The Flesh of Titans

by Victoria Mercier

  ​Saaron was there with them? It was easy to forget that they had grown together. Whatever drove a wedge between Dramer and Saaron destroyed their brotherly bond without return. It was curious that Lotian followed Saaron instead of Dramer. One day I was going to ask them questions.

  ​“Who killed that Titan in the end?”

  ​Bastiel fisted Dramer’s arm. Dramer scowled. “Don’t make fun of me, will you?”

  ​“No one killed this particular Titan. Our agents believe that he fled this continent. But we cannot say for certain.”

  ​As Bastiel spoke of some another funny accident that involved Dramer, my memory returned to the day of my second review, or I should say an interrogation, and the mysterious voice that came out of Saaron’s fireplace. A sentient being was imprisoned there. It spoke to me. Words deprived of meaning or simply a different language? And then my mind reached even further into the past where I had seen the shock in the face of the infernal beast which claws had gone through me without inflicting any damage. It couldn’t be.

  ​“Is it possible to catch and imprison a Titan?” I interrupted Bastiel’s story, which in truth I hadn’t listened to.

  ​Bastiel glanced at Dramer who had enough drinking for the night but refused to stop, then replied, “it is sort of like catching and imprisoning a dragon or a unicorn, only harder. Why would you want to catch and imprison a Titan?”

  ​“Weren’t they prisoners of the Abyssal Sphere?” I asked, speaking of the knowledge that wasn’t mine. It just appeared there. Shit. I have to be careful with such revelations.

  ​Bastiel’s eyes narrowed, his mouth pursed. He put his hands flat on the table and let silence prevail for a few seconds. Not exactly much of silence as Nix’s loud snores cut through the air.

  ​“If Nix didn’t claim that you’re who you’re, I would already be buring a knife in your heart, Flare.” His words were serious. Very serious. Even Dramer picked it up and tensed immediately. “Relax. I won’t do such a thing.”

  ​“Then don’t speak like this ever again,” Dramer growled.

  ​Bastiel nodded, “I’m sorry. The Abyssal Sphere had been built on the ruins of the Hell after angels defeated and eventually killed Lucifer and many of the gods that sided with him. A lot of propaganda has been created to show how bad demons and the devil were. Those who questioned the angels were either sent there or killed. After centuries of investigation, I started to believe that my planet met a similar fate.”

  ​“So, what put you on edge so much that you … considered killing me right away?”

  ​Dramer leaned forward, in his condition he was more likely to roll under the table than attack Bastiel.

  ​“The Abyssal Sphere. This name is only known to the Pures and the only reason I know it is because Atrax’s broken mind spilled it one day. What happened with the Hell and many gods isn’t a common knowledge anymore. You should not know about it, Flare… how did you learn it?”

  ​I told them the truth. I didn’t know how this name has gotten into my head.

  ​Once more Bastiel retreated into the sanctuary of silence. The windows that weren’t magic showed the deepest depth of night. I couldn’t even guess what time it might be. The Academy was suspended for at least a week and so I didn’t need to worry about an early wake-up.

  ​“Speaking of your question, Flare. Angels chose to imprison the Titans instead of killing them, a decision which I’d never questioned. Anyway, I think it’s time to sleep…”

  ​“Wait,” I stopped Bastiel a halfway out of his chair. “There is something I need to tell you guys. Something that has been bothering me for some time now. When I had a review with the Heads of the Houses, due to an accident, it was moved to Saaron’s second office. And there was a fireplace. For a moment, I sort of heard a voice coming out of it, but I couldn’t understand a word. What could it mean?”

  ​“Leave it be, Flare. Whatever it was, Saaron is not like other demi-dragons. Good night.” He stood up but waited.

  ​Dramer’s eyebrows raised. “What are you waiting for?”

  ​“You.”

  ​Dramer’s loud snort almost woke up Nix. That said a lot how powerful it was. “I’m not going with you. I’m taking Flare to my room.”

  ​“No, you are not. The last thing I need here is you two going on a lovemaking rampage. My power has its limits too, Dramer. Now, move your ass. I need fucking sleep.”

