Rise of the Wolves

by J E Reed

  Jim continued. “How long will you be gone?”

  Reece rubbed the back of his neck. “As long as provisions allow.”

  Cybele straightened, stretching her back before shifting to a new position. “Water won’t be an issue. There’s plenty of rain.”

  “So, we’ll be wet and miserable,” Reece said.

  “And hot,” Cybele added.

  “Lovely.” Reece shifted so he could watch Kiuno without seeming obvious, not that she was paying attention.

  A few weeks. Three at most. That’s all the time he’d have alone with her. Who knew where she’d want to go after that?

  Those surrounding the fire backed away and settled in for the night. Cybele and Jim curled up with their felinians and Kiuno separated herself from the others and used a pack to serve as her pillow.

  Her back faced him and Reece’s heart ached.

  She never slept alone. Even when he’d first met her, Scorpios had always been at her side and when it wasn’t him, Maltack took his place.

  Reece searched for the kid and found him lying near Jim, his back already to the fire. Perhaps Jim had talked the kid out of hovering over Kiuno.

  In the darkness, wild felinians called for their young. Through the shadows, he watched as they wrapped their wings over their cubs before curling up among the pride. A large male stood guard, his keen eyes scanning the trees and mountainside.

  Cybele said they were prideful creatures and Reece wondered what that meant for tomorrow.

  Reece looked back toward Kiuno and stood. Milo’s ears perked, and Nikita watched him as he tiptoed toward Kiuno’s shaking shoulders. She was crying. Again.

  Reece sighed. He’d be second best for a while, but if his suffering meant her happiness then so be it. He’d be whatever she needed him to be.

  Reece lay beside her, careful to keep space between them and placed one hand on her shoulder. She turned, the glistening trail of tears catching in the firelight. He tried to give her a small smile, but she buried her face in his chest. He prayed she couldn’t hear his racing heart.

  She sobbed, her body rising and falling with each breath, but he offered no words. Instead, Reece wrapped an arm around her and rested his chin in her hair.

  Could he have this? When her pain settled and wounds healed, would he be able to call this woman his own?

