Blood Bound
B***d Bound Chapter 7

WITH DELICATE FINGERS settled against the old gnarled bark of a tall tree standing almost fifteen times her height, Maya glared up the branches at the current distraction named Everette.

The dove shifter dangled her bare feet from above, wiggling pale little toes, with her head tipped down to watch Maya’s silly attempt at testing her newfound strength.

Everette hoped the sorceress was joking because the idea was laughable.

Maya was mortal. It was impossible for a mortal—dark sorceress or not—to have strength rivaling a shapeshifter like herself. It was unheard of and silly for Maya to even think possible.

With just one glance at the gigantic tree towering over the little dark sorceress, Everette didn’t have to guess to know who the winner would be.

The trunk was over four times her size!

There is no way!

Everette shook her head in pity for the delusional sorceress.

Perhaps funeral preparations were needed, after all, she mused.

Has it replied yet? Everette chirped, tinkling giggles spiraling down from her perch on the very branches of the tree Maya was trying to wrestle.

The dark sorceress’s brows furrowed. Has what replied?

The tree silly! Everette exclaimed, more bell-like laughter erupting from the petite girl. I thought you were having a heart to heart with it—literally!

Hush, Everette. Maya threw the dove shifter a withering glare for her mockery and teasing before continuing the task at hand. There will be a day when I prove to everyone even mortals can have the strength to rival the gods. And that day…happens to be today.

With a big inhale of breath that filled her lungs to the brim, Maya tensed her entire body and put all her effort into lifting the tree from the ground.

Her fingers bit into the bark of the tree and knuckles turned white as the veins became prominent on her temple and neck.

If it didn’t work, at least I tried, Maya thought to herself.

Several seconds later, the tree rumbled and shook. The ground underneath Maya’s feet felt like it was being scoured for seeding. Then, the entire tree came out of the compacted dirt, along with long, spiraling roots resembling a thick coil of snakes.

Everette chirped in complete surprise, flying off the tree in a shimmering of sparkles. Her humanoid form shattered until white wings flapped wildly in the air.

After a few seconds to gain momentum, the dove shifted back into her human form and landed next to Maya.

Wow. You actually did it, Everette breathed, red eyes wide in tremendous surprise at the unbelievable feat not known to mortal men.

The dark sorceress had done the impossible.

Indeed, Maya said, grinning wickedly. She eyed the little creatures frozen in awe at her astounding display of power.

They had all lived to see the day where a mere mortal had the strength rivaling the strongest immortals alive.

It was miraculous, to say the least.

I didn’t think the bottom of a tree would look this ugly, Everette commented, analyzing the tangled roots full of dirt. It reminds me of Marion’s gross beard.

Ignoring Everette’s words, Maya slowly placed the tree back into its original spot and used her dark magic to make the dirt compact around the tree’s roots again, ensuring it wouldn’t topple over.

The little dove crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her head to the side to look at the sorceress. That reminds me, the crazy old bat said the poison he made for you is ready.

With a hint of warning, the dark sorceress stated, You really shouldn’t call him that, he’d turn you into a worm and let another bird eat you if he ever hears.

Maya looked down at the scratches on her palms. Within seconds of letting go of the tree, the bloody scrapes had healed.

From her continuous analyzing these last two days, even her old battle scars were fading at an extremely mind-boggling rate. Though she didn’t mind the marks marring her flesh, they were still proof of her continuous failures.

Maya wanted to keep those as a reminder of her past endeavors, but didn’t mind their disappearance. In fact, she liked the thought of erasing all her failures to start anew. Because she wasn’t going to lose this time around; she was going to win.

Everette shrugged her shoulders indifferently and said, He hasn’t called me out on it, yet.

He’s probably waiting for that moment when you don’t expect it. Did you forget what happened to your grandfather that one time? Maya replied, raising a brow.

From watching others’ experiences, Maya knew Marion was a wise old man who held grudges longer than decades. He had the power to turn anyone into a pile of dirt if they did as much as talk about the hairs on his arm.

Anyone with a brain knew not to cross the powerful old man in fear of the scary consequences of such actions.

Maya’s father once made the mistake of calling the mage old fart and was turned into a cockroach for over two weeks. From then, Maya’s father learned to respect the powerful old man.

As for Everette’s grandfather, Druid, it was a far worse punishment before he learned his lesson.

After crossing Marion one too many times, Druid was taken by surprise when he realized he’d slept with a man under the disguise of a woman for months, and it was all Marion’s doing. That was the last time Druid ever crossed the wise old man again.

