Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Mikah felt his insides squeeze, restricting his oxygen.
He’d glanced back to see one of the dark creatures swinging its cleaver down at Alexa.
Before he could react, though, the creature disintegrated.
All of the dark soldiers combusted into nothing.
He sighed with relief to see Ken holding Alexa.
He couldn’t imagine ever feeling happier to see that damn Kraken.
Well, that was his thought for a second, because a moment later, Ken vanished, taking Alexa with him.
Mikah sat down on the ground angrily as Brian sat next to him. They were both looking at Terra, who walked over and sat opposite of them.
“I know she’s with Ken, but I don’t like not having her in my sight,” Mikah growled as he lifted his gaze toward Terra.
“He’ll bring her back. She is safer with him than anyone.” Terra listened to the annoyed scoff from Mikah. They sat there quietly for a few moments, not knowing what to say to one another.
“Can you tell us what those creatures were?” Brian asked, changing the subject. He was fully healed from his injuries, but this was the first time he’d had to accelerate his healing like that.
“Those were wrathens. They are an undead demon.” Terra looked at the two men and gave them a small smile.
“Don’t go thinking of them like they’re zombies.
Zombies are from movies. Wrathens are not zombies.
They’re not just mindless killing machines.
They’re vicious and terrifying. They hunt in packs and elements cannot hurt them.
They can actually use elemental power to rejuvenate themselves.
” She nodded her head over at Mikah. “A guardian is a tough opponent for them. They have some of the toughest non-elemental magic around.”
“Where did these wrathens come from?” Brian asked while Mikah continued to growl in agitation.
“They’ve always been around, but not at these numbers.
The demon war was the perfect environment for wrathens to come to life.
Wrathens, shrieks, dranvors, faceless and other unpleasant creatures have all increased now.
Demons usually have ways to come back in some other existence.
They should really be the ones we joke about having nine lives. ”
Terra leaned back on her hands and looked up at the sky. The early night sky was peppered with white sparkling diamonds. The soft glowing light of the moon peeked around some clouds. The creatures of the night were emerging, singing their chorus together in a peaceful melody.
“The wrathens … did they come into existence on their own?” Mikah asked, and Terra turned to him.
“No.” There was an icy tone in Terra’s voice.
“This is the work of a very special type of necromancer. Necromancers come in various strengths. Some don’t have a long life force and some are puppets for others.
It all depends how they’re created.” She frowned and let out a quiet sigh.
“But this one is different. Whatever is raising these demons is strong enough to bring them back with incredible strength.” She stared at the two men as she inwardly debated about how much to say.
With a defeated breath, she finally muttered what was on her mind, “I don’t have any proof.
But I think this is the work of a nycrops. ”
“No. That’s impossible.” Mikah growled, shaking his head.
“What is a nycrops?” Brian glanced from Mikah to Terra.
“A creature that doesn’t exist anymore,” Mikah said in a gruff voice.
“That isn’t true.” Terra watched as Mikah’s eyes flickered at her. “I know you probably don’t trust me since I am … what I am. But there are ways for a nycrops to still exist. Especially if the conditions were created to bring one into existence.”
“What the hell is a nycrops?” Brian breathed out with more bite in his tone.
“A nycrops is like a necromancer on steroids. They are a necromancer, an enchantress, a witch, a priestess. A creature that was so powerful all species feared them. A nycrops belongs to themselves. They don’t fit among any species but their own.
But there has never been a good nycrops.
They are dangerous creatures. They—” Terra tried to explain but Mikah cut her off.
“They were creatures that were eliminated from the world. The fairies and the demons purged their kind a long time ago. Why would someone bring them back into existence?” Mikah shook his head.
He remembered the lessons he’d learned from Dylan, the guardian of the retired Queen of the Fairies, Alice.
The nycrops were not only powerful, but their special skills made them most formidable.
A creature like that couldn’t just show up again.
Why would someone help bring a creature like that back?
“I don’t know for sure. I’ve heard the shadows whisper of its existence. Something powerful is at work here. And I don’t think it’s only demons.”
“Let’s hope your hunch is wrong. For everyone’s sake.” Mikah stared into her hazel eyes.
“I’ve never seen you this apprehensive about a creature. Is it really that worrisome?” Brian listened to the loud exhale from Mikah as he slowly nodded his head.
“Dylan told me that there is one case of a guardian falling from a nycrops. No one was around to know exactly what happened. But for a guardian to be killed … we don’t know exactly what methods were used to bring him down.
” Mikah closed his eyes. “Of course, I would never let a nycrops get the best of me. If there is even one out there.”
“What about you, Terra? Are you afraid of this mythical creature?” Brian asked and watched as her lips parted.
“I don’t think I would stand a chance against one on my own,” Terra said in a quiet voice. It was different when they were asking for information. But this was now turning into a normal conversation, and she didn’t have many of those. Ken wasn’t exactly a conversationalist.
“How are you against wrathens?” Brian asked as he studied the young woman. He watched a smile finally reach her lips.
“I probably would have been doing better than you were.” Terra’s smile grew as she listened to Brian’s chuckle.
