Chapter 8
Varyk named himself several types of fool for acquiescing. He wished he could pinpoint the reason for this new inexplicable draw to Inez. From the moment she’d stumbled upon him at a disadvantage, a part of him had fixated on her and not just physically.
He’d never so much as glanced in the direction of a female from another sect. He’d crossed paths with this one at least once or twice before and not given her a second thought. Now on his land and surrounded by the thick of night, she was all he could think about.
“I’m going to shift and check from above.”
He didn’t wait for her response, taking on his Dracol form then leaping into the air. A deep rumble of amusement started in his chest from her peeved expression. As he circled high above and remembered the reasons he was here, Varyk’s humor faded. He lost sight of Inez, but it would be easy to track her now that he’d burned off the poison Larz dosed him with. Whatever it was had been potent and unlike anything he’d ever experienced.
Not much could take Varyk down. Poison was a part of who he was. It was the base of his sect to emit deadly vaporous gas, unlike the Black with their control over fire or the Silver and Purple with their particular assets. No one, not even one of his Green should have been able to devise a substance with the ability to hinder Varyk’s shifting or teleporting.
One more oddity to attribute to this night. Deciding on a more cunning approach, Varyk reached along the mantle again. The rush of voices, hints of emotions and tug were diverted behind a shield as he honed in on a slim thread connecting only to Larz. The thread hummed and vibrated with nervous energy, the color swirling from light shades of green to deepest emerald in erratic beats.
If Varyk held on to any doubt, the spiraling pattern assured him of Larz’ unstable mental state. One blast, one specific thought and he could neutralize the threat immediately, but he wouldn’t jeopardize Rylin’s child no matter how much he disliked the leader of the Black.
Another sweep as Varyk probed the diminished mind and the image of a remote area blasted to the forefront of his thoughts. He huffed—part snarl, part satisfaction. Excellent. Since he didn’t want Larz to spot him, Varyk folded his wings and dropped among the trees for cover. He flew for the small alcove and shifted on two feet as he landed, kicking up turf and dirt from the abrupt change in forms. A wave of his arm clothed his lower body in a green loincloth.
Larz rubbed his hands together and paced next to the waist high egg, its golden shimmer attesting to the life within. Varyk’s shoulders eased. The child yet lived. Why had Larz done this? Each time Varyk attempted to delve deeper to fathom the cause of the sheer lunacy in his actions, Larz tensed and the colors through the mantle muddied to murky olive.
He couldn’t risk probing too much. A face to face confrontation needed to happen. But Varyk had a promise to keep. Disgruntled, he imagined where he wanted to be and simply ported.
***
In disbelief, Inez stared above at Varyk’s departing form. Her brows snapped together. After giving his promise to work with her, he’d left. Steaming, she trekked through the path she’d chosen earlier. It didn’t matter. If she had to do this on her own, she would. Nothing would stop her from helping Rylin and Dara.
She just wished it wasn’t night time in unfamiliar territory with exhaustion riding her as hard as the King of the Green had. Remembering the brief, but satisfying release, Inez shivered.
“I’m an idiot,” she muttered as she trumped forward, facing straight ahead.
Small wildlife peered at her from tangled brush, but her low growl warned any who might consider her a tasty treat. As it stood with her mood, Inez was liable to blaze a burning trail through Varyk’s land.
Inez paused and a smile curled her lips. It would serve him right. Females couldn’t shift, but some could wield a small portion of the skill designated to their sect. For Inez, it meant she could summon fire in limited quantities. She flicked her fingers and satisfaction flared as the broken branch to the right side of her caught fire and smoldered.
“Not very nice.”
The amused voice spoke from behind her. Inez spun around and glared at the tall ass striding in her direction. “So you decided to come back.”
Varyk lifted an imperious arm and waved his hand. “Come, we need to hurry while I have Larz’ location and he’s settled for the night thinking himself safe.”
He didn’t address her statement at all nor did his stance change. She wanted some reflection of remorse or regret on his part for abandoning her without explanation. “If this is how it’s going to be, perhaps I shouldn’t.”
Curls of green smoke slipped past his lips in the only visible sign of his annoyance. A shot of adrenalin struck and Inez braced herself, but his tone remained calm as he answered. “Larz is in a remote area on my land. It would take you days to walk. You either come with me or I do this on my own.”
