3. -
CHAPTER THREE
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One.
Strike.
Two.
Strike.
Three.
Strike.
My bandaged foot collides with the punching bag, moving it a millimeter.
I correct my stance on my feet and sigh. I've been at this for several days leading up to today, Lupercalia, and have made very little progress. I hit up our library full of ancient texts from our ancestors and those who lived here before us, to see if we had any guides to strengthen our powers.
I found a couple books of rituals we can perform and spells to cast, but no tutorials on how to strengthen without casting and potentially hurting myself or others.
If I ruined something in this coven for trying to practice my powers, I would surely be used as a sacrifice.
To be extra careful, I relocated myself and the punching bag at the far end of the compound, hiding in a spacious room. The fewer people and things around, the better.
Stitches is propped up against the wall in the corner. His one good eye stares blankly at me as I gather a handful of bricks. One by one, I bring one brick to the opposite side of the room, stacking them. Then, I put distance between myself and the pile.
Internally, I call upon the timeless powers that flow through my veins. I imagine my chest on fire, spewing unrelenting strength from my engine. It revs, and from my hands, a spark of electricity zaps between them. As quickly as it sparks, it deflates, gone in a single breath.
My shoulders fall forward and I release a guttural void of frustration. This is harder than I expected.
Though, who expects to master powers in several days? Me, apparently.
I raise my hands and try again. Inhaling, I position my hands across from each other in front of me, aiming the flow of magic to my fingers. A faint, blinding glow radiates, shrinking in surface area before growing. Back and forth, I gaze at the hue as it changes in size.
Good enough, I suppose.
Turning, I position myself to throw the ball of energy toward the pile of bricks. Ready, aim -
“What are you doing here?” Sera's shrill voice cuts through my thoughts. I jump, sending the ball of light off to the side of the bricks. The energy dissipates as soon as it touches the concrete floor, leaving no trace it was ever there.
I turn towards the entry way and scowl at her.
“You're not supposed to be anywhere near me. Go away.” On a hiss, I turn my back towards her, positioning my hands once again to repeat the action.
Why is she here, anyway? I'm busy, and Deemer made it pretty clear we weren't supposed to be around each other.
Sera doesn't move. She stands in the way of the expansive hole-the only way in or out of this clay and concrete room.
Her hands are behind her back, and instead of a fitness outfit, her buff frame holds her coven cloak.
Adorned with the Banity symbol, an upside down cross with angel wings protruding from either side, she has it tied tightly in the front of her.
Tonight is Lupercalia, but her presence at the mating ritual itself is not required this time.
Encouraged? Yes, but both Deemer and Bexlee know that the festivities will be plenty and there will be quite a few different rituals and summonings going on.
Does she actually plan on watching Talon and I fuck? Just because she wants to ensure I am going to get pregnant?
That's a little weird, even for members of Banity.
Shifting uncomfortably, I jest, “you have a thing for Talon or something? Not that I would blame you. His cock is a fine specimen, ribbed for pleasure. His abs are such a perfect work of delicate yet sharp carvings. His hip V? Is criminal. Not to mention, he brings me dead things!” I pause and wave my arms around like I am turning to the air for a response.
“Animal carcasses, wilted flowers, pieces of discarded skin from rituals, you name it, Talon brings it!”
Sera pinches the bridge of her nose. Not sure how, as most of her nose is taken up by those godforsaken, awful glasses.
“Do you ever shut up?” Sera bites. I step back a bit, ready to pounce if need be.
I know I am not supposed to, but what am I to do otherwise? Talon isn't here, and neither are the two big bad leaders who handle the members that get wild hairs up their butts.
I'd say Sera has a wild hair up hers.
As soon as I step back, Sera takes one forward.
My heart rate spikes, sending warm embers through my veins.
Toes to fingers, my inner channels scream that danger is in the area - activating the beast inside of me.
This is the first time my inner dragon ancestry-my pure dragon blood-has awakened before.
Blinding white light ignites behind my eyes, blurring my vision yet enhancing it at the same time.
The soil's rich, earthy aroma deepens. Sera's sour perspiration intensifies.
My back tingles and trembles before my tiny, leathery, crimson wings rip through Talon's band T-shirt, unraveling from my shoulder blades.
Chilly air rushes to my exposed back, and now the t-shirt is barely clinging to my body, hanging on by the collar of the shirt.