  ​Dramer gave me a longing look which I reflected. My heart was gripped by a sudden fear that our sex might not happen ever again.

  ​As they left, I stayed with Nix. For a moment, I considered waking him up to fuck him dry, then the wave of exhaustion hit me with the impetus of a speeding train. I gave up on my carnal desires and shuffled back to Lotian’s bed.

  *

  ​The week passed quicker than one-hour sleep. Mostly because we’ve partied and drunk like crazy. Bastiel turned out to be an amazing guy, relaxed and easygoing. Nix has always finished first, but the competition between Lotian and Dramer about who could take the most vodka shots didn’t end well for them either. With the three demi-dragons knocked out, most of the nights have been only for me and Bastiel. We debated the war, the Titans and the angels. We discussed the role of dragons and unicorns in society and argued about why fairies and elementals shouldn’t be counted as the Prime Powers. Above all, Bastiel held to his promise to stay away from me, and while he was absurdly well-built and handsome, the pull that existed between me and the other three, and well even Saaron, wasn’t present in this case. What gravitated me toward him was his personality. Where demi-dragons were territorial, stubborn and had a rivalry in their bloodstream – even Nix who was the most composed amongst them, had his moments of passionate possessiveness – Bastiel’s mind was framed differently. He didn’t seek ownership, he cherished people and things for what they were.

  ​It was shocking to realize how ancient Bastiel was and how well he looked despite the passage of time. In the Wastelands we have used to hear the stories about the war between beings older than humankind. Our imagination hadn’t been able to piece it together, unlike now, where Bastiel sat across the table from me.

  ​“It’s the last night before your return to the Academy,” Bastiel noticed.

  ​I nodded, not in the mood to talk about it. I’d see Simona and Rust, which was the only good thing about it. I didn’t want to leave Dramer, Nix, and Bastiel. Lotian was coming with me. He was secretly arranging for me to move into his academic apartment. But the changes in the Academy were already public.

  ​Every entrance and exit sealed. The only way to get in was the main door. Random room searches, stronger runes in the corridors and common rooms. Ah, the common rooms, well, they finally have done it, shockingly quick, but it happened. The number of common rooms was reduced to one. In the memo that Lotian received, it was described that the Dragon Soldiers were going to be posted at every door and corridor.

  ​No more privacy.

  ​No more Slackers. The Academy decided that anyone who fell below 30 behavior points would face criminal charges. We thought that Atrax gave up or at least backed down a little. It surprised us to find that he has become a new member of the board.

  ​“It would be useful to have Nix as a captain of the Dragon Soldiers,” Bastiel said, pouring prune juice from a carafe into a custom made fancy glass. His wet black hair plastered to his forehead. He loved to take showers but his mission in the Wastelands has caused him to postpone it for weeks from to time. He wasn’t very forthcoming when I asked what had he done there. His skin above the nose creased, his lips turned to a thin line, a look I learned to read as I’d better avoid this subject.

  ​“Yes, but on the other hand, I’m going to sleep better knowing that he won’t risk his life,” I said and instinctively glance at the chair, which had been used by Nix for sleeping. Not today. The Academy forbade teleporting anywhere in a mile radius. The ban included teleportation within the area as well. No longer the Hea
ds could appear and disappear as they pleased. It meant we’d have to drive to the Academy in the very morning. I knew I should be in my bed by now. But these little night talks with Bastiel kept me awake.

  ​“Nix is strong and smart. He won’t risk his life knowing that yours depend on it.”

  ​I knew it but knowing wasn’t enough. Irrationality was too strongly ingrained in our brains to let go of worries.

  ​“Why did Dramer refuse my bond?” I asked instead.

  ​Bastiel took a mouthful of prune juice. He looked like the contrasts coexisting within one man. A mix of a dark gothic persona and sun-bathed sexy surfer. Though we didn’t admit it, the two of us were one of its kind. He was the last of the half-dragon and half-shadow-something, while I was dragoness, unicorn and gods know what else. Maybe that was the reason why I liked him so much?

