2. -
CHAPTER TWO
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A month later, Talon and I are sitting in our coven healer's office, waiting to begin the testing to see if the ritual has been successful.
Gravis, the healer, is jotting down some notes in his workbook.
I gaze at how smooth the lines are from the blue ink pen skittering across the page.
No tearing the page, no skipping of ink, just ease.
I wish things were easier. Not knowing how Talon truly feels about me; it's a lonely, oppressive feeling.
My fingers fiddle with my tiny handmade doll hanging from its looped head string around my pinky, Stitches.
One of Stitches's eyes is a patchwork of two black threads crossed together, and the other is a preserved cat eye that Talon found for me.
Encased in a yellow, the iris is a slit of pure hatred.
Things like that cause me to believe he does love me, even if he hasn't said it.
“Alright, Cerys, let's see how the test comes back,” Gravis suggests, fastening his white scrub coat closer to his body.
He removes his stethoscope and scoots his rolling chair directly in front of me, hovering his hands over my stomach. A warm hazel hue exudes from his hands and surrounds my stomach, radiating heat like a hot summer day.
A craving for the sun nudges me.
Gravis presses his lips into a thin line as he removes his hands, instantly stroking his soft, grey and white hair. “I'm sorry, but it doesn't seem to be another source of magic inside of you yet.”
My eyes flicker to the tile floor, tensing up in anticipation for Talon's reaction.
“So the ritual was a failure?” He inquires with a harsh bite. I flinch.
“Y-yes, it would appear that way,” Gravis replies in a stammer, pushing his glasses closer to his face.
Talon releases a thundering sigh. “Well, we can always try again. Right, Cerys?”
My ears perk up and I glance at my mate, hope shimmering. He doesn't seem mad. I expected….anger?
His muscles are a tense mass of atoms, but his eyes don't hold anger. The tension could be because he's afraid of what Deemer will say about it.
Did I get us into serious trouble?
I sink down into my chair with a death grip around Stitches, wishing the chair would eat me.
Talon stands and shakes Gravis's hand. “Thanks for your time anyway, Doc.”
The wrinkles on Gravis's face scrunch up as he smiles. “Anytime, Commander.” Feeling defeated, I follow Talon as he heads for the door, but before I can cross the threshold, Gravis interrupts. “Cerys?”
I turn and stare into his pools of amber.
“It will happen soon. Don't worry about it. There's nothing preventing fertilization, it's just a difficult process sometimes. Stay positive.”
I nod to acknowledge his words, offering a gentle smile in return.
He really is a nice, old man. I appreciate him for trying to lessen the blow.
After leaving Gravis, I follow Talon down the winding hallways of Banity. The underground compound is miles long, having to house an entire colony of people.
Children of Banity dates back to the 1800s.
They've lived underground their whole lives to protect the coven against being hunted by the Elites.
The Elder's Clan, the police of all witches on earth, has hunted Drakkonians dating back that far.
Banity has their own goals they aim to achieve, and the Elder's Clan send their warriors called Elites to kill us off.
I have asked Talon why they hunt us, why Drakkonians are to be exterminated, and he said that it's not something the females need to concern themselves with.
Just stay inside the compound, do what you're told, and everything will be fine.
So far, he's been right. We haven't had any problems with the Elites yet, at least none that I am aware of.
Some of the skulls on Deemer's podium are Elite warrior skulls from years ago, which I think is pretty cool.
I have asked Talon if I can play with the skulls, perhaps make a new podium out of extra body parts that I have stored in my craft supplies, but I was told that they're not interested in my projects and don't want them rotting outside of my room.
I told Talon to let Deemer know that I think that's rude.
Even if it IS rotting, I still made it.
We pass by a large, indoor farm with sun panels allowing sunlight to coat the crops, several bath houses, and then the commercial kitchen.
Just left of the kitchen, we take a turn down another sconce-lit hallway.
Following the hallway down to the end, we reach a towering wooden door.
Thick, silver steel twines encase the frame, enforcing it with a stronger material than just wood.
Using his knuckles, Talon knocks twice. The door gives way to Deemer, chest revealed from an unbuttoned shirt.
His bouncy, curly hairs waft with a slight breeze in the air.
He leans against the door frame, raising a bottle of Jack to his lips.
Swirls of bright gold reflect in his eyes as he tips his head back for a gulp.
