10. Farren
Farren
W hat. The. Fuck. Seriously, what is happening? My thoughts railed as I watched dark magic flow from the massive bear that was licking me like a dog one minute and exuding a demonic aura the next.
If that wasn’t odd enough, though his clothing form was massively outdated, an animal pelt sewn into tight pants with thick leather boots that seemed very out of place so far north. If I was going to be completely honest with myself, he looked more like he would have been comfortable living in the ancient cliff dwellings of the American Southwest than up here in the frigid Arctic.
Even his skin seemed to contradict him. From the waist up, all I could see were swaths of rich sun-bronzed muscles. Cascades of midnight black hair flowed down and across the ground around him that shone with hints of blue and green from the sun. My heart caught in my throat as I returned my gaze to his face. Even though he had shifted into what had to be his human form, his eyes were inky pools that filled the almond-shaped recess that rested above high cheekbones and broad nose. Signs that there was something seriously wrong with this shifter.
His demonic aura was even stronger in this form, overwhelming. The fear that I felt before at the sight of the bear was nothing compared to what I felt now.
Panic flooded my system as I backed away and tripped on some loose rocks, falling backward. I yelped in both surprise and pain as my landing sent all of the air from my lungs.
My demon companion was right at my side before I could even begin my struggles to regain my breath.
“Are you okay, little female? It was not my intention to continue to frighten you. I only wished to be able to communicate with you, my fair one.” His voice rumbled like a spine-tingling mixture of soft thunder and low growls.
With what could only be described as extremely slow and cautious movements, he reached down and gently took my small hand in his much larger ones. My trembling continued as he pulled me upright and carefully hooked an arm around my shoulders to help lead me to my feet.
“P-please don’t eat me,” I pleaded as I lock my gaze on his soft mouth, terrified to make eye contact with this predator.
“As tempting as that offer sounds, I find that I am greatly displeased with the taste of your fear. Perhaps at a later time when you are more comfortable in my presence, we can revisit this possibility.” His voice took on a playful quality and I wasn’t sure just what exactly he was hinting at. “For now, however, come back inside with me. It is not safe in these woods for something so soft and fragile. While I may have cleared the area of predators, it would not take very much at all for them to come seeking your delightful scent.”
I pulled myself out of his embrace and started to back away again. Before I could take more than a single step from his side, he looped his arm back around me and pulled me flush against him.