The next day, we set out, leaving the cave. We're not far away from the Matriarch's main gates, however it's only wishful thinking to think it will be easy. Along the way, multiple different creature attack us, from goblins and orges, to Lichs and Evolved Skeleton Knights. I can't say I didn't think this would happen, however now that it's here, we'll have to fight through this.
Gathering my mana, Grant grabs my shoulder, interrupting me," Let me and Katherine take this."
". . I have mana I can use. I'm not us-"
"I not calling you useless, only that some of us worry that you'll push yourself harder than you should," He corrects. "Now guard the group. We've got this."
Huffing, I make a light but strong dome around us, focusing a bit more of my attention on Katherine and Grant.
The wave of creatures attack at once. Let's be frank, I've never seen Katherine go all out, or use of her mana than necessary, even when I know she can with the amount of mana that leaks from her. Her hands don't grab for her sword, nor does she look to be pkrased. She simply says," Freeze."
Shooting from the soles of her feet, Ice raves the ground, stopping anything in it's path. Grant steps forward, shoulders rolled back. He tosses his hands out, closing it into a fist, before slaming it down. A huge storm of lightning covers the group of creatures. The smell of burnt skins moves towards the dome.
Katherine and Grant both turn, walking back. However, I see a Skeleton Knight, that seems to be on it's last legs, throw a spear at Katherine. Grant sees it to late, pushing Katherine out the way, as I rush to them. Grant falls to the ground, holding his stomach, blood pouring from his mouth.
Something inside of me begins to pop.
Dropping the dome when I get to them, I fall to my knees. "Stay still," I worry, panic creeping up on me.
"I'm *cough* not a weak human," Grant grunts. wobbling to his feet. He grabs the spearhead, giving a great roar, and yanks it out. Blood pours from his moutheven more. However, his wound seems to stop bleeding after a few seconds.
Rustling comes from the bushes, a tall man appearing.
"I'm here to help," He announces, almost as if we should be grateful. "Augustine Griffin, at your service."
"Go away," Katherine glares at Augustine.
Tension seems to raise high, quickly, now that augustine is here; something feels off. Picking Grant up, I make a dark cloud, placing him there to rest, however Grant reachs for me, pulling me down towards him. His mouth parted, with hiis fangs out. I know what he wants, so I pull my shirt to the side, giving him as much space as you need.
"Darling, Grant, if you want to feed, then do it from me, and not from this servant," Augustine walks over, tossing his shirt to the side. He's starting to get on my nerves.
Ignoring him, I tilt my head, and Grant bites down. Almost immediately, pleasure tinges through me, and it takes all that I can to not moan, instead giving a low, muffled groan. Grant pulls back, blood streaming a little from the corner of his mouth. Reacing up, I wipe it, siding my thumb on his lips, giving him that drop as well. Augustine doesn't seem to like that, anger clearly on his face, but who am I to care?
"Let's go," I suggest to my group. "We don't have far to go, and we don't need to be caught here."
"I have a te-"
"This is where we part," I interrupt Augustine, boiling anger in my veins. "We don't need your help, nor do we want it."
With that, my group turns from him, heading along our way. Augustine, however, shakes in rage, muttering," SHould've sent Wraiths instead."
That alone makes me stop.
Kill him. Destroy him!
Those voices come back with a vengence, pounding in my head. Anger I've never felt runs through me, as I slowly turn around.
I knew something was off, with so many creatures that normally don't co-exist, coming for us. I should've known. Not even my magic could detect foul play.
Pathetic. Weak. Naive.
My group feel my stop, but I can't seem to care.
"What you servant," Augustine Scoffs.
"I will kill you," I seeth. Dashing off, I rush him, punching him hard in his stomach, although he blocks it, blood coughs from his mouth. Augustine wobbles on his feet, anger and slight fear in his eyes.
"You're so dead, servant. To hit the son of a clan head?!"
I don't care to reply, and instead rush him again, hitting him over and over, not stopping. Hands grab me, pulling on my waist and arms, as I lose it. Augustine already is down, but I can't seem to stop, too angry to care. Blood dirties my fist, and teeth sprayed around his deformed face.
"Stop, Rowan," Theo barks.
"He dare to hurt what's mine!" A demonic voice comes from me. More and more hands reach for me, until I feel the last pair, grab my face, making me look up. Looking into grey eyes, Grant leans down to my ear and whispers," He's not worth your anger. Weaklings like him don't deserve to get this rise out of you."
"He sent them here, on purpose," I growl.
"I figured, but that doesn't change the fact that he's not worth it," Grant pulls back a bit, out faces so close. I just want to lean forward a little, and kiss those lips of his. To taste him all for myself. But I lean back , not letting the thought contiune.
