by Daniel, Jake
“Why would you help me?” I asked, keeping my eyes locked on hers. “What’s in it for you?”
Luna shrugged and pushed her perfect breasts together in front of her. “Let’s just say my brother has different priorities than I do. He made the deal with Aether without talking to me first.”
“Why would that matter?”
I could sense there was something else that she wanted to tell me but she was holding back. Several dark green snakes came out and followed closely behind her.
She stopped in front of me. I remained on my guard as she reached out and ran a finger along a deep scratch that spanned the scar on my chest. She pulled her finger back and placed it in her mouth, letting out a small moan as my blood touched her tongue. “You taste so… pure.” I’d seen the look she wore on her face several times since arriving in Aurilon. It was one of lust. She took her time, allowing her eyes to linger as she looked me up and down, and I could tell she was doing everything in her power to hold herself back. “Now, I suggest you hurry. You don’t want to run out of time, do you?”
“Where are they?” I said, undeterred by her stare.
She craned her neck and nodded to the area behind her. “Follow this landing, you’ll see that your precious women are fine.”
I pushed past the dhampir and one of her pets lashed out and nearly bit my thigh. I’d never really been afraid of snakes, and if you knew how to handle them, there really wasn’t any reason to be afraid of them. As the snake tried to recoil for another strike, I grabbed it by its tail and launched it over the side of the tower, prompting a small gasp from Luna.
With a small flash, she disappeared and I hurried around the giant platform. As I rounded the corner I spotted all of the women. They were huddled together and when they saw me, I swore they were going to tackle me.
Alysain bolted to her feet and rushed over. She threw her arms around me and kissed me. “I thought we lost you!”
I smiled and gazed into her beautiful jade eyes. “Are you okay?” I held her by the hips as I waited for her response.
Tears began to fill her eyes as she motioned back toward the others. Jun lifted off the ground and landed on my shoulder. “Logan, something’s wrong.” The fairy’s normal coloring had returned and her eyes had cleared. “I’m worried about the others. Their cores are weakening, I can feel it. Mitsi has weakened substantially as we’ve moved through the floors. The tainted spirit that spread through her wound is beginning to take over. We need to get her help.”
I tried to crane my neck around. “What about the others?”
Jun shook her head. “I’m not sure. We made it to this spot on the platform and each of them collapsed right there. I think the amount of spirit that has been trying to get in their cores has finally worn them down.”
I rushed over and reached Gwen first. She looked up at me with tired eyes. “I feel like I haven’t slept in years.” I closed my eyes and activated my Sight skill. The amount of spirit flowing through her core and to the rest of her body was dizzying. I held a hand to her arm and kept my eyes closed. I wanted to assure her everything was going to be okay, but I could definitely tell something was going on.
I took a deep breath and focused on the spirit in her core, clamping onto a single strand as it exploded out through her body. The strand took my consciousness for a wild ride through her body along her pathways. As I traveled, time stood still.
The strand twisted and turned faster than anything else, finally coming to an abrupt stop. It slowed and circled a brightly glowing orb of charged spirit. I focused on the orb, concentrating with everything I had to see if I could figure out what was going on. Within seconds, I heard the unmistakable sounds of a heartbeat. Soft at first, but soon, the unmistakable rhythm of a heartbeat rose above all else. I lost my grip on the strand and nearly fell backwards. “Holy shit.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
The words escaped my mouth before I could stop them. I snapped back to reality and met Gwen’s eyes.
Gwen cocked her head and reached out for my arm. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing is the matter, but I need to check something to be sure.”
All the girls were focused on me as I hurried to Dahlia. I completed the same process that I did with Gwen and found a similar glowing orb, complete with a strong heartbeat, in her womb. I finished with Isobel, and by this point everyone was exchanging confused glances. I held a hand at the small of Isobel’s back and immediately discovered she had two glowing orbs, or rather children as I knew them to be now, growing inside of her.
