by A. K. Koonce
Raw power shakes the ground, the polished cobblestone breaks away beneath my boots. The sky itself tears open, ripping away the world around me.
The silence and pretty scenery pulls away like a curtain revealing a stadium of chanting gods and goddesses surrounding us.
Intricate details of gold line the high brick walls of the stadium. The mark of the Hopeless creates arrows down the center of the walls in blood red colors.
“Welcome, my glorious friends,” Loki’s says with a wolfish smile. The amplified tone of his voice carries through the crowd and they cheer louder from the simple introduction. “I have a special treat indeed this morning.” He claps his hands together as he looks to me and Ryder. “In just a few seconds two more guests will be arriving, do try to forgive their tardiness.”
My brows crease.
Rumbling screams sound far off but begin to grow closer. Darrio lands hard at my feet, the dirt billows up around his form as he winces from the fall.
A gasp pulls from my lips but then the familiar sound of screaming fills the air once again.
I peek up at the pale blue sky just in time to see Daxdyn dropping from up above as well. Ryder’s warm palm wraps around my waist and he pulls me back just in time. Daxdyn lands in a dusty heap at his brother’s side.
“Fucking gods,” Dax says under his breath.
The two fae stand slowly. Darrio’s silver eyes shift over the roaring crowd. Dax dusts himself off.
“You didn’t land like that did you?” Dax asks. Worry lines his brows as he’s fingers skim across the inside of my palm.
“No. Not at all like that.”
“Good.” He nods his head as if everything is going according to plan here.
Everything is fucking perfect here in the beautiful Realm of the Gods.
“We have a great show planned for you all today.” Loki’s booming voice echoes as his smile widens. His gaze collides with mine just as fear crawls all through me. “May the mayhem commence.”
A sweeping bow is added with dramatic flair and I’m still staring at the peculiar god as doors at the far end of the colosseum rise. The walls shake as the wide doors pull back to reveal dark creatures.
Loki gives me a quick wink before he disappears like ash in the wind. The dark flecks of his features swirl out of sight and I have to force myself to focus on the opposite side of the arena.
As the bright sunlight strikes across the creatures’ faces I realize, they’re a cursed sort of monster. Only their eyes are defined. The nose and mouth are just slick skin that seems fused together in a sickening way. The depths of their eyes shine crimson in the morning light.
An eerie sort of blood red evil flashes within their gazes, chilling me to the bone just as the creatures start to race toward us.
Chapter Six
Powerful Magic
My father’s sword weights my hand familiarly. The simple feel of it makes my body react, throwing my posture into a position of defense.
Magic hums through me. It buzzes around my veins, reminding me that I have more to depend on than just a man-made weapon.
The men wait with tension held in their spines for the dozens of creatures to make their way closer. About a hundred yards separate them from us. With each passing second, nerves build higher in my body, my heart thundering until it’s all I hear in my ears.
I’m not waiting for this.
My jaw tightens. I close my eyes and try my best to focus on what I just learned fifteen minutes ago.
In a shuddering flash I’m in the air, my body resurfaces just above the creatures and I shove hard until my wings burst free from my back. Like a vengeful Valkyrie, I raise my sword and slam it down on an unsuspecting creature. As I land, its inky fingers wrap around my upper arm as my sword lodges in its shoulder. Pain shoots through me. Its fingertips start to sizzle against my skin, burning into me like hot tar dripping down my flesh.
I wince before heaving back and railing my blade through its core. Its sparkling eyes flash but the strike doesn’t deter the monster.
My lips purse as I realize the gods gave us unfair opponents. My powerful wings push down hard, raising me several feet in the air. With perfect aim I slice the blade down once more.
The creatures head topples off and bounces only once against the dirt. I can’t help but watch it roll, keeping my eyes locked on the empty red orbs in its tumbling skull.
Cheers erupt from the crowd.
At least they have the decency to applaud us instead of mock us.
My attention skims the crowd and it only takes seconds to find the little shit. Loki’s happy gaze locks with mine. He sits leisurely on the edge of the wall, closest to the action. A sweet wave is passed my way. A man at his side, Baldur, shoves him with a stiff movement, causing the trickster god to slide from his little perch on the wall. Loki’s happiness slips from his glowering face just as he disappears from sight once again.
Baldur nods to me before turning his back on the chaos that is now my life.
I push away the tangle of blonde hair from my face. Pain stings through me as long arms wrap around me, colliding hard with my body before shoving me to the ground.
The air is knocked from my lungs. Everywhere that the creature’s body touches mine is fiery pain.
Fire.
My palms burn of their own accord. The creature’s face is featureless, only shining eyes blaze back at me. No mouth, no nose, no features what-so-ever. I pull my hand back from its chest and raise it to its eerie face.
With intensity, I shove my magic out in heaps of anger and power.
White flames blaze from my palm, raining fire across the creature’s slick face.
Not a single cry of pain emits from the thing. It staggers back from me, its hands trying hard to pull away the flames consuming its face. Its skin starts to melt together, the hands becoming one with the head. White bone waves back at me as its arms begin to shake with frantic movements.
I have to force myself to look away from the bizarre and disgusting sight.
