14. Deadly Embraces #2
I kicked at the hilt, jostling his wound. He grunted but still didn’t release me.
Ella ran over, snaking her arm under mine. “I got her,” she snapped, pulling me protectively into her embrace as she glared at him. Tarantula hesitated, clearly shocked that she’d come back and defied his order, even though he was the prisoner.
“I said—I got her,” Ella repeated.
Just when I thought he was going to rip me away from her, Tarantula’s posture stiffened. He straightened, pulling his shoulders back, and stepped away.
“Thank you,” I whispered to Ella gratefully as I leaned limply against her, trying not to throw up from the frissons of agony shooting down my arm.
She brushed hair off my face. “I have you. Did he do this?”
I shook my head no. “It was a different Royal Mage, but he . . . killed her.” With his bare hands.
Ella sagged with relief.
She wouldn’t be relaxed if she’d seen him in action.
“My mom was okay,” I whispered, voice catching. “I got to hug her.”
Ella held me tight. “What happened?” she asked as she resumed leading me to the hangar.
Vision blurring, I leaned close and relayed everything about my meeting with Mom. When my throat started to close up, emotions suffocating, Ella hugged me and changed the topic. “I thought Tarantula was going to incinerate me with his eyes when I pulled you out of his arms.”
We both glanced back at him. He stalked smoothly through the sand, not even a hitch in his step.
Ella studied my face. “What’s going on with you and him?”
“We hate each other.”
She nodded like she could see the truth on my face. “Careful—strange rumors circulate down in the South. Royal Mages are known for their—”
“The madness,” I said with a nod. “I know—”
“No, that’s something else.” Her voice was uncharacteristically firm. “Their passion is also infamous. Rumor has it, Azote is the land of intense romance, if you know what I mean.”
I blinked through the mounting pain.
“Uh. No. What? Wait, what did you hear?”
“They’re very possessive of their . . . lovers.” She choked on the last word. “They’ll do anything for them. Wars, riches, sexual proclivities—nothing is too extreme. At least . . . that’s what the Southerners say.”
I tripped, and she barely stopped us both from tumbling into the sand.
“What?” I struggled to exhale. “I’m not . . . No . . . We would never. He’s my enemy.”
She didn’t look convinced.
“Ella, I loathe him.”
“I know. I know where your allegiance lies. Don’t worry. I just mean . . .” She chewed on her lip. “You’re both very intense. I wouldn’t fault you if you did.”
“I just stabbed him.”
“I think he liked it.”
We both grimaced. I had no counterpoint.
Ella nodded like it all made sense. “You’re both more aggressive than everyone else. And you both have streaks of . . . ferocity. It would make sense if you needed another outlet. And you’re both very attractive.”
I rolled my eyes, gesturing to my awful scars.
She arched an auburn eyebrow. “Zora, you have to see how people on this base look at you?”
“With fear,” I deadpanned, but I knew what she meant. I’d seen the longing glances and attempts at seduction. People loved to play with dangerous things. They thought it made them brave. It makes them stupid.
“Well, no one’s arguing with that,” Ella said, and we both shared a knowing look. “It just seems like you should explore other options when it comes to Tarantula—”
“Did you hit your head?” I asked, because the stunning woman who looked like a fairy-tale princess was the one lecturing me on toxic romance. “You know you’re the prettiest person I’ve ever met in real life. You could have a dalliance, if that’s what this is about—”
“No, it’s not that,” she said quickly. “I’m just pointing out the obvious.”
“Nothing is obvious anymore,” I grumbled.
“With that, I agree.” Ella nodded with concern. “No matter what you do, remember to be very careful. His passion is . . . spilling over. Tarantula is not a normal man, and there are going to be consequences.”
Agony streaked down my arm as I nodded solemnly.
“Did you see that?” Axel asked as he stomped over, brushing sand off his training uniform. “That spidery bastard threw me across the sand. You both need to stay away from him . . .”
“I’m trying to stay away,” I whispered miserably, thinking about the quest and the Marshal’s impossible expectations.
Off in the distance, Tarantula slowly traced the hilt protruding from his thigh, a flush trailing up his jaw.
Heat filled my cheeks, and I hastily looked away.
It was going to be a long night.
A few minutes later, I debriefed the Marshal alone. The model map of Westmere stretched out behind us. I was shaking, clammy, and nauseous. The dagger still protruded from my shoulder because she said removing it had to wait.
“Two Royal Mages eliminated,” she whispered quietly. “This changes everything. He’s actually compromised . . . by you.” She sounded shocked that I’d pulled anything off.
Her confidence is truly heartwarming.
The dagger pinched every time I breathed, sending hot streaks of pain down my torso as I struggled to listen to her.
“He’s shown his intentions.” She vibrated with intensity.
“It’s time for the second part of your quest. I’ll send you all on a mission South.
Complete it. Keep doing exactly what you’re doing.
When you get back, it will be time for the final move.
I’ve made contact with a new . . . player who is also aligned with our cause.
When you return, a series of . . . events will unfold. ”
“What events?”
“Only I can know.”
I started to pull away, but she grabbed my shoulders and held me close, jostling my wound. I yelped, eyes rolling back in my head. Knees weakening, I started to collapse. Her tight grip held me upright.
“Come to me,” she ordered. “That is all you must do when you return from the mission. I will give you the previously discussed materials.”
She released me, and I staggered out of her hold, swaying precariously.
“Complete your quest, soldier. Save the world.”
“Obviously, sir.”
“You’ve done well,” she said, ignoring my sarcasm. “Keep it up. Your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed.”
I covered my mouth, holding back the awful words I wanted to spew as I left the room. She stayed behind, head bent low, studying the map.
In the hall, Shadow Swords fell silently into formation behind me. Ryse offered me his arm, helping me up the stairs. When we got to the hangar, he bowed low, green eyes lingering on my face. Then he disappeared with the rest of the Shadow Swords.
“Let’s get thee back to the room, partner,” Tarantula drawled lazily as he stepped out of the shadows. He was waiting for me? Moving gingerly, I tried to pass him.
He lifted me up, clutching me possessively against his chest, taking care not to jostle my injured shoulder.