The Elementalist: Journey to Zlorta: Adult Fantasy Paranormal Novel (Elementalist and Guardian Series Book 1)

by S. N. Hunt

  As she walked around the campsite, she heard water. She shivered at the idea of a bath. She was used to bathing daily and usually, all she did was sit at a desk. Here she was riding on a horse and sleeping in other people’s beds. She followed the sound of water to a pool. A waterfall filled the pool with crystal clear water. She leaned down and cupped a handful, raising it to her lips. It flowed down her throat, cool and sweet. It was probably the most delicious water she’d ever had. She stood for a moment and nibbled on her lip. Debating whether or not to bathe. She didn’t have any soap, but just the water alone would be worth it.

  She felt a tug at her waist. Looking down, she saw the bag had something in it. Quickly untying the bag, she reached in. She pulled out a bar of soap. Smiling, she decided it was a sign to bathe. She quickly disrobed and slid into the pool. The water made her gasp as she adjusted to the cool temperature.

  The water came up to her shoulders. She quickly dunked her head under the water. She slicked her hair back with one hand as she scrubbed her skin. Her muscles slowly relaxed, and the soreness faded. She finished cleaning up and set the soap on the bank with her clothes. She floated in the water and closed her eyes. The sound of the waterfall soothing her.

  “Hello, little one.”

  Sarah quickly stood on her feet and covered her nakedness under the water. Peering around, she looked at a naked man standing waist deep in the water. She tensed up and prepared to run if she needed to. He had sandy blonde hair and deep blue eyes like the sky after a storm. His skin was tan and smooth. The muscles on his chest rippled as he skimmed his hands back and forth over the water.

  He is the prettiest man I have ever seen. Jason would be jealous of this guy.

  He smiled at her, showing perfect white teeth. He crept slowly toward her. The water climbing up his abdomen. Sarah took a few steps toward the bank.

  “No one has visited my pool in a very long time. Imagine my surprise when I awoke and found a beautiful woman bathing. I couldn’t resist the temptation and just had to talk to you.”

  His voice flowed through her. The tension in her muscles eased up. A calmness washed over her, replacing her anxiety.

  “Relax, little one, you seem so tense. Let the waters wash away all your worries, all your stress.”

  The water was up to the middle of his chest now. He reached out a hand and ran it over her shoulder. Warmth followed the path of his hand. Her hands dropped to her sides. She leaned into his touch, seeking the warmth. She shivered and closed her eyes.

  “Just a taste, little one. Such fire, such passion. I must sample it.”

  The tip of his tongue flicked against her lips. Her body suddenly was on fire. Her hands gripped his shoulders tightly. He pulled her into his arms. He pressed his lips to hers. Feeling him against her skin, she rubbed against him. She had never experienced anything like this. The fire in her blood boiled. Her body throbbed and begged for release. She parted her lips, and he plundered her mouth.

  He gripped her bottom and lifted her into the air, wrapping her legs around his waist. He lifted his head and grazed his teeth against her neck. She opened her eyes and noticed they were sinking into the water. The water was climbing over her shoulders. Through the haze in her mind, she realized he was taking her under.

  As the water hit her chin, she screamed out, “Micheal!”

  ∞∞∞

  Micheal awoke with a start. The voice that had screamed his name echoed through his mind. In his dreams, she had been screaming his name in ecstasy. That last scream had been one full of terror. He stood quickly and glanced around the campsite. Sarah was nowhere in sight. He closed his eyes and listened for her. Birdsong was all that greeted his ears. He reached out for her in his mind. Opening his eyes, he raced toward where he could sense her.

  Breaking through the cover of the trees, he looked at an old pool. The green muddy water had algae growing in big patches on the surface. He saw her clothes and a bar of soap on the edge. He sniffed the air.

  Sirens! I should have checked the area before falling asleep.

  He saw footprints leading out of the water on the opposite bank. He followed them through the forest to the mouth of a cave. The stench from the cave invaded his nose. The putrid smell of death and decay hung heavy in the air. He quietly approached the cave entrance. He could just barely hear the siren talking.