  ​“I think you need sleep, Flare, if you believe that bonding Dramer is a smart idea. Dramer always goes headfirst…”

  ​“He fears it,” I interrupted him.

  ​Bastiel averted his eyes. Apparently, he didn’t need to sleep, but exhaustion was a different matter. He finished the prune juice which smelled awful, then his face returned to me. “Dramer would rather die than give up the dragon’s rage.”

  ​“But…”

  ​Bastiel raised a hand and said, “it doesn’t matter. When he is with you, he wants to feel the rage alive and tearing everything around him. I’m not saying I agree with him, but that’s how he thinks. Now, Flare. It’s time for you to get some sleep.”

  ​For once, I didn’t oppose. I stood up, Bastiel followed and before I could stop my muscles, I was by him. Surprised by my quickness, he froze. I put my hand on his damp cheek. Thin lines of water cut through it.

  ​I kissed him then in the lips. It finished before it started. I fled the dining room then, I fled myself and everything I desired to do. I have Dramer, Lotian and Nix, I repeated in my head like a mantra on my way to my room. I decided to sleep alone tonight. Bastiel I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t do it. It’s tiredness that fogged my stupid head. Of course, he couldn’t hear me. To be able to use telepathy outside the dragon bond, I’d need to learn difficult mental spells or having specially tailored runes that required permission from the board of the Academy. These were impossible to obtain except for a few individuals. Lotian for example.

  ​Invigilation in the Academy was too deeply rooted to let students possess such means.

  ​A few moments after my head hit the pillows I was gone.

  Chapter 9

  “Wake up, Flare,” Nix’s lovely voice sounded in my ears. I wanted to smash him. I just went to sleep!

  ​“Leave me alone, Nix,” I murmured pulling a duvet over my head. I heard steps and wished that Nix listened to me.

  ​“Let me do this, Nix,” Lotian said. I was so tired that I couldn’t sense him. “What’s going to be like, Flare? A hard or an easy way?” What was he mumbling about? Safely hidden beneath the duvet I ignored my demi-dragons. I needed precious sleep and it was too early to wake up anyway. The sky outside was dark and peppered with stars.

  ​“Okay then,” Lotian said. The next second something wet and cold landed on me. It took moments to realize how freezing the water was. It soaked the duvet, the mattress and me. I jumped out of the bed with a scream. Another bucket of icy water hit my face. I shivered, instinctively invoking my dragon’s fire to heat me up.

  ​“You fucker, are going to regret this,” I hissed at them, shaking like an aspen leaf.

  ​“The shower is sorted,” Lotian admitted with a smirk. “You can start the car, Nix.”

  ​I abandoned thoughts of going back to bed. My fire didn’t fail me and a few seconds later I was steaming like Dramer. Nix left the room, while Lotian watched me undress. I noticed his attention and flipped him the bird.

  ​“Forget about venturing between my legs for a month, bastard!” I grunted, knowing that I could not keep my word. After a week I’d be begging him to take me. But Lotian couldn’t know this, could he?

  ​We had everything already packed and so I only had to put on dry clothes and eat something light and I was good to go.

  ​Bastiel and Dramer were waiting by the car. For some pitiless reason, demi-dragons decided we’d take one car. Aside from the reason that they were larger than ordinary people. Four demi-dragons in one car pushed the lustful atmosphere to its limits. I squeezed my thighs hoping that they couldn’t sense the turmoil that has been going inside me.

  ​Once our baggage was put into a trunk, Nix started the car. He was going to drive, while Dramer was moved to the front seat. He was too large to sit with me in the back. I was tucked between Bastiel and Lotian. The flame-haired demi-dragon waited until the car lurched into motion for he lifted me up and put on his lap.

  ​“That’s much better,” he admitted.

  ​Dramer’s head turned and snorted, “that’s not allowed! I could easily fit there with Bastiel!”

