The Dawning of Fate
Chapter 24

A large hand clasped over my mouth. My eyes snapped open as I clawed at the thick arm binding me. The arm only tightened, holding me closer to its owner’s hard, warm body.

“Be calm, my al sisi. Forgive me for waking you like this.”

His spicy scent fills my nose as I inhale, calming me immediately. My body had become exhausted so suddenly that I’d fallen asleep in his arms. I tried to sit up but he held me in place with a small shake of his head. My brow furrows. From my position, I can see that the shadows of the hovel rose with the setting sun.

“What’s going on, Zan?”

“Are you sure they came this way?” The unfamiliar croak caused my lungs to seize. My eyes flared wide.

“Yes!” Another voice. This one a harsh rasp edged with irritation. “I saw the Tumerians come this way. They had a slave with them.” I felt Zan’s arms tense around me. Oh fuck. This was not good.

“They’re probably long gone by now, Proxun. We’re wasting our time in this shit hole.” The first one growled. “I can’t believe I let you drag me out here. Did you see that Trenovo I was with? She had three teets!”

“Zan?”

“I’ve got you. They are close but they don’t know which building we’re in yet. I’ve minimized my presence. Your aura isn’t very strong, barely there, so they won’t perceive you as anything worth warrant. Hopefully, they’ll move on, but if not, Amondis will neutralize the threat.”

I’m mildly offended by his choice of words, but I guess I should be grateful. With a quick glance, I confirm that the other Tumerian twin isn’t here so he must’ve snuck out while I was sleeping. Why were these men even tracking us? I thought we were being discreet, but that could just be my naïveté talking. I know nothing about these other species. Smell seems to be one of the strongest senses these people rely on and I’m not ashamed to admit that my human genetics are subpar.

The sound of creaking hinges causes both Azandum and I to tense up. It’s quickly followed by the thumping of large feet. Moving as slow as molasses, Zan helps me to ease off of his lap. He needs the freedom of movement and I need to stay as low within the shadows as possible. I could feel the thrums of excitement and fierce determination pouring off my lover as he prepared to defend that which he deemed his. I’ll admit, it was sexy as hell. Normally, having to be protected like this would make me feel inadequate but instead, I feel taken care of; I feel protected like I don’t have to have it all figured out because Zan will take care of it. Despite the current circumstances, I’m grateful to have someone I can feel free to release my worries around.

As the footsteps grow closer, Zan remains seated. He gives the impression of not being bothered but I could feel the tension in his body. I backed myself into a space between a large crate and the wall. It was enough space for me to maneuver the blade that Azandum insisted I carry after we made it past Niscus’ version of TSA.

The first thing that comes into my line of view is what I can only describe as a three-toed foot. The two in the front resembled fingers but larger, much larger, while the flat appendage in the back mirrored the heel of a human foot. The nails-if you could call them that- were deep onyx and they scrapped the floor as the beings walked forward. The two aliens-cyan and beige with red streaks- had muscles bulging from the bracers on their calves all the way up to their four arms. They stopped in front of my lover, both dressed in only a loincloth which was upheld by a thick leatherlike belt with red tag-like adornments. Their heads were bald but pierced with rings along the side ridges. As one opened their mouth to speak, I saw that their lips were all sharp lines and hard skin. The only thing that was remotely similar between the two species was the slits in their eyes.

“You’re a long way from Tumeria, little bird.” The largest one spoke with a harsh croak as if something was lodged in his esophagus.

“I’m sure Lord Dronan would love to hear about this, right Proxun?” This came from his shorter, but no less built, partner.

He didn’t say a word-barely moved a muscle- but through our bond, I could feel torrents of rage bubbling within Zan from him and his drakul. I’ve never felt a wave of anger like this in my life and I struggled to separate myself from the emotions threatening to overpower my own. How did he do it? How could he sit there looking so relaxed with this rage burning like a thousand suns within him?

