Page 32 of Blood Lord

My magic feels depleted, and I am craving the energy boost as I slip through the wildspont portal, thinking of the cave we have turned into our home. To my relief, the portal sends me to the same woods where the cave is, and the magic crackles over my skin like cool water, refreshing my body.

I'm able to navigate the area well enough that all my focus turns to Selene, and by the time we reach the cave, it is dark. I lay her out on the floor of the cave before going back to the pile of rations I took off the dark elf hunters.

With a full canteen in my hand, I lay down beside her, tracing my fingers along her cracked lips. I hate to think how much she's been through, and even as she sleeps, my touch brings out whimpers.

My stomach churns. I am no longer the one who brings her comfort. I am just another one to fear, someone who fucked up her way of life and stole everything from her.

I can't leave her on the surface now, I know. I've left a trail of bodies that lead back to her, and I've seen firsthand what they might do to her because of it.

A shiver wracks Selene's body, and I push those thoughts away, curling up around her as I tip her head back and drip water down her throat. She swallows greedily, and once she is satiated, she curls up on her side.

She may be in too deep of a sleep, but when I pull her against my chest, she doesn't stir. It might be selfish, but I'm relieved as I hold her through the night, letting her rest and praying that she will hear me out when she wakes.

18

Selene

Igasp as my eyes fly open, tremors ghosting along my skin. I had been sucked into a terrifying nightmare. I can still feel the way my bones had been broken and fused together, how my skin was ripped apart and stitched itself back up until I looked nothing like myself.

There's a terrifyingly familiar cackle underlying it all that makes me nauseous, and I try to close my mind off to the dream. Still my muscles feel torn and tender, my joints ache, and my breath is coming in too harshly.

A pair of arms wrap around me tightly, and I sink into them, feeling the warmth envelope me until my body starts to settle. Just as I start to relax and let my eyes fall closed, the awful sounds wash over me, and my limbs jerk from the memory of it all.

I remember then that it wasn't just a nightmare. It's a memory haunting me. It all starts to rush back in, Nielmor's face and the pain that snakes along me as if it's happening again. My body starts to shake with it, and tears stream down my cheeks. I'm vaguely aware that I've been shifted up, and as his scent buries me, I remember Raziel, too.

My sweet guardian angel who rocks me and rubs my back as he tries to soothe me. "I'm here," he murmurs in that soft, lilting voice. "I'm right here, Selene. I promised you I wouldn't let anyone hurt you."

I melt into Raziel, remembering how he took me from the circus. He saved me, and now he's protecting me like always. Like he did in this cave and the day we went outside and I got to see all the magic.

The day where I was playing on the beach before he tucked me into a hollowed out tree trunk–

I slam my palm into Raziel's chest, angered as I scurry back. His face is a mask of hurt and shock as he rocks forward onto his knees and reaches for me. I pull up to my feet, holding my hand out to him.

"No."

It all came back to me, how I ended up at the circus in the first place. All the lies that Raziel told run through my mind, and I grit my teeth. Anger pours through me. I can't believe that he lied to me, basically set me up for Nielmor's wrath, and then had the audacity to hold me like he didn't do all of it.

"No," I repeat. "It's time that you start answering some ofmyquestions."

Raziel's still on his knees but he rocks back, sitting on his heels as he nods. "I think that's fair."

"And don't think about lying to me," I snarl. "I heard everything. You can't tell me the same bullshit from before."

"I know." His voice is soft, almost scared, and it tugs at me. I have to push down my desire to comfort him. He did this to both of us, and I can't forget it.

"Why did you lie to me?" I start, and he just stares at me. I didn't think it was a terribly difficult question, but the way he forces out his response makes it sound like the short sentence is painful.

"To protect you."

My nose wrinkles at that and I don't truly believe him. I try a different angle. "What do you really want with me?"

At that, his eyebrows pinch together and he cocks his head. "What do you think I want with you?"

"I–" I catch myself just before I answer him. "I am asking the questions. Why did you take me from the circus?"

He sighs, his wings drooping around him. "I just had to have you, Selene. I don't have a better answer than that. I heard you and I felt this pull, and I know that sounds really weird, but I couldn't stand by while someone tried to hurt you. I never intended on drinking from you or giving another vrakken the chance. I just…had to have you."

My stomach churns. I don't know what to make of that, so I press on. "What about the Council? Who are they? Do you work for them?"

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