Chimera King Box Set Books 1-3

by Atlas Kane

  Cade looked down on her still form, elegant and curving. She had shoulders as wide as her hips, and though she was not as heavily muscled as Satemi, her lithe form was powerfully built. The woman’s breasts were smaller than Minda’s but were aesthetically congruous with her athletic body. Her skin though, was something that intrigued him beyond measure. Dark gray, the color of burned coal or shale, covered her head to foot. Yet a faint and shimmering pattern of ochre lines trailed up her back and down her arms and legs.

  I am to hold her to me, huh? Well, I hope she doesn’t think I’m a weirdo when she suddenly wakes up, Cade thought, his eyes taking in the woman’s hair next. Rather than flowing locks, the woman had thick strands of metallic hair, if hair could even describe the material. It looked closer to living strands of graphite.

  “Cade, what do you think? Other than that the new girl is gorgeous that is,” Minda interrupted.

  He coughed, shaking his head free of distractions. “It’s great. Good work, both of you. Let’s get loaded up and see if it functions enough for travel.”

  The women eyed him suspiciously a moment, and even Sholl looked amused. Then they began the tedious task of loading one injured lizard man, an unconscious and very sexy tiger woman, and four others thankfully still able-bodied. It took them thirty minutes and a string of curses, but eventually, Bellows was trotting back down the trail they’d come up.

  Travel was easier on their return. The trip was mostly downhill, and would be until they reached the base of the mountains. Yet the day was old already, so the group camped at the same location as last time.

  They allowed themselves a small feast, inviting Sholl who was putting on a gallant face for them all despite his injury. It was after they’d eaten and washed down the food with fresh water and a mouthful of jungle wine apiece that Satemi revealed her treasure.

  “I only have just the one, but the fact that I have it and he does not gives me endless satisfaction,” she said. Satemi held up one of Vormer’s swords, turning it to glint in the firelight. It wasn’t nearly as long as her own weapons. Rather, it had a thicker blade, and reminded Cade of a Gladius if its teardrop shape were thinned out and elongated slightly. A soul weapon, the unblemished silver metal was unmistakable.

  “Any cool skills?” Cade asked.

  She grinned. “Not exactly. But even more appealing is what I have learned of Vormer. This is a sword from a matching set. Each sword is named, each carrying its own distinct abilities. But they must be used together to activate them. I essentially stole his usable skills. If it wasn’t for the trove of other soul weapons in his possession, I would suggest we storm the city right now. Yet I did weaken him, a little at least.”

  Ketzal walked up to the woman before she’d even finished and wrapped her in a fierce hug. It was awkwardly performed and Satemi laughed. Yet the demoness held her long past the moment where humor could survive. When she pulled back, tears were streaming down her face.

  “Ketzal, I—”

  “Quiet, please. I must speak to you,” Ketzal interrupted, and wiped her face abruptly. “I was nothing when Vormer ruled over me. Once he has control of your mind, there is nothing that you can do to fight him. When I first came here, he was charming and generous, as he is so often to those he wants to lure. He bade me swear fealty to his god, and when I did so, something changed within me. He turned cruel and demanding. The only decency he ever gave me was that he preferred to bed his slaves. He told me demons were foul creatures, but that I was useful enough to serve him.

  “Then you, Satemi, you helped set me free. Part of my mind still remembers our battle. I thought you had fought your hardest, but I saw today how foolish that was. You could have killed me, yet you didn’t. I’ve already given thanks for that, so I will not repeat the words. But when you bested the vilest creature in Antinium, nearly killing him, and then stole his cursed sword… That is a moment I will never forget.” Ketzal finished her short speech and sat back down, smiling softly into the firelight.

  “I am pleased you feel that way, Ketzal. I fought for myself and my thirst for revenge. If what you saw was something more, it is a fine thing to know of.” Then, facing the rest of them, Satemi grinned savagely and boasted, “And who saw the Beast Caller riding the terrible Bellows into the heart of the fray? No wanton, mewling girl, but a warrior queen! Ketzal has proven herself in blood and battle!”

