“Yeah, they bit my legs,” she said pulling her legs into her chest. Her eyes and voice were still uncultivated and confused.
“I healed you,” Hendrick said with his teacher's voice.
She fumbled around her legs, rubbing her hands up and down them. “Good,” was all she said.
“You should thank him,” Ethan appeared behind Hendrick with Yvonne at his side. She had similar bite marks and scratches as Cat, but she still knelt to help Keanu.
“Don’t give him too much, if you are not okay,” Hendrick stated not wanting her to give her life for his. Yvonne was that type of woman; she’d do something like that.
“Ethan gave me some blood, so I’m healing. I’ll be alright.”
“I don't need to thank him. He knows I’m grateful,” Cat looked at him with venom in her eyes.
Ethan was going to say something else… His eyes darkened as he stared at her. The hatred not hidden well all over his face.
Hendrick put up his hand to stop him before he could say another word. Out of all his friends, Ethan was by far the most cold-hearted.
Considering his past, Hendrick understood. When the kingdom got attacked, he was the lead warrior. Ethan never forgave himself for letting a traitor into the territory.
To top it all off, he had to watch his mother and younger sister burn to death. Screams like that haunted even the bravest and strongest warriors and could scar them for life. But, he had no right making her feel low like that. She did help to save all them.
“Okay Lass, your job is done. You helped me out just like you told the Goddess. Ethan is going to take you back to the van.” His tone was calm and gentle. He didn’t even use his accent.
Cat snapped back at him, “What? Hell no, I almost died trying to get to that room. I'm not leaving until I see what's in that stupid room,” Cat eyes burned in the light, but she looked at Hendrick, “I never quit a mission halfway through,” she tilted her chin up.
Ethan grumbled a few things, but Cat ignored him and stood up, her face still heated in anger. Her emotions were not letting a little dislike go; the thing wanted something little to be something humongous. The peppery scent of her anger stung her eyes. Stop that.
Hendrick could smell her honey scent burst into life along with her anger. The scared feline-look she had a few moments ago dissipated as the vibration of her power increased.
Hendrick’s body burst to life as well, he’d never admit this, but he was more confident with her at his side. The warmth in his chest increased until the heat shined through and reflected in his smile.
“Good,” he managed to say.
“Don't smile at me like that, you're creeping me out,” Cat brushed off her clothes. She tried to wipe off the dry blood, but that didn’t work well, “You look like you are going to eat me.”
Hendrick laughed, handing her one of the knives Ethan had, “I'll refrain from smiling.”
Twenty-four
Even though the Goddess had tried a few times before to disobey the rules and interfere magically, circumstances had never allowed her to. She was not to interfere in the human’s lives—even if the human was hers, and the fact that she had interfered meant trouble. The only thing she had going for her was that both Sapphires and Dragonvires were the God’s old protectors.
Maybe I will get away with it?
The way The Three were glaring at her, she doubted it. She would be locked in her chambers for a week, for sure. So, she could not interfere again. The only way would be through the central globe, without actually going to their dimension of course. The smaller ones were only meant for visuals.
If only she could convince The Three. They were the leaders of the twelve gods and the strongest. She never liked their constant dictatorship, but they set the rules for everyone to follow. The Three also gave the rest of the nine Gods duties to guide special people.
Now, the Gods left everyone to their own devices, but sometimes they still helped by sending a bit of guidance to humans when they needed it. And every God had a select few they shared their abilities with.
Since the war, that number had dropped dramatically, though. Most humans could not be trusted with such power anymore. There was too much fighting and hatred. Giving them, such power would be like throwing gasoline on a lit flame.
She is one of the few Gods who still communicate with beings in the human dimension. As much as the gods had pulled away from the dimension, they still wanted to help. She tried to help physically with the nonsense going on over there, but that was rule number one here. The God’s job is to guide, not fix the problems for them.
