FOREVER KNIGHTS: #9 Feral Breed

When Calisto could no longer concentrate and blinked, the Sarabi emerged again but this time Raese had daggers at the ready. The water poured in and hit the creature, knocking it off balance. Raese ducked under it and to the side to dodge grotesque claws while slitting its throat. Horrified, when it still stumbled toward him.

In his peripheral he saw Calisto fall limply to the grass and moss, her skirt pooling around her as she collapsed from exhaustion.

Raese struggled to evade the creature’s long reach.

Chavias emerged again as he had a moment ago. Approaching at a run. He launched into the air and forced one of his curved swords through the creature’s back and under its spine as he jumped over it. Yanking the weapon back into his hand in a quick motion and disappearing into the trees as quickly as he’d come.

“Well done, My Love!” Chavias called laughingly as he kept jogging through the trees.

My Love? Raese’s flashing green eyes slowly turned to her. He walked to her and offered her a hand up.

She stood weakly. Lips tight she shook her head adamantly. “No. No. Not what you’re thinking.”

What else could it be?

“The endearment?” His mouth went dry and his brows lifted.

Shaking her head, she waved for him to follow her as the water receded back to the main body of water. Retreating from the forest.

“Come. I’ll explain. I’ve known him much time.”

Known? How well?

Oblivious to his tormented thoughts she noted. “As, apparently, have you.”

“He’s one of my Brethren.”

A Forever Knight.

She ducked a branch and stepped a log. Damp cloak dragging over the soggy bark. “Ah, I should’ve guessed.”

“He’s favored me a long while, but he’s too vicious even for I.”

Raese gave an acknowledging shrug. Little arguing that.

He couldn’t imagine Chavias being tender with a woman. He’s positively feral.

“He taught me to fight with swords and knives.”

“That explains a lot.” But Raese couldn’t stem the wave of jealousy at the thought of how much time they’d spent together. Images of Chavias’ huge palm covering hers as he’d taught her to grip a sword and point it.

Adjusting her body to position. Enough! He shut down the unwanted thoughts.

She had a life before I knew her.

“I prefer a different manner of man.” She said softly. Watching the play of emotions over his face. “There was never anything more between us then his lust for me.” She offered a half smile before gingerly walking past him. Her step dragging from exhaustion.

His lust. Those two words were sickening. He forced himself to focus on the reassurance she’d offered. Taking her up on it.

“What manner of a man is that?”

She gave him an amused look over her shoulder. “One that is handsome, kind and fascinates me like no other powerful man has.”

“Oh…Is that so?” He moved into step with her. Catching her arm and swinging it over his shoulder to help her along the path.

“Yes. One whose thoughtful enough to tend me when warranted.” She gave him a pointed look as he helped her. “But he’ll have to be very stubborn and highly persistent to gain my attention.”

“More persistent then Chavias apparently.” He couldn’t help grumbling.

“I’m not sure that is possible.” She grumbled.

“So, this is how you inform me I’m stealing a favored woman from one of my brethren?”

“I’m not to be stolen. I was never his. And I didn’t know he was your brethren.”

“Does he know all that?”

“I would guess he does now, since I’m rarely in the company of men.”

“Well,” He muttered weakly. “He seemed to take it well.”

We’ll see if he returns with a different attitude. He was clearly on a mission just then.

“I’m sure he’ll be back from whatever mission he is currently on to beg more questions.” Certainty crept into her tone as she voiced Raese’s thoughts.

“Delightful…”

I’m so looking forward to it.

Raese awoke from the memory with the sick feeling still in the pit of his stomach. Chavias? Brethren?

He sighed and slid from the covers to stand at the window. Staring over the lawn. He caught a flash of glowing light moving through the trees in the distance. A blur of motion.

Then some dark thing tossed over its back before it zoomed on to escape his sight. What am I looking at?

It looked very much like whatever had killed the rodent near his legs the day he’d been walking home from the inn.

What is it?