“Is that so?” Zan asked his voice a deadly calm that had the two of them shifting into a more defensive stance. “And why should I give an esquat’s ass what your “Lord Dronan” has to say?”

“I can’t believe you just said that!” I think I may need some help picking my jaw up off the floor.

There was a rumble of amusement from his drakul that followed in response and I could’ve sworn Zan’s lips twitched briefly. Both of them were insufferable. However, our unwelcome visitors didn’t replace Zan’s joke nearly as funny as we did. They responded with vicious growls. In the blink of an eye, Zan was behind the shorter one, claws resting against the thick hide of his neck while the one who went by Proxun pointed the staff that was strapped to his back at my mate.

Air was trapped in my lungs; I didn’t dare breathe. Proxun’s back was to me with his legs blocking my light of sight to Azandum. It all happened so fast, I’m not even sure who moved first.

“Your blood will taste like faex, but trust that I’ll drain you until all that remains of you is a husk before you decay into ashes. How must that feel for a proud warrior such as yourself? To die, not in battle nor service of your Lord, but stripped bare of your life force without even a scratch to prove your worth.” I knew his voice like I knew my own heartbeat but for the first time, I was afraid of the beast lurking beneath the surface of the man who held my heart. I’d never heard him sound so…depraved.

“Release him. NOW!” Proxun shouted.

“Do it, Proxun! I’d rather die by your staff than filthy Tumerian hands!”

Proxun hesitated and that split second cost him his life. A flash of plum purple crashed into Proxun, sending him crashing into the wall. The impact caused the wall to split, cracks to branch off, and spread further along the concrete. Each grunt and growl was punctuated by the sounds of pounding flesh. I watched as Amondis tore into Proxun with savagery, unlike anything I have ever seen. I could hear the ripping and tearing. Blood splashed on my face and I had to force the bile down my throat.

“That’s enough!” Zan growled at his brother. Amondis paused then stood, chest heaving and blood dripping from his claws. His eyes were a fiery orange with black slits so thin, they were barely there.

Zan thrust his captive into his brother’s hands before walking over to crouch in front of me. “Come to me, my al sisi. You’re safe now.”

He held out his hand. I glance at it then at him, to his brother, and back again before placing my hand in his. I watched the tension bleed from his shoulders as if he was afraid I’d reject him and I felt a bit guilty for my hesitation because I knew he’d never harm me.

Azandum helped me out of my corner and when he saw what I held in my left hand, he pulled me close to him, inhaling my hair before nuzzling my neck. “Were you planning to protect me, my little mate?” He nipped the space where he left his mark on my shoulder and I bit my lip to keep from voicing my pleasure.

“Yes.” I could hear the desire in my voice from that one word and so could he.

“Later,” he promised, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead. Zan stepped back to my side, his arm still around my waist. My eyes landed on the remaining enemy as he struggled against Amondis’ hold.

“You killed my brother for a puny little wench! Lord Dronan will have your heads!”

Zan stepped forward. “Tell me more about him.”

“Never,” he grunted, spitting at Zan. I watched in disgust as it landed on his chest. In a flash, Azandum raked his claws across the creature’s chest, opening three deep gashes. Black blood poured from the open wounds. The responding bellow of pain pierced my ears.

And so the cycle began. The more he withheld the information, the more his blood was spilled. The Tumerians took their time, carving his flesh piece by piece until he told them everything that they needed to know.

I stood there and watched for as long as I could but once they started to feed him his own flesh. As I go to take a step back, my boot squelches in something and when I look down I see a pool of black liquid. I follow the flow back to Proxun’s body and the sight brought back my nausea with a vengeance. I couldn’t stop the vomiting even if I wanted to. Hunched over, I emptied my stomach onto the floor. Blinding pain ricocheted throughout my upper gums causing tears to gather in my eyes and as sudden as it came, it left. That’s the second time it’s happened. First in my hands, now my gums. What the fuck was happening to me?