  Cade rose from his seat and clapped his hands in applause, feeling the occasion called for such recognition. Minda and the others observed him with curiosity, however, and then they all broke out in laughter.

  “What? Nobody claps on your world?” he asked, feeling more than a little chagrinned.

  Minda was slapping her thighs, a rosy blush coloring her white cheeks. Shaking her head, she answered for all of them. “I don’t think so. Certainly not on my world. You looked very fine doing so though, Cade. Please, give us all more of your claps.”

  Feeling generous, Cade did so, twisting from side to side, hands frantically clapping as if he were an ecstatic theater goer. The effect was immediate. His new friends fell over in laughter, Minda slapping her thighs and Satemi clutching her belly. Even Sholl began to chuckle, though he continued to look at them all like they were losing their wits.

  Ketzal on the other hand, gave Cade a different look entirely. Her face was filled with approval and unguarded desire. We will need to do something about that when we return, Cade thought. That woman is a mile-high bonfire.

  The modest celebration died down shortly after when their new companion fell into a coughing fit, his color thinning further to a faded yellow all down his chest. The blue lines of ether stretched out through his sternum, unmistakable in the low light.

  Minda fell into nurturing mode once more and helped him to his tent. Cade offered to take the first watch as he’d done the night before, but Ketzal insisted it was her turn to take over more of the duties. So she stood guard outside of Sholl’s tent. That was Minda’s idea. Not only did they need to watch out for potential enemies but also listen to the man’s rasping breath. They had saved him, now it was their responsibility to keep him alive.

  Sholl slept fine enough outside of a few coughing fits, and the morning came without incident. He even rode well enough as they descended the hills at a good pace. When Bellows was at last urged to gallop on the plains below, however, they had to ask the man to lean forward in his saddle and be strapped down. He didn’t complain at all, only glancing to Tanrial out of the corner of his eye, intent as they all were to get as much distance from the place as possible.

  The miles fell away, Cade relaxing while the need for constant security remained minimal. Having clear lines of sight in all directions was a luxury that ended soon though. When the stifling embrace of the jungle wrapped around them once more, Ketzal slowed the boar to a modest pace. And Cade found himself turning from side to side in hopes of spotting any signs of trouble that may threaten their journey.

  As Cade considered the need for another rest, something terrifying caught his eye. Of all creatures in Antinium, the Kotani Ma was the last he wanted to run into. But it seemed this jungle, especially the central valley that led up to their peaceful glade, was the beast’s stomping grounds.

  Ketzal called Bellows to a halt, and the huge boar chuffed impatiently. His stamina was incredible, and though his lungs pulled in air like… well, a bellows, he trotted in place, impatient to go on. Directly ahead of them a hundred paces, though, sat the Kotani Ma on its haunches.

  Satemi and Minda brandished their weapons, throwing him glances from their positions on Bellows’ flanks. Cade stood in his saddle and let the tiger woman rest against his knees. He kept a hand on her shoulder to ensure she did not slump off to either side and stared at the great ape blocking their way. His guts churned with anxiety, but weakness was not an option here. I have to convince him that I am his equal. Or at least not worth the trouble, he realized, and swallowed against the urge to flee.

  In a low whisper, he
told Ketzal, “Move forward at a walk. As slow as you can manage. We need to try to speak with this thing.”

  A leather strap creaked dramatically as she turned in the saddle to give him a have you lost your beans? look. He just nodded to her. There wasn’t time to explain that the beast could have attacked already, and that though Bellows was swift, this thing could run them down if it chose to. Their only option was to somehow convince this bully that they were not a threat nor a source of food.

  Cade remained standing, his thighs sore from a day of riding, but he remained steady. He didn’t pull out his axe, but held the gaze of the Kotani Ma.

  When they were an uncomfortable thirty feet away, Cade gave the order to halt once more. Fierce intelligence danced in the ape’s gaze. He was assessing them, looking at Cade and assuredly wondering how he’d come to master not only the humanoids around him, but the huge boar they rode on.

