Chapter 9
Sylvain
I sit in my backyard, a glass of bourbon in one hand, listening to the dull crashing sounds of the construction machines in the distance and watching as the sun dips into the horizon, sending blood red rays streaming into the sky.
I left Amaya at the hotel, her face full of sorrow.
On my way out, I saw the construction trucks in the lot, wondering why I had not noticed them before.
Too distracted with a beautiful, bewildering woman, that’s what.
Mrs. Ames was kind enough to inform me that the construction crew had arrived the week prior, and several workers were staying at the hotel presently. She had overheard them at breakfast mentioning that they were working for some developer.
Now my forest was being ripped apart by money-hungry humans in suits.
I know what I need to do, but doing it would take an enormous amount of magic on my part, and might hurt someone in the end, but it has to be done.
I gulp down the final swallow of my drink and start to get up when my doorbell rings.
Frowning at the door, I shift back to my human self and cautiously approach, wondering who might be on the other side. Most people in town know where I live because, hey, small town, but I almost never get visitors.
The peephole reveals Amaya, standing at my door, looking utterly woebegone. I open the door in a hurry, and we stand there, looking at each other for what seems like a nanosecond before she flings herself into my arms.
“I couldn’t let you do whatever it is you’re thinking of doing by yourself.” She says into my neck.
I gently disentangle her arms from around me, holding her hands in mine, feeling how strong, yet small, they are. Her eyes are fierce, like two lit coals, and I know she is serious.
“You really want to come with me, no matter what happens, no matter what I do?” My words gain force as I speak them, as though I can make her understand that there is no turning back once we leave this house together.
“They’re destroying your land, your magic, your essence.
I have to go. I have to be with you, in whatever way I can help.
Besides, the forest likes me, you said so yourself.
” A smirk plays across her pillowy lips, and I cup her face in my hands, tipping those lips up to mine so I can feel them once more and maybe pretend for half a moment that things aren’t so bad after all.
My chest purrs with contentment as I explore this mouth of hers, at first delicately, and then with reckless enthusiasm because I know one thing: “You are mine.” I murmur.
Amaya breaks the kiss first, those delicious lips swollen from my assault.
“Am I?” All that shiny, black hair creates a shadow across her features, making it hard for me to see the look on her face, and I wait, breathless, to see if she will accept what I know is already the truth.
“Are you a god who loves? Or one who thinks of humans like a new toy, one to be tossed aside when you’re done with it? ”
It’s her turn for her eyes to pin me to my place, and now she is waiting for my answer.
“I’ve never been one to be bored with anything; in fact, I’ve been accused of being obsessive to the point of destruction, a perfectionist. But you…
” I stroke her lower lip with my thumb, smooth her cheekbone under my hand, and trace that strong brow.
“I’ve never felt more awake, more alive, more in tune than when I am with you. ”
“Really?” A single tear slides down her face, telling me everything I need to know.
“Really.” I lean forward to kiss the tear away. “We need to leave. You’re sure you’re coming with me, no matter what happens?”
She straightens her shoulders, a steely gaze locked in place. “Oh, I’m sure.”
???
“WHAT'S WRONG?”SHE WHISPERS.
My eyes are closed tight as I reach out with my mind's eyes, searching for the garden. I open them, seeing nothing but the fog rolling in.
“It’s not working.” I turn to look at her now anxious face. “You should try.”
We’re standing in my backyard, several feet into the forest, attempting to summon the portal to the garden with no luck. Amaya scrunches up her face, and I can almost see the wheels turning as she tries to open the portal. One eye cracks open before she lets out an exasperated sigh.
“Why isn’t it opening?”
“It must be so damaged that it can’t move. It must still be stuck over by the hotel.”
“Is that bad?”
My body is growing and shifting with branches, vines spouting from my body as the ground gets smaller, Amaya, positively diminutive beside me.
“Okay, I’m gonna assume that is bad.” I see her head craned up to look at me, almost comical at the angle she must tilt back to see me properly. As a response, I lift her up and place her on my shoulders, wrapping her hands around my antlers.
“Don’t let go, whatever you do.” I admonish her sternly.
“I won’t.” She gasps.
We dissolve into a cloud of aether and dust before stepping out onto the path just behind the hotel, shimmering dust settling around us. I reach up to lift Amaya down to the ground, where she doubles over, sucking in air. I lean down to brush her hair behind her ear.
“Are you alright?”
“I did not expect to teleport, that’s all, I think my mind is trying to catch up to my body.” Her eyes are closed, one small hand grasping a large tree for support.
THUMP.
The ground shakes violently beneath us, nearly toppling Amaya over. Alarmed, I catch her easily, bracing her body against my hands, and a low growl emanates from deep within my chest.
“Shit!” She exclaims, brows furrowed in anger. More deep breaths fill her chest, and she forces her eyes open. “Why are they still out here? It’s dusk!”
“They are going to wish they weren’t. Come on.”
She takes my hand, and we step along the same path we took earlier that day. Sure enough, the clearing has gotten wider, with several more trees felled.
“What are you going to do?” I am pleased that there is no hesitancy in her voice, only clear resolve.
“Crack open the earth, and make them pay,” I respond, just as calmly.