It will be fine as long as he doesn’t turn me into a rodent, Everette stated, stubbornly tilting her jaw.

Maya sighed, deciding to drop the subject, and said, Speaking of rodents, there are pests in the cavern.

What? You mean the Cardinal Alpha? Everette’s face scrunched slightly in confusion, pale lips pursed into a small frown.

Didn’t Maya specifically want him there?

No, not him. Mice. There are little, squirming, crawling mice in the cavern, Maya said, turning her head in disgust at the abhorring idea of them wriggling through all her favorite books and leaving behind their little paw prints.

Her skin crawled at the idea.

I don’t eat mice! Everette stated in alarm. Her white brows lifted clear to the middle of her forehead and her skin wrinkled in response. The thought was deplorable and made her chest burn with nausea.

I know that. I was just wondering where they came from. The cavern has never had live inhabitants like that, Maya explained, eyes narrowing suspiciously. And I have a sneaky suspicion we are being spied on.

Oh. Everette released a relieved breath of air. I will track them down once I get back from visiting gramps. Was there anything else you needed?

Maya turned away from the tree and looked at Everette. Yes, actually. I need information on the werewolves and any other rituals their people might employ.

There were only three days left of the b***d ritual, but Maya was starting to get antsy and nervous. Her instincts kept yammering about something she could not discern and demanded she listen to its warning, but Maya had failed to heed its call each and every time she took the Alpha’s b***d.

Though she knew she was playing with fire, she couldn’t get herself to stop. Not now. Not when his strength and power were right in the palms of her hands.

She refused to.

Maya, are you listening? Marion, the old mage, asked. His sharp eyes pointedly turned to the dark sorceress who had been vacantly staring at a vial of poison in her hands for the last ten minutes.

At the direct question, Maya snapped out of her reverie. Her eyes were hazy, and she had to blink a couple of times to recall where she was at and what was being said. But it was becoming increasingly difficult to continue the conversation when her attention was drifting elsewhere.

The call of the Cardinal Alpha’s b***d was thoroughly distracting. Even though he was miles away, she could still smell his enchanting b***d as if it were right in front of her. It was beckoning her to take a sip, and she was tempted to drop everything and go.

But why was he bleeding without her permission?

Maya’s lips pursed and shimmering eyes narrowed in retrospect of the cumbersome need for his b***d.

I’ve heard from Everette your cavern currently houses a werewolf, the old man stated.

With trembling hands, Maya set the vial down before she could accidentally drop it.

It’s true. I recently captured a werewolf for experimentation, she admitted.

Maya didn’t deny the facts. As long as no one knew who and what this werewolf was, she had nothing to worry about.

Thanks for your suggestion on the b***d rituals, Marion. It is proving to be quite the help, she said sincerely, a wide grin etching itself on her plump lips.

Marion frowned in response, realizing his words had been the catalyst to her current insanity.

It is not my place to warn you, but you must be careful. Those old rituals of the wolf shifters are not to be messed with. You will end up biting off more than you can chew, he warned, briskly throwing a handful of mint leaves into his current concoction before scribbling it down with a quill.

But instead of contemplating the truth in his wise cautions, Maya’s eyes curiously traveled to his writing instrument, letting his words flow through one ear and out of the other.

Maya glanced at the oddity of the feather, wondering why he hadn’t converted to modern pens or pencils. It would be less messy and more practical.

You’re not the first to warn me, she murmured, picking up a vial of toxic poison and inspecting it closely. But you’re a bit late. I’ve already completed most of the ritual. There’s no point in quitting when I’m so close to the prize.

Marion warily watched her trembling hands, noting the slightly distant look in her usually lucid gaze, and knew her words to be true.

His old eyes lowered.

I hope you replace the power you seek without losing too much in the process, he said, glancing downward at the bubbling purple liquid in his pot.

Marion resumed his potion-making. He carefully picked up a pair of dried frog legs, dropped them into the mixture, and stirred with a wooden spoon.

Had he known earlier, he would have tried to stop her from walking into this opulently decorated trap promising supreme power and permanent strength.

Although the scroll spoke the truth, there was a simple catch. There was always a catch.

He knew not what, but decided, perhaps, it would be best if she figured it out herself.

Knowing Maya, she was going to follow through to the end anyway. With or without his warning.

The dark sorceress had always been pretty headstrong about saving her mother.

No matter how harrowing the process, she was always undeterred. And nothing he said could stop her from jumping face-first into the pit of fire. Perhaps she was fated to walk the grim path. Who was he to impede her gold-coated road?