“No doubt about that. But next time, I’ll be better prepared. Now that I know what to expect.” Brian watched as two figures suddenly appeared in front of them.
“Alexa!” Mikah jumped to his feet and rushed over to her. He glared at Ken and pointed at him. “Next time, you have to complete the sign-out sheet and write down how long you expect to have her.”
Ken chuckled as he dropped his hand from Alexa's side. “That goes for you too. Next time you plan to take her out of the dragon kingdom, I want a note.”
“I see. You think you’re suddenly entitled to a note?” Mikah growled, stepping forward.
“Mikah—” Alexa began, but Mikah held his hand up to stop her. He looked into her eyes.
“This is between me and the puddle pirate.” Mikah watched as Ken’s eyes flickered with humor.
“Well, with all due respect, whose watch was she under when she ended up getting cursed?” A smirk rose over Ken’s face as he watched Mikah’s eye twitch.
“Who’s hungry for calamari?” Mikah’s eyes narrowed at Ken.
Alexa was anxiously flipping her gaze between them. They were both very important men in her life, and this was going horribly. She was about to say something when the sound of both of them laughing soon rumbled loudly.
Mikah reached his hand out and Ken clasped it as wide grins spread across their faces.
“Calamari? You read too much fiction. I’m not a squid. I’ll show you some time, though.” Ken released Mikah’s hand. “Thank you for watching over her. I’ll try to be around more often.”
“Please do. As you can see, she is a handful. Look at the bags under these eyes. They’re because of her.”
“Wait a minute. Why do I feel like I’m missing something? Since when are you two best friends?” Alexa asked, looking in confusion between the two men.
“Lex, I’ve seen him without his shirt on. We are bro bonded. Though next time you’re giving away necklaces, don’t leave me out.” Mikah chuckled as Ken cleared his throat and shook his head.
“Mikah and I both have the same goal in mind. And that is keeping you safe. Plus, I like his attitude.” Ken then turned his head, pinning his gaze on Brian.
He gave him a small nod, which Brian returned.
Alexa had explained everything to him and he knew Brian didn’t have any romantic feelings for her.
There were some words he wouldn’t utter now for safety reasons.
“Terra.” Ken turned his head to look at the girl. “Let the water guppy know that his daughter is with me and to stay put. We’ll be back soon.”
“Water guppy? You mean my father?” Alexa arched her brow at Ken as a crooked grin spread over his lips.
“Trust me. He likes being called that.” Ken winked at her and chuckled. “Terra, wait a minute.” He glanced at Alexa. “Can you send a messenger fairy? I actually have other work I need to put Terra on.”
“Do I have to?” Alexa sighed as she scrunched her nose up.
“Lex, do you know how worried they’ll be when they find out you aren’t there? Let them know you’re with me. That’s all they need to know. Don’t worry.” He smiled at her as he cupped her cheeks. “They’ll have to go through me if they plan on scolding you.”
“You’ll be around when they scold me?” Alexa watched his green eyes soften.
“Yes. I need to speak with your parents about a lot of things.” Ken looked over at Terra. “Are you willing to go back to where you found me in the demon realm? There is more information that we need from there. It’s not without its risks, but—”
“Consider it done,” Terra said, bowing her head slightly.
The next second, she flashed, disappearing in the darkness.
“Will she be okay?” Alexa asked, glancing up at Ken.
“I wouldn’t have sent her if I thought she wouldn’t be.” Ken glanced around. “Let’s get that message sent so we can get rid of this curse you’re harboring.”
“When you kill Erebus, could you make it particularly painful? It’s the only way I’ll be able to sleep at night.” Mikah snorted angrily. The very thought of his princess having a curse placed on her was beyond infuriating.
“Is there any other way to kill him?” Ken smirked, and a grin raised over Brian’s lips.
“Okay, I like him.” Brian shrugged. “I didn’t think I would. But don’t get too comfortable just yet. I haven’t decided if you’re good enough for her.”
“I’m not.” Ken’s green eyes met Brian’s hazel ones. “I’m not good enough for her. I don’t think anyone is. But she’s mine, and I want her.”
“Damn it. Give me something to work with,” Brian whispered, shaking his head. If he could say something like that, then he was good enough for her.
Alexa stopped abruptly and turned to face Ken. She folded her arms over her chest and glared at him. “I’m the one who will decide who’s good enough for me. I’ve already decided. And I’m not about to let anyone speak about my mate like that.” She lifted her brows, challenging him.
Ken stared into her beautiful ocean eyes. Hearing her say those words about him filled him up inside. However, he couldn’t accept her answer to that yet. Not completely. Not until she knew about all of him and saw the monster that he was.
Alexa was the fairy princess. She was everything that was light, beautiful and right in this world.
He was a deity with a dark and shady past. He was a grotesque killing machine—a creature that could instill fear into the hearts and minds of others.
But he wanted her. He needed her. He also knew that now there was no way he could let her go, even if she feared him …
and that was a problem. Maybe he really was the monster everyone thought he was.