Chapter Seven
Want and Love
Violence
A hissing sound stings through the air and curls through my own body as the snake’s face leans down, showing me the sharp points of its teeth within its pale mouth. A mixture of fear and power strums through my veins, and, before I can react, Link slams his blade into the side of the thing’s face. It lodges into the black scales, just below its eye and it only makes the snake screech more. Fury shines in Link’s beautiful gaze as he pulls the blade from the scales and arches his hands above his head to repeat the blow. The snake’s fangs flash once more before flinging its tail into Link’s chest. The Fae sails through the air. Link’s body hits the ground hard, rolling through the sand, and I barely have time to look back at him before the creature strikes down on me.
Power rips through my chest, and the winds begin to bend at my will. It hits firmly against the beast, carrying it away from me in a gust of dusty wind. Its body lengthens, still fighting against my chaotic magic. As it twirls above me, it’s long body lashes out, its teeth attempting to catch against my skin. My palms rise to it, and the slick brush of its face against my skin has Cameron and Nollix racing to my side. It’s so close to snatching me right off this earth.
A tight and painful feeling fills my jaw as I clench my teeth hard to focus on the task at hand. With another wave of my power, the creature flies into the sky. The ribbon of its slithering body winds this way and that before it lands miles into the distance.
“Beauty and Bronze.” Tantra’s humming voice is the only sound for a moment.
Nollix’s arm brushes mine as he takes another step closer to me. He follows after me as I rush to Link’s side. Blood slips against the angle of Linkin’s cheek as he sits up to meet my gaze.
“Are you okay, Vi?” His palm skims over my jaw, and his attention flits across my face and slowly down my body. Worry lines his brow, and I can’t help but smile at him.
“I’m fine, Linkin.” My fingers skim the inside of his wrist as I kneel between his legs. The warm feel of Nollix’s palm settles low on my back as we both look down at him. “Go inside and get cleaned up.”
I lean into him, my chest pushing lightly against his. My mouth presses gently to his, and my lips part the moment we touch. His tongue strokes slowly along mine, taking his time tasting me. His fingers push through my hair, holding me against him as he kisses me so deeply I hum a low sound against his lips.
The fear of losing him to that enormous snake still thrums through my veins.
His attack on the creature was only a distraction. But the fear I felt when that thing hurt him is still pounding through my chest. I physically want to know he’s alright.
I pull back as I start to feel the heavy attention on my back. “Thank you.” The whisper barely has space to be spoken between us.
“Mmm, anytime,” he says.
His fingers slowly release their tight hold on my hair. My legs feel weak as I stand, giving him space as Nollix offers him his hand. The strong muscle of their arms tense in unison as Nollix lifts his friend to his feet. They stand just inches apart, and I stand close enough to feel the heat of their bodies against me.
AndTantra stands so close to me I can feel her breath against my hair before I spot her.
“You three are veryopen.” She says that last word like I’m a business and just anyone can walk inside.
My head tilts at her. I don’t trust her. I don’t trust her, and I don’t trust her friends. Even if we do need them.
I step away from her, and my back melds against Nollix’s chest as I put space between me and the woman who looks like she wants to eat me in the most violent of ways.
Link takes a step toward the house. “I’m going to check everything out; make sure we’re the only ones here.” He passes a look to Nollix, his gaze skimming to me before drifting to the Demons surrounding us. “Don’t let her out of your sight,” he tells his friend in a low voice.
“I didn’t plan on it.” Fingers skim against the sides of my arms, moving up and then so slowly back down. Harder, I lean into his chest, feeling every part of him against my body.
Link saunters toward the house. The door opens with a cry of the hinges, and darkness blankets over Link attempting to snuff out the warm glow of his sword. A feeling presses against my chest the moment he’s out of sight.
Alone. In this house. In the Underworld.
“Cameron, go with him.” I look to him, his sweet eyes widening as if he didn’t expect me to depend on him.
I do though. It’s a demanding and warming feeling deep within my chest. My father separated us by locking him away and the time apart seems to have changed the magic linking us. Our bond allows some distance between us now, but I stillfeelhim. I trust him. Nothing he could say would ever make me not trust him.
“Yeah, of course.” He nods and stalks up the two front stairs and through the dark doorway.
One of the men, Sev or Rark, I’m not even sure which one’s which, walks slowly and tauntingly after the Warlock. My spine stiffens as he disappears into the darkness as well. The other two Demons follow.
Leaving us with Tantra.
A smile tilts Tantra’s lips. The simple smirk enrages me. My hand snatches her wrist, gripping her bones hard between my fingers.
