12. Raia
RAIA
“Darling, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so sprightly.” Thessaly, observing from above, wears a pair of magnifying spectacles as he finishes the minute measurements for some of our more delicate concoctions.
I flash him a glare. “How dare you. I’m nothing of the sort.”
Thessaly’s lips twitch, affection twinkling in the dark pools of his eyes as he completes his task. “Darling... do you ever think about moving?”
The question catches me off guard. “Moving? Moving where?”
Thessaly shrugs. “I don’t know. I just suppose I’ve been feeling restless as of late..."
My lips shove forward as I give a thoughtful hum.
“Well, I suppose I would follow you just about anywhere. So, should you feel the desire, I’m more than happy to assist you in sating your wanderlust.”
The look Thessaly gives me is one of utmost adoration.
“You, my precious darling, are the sole possessor of my heart. I do hope you know that.”
My heart squeezes with affection for him.
“The feeling is mutual, my love.”
He heaves a wistful sigh. “If only you had a cock.”
I giggle. “If only.”
Thessaly corks the vials, removes his spectacles, and strides over to me before placing them in my palm; suddenly, all business.
“Now listen... I don’t think you have anything to worry about—Lucen seems like an exemplary gentleman—but you never know.”
I look down. The vial is plain. Innocuous, if not a bit murky. I look up at him, brows pinched.
“What are these?”
He rolls his eyes. “Don’t worry, nothing lethal. Just something that will paralyze him and neutralize his powers for a bit should he try to have his way with you. Careful, though, all you need is a single drop.”
I cackle. “My darling, Thessaly, that’s entirely the point. I want him to have his way with me.”
Concern knits his brow. “My sweet child, all grown up.”
I giggle, throwing my arms around him in a hug. “I love you.”
Thessaly squeezes me tight. “I love you more, sweet girl.”
Still locked in our embrace, I smack his shoulder. “I’ll have you know, I am a fully grown female at the rapidly ripening age of twenty-one, and have a variety of carnal urges that I am certain would make you choke on your own spit.”
Thessaly chuckles, patting me on the shoulder. “I have no doubt, my little vixen. I shall utter a small prayer that Lucen survives.”
The tinkling of the shop bell announces a customer’s arrival.
Thessaly winks, patting my shoulder. “Speak of the daemon. That’s probably him. Why don’t you finish getting dressed for your date while I prepare your chastity belt?”
I cackle. “Ooooh. Kinky. How about we make him a chastity belt? I saw something similar in a shop window once. A cock cage, I believe it’s called. That sounds utterly delightful, doesn’t it?”
Thessaly shakes his head. “My, my. Our dear Lucen is really going to have his hands full, isn’t he?”
Pocketing the vial, I watch as he disappears through the swinging door that leads to the storefront through the laboratory, before I head in the other direction.
I’m halfway up the staircase when I hear a glass shatter from the storefront. My footsteps pause, ears pricking. I hear a shout—Thessaly’s shout.
Terror licks up my spine with a tongue made of ice. I fold into the storefront.
Scan it and find no one.
My eyes snag on feet—a pair of shiny brogues peaking out from behind the counter. I rush forward, dropping beside Thessaly’s prone form, as blood-curdling horror tears from my chest.
A macabre halo of blood grows around his body. I leap to the ground beside him, pressing my hands against the wound on his side to stifle the blood.
“Oh, gods, oh gods, Thessaly, no!”
I realize too late that his clothing and face are coated in something wet that has a glimmering sheen as the too-sweet metallic scent reaches my nose. My power splutters as I fail to will healing elixirs into my hand.
Thessaly’s dark eyes lower to meet mine as he manages to rasp one word.
“Run.”
Glass crunches behind me just before a loud bang hits my ears. A fine mist showers me. I twist to face our attacker, who holds a militia-issued gun. His shaggy, ruddy-blond hair is unkempt, his pale skin grimy, and his gray eyes red-veined.
He grins down at me as I uselessly shield Thessaly’s body with my own.
“Fuck me, you’re pretty.”
A blue leather sack embossed in gold, reading, The Divinarium—the name of Thessaly’s business—is gripped in one gloved hand where the patchwork scarring of burned flesh crawls up the length of one arm. He tosses the satchel on the counter, and the distinct chime of coins reaches my ears.
My fury rises and swells, drawing upon my magic that crackles at my fingertips—only to sputter out.
Our attacker’s eyes drop to my flickering, failing magic. His malevolent grin is enough to make me wretch. “Palladium mist. It’ll wear off in a few hours... but until then.” He waggles his eyebrows, licking his lips. “We can have a little fun, can’t we?”
I turn, scrambling to climb to my feet just as he takes hold of one ankle with a bruising grip. Lashing out with my other leg, my foot connects with his head, and I hear a sickening crack.
He grins at me through bloody teeth as he pins both of my legs down despite my flailing. “Like it rough, do ya?”
Screaming only seems to encourage him further. My wings and tail are crushed beneath our weight as he crawls over my body. I scrape my filed claws down his face only to be rewarded with the back of his hand.
The growled words, “Silly fucking bitch” are muffled by the ringing in my ears as my head spins and vision tunnels.
Desperately trying to shove him off me, my efforts are in vain. He shoves my legs apart, and a moment later I hear the tearing of fabric. He chuckles. “But a pretty cunt.”
Terror manages to spike enough adrenaline in me to send my legs and hands flying again, but it’s only to be quelled by his closed fist.
My consciousness feels like it’s slipping away, like sand through my fingers, when, suddenly, the weight of his body leaves me.
Distantly, I hear shouting, glass smashing. My consciousness wanes briefly, and when my eyes open, it’s to see a familiar set of broad shoulders and bright, dark blue eyes. Blood splatters his handsome face as his fists rain down upon our attacker.
When the male’s face is no longer discernible, Lucen spits blood—the attacker’s blood. His gaze lifts to find mine. “Raia.”
He scrambles over to me, slipping in blood halfway and catching himself as he kneels beside me. “Oh, gods, Raia..."
His gaze falls to my torn dress—my nudity.
Lucen pulls his jacket off, draping it over me, before dragging me into his arms as my eyes remain locked helplessly on the sight of Thessaly.
Eyes now glassy and vacant stare up at me.
One arm, badly twisted, is angled towards me.
My fingers wrap around his still-warm hand.
My friend.
The light my dear, sweet, precious friend cast upon this dark world is forever gone.
My body shakes from the violent sobs working through my body as Lucen clutches me to his chest. Eventually, the district’s militia arrives. Lucen speaks with them. They try to speak with me, but I am inconsolable, and the words I manage to speak are unintelligible.
Eventually, we’re asked to leave so they can cordon off the crime scene.
Lucen’s eyes are red as he cradles me against his chest. Horus swoops down, perching on Lucen’s shoulder, oddly silent––as if he recognizes this is a moment to set aside rivalry.
The concern in his dark eyes is palpable as he watches me shake like a leaf, but my tears have dried.
Lucen carries me to our front door, what was mine and Thessaly’s.
Panic flares in my chest, sending my claws curling into the front of his shirt.
“Please, don’t make me sleep in there alone. I can’t. Not without…”
My throat struggles around a thick lump, and my eyes begin to burn again.
Lucen doesn’t make me finish my sentence.
“I’d be relieved if you came to stay with me, at least until you’re feeling better. I have plenty of space and live in a much safer area.”
Even Horus doesn’t vocalize a complaint.