Smoldered Flames: Part I of the Edonia Series
Chapter 56

Eros

I can still smell her. It’s like edging a lover on, leading them to the precipice of sweet release. And then it’s yanked away. Her scent trail leads outside of the torturous place. Fires break out and smoke fills the air, blocking out the lingering aroma of Val. Bodies are strewn everywhere; battered, still and cold from the weather. The ground shakes as more bombs disrupts the buildings, causing windows to shatter and litter the ground like diamonds. The smell of iron assaults my nostrils, and I double over when nausea hits. A hint of movement catches my eye. The dusty air clears for a moment, and I see Kamau chasing after someone into a pale mansion.

CLANG

SCHWING

CLASH

Swords rasping in the wind crashes in my ears as the dust settles. Beta Jacques and the other prisoners aid the hybrids. Both guards and prisoners alike are covered in crimson. Blood sprays while they tear each other limb from limb.

An old croon dashes across the impromptu battlefield like a madwoman. And maybe she was. Because emerald green energy balls form in her hands and shoot out to nearby buildings, blasting them to bits and pieces. She throws her head back and lets loose a ghastly cackle, and then stops. Her head snaps my way and a sense of dread grips my chest. The old woman waves a finger at me before running into the fray again.

A lone woman drags a carcass towards a growing fire. My mouth hangs as I watch her toss the corpse unceremoniously into the fiery pit. I roar with rage as the flames jump in the sky, quickly consuming the body. An otherworldly light flashes magenta, blue, red and gold before quickly fading away. I run in that direction just as the woman dusts her hands off and stalks away. I don’t know how long I stood here. Her body burns to a sudden crisp. Similar to a parasite attacking a host, regret consumes me. Guilt renders me motionless. She was such a beautiful soul. Full of laughter and sharp tongue. Her light was bright, but like a comet, it was snuffed out. Valeri made the ultimate sacrifice, maybe I can too.

Turning back towards the ongoing war, I drop my fangs. My claws darken to fine, knife point begging to pour their venom into a worthy foe. I feel the horns on my head rise and face forward as my legs shift into that of a faun’s, and clawed leathery wings protrude from my back. I unleash an ungodly scream and dart off to cause chaos. Leaving my mate to rest in the smoldered flames of the past.

Kamau

After departing from the others, I race outside to see chaos surrounding me. An old bat throws her head back, crowing while viridian light shoots from her hands to the nearest building. Cracks and pops sound as the building sways, finally giving way to the ground. Dust billows from the destruction and footsteps pound into the dirt. My blood thrums to the sound of war cries.

Wolf guards and hybrids meet head on. The sound of bones snapping doesn’t phase me. Blood shed and tearing limbs doesn’t weaken my stomach. No, I was born for this. I was prepared long ago for this exact moment. I’ve endured decades of excruciating lessons from my father. How to walk into a room and observe a dozen exits, assess possible enemies or targets and replace their weakness.

In this instance, I silently thank Father for his cruel lessons. For in that moment, I’ve found my prey. His pale face looks to and fro in panic. The sleazeball nearly impales himself with a sword as a guard makes an arc to his hybrid foe. Alaric catches my silent form in the distance, his eyes darting wildly before he darts off towards a pale white mansion. I allow Alaric a few moments peace before giving chase. Despite warring with one another, hybrid and wolf guard alike part ways like a bridge over a river. They see the storm raging across my face. That very well may be the best decision they’ve made.

I run through a pathway lined with rich greenery. They blank out to the edge of my vision as my eyes narrow on my target. He glances back my way and continues into the opal toned mansion. Alaric cuts corners, twisting and turning, but I quickly catch up to him. The moment I reach out to him is the moment the natural light goes out and I’m sucked into an empty room. A heavy feeling covers me from head to toe. My movements slow as if I’m on the moon; slow and gravitational.

A loud stomach spasmodic laugh erupts from behind me. A keeled over Alaric holds his abdomen with one hand, and with the other he wipes away a tear. I cock my head to the side in confusion.

“For someone of your caliber, you sure are stupid.” he says at last. I offer no response, letting him continue. “You’ve heard of those legendary faewitches, right? Oh how the world praised them for their bravery and philosophy.”

A dark gay cloud seeps into a corner of the room. Alaric inspects his fingers. “We are seemingly forgotten in the minds of Edonians, and erased in textbooks,” he spits. “As if that would keep them buried.” Alaric mutters.

The dark matter takes shape, and dark eyes glitter with malice. “Your disguise is rather appalling, young Prince.” it’s rocky, yet sultry voice whispers. “Let me fix that for you, shall I?”

I freeze as I recognize the accent. Not many outside of Lēos have it. While I experience this resolution, the storm cloud creeps forward, wrapping an inky-like tentacle around my ankle. I attempt to shake it off, but it yanks me to the ground. I swipe away the cold matter, but it grips my wrist. I buck like a wild boar, but it’s no use. It takes over so abruptly that I don’t have time to breathe. Soon, darkness swarms my vision.

And the only thing I could think of is a pair of mismatched eyes staring down at me.

With joy, mirth, and dare I say love.

I hear nothing. See nothing. Become nothing.

And I replace acceptance.