  “Juicy, juicy. Can’t be choosy. Succulent meat. So young, so sweet. Passion to fuel the fires. No more being stuck in the mire.”

  The creature cackled to itself. Micheal caught sight of the siren. Its long green hair hung around its head like seaweed. Its grey skin stretched taut over its bones. It was clear that it was starving. Its stomach was sunken into its ribcage. Each rib looked like it would poke through its flesh. It was starting a fire under an enormous cauldron.

  Micheal looked around the cave and saw Sarah laying naked on a nearby table. The creature had finished with the fire and was now approaching Sarah. It was slowly sharpening a knife against a stone.

  It giggled loudly, “Meat, meat, meat. Finally, get to eat. Make a slice. Sorry, you have to pay the price.”

  Micheal silently entered the cave and crept up behind it. He couldn’t call his sword, the light would give him away. He grabbed the creature’s head tightly and twisted. The neck bones snapped loudly in the cave. The creature crumbled to the ground. Micheal stepped over the siren’s body to check on Sarah.

  A blur of black rushed toward him and a scream filled the cave. Claws slashed at him and he was knocked to the ground. He kicked out at the blur and rolled to his feet. Across from him, the siren’s mate scrambled to her feet. Her hair was light blue and her skin was black. She looked no better than her mate had. Her ribs pronounced and her breasts sagged. She snarled and hissed at him. Her claws fully extended, she circled around him.

  Micheal summoned his sword, its blue light bouncing off the cave walls. Gripping it with both hands, he circled with the siren. She howled and charged him, gnashing her teeth. He dodged to his right and slashed at her. She spun away from his blow.

  “Die, die, die. Killed the apple of my eye. Snap your bones. Break you against the stone.”

  He swung the sword in a wide arch. Just barely catching her across her ribs. She cried out and retaliated with a swipe to his bicep. Cutting deep into his muscle. He brought his sword down hard into her shoulder, cutting through the bone. Blue blood gushed from her wound and splashed over him. He put his foot to her chest and slid her off the sword.

  The creature fell back against the cave wall. She whimpered and held her hands out in front of her. The surrounding air shimmered. She was trying desperately to create an illusion.

  “You have to be alive to fall for an illusion. You shouldn’t have touched what was mine.” He said as he raised his sword.

  He swung his sword, slicing through her neck. Her head rolled across the floor. He kicked it further into the cave. He took off his cloak and wrapped it around Sarah. Gathering her into his arms, he strode from the cave.

  Chapter Six

  The scent of meat cooking slowly awoke Sarah. Her mouth watered and her stomach grumbled. She blinked her eyes open and greeted the night sky. She sat up and her blanket fell away. The night air hit her naked skin. She quickly grabbed up the blanket that had been covering her. Staring closely at it, she realized it was Micheal’s cloak. It smelled faintly of the ocean and cool nights. Then a second odor hit her. Lifting her arm, she sniffed herself. The distinct odor of rotten eggs clung to her skin. She gagged and almost vomited on his cloak.

  Looking around her, she saw Micheal slowly rotating some kind of animal over the fire. He looked even larger without his cloak. He was clothed from head to toe in black. His entire head was covered with a hood that clung to him like a second skin.

  At least now I know he has a face. Though he must be hideous to cover it so.

  “What happened? The last thing I remember was bathing in a pool by a waterfall.”

  “That pool was
a siren’s trap. The water was not what you thought, and there was no waterfall. It was all an elaborate trap to lure you in. Once he had you snared, he had planned to cook and eat you. From the look of him and his mate, they have been starving.”

  Sarah shuddered, “Why don’t I remember anything? And how did you find me?”

  “A siren’s kiss makes you forget. That way, if you escape or are rescued, you can’t hunt them down. Be glad you don’t remember. They are ugly creatures. You screamed my name. I tracked you to the pool and then the siren to his lair. He is no more and can’t hurt you or anyone else ever again.”

  Sarah blushed as she realized she had kissed a siren. She noticed his arm had gashes in it. She saw the deep wounds through the surrounding fabric. They had no blood in or around them.