“What cha want?” Deemer asks. Alcohol drifts from his mouth to my nose.
Talon gets straight to the point. “We need to do the ritual again.”
Around a mouthful of liquor, he chokes on the words, “failed? Like it didn't work? Nada?”
Talon nods.
“I have never heard of that happening,” Deemer adds, clearing dribbles of rum from his lips.
“Me either,” Talon shrugs.
I stay still and say nothing. I don't want to bring attention to myself, the failure.
“Is she infertile or something?” Deemer asks Talon, eyes flicking over to me.
“Gravis said that's not the case. He says it takes time.”
“Yeah, but…with the ritual? With your magic boost? We have a one-hundred percent success rate. Even the texts from our ancestors vouch for its effectiveness.”
Deemer glances around like he's searching for answers in the walls.
“Maybe our ancestors don't want her to get pregnant? We did use J?rmungandr's blessing.” He adds to his thoughts as he shifts on his feet. The TV behind him is blaring Korean dramas, forcing me to focus harder on the words being exchanged in front of me.
We do have electricity down here. It's just not very strong or reliable. It's bummed off of businesses and other power lines nearby. We rely on our magic to fuel fires like the flame sconces we have in the hallways. That's more reliable and of course, it's free.
Talon clicks his tongue, pulling me out of my thoughts, “I doubt that. The more members with J?rmungandr's blood, the closer we can get to our goals as a coven.”
Deemer shrugs. “The only thing to do is try again. Lupercalia is in a week. We could use the magic boost?”
Talon's eyes light up and a shit eating grin stretches his lips. “Actually, not a bad idea. I've never celebrated Lupercalia.” He spins on his heel to face me, smiling wildly. “Cerys, you're my date for the Lupercalia festivities.”
Glancing through my thick, blonde hair, I offer him a small smile. I have no idea what Lupercalia is, and why we haven't celebrated before, but I am not going to complain.
If I want Talon to love me, I have to give him a child. It is the duty of my membership for Banity.
Whatever boosts are available for me, I'll take it.
After our conversation with Deemer, we head back through the expansive compound to our room. The rooms here are scattered about, making it easy to get lost. I am sure to follow Talon closely. I try to remember which turns are where, but I get confused too easily.
Talon picks out a yellow sundress for me to wear after my shower at the bathhouse.
With my toiletries, towel, and dress bundled in his arms, he leads me to the female bath house.
We call it a “house” but it's a natural spring.
There's a river that flows underneath here, but as for bathing, we use these natural hot springs spread throughout the compound.
These hot springs are thousands of years old.
The water has healing properties due to our ancestors blessing it when Banity was founded.
Entering the carved out chasm made of thick, red clay, I pat the bench against the wall to signal Talon to leave my things there.
I place Stitches next to my pile of towels and clothes as I remove Talon's oversized shirt he put me in.
Lacing my thumb through my panties, I step out of those, too.
I gather the bundle and hand it to Talon to take to the laundry area.
“I'll come get you in a little bit,” Talon states.
He steps forward, puckering his lips. I lean in to return the kiss, but Talon's hand reaches out and presses against my bare chest, coaxing me to back up against the wall.
My back thuds, sending a gasp out of me as his sunset eyes twirl underneath the hue of the sconces.
A hint of mischief reflects in them, like a silent plan to take what's his.
My mouth breaks open into a smile to question him, but he silences me with a feverish slap of his lips against mine. Head swimming, my hands instinctively wrap around his neck, allowing him to get closer, so close that he could sink into my skin.
Our tongues brush together in a heated dance, taking what we believe is rightfully ours. For me, it fills a hole I've always felt-deep chasm of meaninglessness-but I was given a purpose by being chosen for Talon, and I take my job seriously.
My heart swells as I allow Talon to absorb every emotion through our kisses. His canines nip at my bottom lip. Copper leaks into my mouth as it does for him, lapping at the small slice on my lip.
My core flexes and floods from the love bite, and Talon's nostrils flare. Leave it to a fierce predator to know when their mate is turned on.
Shoving his nose into my neck, he inhales. “If this weren't the female bath house, I'd fuck you right here.” A gaspy rush of air escapes my lungs once his concealed erection nudges my pussy.
“So, does that mean we could technically fuck in the men's?” I quip back, side eyeing him from his position on my neck.