My chest heaves. The intensity of the unruly power sends tremors through me, shaking like I am freezing. In fact, I would argue that the shakes are pure adrenaline.
Sera's blonde, precise bob cut swishes as she takes another step forward. Though her expression is not decipherable, the electric charge of the air sets my feelers on high alert. The feeling of danger, but being unable to pinpoint why.
“Ya know, Cerys," she begins, voice steady, “Ven told me he would like to help you get pregnant.”
Immediately, I cackle. I don't have time to fully process the buffoonary before the maniacal laughter bursts from my throat.
Sera's face drops into a deep, hateful, threatening scowl. The swirls of orange hues in her eye color seem to shift to an alarming red.
What makes her think I would accept his proposal, anyway? I only have eyes for Talon. Unless Talon told me to go ahead, I would decline.
Besides, I don't want his child. I want Talon's, as he is my mate.
Who knew that my uterus would be such a hot topic these days?
Upon noticing the bemusement on Sera's face, I add, “look, I'm sorry, but that's not something I am interested in. You can let him know I politely decline, and will only do such a thing if Deemer, Bexlee, or Talon instructs me to do so.” I pause for a second, patting the back of my head awkwardly, “no offense to your brother or anything.” I put my hands up in surrender.
Sera's sour expression does not lessen. It remains the same. Who pissed in her milk this morning?
“The fact he even wants to at all makes you a stain to Banity,” she whispers, lacing her words with acid.
I blink. What is she talking about? Is she…jealous? That's technically her mate, but it's not like sharing here is a big deal. Besides, I'd rather scoop my eyes out than touch that dude. His cock isn't ribbed like Talon's, and his hairy balls are a turn off.
“Why are you being weird, girlfriend?” I inquire, raising an eyebrow. “You can keep your mate. Trust me, I don't want him.”
Gracing me with a feral growl, she spits, “I don't understand what he sees in you, anyway. You're nothing special. You can't defend us. You can't get pregnant. What can you do?”
The words hit me, but bounce off of me and onto the floor. She's not worth it. It's somewhat hilarious to me that she's jealous and Ven hasn't touched me outside of shoving his dirty cock in my mouth. I should have bitten it off.
I shrug with sarcastic enthusiasm, letting my arms drop dramatically, “Talon does say my Netflix and Chill game is pretty solid. Ven would be lucky to experience it. Alas, I'd carve our coven symbol into his chest if he tried.”
“You're a gross bitch,” Sera bites. Her eyes are practically swallowed by the intense scowl she bears. If she's not careful, her face will end up stuck like that. Oh no, what a tragedy.
“And you're a weird bitch, so we're -” the words do not fully eject before Sera pounces on me like she did the other day, like a cat to its prey.
We topple to the hard ground with a thud.
I release a yelp, both from being caught off guard and the uncomfortable landing.
Her legs straddle me with massive strength, anchoring me to the floor.
With one hand death gripping my shirt collar, her other hand positions above my head in a fist, and I have no time to react besides holding my arms up in front of my face.
Her fist collides with my arms at full force. A sickening crack breaks the air, sending a scream out of me.
She just fractured my arm.
Adrenaline shoots my power through my veins, illuminating them like they're biofluorescent.
I buck like a bull, but her strength keeps me pinned. With my good arm, I toss a ball of energy toward her head. It lands, but only leaves a puff of smoke behind and has little to no effect.
Just my luck.
Fury explodes behind her eyes. “You think you're better than everyone else here, don't you?” She leans close to me, holding eye contact.
“Miss Commander's mate, like that protects you somehow.
You're worthless!” She yells the laced words, raising her fist again.
Ignoring the intense burning sensation, I place my hands on her chest and shove.
Her body jerks and she slips off of me, giving me enough time to scoot away.
Scrambling to my feet, I run for the exit. I don't want to get into trouble for defending myself, so I will find Deemer and let him handle this.
Meaning she will have some sort of awful punishment, but I don't care. She's gone after me twice now, and her feral stupidity must be dealt with.
Almost to the threshold, Sera makes it to me in time, taking a fistful of hair and yanking backwards.
My scalp screams as I fall backwards, but before I can make it down, her hand clasps the back of my head and shoves me full force into the hard concrete.
My nose gives way, and another crack pierces the air.