I turned and met each of their eyes. “You’re all pregnant.” Everyone’s eyes widened and were fixed on me as if to see how I was going to react. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to have kids, it was more the fact that I had at least four of them on the way. “You all have to get back to the ship. I am not going to let you risk your lives any further.”
My eyes met Alysain’s as everyone stood. All three of the pregnant women looked shaky, and I knew that they were incredibly susceptible to the tainted spirit currently surrounding the tower. As if anticipating my question, she spoke. “I can carry two of them.”
I turned to Jun. “How about you? Do you have any sort of magic that will allow you to carry them?”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t.”
“Isobel, Dahlia, do either of you have any strength potions left?” I asked. Both women rifled through their small leather satchels.
Dahlia was the first to find one and pulled it out of her bag and held it in the air. “I’ve got one left, right here.”
“Perfect. Bug, drink that, and let’s see if it will be enough to give you the strength to carry them both out of here.”
Jun downed the potion with one long swig and her body immediately began to convulse and she fell to the ground. She writhed in pain and let out a scream. “I can’t, it hurts. What is happening?!” I watched in horror as the fairy’s body twisted and jerked as if she were possessed. The sounds of bones popping and Jun’s screams filled the air. Then as if she were Alice with her “Drink Me” potion, her body began to… expand. Slow at first, but then rapidly, she grew to the size of Alysain.
I shook my head and took in the amazing human-sized fairy standing in front of me. “Maybe my Luck skill is finally starting to do something for once. But this is ridiculously convenient.”
Jun stood in front of me, bare-chested and wide-eyed. “Well, that should take care of that problem.”
Dahlia picked up the empty potion bottle and inspected it curiously. “I don’t understand what happened.”
Jun shook her head and shrugged. “We will figure that out later. For now, let’s get you out of here.”
Mitsi looked up at me, her face pale. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can fight at your side. Thank you for freeing me.” She struggled to her feet. “I’ll understand if you leave me here.”
“Not a chance, and don’t apologize. Stay with the others, they will get you healed up,” I responded and nodded toward Jun.
Jun walked over to the cyclops and interlocked her arm with Mitsi’s. “Just hold on. I can already see how much you mean to Logan. I can guarantee you that he would never leave you here.”
I gave Mitsi a smile and nodded. “She’s right. You are part of my family now. We look out for each other.” I turned and looked out over the edge of the platform toward the sea. “Okay, now go, get to the ship. I need to continue.”
Gwen looked down and held her hands over her stomach. “I knew I should’ve had more wine while I still could.”
Isobel joined her side and smiled. “I’m sure you won’t even miss it.”
Gwen gasped and held the back of her hand to her forehead in mock exasperation. “How can you say such a thing about my first love?!”
I walked up to Gwen and held a hand against her navel. “I know you didn’t want children, but I can promise you that you will be an amazing mother.” I stepped back and faced all three o
f my pregnant bonded women. “Honestly, all three of you are going to be amazing mothers. Our children will be fortunate to have you.”
Gwen leaned forward and gave me a kiss. “Thank you for your confidence, my king. This will be interesting, but just as they will be fortunate to have us as their mothers, they are even more fortunate to have you as their father.”
My heart pounded in my chest, and I couldn’t help but feel an immense sense of pride as I looked at my bonded. They were absolutely amazing. Thoughts of my other bonded women coursed through my mind. It was too soon to tell on my most recent bonded, but I had a feeling I’d find out that another pregnant bonded was waiting for me back on the ship. I knew Chloe would be a great mother as well.
Alysain and Jun quickly moved behind the others, and after some clever positioning, they lifted off the platform and into the air. Jun’s fairy dust floated down across the platform and into the sky as she headed toward the sea with Mitsi and Isobel firmly in her grasp.
Alysain held onto Gwen and Dahlia, but paused before launching into the sky. I gave each of them a kiss and took a step back. “Stay safe, do not take any unnecessary chances. You have more than just yourselves to protect. I love each of you, and I’ll be there soon.” I focused on Alysain’s eyes. “Once they are safe, circle back, high above. I will try to make it back to this spot once I free my brother.”
