Chapter 4 #2
Ivan stops in front of a rundown building, its sign crooked and aged.
The Silver Stag Tavern. Inside, the stench of beer and stale food hits me like a wall.
True to its namesake, a statue of a silver stag on its hind legs is nestled in the back corner.
On the back of every chair, a silver stag head is embroidered into worn, green fabric.
Although most of the tables are packed with happy hour patrons, we’re able to snag a table in the back, right beside the statue.
Asmo and I sit with our backs to the busy tavern while Luca and Ivan keep watchful eyes.
“Okay, Az, how are we supposed to do this discreetly?” I mutter to him.
He raises a singular brow. “Nickname basis now, princess?”
I ignore him. “Well?”
“I think taking a knife to ourselves in the middle of the day in a tavern might call a little unwanted attention. We need to follow one person, knock them out, then conduct the spell.”
“That’s not exactly what I had in mind, Asmo,” Ivan says.
Asmo leans back in his chair and throws his arm around the back of mine. “Any other ideas?” He looks around the table expectantly. When nobody responds, he says, “I didn’t think so. We need to walk out of here acting tipsy, then follow someone and attack when they’re not expecting it.”
Luca gives a terse nod before standing and heading to the bar. He returns with two pitchers of light beer and four glasses.
“Don’t actually drink it,” Asmo says quietly, looking at each of us. “Mae, use your wind to evaporate the liquid slowly while we sit here.” His arm is still resting on the back of my chair and he squeezes my shoulder. “Let’s look like we’re having a good time, huh?”
“Since when are you so jolly?” I mutter, reaching to take a fake sip of my beer.
He leans down, bringing his lips to my ear, and whispers, “Why? Do you miss your Prince of Darkness?”
A shiver of pleasure rolls down my spine at his words, at his breath hot on my ear. I take a real sip of my beer this time. He leans back, chuckling under his breath.
It doesn’t take long for the pitchers to evaporate.
When they’re empty, we stand and head out the front door.
If we’re not successful in getting the High Crown back, I think we could all join a local theater instead.
We’re acting like we’re the best of friends, all of us laughing as we exit the tavern.
We look like everyone else, blending in perfectly.
We make our way down the busy cobble street, Asmo and me in the front, Luca and Ivan following right behind.
We continue walking until the crowd thins, the streets growing more deserted as we near the residential quarter.
Just ahead, a deer hybrid couple walks together, the male’s antlers leaning to the right as he laughs at something his partner said.
Asmo darts forward. Before the couple can turn around, Asmo is right behind them. He mutters something under his breath, and they just…fall into his arms.
“A little help here?” he says, holding the hybrids up.
Luca rushes to him, nudging his arm underneath the male’s. The four of them look like friends walking home together after a long night out. Well, as long as nobody looks too closely, at the way their feet drag on the street and the way their heads loll to the side.
“You could’ve given us a warning that you were about to do that,” I mutter as Asmo and Luca drag them into a dark alley.
Asmo pulls the knife from his pocket and hands it to me. “They won’t be out for long. You have a few minutes, at most. Make the mark on your thigh. As you’re carving it, call upon your magic and whisper, ‘As are you, as am I.’ Quick.”
I pull my skirt up and grab the knife from him. “Circle with an X?” I ask, looking at Asmo, but he’s staring at my exposed skin.
He nods slowly, then rips his gaze from my thigh. “Look at her first, princess. Commit her face to memory. Ivan, stare at your mark. Imagine being him. Take the knife as soon as Mae is done, then make the same symbol.”
I steal one more glance at the unconscious female in Asmo’s arms and place the knife to my skin. The blade is cool and it stings as I press down, but the feeling is familiar. Comforting.
It’s been so long since I gave into the urge to harm myself. Despite feeling like I’m drowning nearly every moment of the day, Asmo’s presence every night keeps me from giving in. The urge grows less with every day, and there’s a sense of victory in that.
“As are you, as am I,” I whisper, gritting my teeth against the pain.
Asmo was right—the knife moves on its own, gliding through my pale flesh like butter.
Blood spurts in its wake, but it doesn’t run down my leg.
It evaporates, forming ruby droplets in the air above my thigh.
When the mark is complete, the blood twirls upward before vanishing into the air.
“Good,” Asmo says before taking the knife from me and handing it to Ivan, barking at him to hurry.
I glance down at my clothing, but it’s the same. My hands look…smaller, more delicate. A pink birthmark graces my right thumb.
Ivan carves the mark into his skin and whispers the words silently. The transformation is eerie. His features slowly change to match the unconscious male’s in Asmo’s arms. Once the transformation is complete, Asmo grabs our hands and hurries us out of the alley, Ivan and Luca right behind us.
I twist around, but Asmo pulls me along. “Will they be okay?”
“They’ll be fine,” he says tersely. “Pull your hood over your head.” I do as he says. A ripple of fear runs through me at how risky this all is. And we still have to do it for him and Luca.
“What’s the plan, Az?” Ivan’s new voice asks behind us. Apparently, he’s on nickname basis with the Serpent Prince, too.
Asmo turns down another alley. Two more female deer hybrids walk just ahead of us, their steps wobbly. I groan at the thought of taking advantage of two drunk females.
Before I can object, he strikes again. But this time, he flings a hand out, turning the ground underneath the hybrids’ feet to quicksand.
Their conversation is cut off as they panic, arms flailing and legs pumping as they try to escape.
Asmo rushes to them and whispers something in their ears. They fall into his arms.
“Mae, keep watch,” he commands.
Luca glances at the fallen females, eyes wide. “You expect me to take the body of a female?”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Asmo mutters and carves the mark into his chiseled stomach, then hands the knife to Luca as his features change. His build shrinks considerably, his once-fitted clothes now baggy on his new frame, black hair replaced by brunette hair that brushes against his shoulders.
Luca grabs the knife, muttering curse words under his breath before he completes the spell. When it’s done, he’s approximately eight inches shorter and at least fifty pounds lighter.
Asmo takes off. We all keep our heads down as we follow him and make our way back to the portal location. My nerves are shot by the time we reach the top of the hill. I don’t breathe comfortably until we’re back at our temporary home, its worn exterior and smoking chimney stack a comforting sight.
The front door opens and Holly steps out. She eyes us dubiously.
“It’s us,” Luca’s now melodic voice says, then adds, “It worked. It’s me, Luca.”
Holly studies us for another moment, then bursts into laughter.
I still at the sound. It’s the first time I’ve heard her laugh in weeks.
I look at Asmo in surprise. Our gazes meet and send a spark through me.
His now-blue eyes are crinkled, and he looks…
lighter. Maybe we all do, now that we finally have a plan, and some kind of tool to help. Even if that tool is dark magic.
He turns back to Holly, who’s testing the strength of the disguise as she pokes and prods at Ivan.
Even Luca’s antlers have disappeared, something glamours can’t hide properly.
We spend the rest of the evening in these bodies, getting used to them and to each other.
By the end of the night, my head has begun to throb and I’m eager for sleep.
Of course, it doesn’t come easy. I’m used to tossing and turning every night as memories of the past play like a loop in my head. But tonight, I can’t stop thinking about seeing Marik tomorrow. Will he see right through our disguises, and see us, too?