Chapter six #3
“Well, that worked better than I planned. You work well as bait,” a voice called from behind me.
How had the figure gotten around me? My eyes strained to see in the darkness.
The light of the fire allowed me to finally take in the face of the dark figure more clearly.
He was a male. A very handsome one at that.
His cheekbones were high. His nose had the most perfect curve that drew you towards his mouth and complemented his well chiselled face.
He could have been carved by Holy Ether, herself.
Gazing down at his mouth, I had never been attracted to such a soft, full set of lips in my life.
Holy Ether! What was happening to me? I needed to collect myself.
“What’s your name, boy?” Boy? Oh, I was holding a sword.
He must have thought I was male. “I do not wish to spill any more blood tonight. I mean you no harm. You can be on your way.” Taking him in more closely, I noticed the slight curl on the ends of his dark, black hair.
His dark eyes burned into my soul. He was Noxlin.
The information I had been told about these creatures was false.
They weren’t beastly at all! “Are you mute?” His tone was annoyed.
Anger raged through me: anger for Raiden, and for being slightly mesmerised by this vile creature!
“I’m not a boy,” I seethed, pulling the hood of my dark cloak away from my face. His eyes were startled as he got his first good look at me. “I should strike you down where you stand!”
“What is a Dylin female doing out here alone?” The shock hadn’t faded from his face. He seemed to be studying every inch of me, probably contemplating whether or not to defile me before killing me. I would run the blade into my own stomach before he ever touched me!
“I wasn’t alone!” I motioned towards Raiden’s lifeless body. “Come any closer and I will kill you!” I threatened, lifting my sword as high as I could. I was ready to battle.
“Oh, please. I have no wish to fight you. You can hardly lift that sword.”
“Do not mock me! I know what you are!”
“It’s good to see that your eyes work, but you are alone now.
The Dylin male is dead.” His face almost looked amused as he spoke.
Tears began to stream down my face. Raiden had become my friend during our journey.
Losing him hurt. The male in front of me was right, though.
I was completely alone. How would I finish the pilgrimage now?
My life lay in the hands of this Noxlin scum.
If he could kill a noc beast, he must be a fairly powerful warrior.
“You should leave before more creatures smell the blood. It’s breeding season.
Many wander farther than they should at this time. ”
“I’m not going anywhere with you!”
“Do whatever you want. I don’t give a fuck. I’m not particularly concerned about helping a weak Dylin.” Blasphemy! Now he was showing his Noxlin tendencies. “All I’m doing is advising you to move away from your dead friend. Beasts will come for his carcass soon.”
“You animal! How dare you speak of him that way! Raiden was worth a thousand of you!” I spat, angered by his cruel words.
“I’m not sure you can make that judgement when you’ve only known me for a matter of minutes.
I was merely stating a fact. All this blood and flesh will attract many creatures.
” He gave me a long look before placing his sword in its holder on his back before he started to walk off.
“You’re welcome, by the way,” he called over his shoulder.
“For what?” I yelled, collecting my things from around the fire. This male was infuriating, but he was right. I couldn’t stay here with all this blood, but I had nowhere else to go.
“For saving you,” he replied, moving to slip into the night. I couldn’t trust him—he was Noxlin—but what other option did I have? I wouldn’t last a night out here alone.
“Wait!” I called, not trusting the tremble in my voice. The Noxlin turned, giving me that smirk I already hated. “Can you help me get home? I can pay you in gold?” I was selling my soul to the enemy.
“Let’s go back to the safety of my camp. We can discuss my demands there.” I had no choice but to follow him. Whether he was escorting me to my ruin or not, I had no other options.
Taking one last look at Raiden’s lifeless body, I gripped the light sword and dragged it along with me as tears stung my eyes. I was alone. My life lay in the hands of a Noxlin!
“Do I get to know your name?” He quirked his eyebrow at me as I followed him into the cold night.
“Absolutely not!” I fumed, adjusting my bag over my shoulder. I would rather die than tell him my name.
“Fine.” His tone was indifferent. “I’m Darce.” Shock spread across my face that he had even bothered to tell me. He must have read it in my expression because he added, “I’m only telling you so you can name me in your stories as the one that saved your life.”
“I’m surprised that you’ll even let me live long enough to tell my story to anyone,” I sneered back.
“I have already assured you that I mean you no harm.”
“I’ll never trust a Noxlin pig like you!” That shut Darce up until we reached his dwellings.