  As her breathing slowed, Reece turned his head to the cloudless sky. Stars flashed across the heavens as if racing one another through the endless night. In his heart, Reece made a promise to the dead. A promise to protect what another couldn’t and make her smile again.

  ~~~

  REECE SLEPT hard and woke with Kiuno in his arms. He leaned in, pressing his nose to her hair and she stirred.

  “Morning.”

  Red faced and apologetic, Kiuno wriggled away from his grasp. He smirked. That was more like the Kiuno he knew. Her actions woke the others and she strapped on her pack and sword without passing him another glance.

  Cybele gathered supplies and whispered to her own people as their group prepared for the journey ahead. He pulled on his boots and slid his knives into their rightful places. Thankfully everyone in their party appeared just as prepared.

  The felinians woke, their yawning roars filling the air as parents followed their eager young to the watering hole. With Cybele at their side, none paid his group much attention. He pitied those on the receiving end of the felinian’s fury.

  Reece observed Kiuno as they walked. Her face had returned to that distant staring, her gaze unfocused. It seemed after explosive rage, this was her default.

  The horses were left behind for Cybele’s people to care for and as they walked along the mountainside shards of rock slid down the edge.

  Reece inclined his head and noticed three smaller felinians following them with curious eyes. Their claws dug into the rocky surface and their wings spread to keep balance as they tottered along a rocky edge.

  The bushes that hid the cavern entered their view and all followed Cybele into the cool darkness of the cave. The portal sat inside.

  They entered single file, each person before him disappearing as if they’d been sucked through a vortex and torn apart on the other side. Reece wondered if the portals would have lingering effects on the body once they returned home. Not that he planned to leave.

  Reece took a step into the swirling mist and cold washed over him one instant and disappeared the next. Kiuno stood bent over, her hands on her knees. Reece stood at her side while she collected herself and glanced out over the thick jungle canopies.

  Unknown animals scurried away through the branches and their calls sent a shiver down his spine. Reece tried to take a breath, but the dense air threatened to suffocate him where he stood.

  Last time they’d set foot here, the group had gawked at the scenery, some even displaying awe, but he knew what hid behind this shroud of beauty. Misery and death if they weren’t careful.

  Reece glanced toward Kiuno, but her gaze remained blank as she took in the vast expanse. He knew she longed to be here with another. To conquer this game with Elite at her side and walk out on top.

  Maybe she no longer knew if she had a life on the outside. Maybe he could convince her to stay.

  Cybele interrupted his thoughts. “The felinians can fly two at a time. Once we land, we’ll be on foot.”

  Reece focused on the creatures who’d followed them through. There were six massive felinians including Milo. He’d thought Cybele’s to be the largest, but the five males before them outsized Milo by at least a foot.

  Reece approached one and a deep growl rippled from the creature’s throat. Reece bowed his head, remembering Cybele’s words from last night. He wasn’t about to ruin a free ride by playing the tough guy.

  It sniffed his hair and after investigating every inch of his neck with hot breath the beast seemed satisfied and awaited his move.

  Reece turned to look at Kiuno and finally found emotion. Fear, or at the very least, apprehension. Her gaze shifted from the felinians to the cliff’s edge.

  Reece smirked. “What’s wrong Ki, scared?”

  She should have fired back with a smart comment, but Kiuno stayed silent.

  Reece let out a breath, took Kiuno’s hand, and pulled her away from the edge. Their felinian perked up and rather than growl, it greeted her, nuzzling her neck as she stroked beneath the massive chin. The edges of her lips lifted, but it was hardly enough to be called a smile.

  He’d take the fear of death as a good sign. It meant some part of her still wanted to live and that was light years better than the alternative.

  “Here.” Reece gave her a boost and strapped her legs to the thin leather saddle. It surprised him the beast tolerated such a thing. There were three buckles on each side. One for around the ankle, one around the calf, and the final strapped around the thigh.

  After buckling her in, Reece jumped behind Kiuno and wrapped one arm around her middle. Her warm body pressed against his, but his thoughts quickly turned somber when she trembled beneath his touch.

  “Ready?” Cybele called. The woman glanced at Kiuno and Reece then smiled. The action surprised him. After their nights in his tent, he’d figure Cybele to be possessive, but she turned out to be quite the opposite.

  The felinian’s body shifted beneath him and it unfurled black tipped wings as it walked to the edge. Kiuno clutched his arm and Reece gripped the saddle as the creature leapt from the cliff.