There were two Gods of war, two Gods of wisdom, three Gods of love, and five elemental Gods, including her. And all of them were a pain in her corporeal ass. She was the Goddess of wind, the one who messes up a woman’s hair to feel connected to them. A free spirit who thinks, as gods, they should help out more, but her word meant nothing here—not without the votes backing her up anyway.
She used her wind abilities to keep the flames and fog off Cat and Hendrick, for the most part. Until the others noticed her focusing too hard on what was happening around the globe. She was so careful to not use the magical connection with the other gods to fuel her energy. They were too intelligent for her liking.
The Goddess closed herself off to all of them, hating how everyone was perched in a circle watching the big events going on in the human’s dimension like they always did. The Three said, this time we spend here will bring us closer together, she had another feeling about it and they were not good feelings. There was nothing worse than sitting around watching the humans’ world go to Hades and not be able to do anything.
She could nudge the humans the right way to help keep them safe, but never to interfere. When she saw Cat needed help, nothing else mattered. If they didn’t tie her up, she was going to help.
She wanted to tell Cat how to use her powers. The way to a Sapphire’s most potent abilities is through their emotions. That is why their hair changes colors for their mood; it helps their skills come out.
Most have a tough time using their powers, especially if they cut their hair. Yet, short hair doesn't stop them altogether. Their heart controls most of their abilities, which is why Cat is so good at her job. Her heart is in it.
And the murderers who cut out Sapphire’s heart to use its remarkable powers know that. As soon as the heart touches sunlight, the muscle turns into a powerful amulet. What they don’t know is if they die happy or loved, the power is much higher. That power was only meant to be a backup plan if somehow all other defenses failed for the Gods.
The Goddess smiled as she remembered how the Sapphires were once honored. The Gods used to pamper them with loving caresses to keep them powerful back when the Sapphires and Dragonvires were a part of the great Kingdom. Sapphires used to transform into fluffy cats the size of panthers. There was even a rule, if a cat sat on anyone's lap, the person could not move until the cat got up and left.
The rule became so popular the even humans honored cats. Of course, those were normal size cats, but the gesture still warmed the Goddess’s heart.
The Goddess laughed, making everyone’s piercing glares deepen towards her. That was my fault. The Three were whispering among each other even quieter. Oh, stop staring at me like I betrayed you all. I just assisted with a little magic and gave a foreshadowing.
When she was a young goddess, the Gods were in control of the humans. All Gods took guilty pleasure in toying with their creations to watch it unfold. Like a crazy game of human chess. She even indulged in the game sometimes, but quickly learned to treat a human like a toy was not the right thing to do. So, the humans choosing to act on her rule without being forced made the gesture that much more special.
She closed her eyes, making them shine bright white to put energy into Cat before they made her leave. After the vibration in her core subsided and the task finished, she looked around cautiously. Good, no one noticed that. She was blessed they didn�
��t notice, she was in enough trouble as it was.
Her poor sweet Cat was about to change forever. She is so brave, so lovely, and so traumatized by her past that the Goddess hoped she could handle everything that was coming her way next.
She didn’t know exactly what her destiny had in store for her, but she had her on her side. And the Goddess would do everything in her power to keep her safe.
Twenty-five
Cat’s glee from having her legs back to normal was radiating all over her face. Her lips stretched to the point her jaw hurt, as she smiled at her two long pale legs free of bite marks. And her eyes softened with love.
They’re back to normal. I never thought I’d want to hug you, legs, as much as I do right now. Her eyes narrowed as they drifted lower, I wish his blood would have worked on my boots, though. Nothing was left, so she slipped the holey things off, knowing they wouldn’t help much in the ratted state they were in.
She stood with ease, letting her bare feet push into the cold floor. Hendrick’s big, comforting hand wrapped around her small one to help. When they both let go, she was ready to face whatever this horror house had in store for them next.