Daxdyn smashes his boot into one of the creature’s skulls. It quickly turns to sloshing mush beneath the force of his boot. He pulls back from the deformed thing, his lip curling as he stares down on it.
Another one is held between Darrio’s palms. Its long fingers push frantically against his biceps. Thick smears of black cover his skin from where the creature touches. Darrio’s fingers fume as he pushes his palms together with too much force and I have to look away just as the creature’s head starts to sink in on itself.
Another, one of only a few that are left, grips my throat with its stinging palm. In a flash Ryder is before me, flinging the thing off of me. He struggles with it for only a second. His fingers grip it jaw and he slams it hard into the dusty earth. Over and over again until its jerking movements halt entirely.
It seems almost too easy now. A little painful, but easy.
Trepidation tingles through me.
It’s a feeling of warning. Something is not right here.
My gaze flickers to the trickster god once again. He’s standing on the opposite wall now, pacing on the thin ledge while he watches me intently.
What does he want?
I look up to see the final three creatures running toward Daxdyn. They’re a small horde of hellions. Poor magical infused creatures that the gods must have dug up for entertainment this morning.
I’m done. I’m over today’s entertaining act.
My wings carry me high in the sky and I dart down at an alarming speed. My blade arches above my head and I strike down on the creatures, slicing through all three torsos like water. My boots meet the earth once again, and as I land, I begin striding past the corpses. My boots stomp through the tar-like blood until I’m standing just below Loki.
My eyes narrow on his taunting smirk. I push my hair back once more just to find that dark, inky blood coats my hands and face. The crowd quiets and just as Loki opens his mouth to say some annoying little overly dramatic
spew, I cut him off.
“I do hope you enjoyed this morning’s entertainment.”
His hands clasp together and he gives a slow clap for our performance.
“It was impressive indeed. It was just the opening act to another, of course.” In a flicking flash he’s right in front of me. His head tilts as he studies me. Magic dances recklessly in his eyes. “How far can you push yourself?”
I don’t speak immediately. I consider his words, trying to find the real meaning.
“Can you mimic a god or only simple fae magic?”
“Would it frighten you if I could?” Pure confidence laces my words. My chin tips up a little higher.
“Frighten.” Shaking laughter skims through his thin frame. “Not at all. Intrigued is all. You are a special little fae. Human. You were human only weeks ago. And now you hold fire in your hands as if Hella herself gifted it to you.
“Tell me, can you do this?” With an arch of his fingers, the crowd gives a consecutive gasp.
I turn just as Ryder starts to stumble forward. His gaze shifts back and forth as his legs bring him awkwardly toward us. Ryder’s attention falls on me and he doesn’t look afraid of the god who is controlling his body. Ryder looks … carefully cautious of what he might give away. His features are blank, not a single look of interest passes over him.
Loki lowers his hands and Ryder’s movements halt.
Someone steps closer in the stands of the stadium. I glance past Loki and my gaze lands on Baldur. His bulky arms fold across his bare chest as he watches quietly.
“Bring him forward. Show me what power you’re capable of.” Loki’s words are a commanding test.
This god just waves his little hand and wants me to monkey see, monkey do?
“I don’t want to control Ryder.” I say it through clenched teeth.
It’s the last thing I want to do. These three love me. If I can control them, that seems … terrifying. I don’t want to be this all-powerful mimicking thing. I don’t want to be something to fear.
Suddenly, I realize how simple of a life I really want.
I want a house, and a family, and quiet nights surrounded by the ones I love.
It’s so boringly simple.
And yet, so unattainable.
“Kara, I think you should try.” Ryder’s voice brings my attention back to the crowd of people waiting to see if I can perform this morning’s little trick.
“Think of it like a string. A string within you connecting to the thing you want. You want Ryder, yes?” Loki’s provoking voice is like a humming sound in my ear.
Tension floods my chest but I try to nod. I try to do what I know will benefit me, and the humans, and the fae and all the realms that are depending on me.
My hand rises and I can’t help but look to Darrio and Daxdyn over Ryder’s shoulder. They don’t appear afraid of me. Maybe I’m just overthinking this.
Or maybe, I’ll turn into another of the gods’ creatures.
With an arch of my fingers, I try to imagine a delicate string from my chest to Ryder’s. It’s strangely easy to imagine. It’s easy to imagine my heart connected to his.
Because it is.
Overbearing magic pools within my chest. It’s so powerful it hurts. A tingling sensation exits my body and, as my eyes open slowly, I see Ryder taking a staggering step closer to me. My heart leaps at the sight of it. Another few steps are all I demand of him before my hands clasp over my lips, hiding the shaking gasp that’s slipping from me.
I force my hand to my side and smooth my features into a look of casual interest.
I try hard to keep my composure. I don’t know why I’m practically breaking down in the one place I should be most careful in.
Ryder strides the final few steps that separate us and he wraps me up in his arms in an instant. He hides my face in his chest just as a shaking exhale trembles through me.
I’ll never let him know the terrible thoughts that are washing through my mind right now.
I’ll hide it away to protect him.
To protect them all.
“You’re so fucking amazing,” he whispers against my ear as his fingers thread through my hair and he holds me close.