"Now let's go," Grant asserts, getting back onto the dark cloud. A purr comes frim me in cintent, as we start back our travels, leaving an unconscious Augustine on the ground.
***
Afternoon comes, and we arrive to the front gates. Ever since we left Augustine, we haven't had many problems with the creatures within the mountain range. The bastard is lucky I didn't kill him like I wanted.
The guards greet us letting us in. Not far behind, Mr.Kyro stands, seeming to have waited for our arrivial.
"There are rooms set up for you," he bows. "This way, please."
we follow him down a few halls then up a floor of stairs.
"This is your room, Masters and Mistresses," he guides. "And this is Young Master Silas' room." showing us the room across from ours.
"Thank you, Mr.Kyro," I smile, giving a nod of my head.
"It would be my pleasure. Rest up, you have three days still before the first trial is done." He leaves the room, giving a bow, as he shows Silas into his temporary room.
"Finally," Katherine grians, jumping onto the plushy bed.
I ease Grant onto the bed. However, Grant reaches out, grabbing my sleeve.
"We need to talk."
" I'm all open ears," I reply, sitting down on the bed.
". . .I know I've been. .unbecoming lately. I want to change that," Grant breathes deeply. ". .Take it slow with me."
"All you need to do is ask," I smile softly. "Stay, leave, it's all in your control. I told you I won't force you to do anything, you don't want."
"Don't you hear the voices?"
"All the time, but I won't let them control me," I stare deep into his eyes. "Never if that's what makes you comtfortable."
"What if I told you to leave?"
"I would," I wince., just thinking about it. "I would leave."
Silence hoovers around us, everyone looking at how this will play out. Grant hands reaches for me, hands shaking as they wrap around my neck. Letting him pull me down, he kisses my lips.
Desire sparks within me, a since of hunger I've haven't had the pleasure of knowing. Though it was only a peck, over in seconds, it felt like hours, with his lips on mine. He pulls back, looking into my eyes, a small smirk dancing upon his lips. I know he can see that my eyes are blown, dilated to the max. My heart beats fast, and I only want him to wither under me. Those voices mingle with my own thoughts, and I can't tell them apart. Gripping the bed tightly, I pull back as well, fighting my urge.
"Delicious," is all I can say. Grant's neck starts to redden, his eyes adverted. So I grab ,y chin, softly," Don't hide from me."
The blush travels to his cheeks, but he holds my stare.
Like I've said time again, It shocks me how fast I'm falling for them. Falling into an abyss that I have no planning of getting out of. Strings pulling me down, but keeping me grounded, strange in their own way but perfect for me.
"You have n idea how mcuh I've wanted to do that," I mutter under my breath, still reeling from the peck.
"Guess I should've done it sooner if this is how your face would look, Grant snickers.
"Nah. . .I wouldn't change it for nothing."
***
Grant fell asleep after drinking a bit more from me and Liam. With him sleep, everyone begins to snicker and giggle, even the passing of money is happening. Shaking my head at them, I sit by the door, lightly spreading my darkness around the room and a little pass it. You can never be to sure.
Now that I think about it-
"How was that boy? Augustine, i think," I question, out loud.
". . He was a suitor that has been chasing us--mainly Grant and Elizabeth-- for years now," KAtherine sighs. "He just never got over that game really."
"Game?"
"Like any other child, we noble would have these gathering of sorts," she starts. "However, we kids would sneak away while the grownups did their thing. At first it was all nice and whatnot. Nonetheless, we grew up."
"At the time, it was Liam Lilth and I that were in a relationship when we met Grant. He was a rising but powerful family, and we wanted him. But Augustine wanted him to," buts in Theo. "Augustine push Grant away with his stalking and possessive behavior, while we would treat him as a friend, like a teenager with a secret cruch on someone."
"It only got bad when Grant actually joined our dynamic, aling with Katherine, that Augustine went off his rocker," Lilith winces. "He drugged Grant and tried to force him to contract themselves together, however we were able to get there in time."
Yes, I asked, but I never knew he was crazy like this. To go so far, makes me worried, but also angry. I really should've killed him when I had the chance. One less person to worry about hurting what's mine.
"We had to change the contract, and with our quick thinking, made it into what it is now," Katherine smiles.
I let the information sink in, letting it process within me, but all i want to do is tear Augustine to shreds.
Immedaitely, calming feelings are sent down the bonds, easing me anger.
"It's in the past. We are stronger together than we are apart," Lilith reasons. "Besides, we have you."
"You Damn right," I snort.
little giigles and soft laughs, echo through the room. It lifting the heavy atmosphere.
Getting to a lighter subject, everyone sort of siperse, doing their own thing, while just enjoying the company of their other halves. Looking from the outside, it looks like an actually family.
A family, I plan to protect.
"