my magic. The dark mist recoiled from the light of my magic, but it didn’t dissipate. I frowned, calling forth more magic as a hand grabbed mine, and then the other.
The silver-haired men with matching turquoise eyes smirked at Knox, dismissing him as they chanted, and the shadowy, putrid mist receded. I swallowed, feeling the familiarity of their magic. Combining my magic to theirs, we continued to push the mist away, denying the creatures their prey, noting the husk-like corpses left in their wake. I smiled with victory until all at once, gruesome, hollow faces appeared in the mist as it lurched forward, and screams filled the air as one of the silver-haired men shoved me behind him.
“Run, Aria!” the man screamed, and I slowly stepped back. “You’re not immortal. Fucking run, Little One,” he hissed, and I turned, rushing toward the edge of town, turning to see them wield blades of glowing flames, fighting against the mist. A twig snapped beside me, and I yelped as Knox and his men surrounded me. I struggled to calm the anger that the sight of him erupted within me.
“Making new friends?”
“Funny, you should ask. You smell like well-used pussy, asshole,” I sneered, slowly walking backward toward the woods.
“Jealous?” Knox countered, canting his head as I directed my attention to the men who had just saved my life.
“Hardly. Do you want that? Have at it, but don’t think you get to have me afterward,” I laughed soundlessly, watching the silver-haired men in the village push the mist further back with their glowing blades.
Reaching into my pack, I tossed some quartz on the ground around me, as Knox’s eyes narrowed. Inhaling, I stopped. The smell of the tattoo artist’s stank on his skin offended everything within me. I wanted to run my nails over his chest, shredding him and ruining every inch of flesh she touched. His eyes dared me to do it, but I wouldn’t waste my energy.
“You think I fucked that woman while you watched?” Snorting, he studied my narrowed eyes as he continued. “Of course, I knew you were watching. No matter how hard you fight to hide that scent of yours, it’s still in the air, taunting me, woman. I knew you leaned against the wall across the street, same as the men who watched you from where they rested. Isn’t that right?” he asked, causing Brander and Lore to smirk.
My eyes slid from them to the sliver-haired men that had protected me. They had vanished once again. I frowned, chewing my lip as I scanned the streets, finding them emptied of people. It appeared as if everyone had scattered, retreating into their homes, closing their doors against the evil the night had sprung from the mist.
“Remove the quartz, Aria. The night isn’t safe. The revenants are starving for souls in which to feast. Whether or not you like it, you’re coming with me.”
“I’ve made other arrangements for the evening, and they don’t involve the smell of rank pussy,” I stated, watching Knox’s lips curve into a sinful smile.
He opened his mouth to speak, but the air filled with magic and violence. His men drew their swords, holding them at the ready, surrounding us. Tilting his head, Knox listened to the wind, trying to sense whatever they’d heard as the air thickened.
“It seems your other arrangements have arrived.” Knox’s smile became cruel. Turning his back on me, he drew his swords as the silver haired-men formed a circle around him and his men, weapons drawn and glowing with eerie flames.
Violence danced in the air, and I shook my head at my saviors. Knox’s men moved into defensive poses, and I watched as everyone prepared to attack.
“No,” I whispered, noting the silver-haired men tensed, and they nodded slowly, if a little begrudgingly, before stepping back, bowing their heads to me. Knox spun on me, narrowing his eyes.
As quickly as they appeared, my saviors vanished as if they were one with the shadows. Knox’s eyes filled with rage as he canted his head.
“Who the fuck was that?” he demanded.
“I don’t know,” I whispered, shaking my head. “That’s the second time they’ve saved me tonight.”
“Drop the fucking protection barrier, woman. I won’t tell you again.”
“You aren’t my boss, asshole. Besides, I got castles to destroy, and villages to pillage and plunder. See you soon?” His fierce gaze dropped to where my bloodied toe had drawn a portal onto the ground.
“Enough running, Aria,” he hissed vehemently. “You’re going to end up hurt or worse