Each of the women looked at me with worried expressions, and a second later Alysain lifted into the air with a giant flap of her golden wings. I watched as Jun and Alysain flew out over the forest toward the sea and a renewed sense of resolve washed over me.
I turned to head up to the next room, but nearly stepped on a coiled emerald green snake on the bottom stair. I looked up and met Luna’s eyes.
“Did you say your bonded are... pregnant?” She spoke in almost a whisper. “By a human, nonetheless? I’ll believe it when I see it.” It was almost as if she was having a debate with herself.
“Yes, but that’s really none of your concern.” I kept my breathing steady and was ready for anything she wanted to throw at me.
I stepped forward with my knife in my hand and was about to activate my charge when she held up her hands. “I… It’s just that I don’t think anyone who is pregnant, monster or human, has set foot in Darkholm in hundreds of years. Dhampir are unable to bear children.”
“Well, they’re going to be the last to set foot here as well.” I was sure that Luna knew I was about to snap.
Luna stepped forward and moved within a few feet of me. “Those children will be incredibly special one day, if they survive.”
“Is that a threat?” I asked. My hands were shaking, from which emotion I wasn’t sure. My mind was reeling.
Luna’s eyes held a hint of sadness as she blinked out of sight. Undoubtedly to tell Cyprian what she’d just found out. I avoided the coiled snake and rushed to the top of the stairs. I adjusted the strap of my leather bag across my chest and worked my way up the stairs to the next room. I didn’t have a shirt and had cuts across my entire body, but I was a man possessed. I was going to free my brother and get the fuck out of here.
A strong breeze picked up as I reached for the ornate door at the top of the stairs. I gripped the handle and closed my eyes. I concentrated and activated my Aspect of the Griffon and immediately heard voices inside. I could faintly make out Luna’s hectic voice. “He’s here… things changed… pregnant.” Her brother’s voice responded, but I couldn’t make out what he was saying. They were definitely having an argument of some sort, though. I wanted to take advantage of any sort of distraction I could, so, with a giant heave I pulled the sturdy wooden door open.
Chapter Thirty-Three
I stepped inside and found I was now in a massive room with several torches lining each of the walls. Gigantic sweeping windows stretched along the center of each wall and curved their way up to the grandiose pointed arches that made up a grand vaulted ceiling.
As I stepped forward I spotted Luna and Cyprian standing on either side of a shabby throne. The throne looked very old, and definitely didn't appear to be made for a king, especially a self-proclaimed one. Their heads turned toward me and I could tell they had not finished with their conversation that I interrupted.
Cyprian left the throne and held his hands out with a big smile on his face, revealing his two pointed fangs. Luna joined his side, her face not betraying any emotion. He stopped a short distance away. "Congratulations, Logan. You’ve made it through each of the floors of the Duradel Tower!" He made a grand gesture as if trying to add some flair to his presentation. "Pity the others couldn’t join you, isn’t it?"
I glared at the man and took another step forward. "I’ve completed your tower, now where is he?"
He laughed and clapped his hands excitedly. Several long strands of his white hair fell down into his face and his mouth transformed into a wide smile. "Why don’t we show him what he's won?!"
Several areas lit up around the room. My eyes landed on my brother who was bound against a marble column with thick rope and had a scarlet cloth shoved in his mouth. At his feet, a ten foot emerald green snake circled slowly as if it was a shark getting ready to eat its prey.
On the opposite side of the room was Aether. He held a curved knife with a blade that was pulsing with a dark violet hue.
Cyprian turned back toward me, the eerie smile still plastered to his face. “Aether, as promised, I have delivered.”
Aether joined Cyprian’s side and stared at me with revenge-filled eyes. “Thank you, Cyprian. Well worth the price in my opinion.”
