The Monster's Caress - S.E. Smith Page 0,72

the man’s eyes. He started to raise his hand to shake Ashure’s but then dropped it back to his side. He pursed his lips before he nodded to the group in greeting.

“Thank you for coming,” Nali softly greeted.

Ashure wrapped his arms around Nali and hugged her as if he would never let her go. Asahi met Ashure’s searching look. He raised an eyebrow in inquiry.

“Where’s the alien? I’m ready to incinerate the damn thing,” Drago demanded, studying the area with a curious expression.

“When are you not ready to burn something?” Koorgan, the King of the Giants, dryly replied, drawing chuckles from the group.

Nali pulled away from Ashure and reached for Asahi. He shook his head in warning, but she ignored him and grabbed his hand. He returned the contemplative and curious looks directed at them.

“Ashure, you outdid yourself,” Nali said with a smile. “Asahi, let me introduce you to some of the fiercest warriors in the Seven Kingdoms.”

He murmured a greeting to each person, keeping a respectable distance from them to ensure their safety. There were eight representatives from the other kingdoms, including Ashure. He was surprised when he recognized Ross Galloway.

“Ross,” Asahi greeted.

Ross gave him a wry grin and said, “Welcome to Fantasyland, Agent Tanaka.”

After Nali introduced a pair from the Isle of Magic, Isha responded, “Mike wanted to be here, but Marina is due to have their first child any day. My father and I will fight beside you.”

“Thank you, Isha,” Nali replied gratefully. “Ariness, it is an honor to have two such powerful wizards standing with us.”

Ariness bowed. “I have seen what the alien can do, Empress. I will do everything in my power to protect the Seven Kingdoms and beyond.”

Asahi didn’t miss Ashure’s grim nod of agreement, and he wondered what had happened during Ashure’s trip. The unflappable pirate appeared more somber than he remembered.

“Pai has overseen the setup of a camp for us. He and a small squadron of my elite gargoyle soldiers will track the alien. I would like to share with you what we know—and coordinate an attack,” Nali said.

“We will follow your lead, Nali,” Orion replied.

Asahi sat along the outer edge of the group inside a tent. The interior was spacious and provided relief from the sun that had been burning his eyes and flesh. As the alien inside him spread, so did his sensitivity to light.

He silently listened as Nali shared what had happened so far on the Isle of the Monsters with the group around the large central table. Once again, he was impressed by her commanding personality. She relayed the information in a clear, concise tone and answered each question thoroughly. The only thing she had yet to share with the others was his infected state.

He tensed when Ashure walked over and pulled up a chair next to him. He curled his fingers into a fist when the alien particles inside him reacted to Ashure’s presence. The alien appeared to be repulsed by Ashure. Asahi glanced at the sword Ashure was holding. Ashure casually laid the enchanted blade across his lap and sat back. It was then that Asahi realized that it was the pirate’s blade repelling the alien, not the man himself.

“We have a good team,” Ashure murmured.

He nodded in agreement. “We do.”

“How long have you been infected?” Ashure suddenly asked.

Asahi stiffened. “How did you know?” he countered.

Ashure stood up and nodded his head toward the opening. “Walk with me,” he quietly requested.

Asahi rose to his feet and trailed Ashure out of the tent. They walked in silence, heading for the tree line. When Ashure kept going, Asahi glanced at the camp behind them, and then followed Ashure into the forest that surrounded the clearing.

They were on a wide, moss-covered path that led into the densest thicket of the woods. It was a stark contrast to the bright clearing they had left. Out of instinct, Asahi rested his hand on the hilt of Mr. Gryphon.

“Where are we going?” he demanded.

Ashure glanced at him before waving his hand in front of him. “Hopefully to find an old friend,” he said.

“An old friend? Up here?” Asahi warily repeated.

Ashure didn’t answer. Instead, he continued walking. Asahi eyed the sword the other man still held.

“I climbed this mountain when I was nine years old,” Ashure casually remarked.

“Nali mentioned it. It’s a very impressive feat,” he replied.

“This mountain has a magic of its own, you know. You must have noticed when you arrived,” Ashure continued, glancing at him.

“Yes, I noticed,” Asahi wryly responded,