FOREVER KNIGHTS: #6 Malevolent Attentions
Essius Preying

When Calisto woke, she found Raese missing. His leaf bed empty and the fire long cooled. She yawned and stretched. Turning she found him sitting directly behind her.

She cocked her head at him.

Oh, I’m sure I look like hell.

Though he wouldn’t have guessed he looked as bad as he did. His eyes were huge and glazed over. He’d been reluctant to blink for many hours. Because of how fast the thing moved!

He’d felt like they were watched so he’d moved next to Calisto to guard her. Watching the trees throughout the night. Though I’m badly in need of some rest. He was pale from the odd interaction in the middle of the night.

“What happened?” She asked, frowning.

“Not sure.”

I don’t know what it was doing!

“What was it?”

“Not sure.”

I’ve never seen something like it.

“Firoque?”

“Not sure…Maybe.” He shrugged with a wince. “I don’t know…”

“What did it look like?”

“My most hideous nightmare.”

“Do you think it’s going to come back?” She looked around nervously.

“Only if the bowels of hell vomit it out again…I think it may have gone home…Temporarily.” He said warily.

“You look terrified.”

“Ugly. Very, very ugly.”

She giggled slightly. “I think we need to get you some sleep. Let’s get to my cottage. You can sleep in my bed.”

His head whipped to her. “Your bed?” He couldn’t hide the hopeful note in his voice.

“Without me in it.” She gave him a jokingly stern look.

“Oh…” He slumped in disappointment.

“Or, you could stay out here, if you’d rather.” She gestured to her leaf bed.

No! It may try to do to me what it wanted to do to you! He decided against telling her that. No, need to alarm her just yet.