Cast Into Shadow

by Angela Colsin

  Kivsey would've smiled, but something in the Perosian's onyx eyes had drawn her complete attention—around his slitted pupils were two small halos of light.

  The hoops reminded her of divinians, the holy warriors making up the body of The Crucible. Working for The Bastion, she'd met a handful over the years like Ardilon, and each had vividly colored eyes regardless of their shade, with small, radiant halos that one might mistake for a reflection of light if they didn't look closer.

  Those halos were easy to detect in Arias' eyes because of their dark color, and she'd always believed it to be a sign of divine influence, or power.

  The thoughts had her hesitating to accept his escort, but not out of reluctance. Instead, she was too busy trying to figure out the source of the light in his eyes to immediately take his arm.

  As a result, Arias looked himself over and asked, “What's wrong? Am I not dressed fittingly enough to be seen with?”

  Snapping out of her stupor, Kivsey quickly shook her head. “No! I was just uh … .” Trailing, she sighed with an apology. “Sorry, I just noticed you have halos in your eyes.”

  “I see,” he returned with a slow nod, adding plainly, “I've noticed that myself. Ironic that someone who dresses so darkly should have such a radiant quality, wouldn't you say?”

  Kivsey looked over his finely tailored black robes and smirked. “I guess so. But you're not a divinian, are you?”

  “A divinian? You mean … one of those uptight, holier-than-thou-art warriors serving The Crucible in Terra?” Arias scoffed. “I'm sorry, madame, but flattered as I may be that you'd compare me to such stolid toy soldiers, I must ask; Do I truly look as if I have a stick shoved up my ass?”

  Kivsey tried not to snicker. She'd heard such jokes about divinians being uptight several times, and somehow, it never got old. But she respected the Order, and didn't feel right laughing over his question.

  “Sorry, I didn't mean any offense.”

  “None taken,” he promised, holding his arm out once more. “Now, where are we off to, Miss … ?”

  “Kivsey,” she started, linking her arm in his. “And I'm staying in a home just up the road.”

  He nodded, leading her out of the alley while responding, “I need to stop by the square first if you don't mind.”

  “Not at all, as long as it doesn't cause any trouble.”

  With a coy smile, he related, “I never make promises where it concerns trouble. One person's problem is another person's pleasure, after all.”

  With that said, he glanced down and asked, “But speaking of trouble, tell me, how does a mortal like you find herself in Satorala?”

  “Solely by accident,” she replied, and at his insistence, explained her mishap at The Nexus and the events leading up to now.

  Yet it wasn't entirely easy to focus on the story once they arrived in the square. There, several people stared at the pair in passing as if they had no idea what to think. It wasn't so different from the looks Kivsey received when she first arrived, but this time, some people actually bowed their heads—and she knew for certain the respectful gestures weren't meant for her.

  So whoever Arias was, the Dok'aal seemed to hold him in high regard.

  Once Kivsey finished her story, he shook his horned head, stating, “Sounds like you had a bad day that just kept going.”

  “Tell me about it,” she muttered. “Still, I feel privileged to have this chance to see Satorala.”

  She looked up to spy what could only be described as a quaint smile on Arias' lips. “As you should, Miss Kivsey. Few outsiders have ever toured these streets and lived to talk about it.”

  “Yeah? What about you? It seems like you're pretty popular here.”

  “I'm something of a special case,” he returned. “Too handsome to ignore, and too helpful to turn away.”

  Kivsey snorted at his arrogant claim, though she could agree with the handsome part—at least, if one was into the tall, muscular, pale skinned, goth-types. With horns. And fangs.

  He'd also been helpful to her in avoiding a confrontation, so she couldn't discredit his second claim, either.

  As they stopped at the front of a boutique storefront housing a restaurant with a menu on display listing numerous items, she said so.

  “You've definitely helped me out. I'd offer something in return, but I have no idea what I could do to repay you.”

  “Your acknowledgment of my assistance is enough in that respect. It's surprising how often people forget a simple thank you can be most rewarding.”

  She supposed that was true, unhooking her arm from his when he turned and addressed the lady behind the counter to place an order for a dish Kivsey had never heard of before. Still, the scent wafting through the air from inside was enough to make her stomach rumble painfully while waiting, and only moments later, the server placed a box of piping hot food on the counter.

  Arias lifted it, then questionably handed the item to Kivsey.

  “What's this?” she asked in confusion.

  Without mincing words, he returned, “Let's just call it my way of saying your stomach's rumbling is annoying, so please make it stop.”

  Grinning, she thanked him once again. “Was this the only reason you came to the square?”

  “Not quite, but the rest of my business is with the Chancellor, and I trust you won't need much assistance making your way from here,” he answered in walking past. “So bon appetite, as they say.”

  Hearing this, she immediately turned around to ask what he meant, but it was too late.

  The Perosian was gone.

  Blinking, she looked around in confusion, but didn't spot Arias anywhere in the crowd, then glanced back at the server behind the counter to inquire, “Did he teleport?”

  The woman nodded plainly, then shrugged.

