A deep rumble vibrates through his body, the sound transferring directly to the insides of my thighs. It's not quite a growl, but something closer to... a purr? A broken purr, but definitely a purr.
"You like that, big guy?" I ask quietly, scratching lightly at his scalp. The purring intensifies. It's strangely intimate, but it's innocent in its own way. Like petting a giant, deadly cat who could tear a person in half without breaking a sweat.
And has. Repeatedly.
"How are you feeling?" I ask, leaning forward slightly to peer down at what I can see of his face—or rather, his mask. "Your back seems better."
He gives a single, slight nod. Not much of an answer, but communication nonetheless. And any communication from him is a win.
Dr. Ryefield's treatments and the time to heal have done him good. He heals much faster than a normal alpha. The wounds on his back have mostly closed, though the fresh scars still look painful.
Almost like the scars that would be left behind if an angel had his wings ripped off.
We've been traveling for hours now, the sun slowly arcing across the poisoned sky. Behind us, a plume of dust marks the armoredvehicle that carries Geo and Raven. Even if I could coax Knight to ride in a vehicle, he wouldn't have fit anyway. And it's not like he gets tired. At least, he hasn't yet.
To our right, Nikolai weaves his motorcycle through the terrain. He hadn't bothered to explain how he acquired it before our departure from the black market, and honestly, I don't want to know. There's probably one more dead alpha in Geo's labyrinths. One more soul to add to the tally of bodies I've indirectly accumulated since this journey began.
It's so strange to think I once led a relatively sheltered life. And how strange that I've come to prefer this one.
However much it reeks.
The armored vehicle rolls up alongside us, the engine rumbling like a mechanical beast. Raven leans out the passenger window, golden hair whipping in the hot wind, ridiculously expensive sunglasses perched on his perfect nose.
"Need a rest, goddess?" he calls out, lips curved in that perpetual half-smile of his. "We've been going for hours."
Knight changes his pace to match the vehicle, the movement smooth and considerate. The gesture doesn't escape my notice. How attuned he's become to my comfort, my needs.
"I'm fine," I call back, surprised to find it's true. Despite the punishing heat and the constant sway of Knight's gait, I feel comfortable on his strong shoulders. "I want to keep going. How far is this train station of yours?"
"We should reach it by sunset," Raven replies. "Just in time to board the night train."
"And how much didthatcost you?" I ask wryly.
Raven's grin only widens. "A gentleman never reveals his expenses, my dear."
"Since when are you a gentleman?" Geo's gruff voice growls from the driver's seat.
The sound of a motorcycle engine grows louder as Nikolai pulls up on our other side, almost drowning out the purr still rumbling in Knight's chest as I keep playing with his hair.
"How the fuck are we supposed to board a train with a living tank?" Nikolai demands, gesturing at Knight with a jerk of his chin.
Knight's purr shifts instantly to a growl, low and threatening. I run my fingers through his hair again, a silent reminder that I'd prefer him not to eviscerate Nikolai. At least not yet.
"It's a neutral rail system," Raven explains with exaggerated patience, as if speaking to a particularly petulant child. "One of the few working transport lines that's begun to ferry goods between New Reinmich and Surhiira. They're not particularly concerned with who or what boards, so long as the tickets are paid for."
"And you just happen to have tickets?" Nikolai scoffs.
"I have a connection," Raven counters smoothly. "Someone who owes me a favor. They've promised safe boarding for all of us."
"Let me guess—another satisfied client?" Nikolai's tone drips with venom. He rolls his eyes behind the red-tinted glasses he's wearing again. The ones that used to be glued to his face before they vanished for a while. Apparently, Geo had them all along. The idea that Nikolai's glasses almost joined the other relics inGeo's collection is funny to me for some reason. Like some kind of trophy.
Anger flashes across Raven's face. "I haven't had a 'client' in years, but I'd gladly take whoring over spending another moment working for an insufferable bastard such as yourself."
Nikolai's lip curls back in a snarl. "The feeling's mutual, princess."
"Getting on the train is the easy part," Raven continues, ignoring the barb. "Getting into Surhiira proper will be another problem."
I can practically feel the tension crackling between them like static electricity. It's exhausting, this constant alpha posturing. Even Geo, who usually remains above their bickering, tightens his grip on the steering wheel until his knuckles turn white.