  It was Bellows, Cade guessed, that gave the beast pause. The boar still wasn’t a match for the claws and brutal efficiency of the Kotani Ma, but it would not be an easy fight. Bellows was as large as the ape, if not so tall and imposing. Tons of rippling flesh have an effect though, and for that, Cade was grateful.

  Then Cade threw the dice. Again, he spoke to Ketzal, but this time in a stronger voice. “Speak with him, Ketzal. Use your skill and try to see if he can be reasoned with.”

  The demoness shook her head almost imperceptibly. “Cade, this is madness. I don’t think he’s gonna listen to me.”

  “Not to you, but to all of us. Remember who you ride upon. Remember who is at your back. Speak with him, Ketzal… respectfully.”

  She cleared her throat and sighed quietly. When she had gathered herself, she began what Cade could only describe as a very primitive and guttural speech. He’d been expecting something more physical, like the body gesturing and chuffs Ketzal used to first start speaking with Bellows. As their companion, she was able to teach him commands, which he found out later were all in Latin. Who knew demons were the ones who gave Earth Latin in the first place?

  In a series of grunts and vowel-heavy sounds, more like a string of individual syllables than full words, she expressed what he hoped would be the beginning of a conversation.

  When she finished, a thick silence spread around them all. The forest held its breath as everything seemed to wait for the ape to respond. Its amber eyes flicked to each of them, judging them or trying to interpret what they might represent. Then it rose up to its feet, and Cade felt panic race through his core. He fought the urge to pull out his blast staff and fire an Explosive Shot in the beast’s face. Yet he managed to restrain himself.

  The discipline it took to do so was taxing, especially as the Kotani Ma strode closer. It walked to within ten feet of Bellows’ snout, making the boar twitch with nervous energy.

  But miracle of miracles, the ape spoke. Cade couldn’t understand a thing, of course, but it was a good sign. The clipped speech was more natural in the ape’s mouth, making more sense somehow. Given its deep voice, Cade found it to be a beautiful language.

  Ketzal responded, this time using a few hand gestures as well. She spoke for nearly a minute straight. The Kotani Ma flinched at one point, its face registering surprise. It looked to Cade once more, pointing its disturbingly large finger his way, and seemed to ask a question.

  Back and forth, the conversation droned on for ten excruciating minutes. When Ketzal gave one final curt answer, the ape huffed in anger and struck the ground with its fist. Bellows took a step back, his flank writhing with tensed muscles, but before anyone else moved, the ape turned and bounded away. Its pace was slower than before, but Cade still recognized anger in its movements.

  Everyone sighed collectively, and Cade sat back down in the saddle and let the woman slump against his torso once more, fatigue washing over him.

  “Good work, Ketzal. I will be eager to find out what you managed to say that let us all live. For now though, I think we’d better get moving and find a good place to rest. I’m exhausted,” he said, and saw Satemi and Minda relax in their saddles as well. Such an event, even though nothing truly happened, had taxed them all.

  Ketzal’s horns bobbed before him, and he was not surprised she did not respond verbally. All of the pressure had rested firmly on her shoulders. She should be rewarded for that moment of courage. "I’ll speak with the other girls when we get back. This little demon deserves a gift basket,” he mused as their mount started forward once more at a brisk walk.

  Cade tried to release some of the tension in his hips and thighs, but the riding was still new to his body, and yesterday’s battle was fresh. But he did manage to slow his heart rate, calm his nerves again. They’d already run into the biggest threat this jungle had to offer and survived. Tonight, they would all be back at camp. He would sleep like the dead.

  After seeing Minda and Satemi were both still looking out, he allowed himself a minute of relaxation.

  Cade closed his eyes and found that fugue so many soldiers relied upon. It wasn’t quite sleep. It wasn’t possible to truly sleep while marching. When he’d done a few extended rucksack marches in the early days of his Army life, Cade had found this place though.

  By closing his eyes and listening to those in front and behind him, Cade learned to rest while marching.

  The same practice bled over into his time in Iraq. Spending twelve hours standing in a hatch, rocking around as the vehicle jostled through the city, Cade would lean against the butt stock of his machine gun and take mental rests like this.