“I’m still going wit ye,” Ethan puffed out his chest to look bigger. The fact that he was over six foot and built with muscles everywhere didn’t matter to him.
Cat bit back a smile when his chest deflated as Hendrick replied, “No, my good man. I need someone with your strength to stay with the others just in case this goes wrong.” There was no reason to risks everyone’s lives. If he didn’t make it, he wanted his people to rescue Chris.
Ethan and Marcus were going to argue with Hendrick, but he held up the big hand that was just holding Cat’s hand to stop them. “Cat, Maria, and I are going forward. Marcus, you take the left and Jake, you to the right,” he said with pride and authority in his tone, like a real leader.
Ethan punched the air and went to stand next to Yvonne.
That got Cat a few hatred glares. The way the orange around the edges of their eyes shined gave her chills. She didn’t know a lot about Dragonvires, but she did know their dragon beast was overprotective and loyal. They apparently didn’t like an outsider showing them up.
“You ready?” she asked Hendrick, getting anxious with everyone standing around staring at her.
“Wait,” Maria said, coming up to Hendrick, “I don’t like it. I can sense magic close to the room, but I can’t reach it. It’s like it is slipping out of my blocker grasp.”
“Well, what would you like me to do? Not go in there? What if Chris is there?” He gave her a pointed look. She was his voice of reason most of the time. After everything they went through, he couldn’t leave. Even if Chris was not in the room, someone or something important was.
She was silent for a few seconds, “Can I at least help you before we go?” He knew what she meant. She wanted to help ease his tension and stress. As a Dragonvire, he was vulnerable to such a high blood loss earlier. Hendrick couldn’t risk being too jumpy or tense.
“Sure,” he bit the inside of his cheek. That was a nervous tick Hendrick could never get rid of, although he tried. Getting help from people was a sign of weakness. It made him feel weak which was why he liked Cat so much. She pushed her way into things. Instead of the depowering he got from most people wanting to help him, Cat empowered him. She was his equal, not a servant trying to help him when he was lacking.
Maria stepped forward, bowing slightly when she noticed his body get stiff. She put her hand on the back of his head. A spike of electricity zinged through him as she pulled on his emotions.
His tense muscles released. At the same time, his fast beating heart slowed to a steady rhythm. With a sly look on his face, he turned to Cat, “You too?” He asked lifting an eyebrow at her.
“I think I’ve had enough of her in my head, thanks,” Cat said crossing her arms over her chest.
“What do you mean, lass?” His body stiffened again. Maria straightened at the same time. The movement made them look like puppets on a string.
Maria interrupted Cat before she even started, “I wasn’t going to let her come with us without knowing her intentions. I know you vouched for her, but you know what happened to my family. I refused to let it happen again.”
Hendrick knew all too well what betrayal was, and it had hardened his heart as well. His eyes softened a bit, but she still shouldn’t have done that. “When?” He asked, directing the question to Cat. His tone let Maria know to keep quiet.
“Umm, it doesn’t matter. I forgave her,” Cat replied coyly. His eyes shined orange at the rim, so she just sighed and told him. “In the shower.”
He turned to Maria in a slow, stiff movement that seemed to make his eyes shine an even brighter orange. Hendrick reminded Cat of a wild animal at that moment. Maria was smart; she stepped back.
Maria hesitated to look at him, but once their eyes linked it was like an invisible force tethering them together. They were in a power staring contest. Whoever broke contact would lose.
Cat’s eyes blinked sympathetically for Maria. Until Maria bowed her head in front of Hendrick, “I’m sorry, I was only doing what I thought was right for my people.”
“I understand that.” He stepped closer to Maria, “But when I give a direct order, you do not get to disobey me because you feel like it. There is no time for this; I will deal with you later.” Hendrick turned around to join Cat. “You will stay with Ethan.”
They both moved cautiously toward the room at the back, kicking dolls out of their way. Chills ran down Cat’s spine when they walked by the tower of crates. She was going to have nightmares about that for years.
