Page 27 of Blood Lord

And then he's gone.

15

Raziel

The wildspont covers others' magic well, and that's why it takes me so long to note the other vrakken. I catch the scent of him right before he breaks out of the trees, and I manage to tuck Selene away before he approaches me.

My heart pounds in my chest, and I feel full of adrenaline, especially knowing the blood thrumming through me is Selene's. I fear that her scent is on me, and I hope that the First will bless me and not let him smell her. My scent should be stronger, but humans are our fated prey. We pick up on bare traces of them easily.

I remember when I first found her. She was unbearably irresistible to me; even now she remains so. The only reason I have enough self control is because I don't want any harm to come her way.

If this vrakken catches even the slightest whiff of her, I don't want to know what he'd do to her. I don't want to have to fight him, but I will. It will only bring further wrath from the Council, though, and complicate all that I have with Selene.

Still, I feel guilty for not explaining anything to her as I tuck her into the hollow of a tree and tell her to be quiet. The fear is clear in her eyes, and it breaks my heart. I promised her that I would keep her safe, that I wouldn't let anything happen to her, and yet, there is something I can't protect her from.

My people.

I part my lips, ready to tell her that I love her because I don't know what's coming, but then the footsteps are too close, and I step out of view. I don't fully expose myself, still hidden behind another massive tree when I hear a familiar voice.

"Raziel."

I slip out from between the trees, giving him my characteristic blank stare that other vrakken have become accustomed to. I recognize the man before me. He's a little shorter and a little thinner. His skin isn't quite so ashen as mine, and his wings are significantly smaller.

He's been a scout for some time, and his thin frame helped him escape the dark elves a number of times, as did his wings. Several times we found him crashing through the wildspont as he landed on the ground just outside the councilroom because he had dove through the cave portal while flying.

Though I don't know his name. I'm not that familiar with him. But am I really that familiar with anyone? I barely remember Brinda's name sometimes.

"Yes?"

He smirks, that arrogance that marks the younger generation. "The Council has sent me, though I'm sure that they will be interested to hear that the great Raziel, the Elder entrusted with this special mission of going above ground though we all know how you truly earned Brinda's favor, isn't in one of the cities gleaning information. He's hiding in another wildspont."

My foot slams into the ground, and I let a flicker of annoyance through as my power floods across the dirt and sand to knock him back. "You may have wings, little one, but you forget yourself in my presence. Don't make me remind you."

He sneers, and I almost want to laugh. I have to catch it, knowing it would be unlike me, and leave my face blank. The few fledglings born now with wings are the only ones that don't hit their knees and worship me, almost like they think they are the First.

But I guess I am more of her than this one before me.

"The Council grows impatient, Raziel-"

"Elder." I interrupt, my voice flat as I fight to keep the irritation leaking into it.

With all the emotions I am now suppressing, I realize just how apathetic I was before, and it shocks me. How had I lost all of this when it rips through me anew? No wonder all the newer generations still find joy. There's much to experience that I had forgotten about.

"Elder Raziel," he growls, and I only raise my eyebrows. The anger sparking there strikes amusement in me. I wish I could show this brat just who he is toying with. I am capable of more than I am given credit for, I just had never noticed before.

"The Council wants a full report. They had expected you to come back by now with at least some information, and Brinda has asked when you will return."

I cluck my tongue, gazing off through the trees as if I couldn't be bothered. I hope he can't tell that I am holding back trembles as I fear Selene being found out. "I still have some investigating to do. Brinda will be pleased with my information." Softly, I add, "Unlike what you'd bring back."

I know he can hear it, but I feign as if I said nothing. Again, it's uncharacteristic of me, but I couldn't let it go.

I see his jaw clench as he saunters closer, and I casually sidestep, trying not to draw attention to how I'm putting space between us. "Oh, I've brought back useful information." He shifts his jaw, and I see that his fangs are snapped down, piercing into his blood red lips.

Oh, fuck.

How did I not notice it before? His lips are bright, probably as bright as mine, and there is only one thing that can bring them to that color. No other animal does it. And he confirms it as he grins, spilling all his information.

"Brinda was more than happy when I told her of all the humans up here. Can you believe it?" He runs his tongue along his bottom lip. "I've drained a few myself, but we need to bring back a few dozen for the Council. Imagine how strong we'll be with human blood again, especially since we can Change them later and have more bodies against the dark elves."

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