Cyprian walked over and draped his arm behind Aether’s neck. “See, when Aether here offered a peace treaty between Aurilon and Darkholm, I just couldn’t pass it up. Dhampir have not been free to roam Aurilon in so long.”
Aether grinned and nodded. “You see, it helps to choose the right allies. Ones that can actually help you achieve your goals.”
Matt struggled against his bindings in the distance. I could tell he was trying to tell me something.
Cyprian glanced back and shrugged. “I will give your brother credit, his mind is stronger than I thought it was going to be.”
“Well, I’m here, now what?” I asked, holding my knife tightly. I already knew what Aether was capable of, and wasn’t nearly as weary of him as I was of Cyprian and Luna.
Aether stepped closer, holding the glowing knife in front of his body. “Now? I take out the last surviving Whitehall heir, and return to ruling my kingdom.”
“Your kingdom? Aurilon will collapse under your rule. Nobody respects you, and after your showing at the tournament, everyone knows how much of a pussy you really are.”
Aether’s teeth were clenched and he tightened his grip on the halberd. Cyprian laughed and looked more pleased as Aether became more agitated.
Cyprian motioned toward Luna. “Sister, please shift into your lamia form and secure our guest.”
I glanced over to the dhampir woman and she shifted into her snake form. Her long legs were quickly replaced by a large snake tail and her smooth pale skin was replaced by silvery snake skin. She slithered over and enveloped my body with such speed that I hadn’t even had a chance to resist. Matt gave up trying to fight against his binding and fell limply against the column.
Aether let out another laugh and sauntered forward. He dove into a long soliloquy about how he was finally going to be worthy of the throne, which I promptly ignored. It would’ve been interesting and all, if I didn’t have the snake woman squeezing my body so tightly that I thought she was going to pop my left nut.
As Aether neared, Luna leaned closer to my ear, whispering so only I could hear her. “Trust me.”
I craned my head slightly and responded. “Trust you? Fuck no, I won’t trust you.”
“Do what I say, and you won’t die. At least not yet.” She responded so quietly that I almost didn’t think she was actually talking.
I struggled to take a breath in and refocused on Aether
as he neared. Aether lazily switched the halberd from shoulder to shoulder and eventually stopped in front of me. He smiled and nodded. “I told you I wouldn’t stop until I killed you. I’m glad I finally get to make good on that promise.”
He raised his weapon and rushed forward. I felt Luna loosen her grip and her voice filled my head. “Now.”
I activated my Charge and met Aether head on. I twisted his arm and pointed his knife at his chest. With my new Strength skill I’d received from Mitsi, Aether didn’t stand a chance. I pushed the knife closer to his chest while the others watched. Aether’s hate-filled eyes locked on mine as I plunged the blade deep into his chest.
Aether’s eyes went wide and I pushed the knife until it hit the ground as it exited his body. I twisted the blade and a torrent of tainted spirit exploded from Aether’s chest. It filled the room within seconds, and I immediately felt it flow into my core. I stood with my bloodied knife and turned toward Cyprian. “Free my brother.”
Cyprian moved closer and kicked Aether’s body as if to ensure he was dead. “I don’t think I will. My sister told me that there’s way more than meets the eye with you, Logan.” He laughed and rubbed his hands together. “A human that’s able to have children with monsters. I can only imagine what other secrets you may be hiding.”
“I wouldn’t tell you shit, even if I were. Now, are you going to fight me or not?”
Cyprian laughed and shook his head. “Why would I fight you when I have others to do it for me? I glanced down at the ground and the large snake that had been circling around Matt came straight for me.
Luna stepped forward. “Cyprian, no don’t.” She turned and focused on the approaching snake. “Nova, stop. Listen to me.” Her eyes flashed between Cyprian and her snake. Her words did not deter the snake as it continued forward. “We can use him, don’t you understand?”
Cyprian’s eyes didn’t leave the snake. He was focused and, I soon realized, was controlling it. Luna called out again and he held up a hand to stop her from speaking. Her voice cut off midway as she shouted. “Cyp…”