  If he told a civilian later they would always react as if Cade were somehow acting foolishly. How could a soldier let his guard down while at war? The fact of the matter was, however, that fatigue took ahold of the body and forced it to do things it didn’t want. Once, at four AM and after far too many missions that week, Cade had split open his lip by passing out.

  He’d fallen into the scope of his machine gun, unable to stay awake any longer. What was really nuts was how even with the throbbing pain, he continued to fall asleep like that until they arrived back at the base.

  So Cade took his mini break, letting the resumed sounds of a jungle he was coming to know as his home envelop his mind. Just a few more moments, his mind urged him, and he relented. They’d rest soon, and he would have himself a proper nap.

  Then the warm and naked body before him moved.

  He opened his eyes and saw two orbs of flashing orange staring back.

  Cade tried to speak, but his mind was still muddled. The woman tried to move away from him, but the leather strap Minda had tied about their waist to keep her in her seat prevented her.

  “It’s okay,” he said, lifting up his hands to show he meant her no harm.

  Suddenly, his legs burned where they touched her backside, heat boiling off of her body in waves. And as Cade gawked in horrified fascination, the woman he was bound to ignited in hungry flame.

  9

  I Ain’t Scared(y) Cat

  Cade’s scream shattered the peaceful landscape around them. Birds took to wing, pissed off and indignant. Rodents unseen scattered to find the holes they lived in, and surely even the Kotani Ma, already miles away at its own village, turned to hear the man’s unmanly cries.

  He had plenty reason to. The woman who they’d tried so hard to rescue had erupted into flame in front of him. She burned his thighs, his chest and torso, and his arms and hands that he’d used to try to shield himself. Even his cheeks were blistered, the hair on his head singed. The only thing that saved his life was the strap of leather binding them finally gave way; the woman fell to the ground in the shape of a magnificent tiger and bounded away.

  Bellows, feeling the rising heat on his back and the unending banshee cry, bolted into the jungle, causing Cade to roll off of his saddle and fall to the forest floor. Sholl had woken but remained strapped in place, going along for the ride whether he liked it or not. Ketzal kept her seat and Cade watched as the woman bounded away on the frightened boar’s nec
k.

  Satemi and Minda dismounted quickly, and ran back to help him. Minda rummaged through her herbs, then remembered the Health Tincture. She forced it down his throat, and though the wounds were not healed, the burns at least stopped getting worse. Cade panted, sitting up in Minda’s arms and chewing a mouthful of unknown herbs. Their taste was indefinable as he could only focus on the glowing pain that emanated from his entire being.

  He watched in shock as Satemi berated a huge tiger, its black fur writhing with orange flames, and the pattern. So distinct, he thought. Almost like I’ve seen it somewhere before. His brain could barely function, shock helping his body from completely shutting down.

  Why is Satemi so mad at that cat? he mused, not able to connect his ravaged body with the flame tiger before them. She shouted in anger at the beast who’d ran away and turned to watch the commotion. “We travel for two days and risk fighting three times our number to save your skinny ass. Then you attack one of us? How dare you?”

  The tiger looked between Satemi and the bouncing ass of the boar as it disappeared from sight. Then a sort of recognition formed in the beast’s eyes, and by some miracle of nature or magic, it transformed into a beautiful woman. When Cade saw her figure once more, the metallic strands of hair and her orange eyes reflecting the same color as the stripes that ornamented her body, he remembered the rest.

  Cade nodded, muttering to himself, how it all made sense now, but his movement disturbed the burns on his neck and chest, and a new wave of pain washed over him. Blissfully, Cade passed out in Minda’s arms.

  When he awoke, much had changed. The sky was darker for one, and he smelled roasted meat. Hunger stirred within him, an ever-present companion with his Lycan Metabolism. Voices were talking though he could not yet hear what they were saying. His brain was fuzzy, but when he sat up, his body didn’t hurt nearly as bad as it did before.

  “He’s up! Minda, fetch some water, please,” Satemi said, and then the woman was looking into his eyes, her face a mask of concern.