  “You are wounded, but there is no blood. How is that possible?”

  Micheal held up his injured arm and looked at it. “I do not bleed. My flesh is cold and dead. I do not sense it, nor when it happened. One perk of being as I am. The wound will heal as I sleep.”

  “Okay…. where are my clothes? And is there somewhere I can bathe? I smell and feel disgusting.”

  Micheal gestured toward a pile of clothing next to her. Next to the pile was the provisions bag and a bar of soap. A pail of clear water was awaiting her. She fidgeted for a moment, unsure how to bathe and dress without him seeing her.

  “Can you turn around or go for a walk?”

  “I have already seen what you have to offer. You were naked as the day you were born when I rescued you from the siren. I can’t act on desire. I told you my flesh is dead.”

  She glared at him for a moment. With a sigh, he turned his back to her. She scrubbed herself down and washed as best as she could in the pail. Sarah quickly dressed and put the soap back into the bag. She picked up his cloak and tapped him on the shoulder.

  “Thank you for letting me use this.”

  He took the cloak and set it aside before saying, “Never leave the camp without me. Do not wander. Stay near me at all times. We got lucky this time. Next time could be something much worse than starving sirens. You will eat quickly, then we must keep moving. We have stayed in this place for too long. We will have to ride hard today to make up for the time lost.”

  Micheal turned back to the fire and checked the meat. He cut it into strips and gave her a few. Picking up the provisions bag, he put away the rest of the meat. He started breaking camp as she finished her meal. It seemed weird to never see him eat. She wondered how he functioned if he didn’t need food.

  He saddled Lucifer and helped her into the saddle. He mounted behind her and gripped her tightly to him. Then he let Lucifer take the lead.

  ∞∞∞

  Antony lounged on his throne with one leg over the armrest. He rested his head in his hand. The throne sat atop a dais in the great hall. When he had taken over the castle, the place had become dark and cold. The sun never shone in his corner of the Veil. The stone walls were dark grey and blood red curtains covered the stained glass windows. He hated the scenes on the glass and had quickly ordered them covered. The wood floors were a rich dark walnut with a vermilion aisle runner that ran the length of it. He had also installed multiple chains to the walls, complete with shackles. His favorite torture devices lined the room. He did enjoy a good show.

  He watched as the succubus whipped the naked man hanging against a nearby wall. Though he could not get hard anymore, he still enjoyed the pleasure of a person receiving pain. The man’s screams echoed off the stone walls around him. The succubus stopped and admired her handiwork. Chains clinked together as the man squirmed. As the minutes ticked by, he started begging for the whip. The succubus grinned wickedly. Her leathery bat wings twitched. She brought the whip down harder than before. The man’s skin split and blood welled on the surface.

  Antony licked his lips and sat up in his chair. He didn’t miss anything of his previous life as a human except for the sex. He missed sinking himself into flesh, be it, man or woman. Now he could only watch the act, and it frustrated him beyond anything else. He had always been handsome. Both sexes had vied for his attention. He had always shared it willingly. But his vampirism had taken that all away.

  “My lord, Darian has returned.”

  Antony glared at the guard that interrupted the session. He nodded his head irritatedly. Darian cautiously approached the throne and bowed. Antony looked down at the werewolf in his employ, making him bow in silence longer than necessary before addressing him.

  “Why are you here, Darian? You are supposed to be watching the girl. Has something happened?”

  “My lord, Micheal came for her. We fought, and he wounded me. I followed them to the gate and they are here in the Veil. He has betrayed us all.”

  “WHAT?”

  Fury boiled up inside of Antony. He stood up from his throne and grabbed the wolf by his throat. He felt his claws extending into Darian’s throat. Blue blood trickled down his hand. The room had gone silent.

  Glancing over at the succubus, he said, “Did I say to stop?”

  The succubus quickly returned to whipping the man. The man’s cries filled the room again. Darian gasped for air and closed his eyes. Antony sighed and retracted his claws, releasing the wolf. Darian crumbled to the ground and whimpered.