  His stomach dropped and breath caught as the ground raced to greet them. The felinian angled its wings and the wind jolted them as it lifted their bodies toward the sky. With a few pumps, the creatures pulled them above the green canopies, and they soared across the tops of trees.

  Exhilaration flew through Reece. Riding a horse gave him freedom, but nothing compared to soaring on a predatory creature above the treetops.

  He watched the canopies fly by like a child who’d just been given a new toy. The felinians soared over the jungle and the high platf
orm they’d jumped from disappeared from their view. Cybele didn’t bother to turn around, so he contented himself to relax and enjoy the ride. The less they had to trek through the jungle on foot, the better.

  Kiuno’s fingers flexed around his arm and he shifted in the saddle to look at her face. She’d clamped her eyes shut and if her white knuckles were anything to go by, he’d start losing circulation soon.

  “Relax,” he whispered. “I won’t let you fall.”

  Kiuno tried to take a deep breath. “I know.” Her fingers relaxed a little.

  What else did she know?

  It was late afternoon before they started their descent. The dip was sudden, and he gripped Kiuno, determined to keep his promise. She closed her eyes and he ducked both of their heads low as the felinian maneuvered the branches and softly landed in a small clearing.

  “We can rest here for tonight,” Cybele said. “There’s clean water nearby and I’m familiar with this area.”

  Reece helped Kiuno from the saddle. “I wasn’t aware we were flying this far.”

  Cybele jumped from Milo with the grace of someone who’d done it a thousand times. “I can map the area up to this point. There’s no reason to waste time with known territory.”

  Reece stretched his lower back and legs and watched while Cybele cooed to the felinians as if they were small beings who needed coddled. Such a strange woman.

  “They’ll make it back before nightfall without the extra weight dragging them down.”

  “Is yours staying?” Reece asked.

  Cybele patted the side of Milo and smirked. “Of course, I need an escape route should things go south.”

  “Not much for valiancy, are you?”

  “I don’t see any reason in getting myself killed because your lot can’t make a home here.”

  “You plan on staying?” Kiuno asked.

  Cybele cocked her head. “There’s nothing for me in the real world. I have everything I need right here.”

  They ate the dried meat in their packs and set a schedule for watch. He would have liked the chance to explore the area, but Reece guessed it wouldn’t be much different from his first few days in realm one. As long as he didn’t have to deal with a pack of rabid animals like that first night.

  With the fire lit Reece settled in and watched the map makers unroll a piece of parchment. Cybele gave them the details on the land. From the sound of things, the flight had saved them a few days’ hike.

  Reece looked back to where Kiuno had been moments ago and sat up straight when he found her missing. His heart jumped to his throat as he searched the faces in their camp. Milo was missing too. Reece peered through the trees wondering how such a large creature could have snuck off without his notice.

  “She’s just beyond that tree line.” Reece jumped at Cybele’s voice. A smirk played on her lips. “Milo is keeping an eye on her.”

  Reece gave her a puzzled look. “I expected you to be—”

  “Jealous?” she finished. “I’m not the type to be held down. I fancied you in bed, but I’ve fancied a few.” She winked and let her gaze rest on something beyond the trees. “The felinians sense her pain. It makes Milo restless.”

  Reece’s eyes adjusted to the dark, and he spotted the large felinian in the brush ahead. “When we retaliated, Kiuno’s focus was revenge. She killed their leader, tortured her.” Reece shook his head. “I’m not one to hold anyone back, but seeing her like that…”

  “It’s not the woman you fell for.”

  “Sorry?”

  “A man doesn’t hold a woman without some attachment.”

  “I’m just worried.”

  “Are you trying to convince me or yourself? I’m a woman, you can’t hide those things from us, even though you silly boys try.”

  A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Even if I wanted something more, she’s mourning. I can’t close the gap in her heart, and I don’t want to push her.”

  “If no one keeps her from falling, she’s going to drop into an abyss and never come back.”

  Cybele left him with that and though he wanted to question her, Reece’s attention shifted to the silhouette in the darkness. He wouldn’t let Kiuno fall, he’d already promised.

  Reece crept through the brush and Kiuno seemed to be studying the water with her arms wrapped around her knees.

  He wanted to save her, but how?

  “Scorpios would scold you for sitting here alone.” Reece leaned against a tree and watched her body shift. She tucked her legs to the side but didn’t turn.

  “Are you here to take his place?” Cold, emotionless.

  “No, just to see what’s going through your mind.”

  Trickling water filled the silence. “Nothing and everything at once. Memories. Things that should have been.”