I’m not amazing though.
I’m dangerous.
Chapter Seven
Another Kind of Magic
I keep my hands intently to myself that night. I don’t even consider testing my magic further.
Loki promised us one more surprise tomorrow.
Surprises from the gods aren’t at all the sort of surprise you’d ever want.
The men are downstairs in a grand hall eating more food than I’ve ever seen. But I’m not hungry. And I can’t stomach sitting on display for these gods for a single second longer.
So I lie alone in our room, dwelling on what tomorrow will bring. The soft blankets are comforting. If my mind could shut off, I’d probably fall asleep early tonight.
Not that that’ll happen.
The door slowly pushes open. I sit up slightly and Daxdyn peeks his head in, his pace is slow as he enters. Hesitantly, almost.
“How are you feeling?”
He takes his time coming closer, his steps scuffing lightly against the floor. Gently, he sits at the edge of the bed, a few inches away from me. My back is to him but I can physically feel his every move. His emotions are my own, amplified to a suffocating feeling of disquiet. My hands are locked around my knees as I lie quietly in thought.
Until now.
“I’m fine.” He’s been especially worried lately and I try not to make him any more concerned than he already is.
He shifts, crawling a little until he’s just behind me. I peek at him from over my shoulder as his long fingers start to massage my neck.
“What are you doing?” My eyes flutter closed as the protests continue to leave my mouth. “You don’t have to do that.”
I make nothing easy. For some stupid reason I can’t just let Dax take care of me. Even if it’s all that I want.
His thumbs press hard, circling slowly down my spine in just the right way. My head tips back at the amazing feel of it.
“I can stop if you really want me to.” His voice holds a smirking tone. It always does. No matter what, he’s always happy. Or at least tries to be. He pretends to be.
It’s one of the reasons why I love him. He tries to be his best self. He makes me want to be better too.
His lips press to the side of my neck as his thumbs run the length of my shoulder blades.
Daxdyn must have been a masseuse in a past life. A sexy, sexy masseuse.
“You want me to stop?”
“No.” Again he presses his lips to the base of my throat, sweeping his tongue along my skin before sucking lightly.
A breathy sigh leaves my lips and I feel his energy mingling with mine. I feel his lust spiraling through me.
And then I’m not thinking about relaxation, or Daxdyn’s hands on my body, or even sex for once in my life.
I’m thinking about the way his magic is pushing into me, making me feel more than I could ever feel on my own.
I don’t know what Dax really feels. He once described it as a numbness. It still breaks my heart to imagine that. To think that he’s a shell of a man walking around with a false smile on his lips.
So I try hard to mimic him. It isn’t a power that holds much strength but I know for him it’d be powerful.
I take the lust swarming my chest, he’s toying with it, pulling at the emotion to fuel his own, but I shove it into him. I take that wanting, tightening, demanding feeling that’s residing in my core and I push it hard into him.
He stills against my back, his lips halt against my skin. I tip my head to the side, slowly to him, holding his steely gaze.
A look like I’ve never seen is in his eyes.
When he speaks, it’s a rumbling but raspy sound.
“Was that you?” He searches my eyes.
I feel his heart hammering against my b
ack and I nod slowly.
“Fuck,” His words are silenced by the hard feel of his lips slamming against mine.
As his tongue flicks against mine I push even more of my coiling emotions into him until he groans against my lips.
He shoves me against the mattress, his body slipping over mine. My fingers thread through his hair and I can’t seem to stop myself from giving him everything within me. A hazy, drunken feel of lust still lingers within my chest but I love the way it’s turning him on so I keep giving, and he keeps taking.
The hard feel of his cock grinds against my center and I roll my hips against his. Another forceful push of my magic and I know what he feels. It’s too much.
It always feels like too much when I’m with them.
“Fuck.” He jerks back from me, breathing unsteadily as he tries to focus on his words. “I—I need you to stop before I fucking come in my jeans.”
A smile pulls at my lips. Weirdly, I really want that. I suddenly want nothing more than for Daxdyn to come in his jeans.
“Fine.” I kiss his smooth jaw before my lips meet the column of his neck. The salty taste of him meets my tongue and it only makes me want to taste every inch of him.
“Fine?” There’s confusion in his voice as if he wasn’t prepared for me to give up so easily.
He knows me too well.
Never trust a thief, Daxdyn.
I push against his chest until he rolls, lying flat on his back. A look of uncertainty creases his brows. I can’t help but smile at him as I climb on top. My legs straddle his hips. I lean into him and his hands grip my hips hard. He meets me half way, sealing his lips to mine, and our bodies push and pull against each other.
I’ll never get tired of kissing Daxdyn Riles.
Maybe it’s because he feels less than most, but he puts more into it than I’ve ever felt.
I start to dump my wanting emotions back into him and he groans as I pull away. My lips trail against his jaw line. I rake my teeth slowly against his neck, my fingers pushing against his shirt as I start to lower myself down his hard body. The soft cotton of his shirt against the smooth warmth of his skin meets my fingertips. I shove at the material until my lips graze his abdomen. The etched lines of his stomach guide my tongue, kissing tenderly before sucking hard.