  Kivsey pursed her lips, supposing she was on her own after all—and certainly wished she'd recalled the fact that Perosians could teleport earlier. If so, Arias might've been able to offer her a ride, if not to The Nexus, then back to Mikail's home, and saved her the worry of making her way back on foot.

  Still, as she stood alone in the middle of the crowded square, no one seemed intent on bothering her, or even paying much attention. Weird.

  The thought reminded her of Arias' respectful reception, making her wonder if he'd taken her to such a public place on purpose. Had he wanted everyone to see them together so she wouldn't be bothered again in the future?

  Whatever the case, Kivsey's walk home was completely peaceful, and if all the Perosian desired was thanks for his help, he had hers endlessly.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  ♦

  In The Hamlet, Mikail recalled thinking Kivsey was about to change everything, and it seemed those changes had already begun.

  He returned home to a living room filled with soft snoring, carrying a box of food inside where he spied the human asleep on his chaise. Laying on her side, she clutched a large pillow in one arm, and Claws in the other, the feline resting with his body comfortably stretched out by her chest.

  Questionably, an arbitrary box of leftover food was sitting on the table, suggesting Nevan had brought something by for Kivsey to eat—a thoughtful gesture that made his own offering seem pointless.

  Still, pointless had been the theme of his entire evening.

  With a sigh, Mikail took his box to store away in the kitchen, then grabbed a blanket from a nearby closet for Kivsey. In his haste to register for the competition on time, he'd forgotten to inform his visitor of the guestroom on the first floor. Yet she seemed comfortable enough on the chaise, so he wasn't going to disturb her by carrying her to bed now.

  Instead, he draped the blanket over her body, then quietly sat on the divan as she snuggled beneath it.

  In the process, Claws moved to join him, sitting nearby as Mikail thought over his evening at the arena. There, he'd had to force himself to register, finding it next to impossible to work up the enthusiasm for anything other than returning home, getti
ng a bath, and catching a nap.

  No matter how he tried to deny it, the idea of competing to garner attention from the single women of Satorala simply wasn't appealing any longer, and the more he considered his disinterest, the harder it became to ignore a simple truth—the knowledge that a certain human couldn't attend the competition without an escort was … disheartening.

  He stared at the sleeping woman in contemplation over the fact. Had his interest in her truly grown to the point that he didn't care to compete unless she was present in the crowd? Trying to imagine doing so in an attempt to find a woman who captured his attention the same way Kivsey had was not only impossible, it also seemed ridiculous.

  But who knew if she would even stay in Satorala long enough to attend.

  Indeed, the thought of her temporary stay was bothersome for numerous reasons. Over the past two days, he'd gone from being irritated with her presence, to highly curious, all because of a pesky attraction that was only getting stronger with time. But time was a luxury they didn't have in abundance, and unless his dreams revealed his mate's identity that night, he may not find out for certain if she was his until after she departed Satorala.

  The mere idea left Mikail more restless and uncertain than he'd ever been.

  For a confident man, having so many doubts over his emotions was extremely vexing. Of course, he could go by instincts, which were very clearly urging him in her direction, and that being the case, the real question was how to proceed.

  Sadly, he was so tired in that moment that the only thing which sounded appealing was curling up beside her on the chaise and falling asleep with her warmth pressed into his body and her scent hanging in the air.

  Groaning at the thought, Mikail rubbed his eyes, then stood and adjourned upstairs for a bath before climbing into bed. Thankfully, it was easy to get comfortable after their long journey, and he drifted off just as quickly, his last thought of the night being to wonder if the next day shouldn't be spent getting to know Kivsey better regardless of what his dreams revealed.

  He'd be keeping an eye on her anyway, so perhaps both tasks would be most easily accomplished by showing her around Satorala. After the way she'd reacted to seeing the city for the first time, it seemed like an activity she'd enjoy, and though she wouldn't be welcome at numerous establishments, there were several options open to them, including the arena, the Temple of Satora, and his personal favorite, the thermal spas.

  It was a plan he decided to put into motion the moment he woke from slumbering peacefully for several hours only to realize he couldn't recall any dreams.

  Sitting up in bed, Mikail groaned, the sting of disappointment painful to endure. But despite the dashed hopes, he threw the covers back in recalling his plans for the day, forgoing a shirt as he walked downstairs to find out if his house guest was still asleep.

  As it turned out, she wasn't—and he couldn't find her anywhere.

  Glancing about in confusion, he moved through the kitchen to check the guestroom, then knocked on the washroom door. But no answer came, and his heart suddenly plummeted to the pit of his stomach at the thought that she'd already departed Satorala to return home.

  Had someone come from the Council Chamber during the night with news that a search party had arrived? It seemed too soon to be likely, but was still a possibility, sending Mikail's good mood flying right out the window—that was, until he attempted to step outside.

  That's when he located a note from Nevan pinned to the front door stating that she'd taken Kivsey out for a spot of shopping and would return soon.

  Shopping? Is she insane? Accompanied or not, Kivsey wouldn't be welcome in most shops, and Nevan could get in trouble just attempting to bring her in without a guard, or a Warlord to accompany them.

  Grumbling, he went upstairs to don a black, silk tunic, and exited his abode to find the women before they got into trouble.

