus now.
Focus!
“I do know. It’s the only place I can belong.”
“Mmm, yes. Very good.”
“You’re the only one who understands.”
“Because I’ve been within you, with what you refer to as my ‘infection’.”
Urgh. “Exactly. You know me inside and out.”
No.
Not in the least.
“I must take my leave soon as you need to wake up shortly or you’ll miss class and invite suspicion we cannot have.
We don’t want that forcing my hand, do we?
Having to hurt somebody you love would be distasteful to me.
I want you content, not distressed. Let us work together to keep it that way, yes? ”
Son of a—
I sucked in a breath, managing to disguise my rage at his words as being a harsh intake of air from the heat he was still pouring into me.
And then I even managed to force out, “Of course. I promise.”
“Say it. Say you’ll obey me like my very good deathborn darling.”
Fuck.
Of course he was pushing it.
Everything was a test or manipulation with him.
And while I’d never been particularly prideful, this was… what he was dragging me down into… it was another thing entirely.
It made me sick to my stomach.
He snagged my jaw, his fingers digging into my skin.
His eyes blazed down at me with a weird combination of excited anticipation and dogged dominance. “Are you with me? Will you please me and behave?”
“Yes. I’ll obey you.”
“Like my deathborn darling?”
Come the fuck on.
“Like… your deathborn darling.”
He patted my cheek with stinging force, then stepped back. “Very well done. Now, before we say goodbye, let me ask you, why aren’t you wearing your oval blue pendant necklace?”
“I also wasn’t wearing these swim trunks when you pulled me in here.”
“That’s different. I can’t affect the necklace due to the way Velra crafted it.”
Yeah, I knew he fucking couldn’t.
Because he didn’t understand Wraith magic.
“Are you really being obstinate after we’ve come to such a lovely understanding?”
I forced myself to avert my eyes in… submission. “No… it’s nothing like that,” I said, making my voice come out as a murmur.
His expression softened as a result. “What is it, then?” he asked, stroking my hair. “What is the matter?”
“I think you know. I took it off because… it’s me preparing to say goodbye. Like you said before.”
“I see.” He brushed his knuckles under my chin. “I am sorry it’s causing you pain. Just know that the end result will take all of that away. It truly is what’s best for everyone in the long term.”
I lifted my head. “I know. You’re right.”
He smiled. “This will cheer you up in the meantime. I’ve seen to it to provide you a reward for being so good for me.
My warmth will stay with you a lot longer this time.
It will enable you to focus through your training.
Come to me when you feel my pull next time, though, or you will force me to deliver another unfortunate lesson. ”
“I will.”
“Until then.”
In the next moment, my surroundings began to tremble, sway, and blur.
He disappeared from view.
Then everything was swallowed in a flash of midnight-blue light.
My eyes snapped open and I found myself back in my bed.
I was tucked in and wearing two fucking robes over my pajamas again because I’d been in that awful state he’d caused in me.
It was gone now. Completely. The warmth and sense of life from the dreamscape remained rolling through me powerfully.
But I was shaking.
Just my right hand, though.
I eased it from the covers and opened my closed fist.
Relief sang through me as I saw I’d accomplished what I’d intended.
There, within a sphere of layered frost was a shimmering sliver of midnight-blue and amber—the magical manifestation of the warmth he infused me with at the very point of contact with my being. Basically, it was the key to a living equation for me to figure out how the living warmth worked.
It hadn’t exactly been easy to keep off his radar.
Using Necromancy would have set off alarm bells instantly.
An illusion wouldn’t have gotten past him.
So instead, the entire time we’d been in that place, I’d had to balance my Wraith frost and my shadows together to blend with the water to conceal what I’d been able to pull from him.
I smiled to myself as I hid it away with a flare of my amber magic. “Thanks, Mom.”
I grunted as I walked back in from the balcony.
I’d performed Soul Track on the surrounding area of the Loxley Academy campus this time—and not just as a practice exercise.
Honestly, after that first time when my glitching had stopped screwing with me, and I’d been able to carry it out perfectly, it had come so easily any other time I’d tried it. I had it down very well now.
But this morning I’d also had to apply illusion breaching because I’d felt resistance.
After doing that, I’d then been able to see the unit of The Shadowed stationed on the periphery.
The protection Grandpa had employed after my abduction.
In secret and off the Guardian Movement’s radar—and everyone’s.
He had his magic-wielders shielding his vampires from the sun—all near-Ancient-level vampires.
Basically some of his best. That was how concerned he was.
And although I’d been told about it and I’d given the go ahead, that protection had doubled over the last few days.
Since I’d reached new heights through my training with Dad—and Mom joining us to help me fuse my Wraith magic and Necromancy into hybridized spells.
And of course I’d only agreed to the protection in order to calm my family, put their minds somewhat at ease.
Just… seeing it this morning brought home to me how much I had to keep things off their radar whenever I could.
Especially what had happened earlier with Ruxnoth pulling me into that dreamscape.
The lengths my family was prepared to go to for me…
it was too much, too fucking dangerous for them.
And this increase in protection now… because I was reaching new levels with my Necromancy, they all thought—Ruxnoth had even said it in that dreamscape—the time was fast approaching where he’d come for me again.
Not just my family either.
My loves.