“Do not be jealous, old friend,” Sajiix said, offering his hand. “You still have your fleas to keep you company on this cold night.”
Ayce laughed even harder and shook the Magi’s proffered hand firmly. “Take care of yourself, gem-hoarder.”
Sajiix turned to Tienn and shook his hand as well. The Draaken’s farewell was not as vigorous as Ayce’s, but its intensity was tenfold. “Be sure to drop in from time to time,” he invited the Magi.
“If you ever initiate a young Magi, let me know,” he smiled, “so we can steal him.”
Sajiix stepped away from Tienn and faced Cassius.
“My apologies for attacking you at the Guild,” Cassius told him. “I had to make Dorn believe I was truly against you.”
“No need for apologies,” Sajiix told him. “I won.”
Both men laughed and Cassius slapped the Magi on the back. “You are always welcome to come home, Sajiix.”
“I may take you up on that offer, one day,” he replied mirthlessly.
Sajiix led Kaelyn away by the hand and paused at the small table where Kreena, Myst, and Tair were sitting. He looked at each in turn and drew in a breath. “I wish you luck as initiates,” he said to them. “I hope you can bring honor back within the guild’s walls.”
Tugging at the edge of his cloak, Sajiix walked away with Kaelyn following him up the stairs.
Tair’Lianne shook her head and took a long pull of her tankard. “Is he always so melodramatic?” she asked after draining the cup’s contents.
“He is a Magi…they are all inclined to dramatic behavior,” said Tienn with a hint of a smile. “Sajiix Mirhan, however…they do not come more theatrical than that.”
***
Kaelyn closed the door of their room by pressing her backside against it, loudly slamming the locking bolt home. She unclasped the fastener to her cloak and let the heavy fabric slide to her feet, exposing the assets she had within the confines of her low cut violet blouse and corset. She moved to Sajiix, pushing her body against his – it had been too long since they last made love.
Her hands moved up along his sides and slid up to his chest and he kissed her roughly, his own hands pressing against her face. But just as soon as he started, he broke away, his attention going out the small window of their paltry room.
“What is wrong, Dhama?” she asked him, lifting her foot upon a small wooden chest that sat at the end of their lumpy-looking bed. She pulled up the hem of her thick black skirt, exposing cream-colored stockings and a black leather boot laced to the bottom of her knee. “You have not made love to me in these past eight days. Are you displeased with me? Are you angry with the way I handled Baris Malagotta?”
Sajiix bristled at the name, knowing that the thief had touched her in ways he would kill other men for. “Nothing so mundane, my love,” Sajiix said with an excited fervor. He turned to Kaelyn as she slipped off a boot and grabbed her roughly by the shoulders. “I have waited to tell you in fear of letting it slip during our convalescence here.”
He kissed her again and this time she felt the passion in him like a raw heat. He was literally shaking as he helped her with her other boot.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
Sajiix turned her so that her back was facing him and began unlacing her tight corset. “When the Purestone attacked me,” he paused only to kiss her neck, “It gave me a vision.”
Kaelyn didn’t understand, nor did she care to. She turned to him, meeting his passion with her own searing need. He began kissing her in places that made her knees buckle. She felt herself slip, but he was there, supporting her until her body reached the down mattress of their bed.
“A vision of what?” Kaelyn finally asked.
Sajiix threw his cloak across the room and stared down at his apprentice with a passion that matched the revelation the diamond had given him. “The Purestone showed me where to go…it showed me the amethyst.”
Kaelyn’s head cleared for a frightening moment. “You mean…?”
Sajiix moved like a snake, sliding down against her body until his lips touched her cheek, his breath hot in her ear. “Yes, my love,” he whispered. “I know the location of the Shadowgem.”
THE STORY CONTINUES…
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shawn Becker has been writing unpublished works since his grade school days in Decatur, Illinois. He honed his imagination to later create an entire fantasy gaming world for his friends to adventure in, which led to him writing The Guildsmen series – a set of stories he has written and re-written over the past two decades. Now, armed with a degree in English literature and an appreciation for the digital age, he brings his Guildsmen series for others to read. Shawn credits his imagination with watching loads of “B-grade” movies and television shows as a child. He still watches those shows when he can – all to the consternation of his wife and the enjoyment of his daughter.
Rage of the Diamond's Eye (The Guildsmen Series Book 1) Page 42