Chapter Forty-Four
After a pathetic training session the next day, I showered and then went downstairs with my men to relax in one of the common rooms. Rath poured us mugs of mulled wine, then we sat down on a couch, me between them.
“I'm an obvious choice for your third lover,” Keltyr declared as he plopped onto a chair beside our couch.
“He's still adjusting to us,” Rath said. “Leave him be, Keltyr.”
“Aw, come on.” He spread his arms out. “Look at me. I'm prime Dhon flesh and one of the best warriors here.”
“You wish,” someone across the room called out.
Keltyr rolled his eyes, then leaned forward. “What's it gonna take? How about a trial run with all of us? I can play nice.” He looked from Rath to Xae. “Real nice.”
“Fuck off, Keltyr,” Xae growled.
“Fine,” Kel huffed and sat back. “Be assholes. You'll come around.”
“They've been together for an eye blink. Give them some time to enjoy their threesome,” Finn said as he joined us, taking the chaise lounge across from our couch. He tucked his wings behind him and grinned at me. “You're looking happier, Ember.”
“I feel happier,” I said.
“I'm glad to hear it. Congratulations, you three.” Finn cocked his head. “You look good together.”
“Thank you, Finn,” I said as Rath and Xae nodded at him.
“So what happens with the magic?” Keltyr asked.
“We're not sure,” Rath said. “From what we've experienced, it seems that Ember has transferred a piece of himself to both of us. So far, it's given Xaedren magic he didn't have and magnified our magic, especially our Spirit Magic.”
“I guess the how doesn't matter so much,” Finn said. “But it still makes me wonder.”
“How?” I asked. “You mean, how I transfer the power?”
“More like how it'spossiblefor you to transfer power,” he said. “But you having magic at all is a miracle. Transferring it is minor compared to that.”
“Well, I believe there's a piece of the Goddess inside my Spirit Magic,” I said. “I think she makes the transfer.”
Finn started to respond when my Wraith Lord pendant came to life, vibrating and glowing. I looked down at it. “Fuck, I'm exhausted.”
“You won't be doing any fighting,” Rath said with a heavy look at Xaedren.
Xae nodded.
“May the Goddess go with you,” Finn said.
“Didn't you hear me? She's always with us.” I winked at him.
Then we faded upstairs to armor up. I was getting faster at getting into my armor, and this time, I met Rath and Xae in the hallway. With a grim look at each other, we clasped our pendants and let them lead our fade.
I reformed in a night-shrouded city, stone buildings rising around me. The flickering flames of lampposts gave meager light. I'd never left my village before, and even if I had, cities were off-limits to humans, so I found them fascinating. I stared up at the towering structures while I waited for Rath and Xaedren to appear.
Then I frowned. It was silent. No screaming. No pound of running feet. Absolutely quiet. Eerily so. And where were my lovers? They should have appeared seconds after me. I hesitantly ventured down a stone sidewalk, alongside dark shop windows, then peered both ways down the empty street.
“Rath? Xae?” I called.
“They can't hear you,” the Corrupter whispered.
I swung around but there was no one there. “Where are you? Show yourself!”