“Alright, I’ll go first-” Hendrick didn’t get to finish because Cat interjected.
“Not happening. We go together. I don’t sense more than one person, that doesn’t mean there isn’t more. You are the king of Dragonvires, it could be an ambush. My goal is to prevent the chompers from happening, not make it happen sooner,” she scolded him.
Hendrick knew she was right and arguing was pointless with her. A single nod was his answer. He didn’t have the strength to argue, his focus was on his brother right now.
So, they moved together like a pair that had been partners for a while, moving in sync with one another. The rest of them scouted the outside. The last thing they needed was a magical ambush.
They made the journey more than halfway when things went south again. “Hendrick get out of there!” Maria yelled running forward, making the rest of the group do the same.
That’s when the two hit a force field. The tan light expanded, reaching for Cat and Hendrick, trying to pull them into its depths, “Don’t let it-” Cat tried to warn Hendrick as well, but it was too late.
They backed up, but that made it worse. The shield exploded in front of them. Hendrick turned to tackle Cat, putting his body over hers which meant his back got the full brunt of the explosion.
The flames kept firing forward, burning the flesh on Hendrick’s back. “No!” Cat yelled. Her legs and arms were in sheer agony, making her vision go black from the pain. The smell of their burnt flesh hurt her nose as if someone had rubbed pepper sauce in her nostrils.
Goddess…
When the flames finally stopped, Hendrick was lying limp on top of her, and the force field was sucking the life out of them both. It’s cold, wicked grip dove into their being, slowly drinking the life out of them.
Cat’s vision cleared for a second and her head fell to the side. Yvonne and Maria were banging on the shield, yelling something Cat didn’t understand. Cat knew what the force field was, so if there was a chance of Hendrick and her surviving this, Cat needed to tell them what she knew.
In two sharp breaths, Cat shouted, “Death shield.” She hoped someone heard her. The pain stopped, and a cold, sticky darkness crept its way to her. Until all that was left was darkness around her.
Twenty-six
No matter how many times Yvonne saw death, she could never get u
sed to it. As Cat went slack under Hendrick, Yvonne panicked a little. Hendrick was down for the count. He gave his life for Cat. Thankfully, he wasn’t dead yet, but the explosion had critically wounded him. Most of his back was gone, the thick flesh burnt away.
Maria stopped the death shield from draining both of their life forces dry.
Their only hope was to wake up Cat and have her heal him quicker, “Cat. Cat.” Yvonne laid down to get on the same level as her, “Come on sweetie, wake up,” Yvonne said with a bit of enthusiasm, hoping her cheerfulness would help wake Cat up in a way that wouldn’t panic her.
She pushed against the barrier again. The yellow shield was a solid wall, but it looked more like Jello. Stupid igloo of death.
Everyone hated that they weren’t strong enough to get inside. They had been pounding their fists against the barrier over and over, but that didn’t seem to have an effect at all. It still taunted everyone with its strength.
“Gods, please help,” Yvonne said with mournful pleads. Yvonne closed her eyes in defeat. What the hell are we going to do?
***
She opened her eyes, ready to tell everyone it was time to go. Someone had set this trap, and they would be coming back, which meant they needed to leave. Cat’s eyes fluttered, “Cat, sweetie, can you hear me?” Yvonne cried out, losing her composure.
Cat looked up from the ground when she heard a muffled woman’s voice. “Goddess?” Cat replied.
“No, it’s Yvonne,” she said, as Cat’s eyes focused on her pained face.
“Hello,” Her voice was still small, and it was like her lungs couldn’t get enough air.
“You were right. You are in a death shield, but Maria was able to keep it from killing both of you.” Cat’s eyes drifted shut, “No, no, no, Cat look at me.” Cat did look at Yvonne, but she was so tired her eyes didn’t focus.
The Smokiest Grave (The Unnatural Series Book 1) Page 16