I cry out. Not out of fear, not from pain, but a pure battle cry of anger. Frustration. Total anarchy for the situation. Not only am I having issues getting pregnant and growing my powers, but this. This is a problem.
Metallic runs into my mouth as I stagger to a stand. My chest heaves, and I position myself to attack her. However, my vision is warping from the body slam.
Without a scratch on her, Sera giggles like a child pleased with themselves. “You may as well just kill yourself before I do it for you.”
My eyes flutter. “...Talon…Talon won't let that happen…” The pounding in my head makes it difficult to focus and force my voice to work.
“He's not here though, is he?” Sera causally strolls up to me as I sway where I stand. She pokes my shoulder, and my ass plants on the ground.
With blurry vision, her form standing over me is nothing more than a smudge.
The pressure in the air changes and a chill runs up my spine.
Talon is here.
My head swivels to the entrance, and my mate's large shoulders eat the surface area.
“Sera.” His voice is sharp, quick, to the point. Lethal.
“Yes?” She responds in such a light, carefree manner, like she didn't beat my ass and threaten me, again.
“Is there a reason why you're here? And why is Cerys's nose bloody?” His expression is still difficult to read, given my vision being wonky, but the flat tone of his inflection proves he's trying to keep his cool.
My heart swells and my pussy practically weeps at his devotion to me.
With ease, Sera says, “I am helping her train. She's a wimp. See?” Sera kicks my side and I yelp out an, “ouch!”
I vigorously rub my eyes so I can see. I don't want to miss out on Talon's deadly disappointment in her.
“Ceyrs need not worry about such things,” Talon responds, moving across the threshold until he's in her face. “I am her mate. I protect her. I fight for her. Now, I'll ask again. What. Did. You. Do?”
“You can ask her.” Sera's eyes shoot to me.
“I'm asking you.”
I hear her swallow harshly. “Like I said, helping her train.”
A grin eats my lips. I'm living for this right now!
I don't know what possessed her to think she would get away with this. Maybe she expects Ven to save her.
Seems like something he would do.
Talon's eyes narrow. “I don't think helping her train involves receiving a bloody nose.” He glances down at me before squatting down in front of me.
As I hold my left arm, Talon takes it gingerly. He runs his fingers over it, releasing tingly warmth into my bones. I gasp as the burning intensifies, watching the bones writhe underneath my skin like a pack of maggots. Slowly, the bones reconnect over a matter of a minute.
Wonderment exudes from my pores as I watch him work. Our mating means that he will care for me, and heal me whenever necessary within the scope of his abilities, and that's exactly what is happening.
Keeping my arm steady in his iron grasp, he whispers, “she shattered your arm, didn't she? You can tell me.” His careful voice soothes the anger welling inside.
I nod. There is no need for words - he understands.
Next, he runs his fingers down my nose, allowing the bones to mend there, too.
My eyes sparkle. I am so spoiled. What would I do without Tal?
As he pats my head, he smiles, “there, all better.” My vision instantly clears and I jump to my feet within seconds, ready to defend myself by any means necessary.
“Told you he won't let you kill me,” I hissed as I stuck my tongue out at her like an immature toddler.
Sera's eyes expand for a moment. She backs up from us.
Is this the part where she realizes she fucked up? All she had to do was leave me alone, and everything would have been fine. She could fuck her stupid life away for all I care. Maybe she should have a kid and contribute to the coven she seems to care so much for.
Well, she could have, but now she's broken rules, and there will be a punishment.
“I think it's only fair if we allow Cerys to pick your punishment, since you were so keen on punishing her for her lack of a useful uterus,” Talon suggests.
Taken aback, Sera exclaims, throwing her arms over her chest and jutting her hip out “excuse me?” She scoffs in disbelief. “I'm a fighter for this coven. Always putting my life on the line. And you would dispatch me over her?”
Talon ignores her, which irritates her greatly. “Ven won't let you get away with that.”
Ah, so she does think Ven has some sort of pull over Deemer and Bexlee. That's delusional.
We continue to ignore her words.
Knowing I can choose her punishment gives me a sickening satisfaction I wasn't aware I could feel.
I jump up and down and clap my hands. I have never gotten to pick a coven member's punishment before. Watched them? Plenty. Planned them? Nada.
“Thank you!!” I exclaim, jumping out of my skin.
Now, what should it be?