  “Are you healed? Would you be able to track them through the Veil?”

  Darian nodded his head as he laid a hand against the wound in his throat. Antony sat back in his throne, flicking his wrist at a guard. The guard brought forward a blood slave. Antony looked her over. Her eyes were glazed over and stared into nothing. Her skin hung on her frame and the white chemise she wore looked two times too big. She held out her wrist to him. Antony grimaced and pushed her away. He hated feeding on a bag of bones. He preferred the ones that still had life in them.

  “You will track them down. I believe they are headed to the Blood City of Windern. Micheal has friends there. Wait till they are vulnerable, say at nighttime when they sleep. Do not attack Micheal, take the girl. Deliver her here. Do not return without her. Now go!”

  Darian scurried from the room. Antony leaned back in his chair, thinking. He stroked his bottom lip and thought about Micheal. Micheal had left the castle a month ago. Antony hadn’t worried. Micheal had always returned in the past. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the blood slave still standing with her wrist extended.

  “Give this bag of bones to the wolves. They love their chew toys. Bring me a fresh girl. One with a bit of fight.”

  ∞∞∞

  Sarah realized Micheal had gone slow for her. Now, though, he let the stallion have his legs. She bounced against Micheal hard. Each time it was like she was hitting a brick wall. She knew she would be so sore after this. Many times, she thought about asking to stop but knew better. She had made them waste time. It was her fault, and she planned to endure it.

  When they finally stopped for the night, she limped to her bed. Her bottom was sore and bruised. Her inner thighs ached and cramped. Micheal laid the provisions bag next to her. She quickly ate from it and drifted off to sleep. The next three days repeated in much the same way. They rode hard all day and stopped only to eat and sleep. On the fourth day, she could barely walk. Micheal had to help her lay down on her cloak.

  Micheal stared at her as she lay on her cloak. She was sure he was glaring at her. She didn’t care, her body ached in places she didn’t know existed.

  “Stop staring at me. I am doing the best I can. I have never ridden a horse for days on end. In fact, I have never ridden a horse. The closest thing I have ridden is a bicycle, and it is not the same.” She grumbled at him before rolling over onto her side.

  “I am sorry I have to push you so hard. We still have many days of travel ahead of us.”

  She moaned at the thought of having to ride for even one more day. Despite her aching body, or maybe because of it, she was exhausted. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

  ∞∞∞

&nbs
p; Micheal watched the shadows around the camp. Something had been following them for the last day. A white flash of something flickered occasionally in his line of sight during their ride. He hadn’t told Sarah since he did not want to alarm her. He hated to push her the way he was. They had to stay ahead of whatever beast tailed them.

  He looked at her sleeping form. She was lightly snoring. He knew whatever was out there was after her. Most creatures avoid him. He would keep her safe. The city was so close.

  He slowly slid his gloves off his hands. One hand was pale and grey, the other a natural peachy color of health. The change was starting. Now and then his heart pumped quietly in his chest. It was faint and weak, but it was there. He looked over at Sarah. He had hoped the change would not come till they were in the city. There he could explain what was happening. Right now, they didn’t have the time. He also didn’t have time to deal with his desire that kept building in him for her. He was thankful that he could not get an erection. It would have been a very long ride for them both. He reached up and touched the tears in his clothing. The wounds had sealed.

  He sighed with relief. The change would get his blood pumping again, and he didn’t want to deal with an infected wound. He looked at Sarah again and a thrill run through him. The desire he had for her would only grow as the blood flowed back into his veins.

  ∞∞∞

  “I just have to pee, okay? I don’t need you standing over me. If something happens, I will cry out for you. You never insisted before. What has changed?”

  “Nothing has changed. With us so close to the city, I would prefer to keep you close.”

  “I promise to make it quick and will be right back. I won’t go far.”

  Sarah held her hands out in front of her as she backed up into the trees. Micheal took a step forward. She stopped moving and crossed her arms in front of her. She cocked her hip and tapped her toe.

  “Fine! Be as quick as possible. If you aren’t back soon, I am coming in. And I don’t like this idea.”