  ​Flustered by the little argument, Lotian’s cock hardened and bumped my ass. Keeping my face impassive while a fat rod rioted beneath me was painful. To get us from Maran Del, which I’d learned used to be called Long Island, to the Academy that was built on Staten Island took us over an hour. The top of the Academy was hidden in the darkness when we arrived. A snake of cars was miles long. My demi-dragons used their status to bypass the queue. For once I didn’t mind that. It was 5 fucking am. Each car was checked by the Dragon Soldiers with tools resembling a dragon compass.

  ​The entrance to the Academy was even worse. Three dozen of soldiers went through personal belongings of every student and teacher. The only silver lining was that Saaron wasn’t here.

  ​“We can’t stay,” Nix said. “As far as I know, Mirenne hasn’t lifted Dramer’s ban.”

  ​“I don’t care about the bitch,” Dramer snapped.

  ​“And I thought the Academy resembled a prison before, what should I say now?”

  ​“Just be careful,” Bastiel said. “While you stay safely in the Academy, the three of us will investigate Children of Entropy and Red Mark, and their connection to Mirenne.”

  ​I had bad feelings about this, but a sense of strange serenity descended on me and I said nothing.

  ​What we’d done with the car queue, turned out to be harder with the main entrance. The Dragon Soldiers in their faceless, eyeless helms couldn’t care less about who we were. When Lotian snapped at one of them, three other unsheathed their magical batons. Runes flared to life.

  ​“Stay calm,” a magically enhanced voice came out of a soldier.

  ​“Or what?” Lotian raised the same question I had on my mind.

  ​“We have orders to pacify anyone who disturb the public order!” The colorful batons stirred in the hands of the Dragon Soldiers. Even though I didn’t see their faces, the hate that radiated off of their body language was clear. Without Nix as the captain, they must have received new orders.

  ​“Then go ahead, try to pacify a demi-dragon, asshole,” Lotian smirked knotting his anger. He was almost as good as Nix, but where the blonde demi-dragon would have stayed silent, Lotian couldn’t.

  ​Either the Dragon Soldier was not that stupid to attack a demi-dragon or his bravery only reached to his words. None the less, our little show drew the attention of someone a bit more important, as the man came out shoving aside his soldiers.

  ​“What’s the problem here?” he asked looking around.

  ​“These two students want to bypass the queue and enter the Academy without searching through their belongings.”

  ​The lieutenant nodded, then said, “I will deal with them.” When his soldiers didn’t move, he snapped at them. They hurried out of the control point to other parts of the main entrance. The Dragon Soldiers have set up six control points before the entrance.

  ​The lieutenant took off his helmet and cleared his brown hair from his forehead.

  ​“Apologies, demi-dragon Lotian. The new captain gave
orders to ignore the blood status. Without demi-dragon Nix…” the lieutenant’s voice trailed off, he took a deep breath and added, “while I can let you skip the queue, I must check your belongings. I’d never seen stricter rules.”

  ​His acknowledgment struck something inside me. I felt like a bait on a hook, while hunting fish circled beneath me, just outside of the field of my view.

  ​“Sure,” Lotian agreed. “What’s your name, Lieutenant?”

  ​“Simmons.”

  *

  ​Twenty minutes later the dragon’s elevator took us to the third floor. With the Slackers officially gone, their levels were rearranged. Actually, everything in the underground part of the Academy was changed.

  ​The fifth floor remained exclusively for the Heads of the Houses, but the entire fourth level was handed over to the Dragon Soldiers or as Nix called them, the Dragon Corps. They had their sleeping quarters there. The longer I thought about it, the less sense it made. I’d expect them to be on the higher level as the barrier between us and unknown threats. It didn’t work this way here. The third floor now accommodated all the students from five Houses, and classes. This floor was separated into six sections. Five Houses and in the middle the enormous common room that also acted as a canteen. The library, shopping center and all other social activities were moved to level two. A bright statement on the new brochure warned of the very high activity of the Dragon Soldiers at this level. The first floor was temporarily closed to us.

  ​The brochures were given to every student upon entering the Academy. There was more information but I shivered after the first page so much that I gave up.

  ​The new runes flicked to life as we passed them on the corridor only to disintegrate a few steps later. The alcoves and trees were gone.