Although she wanted to argue, common sense ruled and once more Inez grabbed his rough hand. If sparks went off in her most private places, she ignored them. “It would help if you explained yourself before taking off the next time.”
His grunt wasn’t an agreement or refusal. “I am King. I don’t explain.”
The landscape changed in a blur. Inez blinked and they were several feet away from a small alcove. Behind them, the edge of the jungle gave way to this cleared area. It wasn’t hard to see the small fire burning from a pile of wood nor the male mumbling to himself as he paced.
Larz was bigger than Varyk in body mass. A broad chest strained his green vest and the dark leathers he wore burst at the seams to contain his thick thighs with each step he took. Brown hair cut short fell over his brow and thin lips pressed tight as he fell silent, but didn’t move far from Rylin’s stolen shell.
“I will distract Larz and you protect your kin.”
Yes, her kin. This child, once born, would be a new addition to her family. Their gazes met. Compassion. She hadn’t expected the rare show of understanding. Since Inez couldn’t find fault with Varyk’s whispered suggestion, she nodded and slid away to the left. She withdrew her sword in case and crept toward the back in order to approach from the opposite side.
In position, she questioned her faith in Varyk. It didn’t cross her mind not to trust him in this situation. Surprise and an insidious sliver of doubt penetrated her guard, but then Inez shook it away. Now wasn’t the time. She’d ponder the matter more later.
Varyk walked forward boldly, drawing Larz’s attention. Inez tried not to stare at the cut of his masculine features or the stoic expression he wore. When she’d discovered him in the trap, he’d been worn down by the poison thanks to treachery. His voice had lacked the arrogant cadence she despised and the rare show of vulnerability triggered a sympathetic chord within her.
Defenseless no longer, Inez stared in awe as he confronted the other male. Power punched the air around them with vibrancy.
“What did you hope to achieve with your actions, Larz?”
The member of the Green turned. Shock widened his gaze and his mouth opened. Then his brows slashed low and his hands clenched. “The King of the Black doesn’t deserve such gifts.”
Varyk stopped within touching distance. Inez held her breath. “I’m always open to ways Rylin failed. What has he done to provoke you to this extreme course? Harming the unborn is an automatic death sentence.”
Terror flashed, but was quickly doused as Larz regained his bravado. His step back put him directly in Inez’s line of sight, no longer at an angle. She squatted low in her hiding place, on edge as she waited for her opportunity. There was no way she could move the shell and escape unscathed, which meant Varyk wanted her as defense. Inez would protect the young with all of her might.
“Mina and I have tried and tried, but the Goddess has forsaken us. My essence rises for her and yet the shell does not hold the life.”
Inez tightened her hold on her sword even as her heart softened for the heartfelt revelation. Varyk folded his arms over his chest and tipped his head to the side. Nothing gave away his thoughts as he took his time in responding. “How is this the fault of the Black?”
“Because.” Larz thrust out an imploring arm in Varyk’s direction. Inez froze, the hair at her nape curling. “He’s stolen a gift meant for others. Why should he have five thriving shells when I have none?”
“This is not your child, Larz, nor can it replace the ones you and Mina have lost. I will offer you this one chance to correct your error and return the shell without consequence.”
Larz started to speak, but Varyk cut him off with a violent slash of his hand. “Do not test my patience and forgiveness for what you’ve done.”
Inez’s breath stuttered at the switch from calm to outright anger. Varyk wasn’t just pissed or annoyed. He was livid. Fury simmered about him in waves and a pulse of unchecked energy swelled in the alcove. She shifted her gaze to catch Larz’s reaction. His head lowered, defeat curving his shoulders inward. Inez relaxed a fraction. This might end well after all.
“Fuck Rylin and his lira,” Larz snapped as his head jerked up to glare at Varyk. “This is his fault. He’s stolen the blessing of the Goddess and left nothing for the rest of us. Mina and I will have a child.”
With the threat lingering on the air, Larz stretched behind him and palmed the top of the pale, motionless egg.
“No!” Inez leaped to her feet and lunged forward, sword at the ready.
Too late. Larz vanished along with Rylin’s child.
“Fuuuck!” Varyk roared.
Desperation tripled the beat of her heart. “Use the mantle. Get him back!”