  Reece folded his arms. “I could tell you there’s plenty to live for, but that probably isn’t what you want to hear. I could say time will heal your pain, but that won’t help either.”

  Reece moved from the tree and sat behind her. He wrapped his arms around her neck and tugged her close. Kiuno stiffened.

  “The only thing I can do is be here.”

  “What about Cybele?”

  Reece laughed. “She isn’t looking for anything serious.”

  “Are you?” Silence stretched between them as he held her tense body. He knew she struggled with whether to lean in or pull away, but Kiuno did neither.

  “Maybe.” At that she sighed and leaned forward, but Reece held onto her.

  “I can’t.” Her voice broke and his heart raced.

  “I’m not asking anything from you.” Reece pulled her back and Kiuno allowed it though her muscles were still rigid beneath his touch. “Just know I’m here, for whatever you need.”

  Her voice cracked again. “That isn’t fair.”

  “You let me worry about what’s fair.”

  The silence stretched, and Kiuno finally relented and her body collapsed against his.

  She was right, it wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair for her to suffer. It wasn’t fair for her youth to be burdened with so much turmoil and grief, but life wasn’t fair and if this world had taught him anything it was that one cruel lesson.

  35: Elite

  Realm: 5

  Day: 295

  Air pulled through Elite’s lungs like a million shards of glass sawing the tender organs. He coughed and convulsed, pain assaulting his body like a tidal wave. Darkness stretched on all sides save for a small fire flickering to his right. He moved to sit up, but sharp pain lancing through his core shot him back.

  “I wouldn’t move if I were you.”

  Elite craned his neck toward the fire. A girl sat on the other side with her back pressed against the wall and legs sprawled. She chewed something, smacking her lips without bothering to look at him.

  A woven blanket lay over his chest and his right pant leg had been cut at the knee.

  “I set the bone and splinted it. Pretty sure your ribs are broken too, but there’s not much I can do about that.”

  He gasped through the pain, struggling to breathe, but Elite lifted himself to a seated position and leaned against the rocky wall. It took several moments for him to catch his breath. “Who are you?”

  She took another bite of the meat, tearing it from a stick as the fire crackled between them. “Vixin.”

  Elite waited for more, but she didn’t elaborate. He licked his cracked lips and winced. “Do you have any water?”

  After taking a final bite Vixin set her stick on the cavern floor and slid a flask to him. Her features became visible as she moved in the firelight. Hair as red as flames and eyes just as menacing. Daggers hung at her waist, but she couldn’t be much older than his teenage sister.

  “Thanks.”

  Vixin didn’t offer any assistance as he struggled to reach the flask. The cool water eased his parched throat. When finished, Elite checked his surroundings and squinted in the dark. Rubble sat piled in what he assumed to be
an exit. In the opposite direction lay only darkness.

  “What happened?” he asked.

  “I was hoping you could tell me. I was fishing when an explosion sent chunks of the cliff barreling toward me. Don’t know why, but I grabbed you before the boulder could crush you to death.”

  “You grabbed me?” He examined her small stature.

  Vixin huffed. “I can use earth.”

  Memories of the meeting rushed back. They wanted to prove a point and had used an explosion as a display of power. Elite rubbed the back of his neck and met tender flesh.

  “I guess I have you to thank. How long have I been out?”

  “About two days.”

  Two days? Where was Kiuno and what happened to the others? Elite’s gaze drifted back toward the endless dark. “I appreciate you sticking around.”

  “I didn’t at first, but the damn guilt kept nagging me, so I turned around. Figured if you died at least I could say I did my best.”

  Perhaps empathy wasn’t her best quality. Not that he could be picky at the moment. “What about the others?”

  Vixin shrugged and rotated two skewers hanging over the fire. “I heard voices outside but couldn’t make them out. We’re buried too deep for my abilities to be of help.”

  “We’re trapped?”

  “No, but it’s a long trek and I couldn’t drag you.”

  Elite tried to shift his leg, but blinding pain shot through his body in response. “How far is the exit?”

  “For me? About three and a half or four days. For you,” she nodded toward his leg. “A lot longer.”

  Elite groaned. “Where does the exit lead?”

  “A few miles from where the forest used to meet the mountain. Want one?” Vixin offered him the small creature and he nodded. At first, he thought she might throw it, but Vixin stood and walked the roasted creature over. She kept well out of his reach.

  “I’ll warn you now. I might have felt guilty about leaving you before, but if you try anything, I will kill you.”

  He tried not to scoff. “I don’t think I could hurt a fly, let alone an able-bodied person.”

  “Good, that’ll make sleep easier for me.”