  Yet, halfway down the street, he came to an immediate stop in spying Nevan and Kivsey rounding the corner ahead to walk in the direction of his home with a few boxes of goods in hand. Additionally, Nevan's aunt, Asasha, was in their company, the trio talking and laughing as if they'd been friends for years.

  Mikail was so confused by the sight he didn't know how to react—or maybe Kivsey's new outfit was the culprit. Wearing a teal, silk caftan with black edging and a neckline that plunged low enough to show a lovely amount of cleavage, he couldn't stop staring.

  The garment was elegant enough to cast her beauty in a new light, his heart thumping a heavier pace during her approach. Yet he wasn't too distracted to be oblivious when Nevan mentioned, “Dirty talk is one of those things that has no in between. It's either extremely good, or extremely bad.”

  Asasha chuckled. “And when it's bad, it's bad.”

  “Oh god, don't get me started,” Kivsey muttered. “My last boyfriend was horrible at it, but thought he was a master. So one night, during some pretty dull sex, he asks like it when I make those big titties bounce, baby?”

  Asasha and Nevan both groaned as she added, “I was so fed up by then I just blurted out, it's better than hearing your floppy balls slap my ass.”

  She went on to explain that her boyfriend got so mad while the women howled in laughter.

  Mikail would've joined them, but was too distracted by a spike of extreme jealousy to focus on his amusement. The idea of Kivsey with another man was infuriating to the point that he almost didn't notice when Nevan spotted him and offered a greeting.

  Forcing a neutral expression, he nodded in return, making sure to tell Asasha, “I'm glad you made it back safely. Chancellor Gallos told me what happened to you and Briye. Are you well?”

  Asasha smiled. “We're fine. We even captured one of the minotaurs responsible for our captivity. The Council is deciding his fate now, and I believe they're planning on handing him over to Iyana.”

  Mikail was certainly fine with that verdict. Iyana was a powerful necromancer who could likely think of a number of fates which would be useful to her, but torturous for the bull—if not lethal.

  But he didn't comment, too busy glancing between the three ladies curiously in asking, “So what's going on?”

  “Didn't you see my note?” Nevan inquired.

  “Yes, but you took a human out to shop?”

  “Hey, I'm human, but I'm charming,” Kivsey interjected playfully, making her way around him to carry her boxes upstairs. In the process, she called, “Thanks so much Nevan, and it was nice to meet you, Asasha. I'll see you guys at the square tonight.”

  The pair bid her goodbye, and after Kivsey walked inside, Mikail found his friends staring at him pointedly.

  “What?”

  Nevan wasted no time asking, “You kissed her?”

  Realizing Kivsey had related their playful flirting during their journey, Mikail grumbled, countering, “She was taunting me. It meant nothing.”

  Asasha scoffed as her niece retorted, “Uh huh. Well, nothing or not, when we heard, we decided to invite her to the arena for tonight's competition. So you'd better win.”

  A mischievous smirk graced her lips as both women turned to walk away, and Mikail nearly grinned at her news. In an instant, his enthusiasm for participating in the competition returned with fervor—if Kivsey was in the crowd, he'd make sure his matches weren't soon forgotten.

  But for now, he was more interested in learning about her morning, and joined her in the living room where she was securing her long hair in a ponytail.

  “Going somewhere?” she asked upon spotting him in the doorway.

  Realizing he was staring with the front door wide open, Mikail shook his head and shut it, listening when she qualified, “I know you guys don't like having outsiders here, but I really wish Tyrone had lived to see this place. He was a Warlock, and would've gotten a kick out of that magic shop in the square.”

  “How well did you know him?”

  “Not too well. I'd only worked with him a few times before we were partnered on that investigation, whi
ch makes me feel even worse because he gets paired with me, and look what happens.”

  She sounded so downtrodden by the event that Mikail couldn't stop himself from relating, “Don't think that way. That ogre could've killed anyone he pulled through the portal regardless of their partner's skills. Our Warlords have died at their hands more times than I care to count.”

  Her ginger eyes met his gaze, and as she sank down onto the chaise, a smile slowly curved her lips.

  “Thank you, Mikail.”

  Stepping toward the divan, he took a seat to her right and shrugged despite how much her expression warmed his heart. “It's just a simple truth.”

  “Yeah, but I needed to hear it. Tyrone's death was so pointless, and I can't imagine how his family will react.”

  He truly hated knowing she was now faced with delivering such news. He'd carried out the same duty in the past, and it was never easy to tell someone that a loved one had passed on, especially in the case of mates. Losing one means losing both.

  Yet, proving the topic was distressing, she groaned and changed the subject, relating, “Tragic circumstances aside, I'm sad I won't be able to visit after I leave. I'm trying not to form attachments with anyone, but I had a lot fun with Nevan and Asasha while we were out.”

  Her desire to keep from forming attachments nearly made him frown despite knowing her reasons were sound. But there was no sense in considering why, and besides, the comment reminded him of a question he didn't hesitate to ask.

  “Did you suffer any mistreatment?”

  “No,” she returned, shaking her head. “Most people just looked at me funny, but something happened last night while you were out registering, and I think it changed things.”

  Something had happened? That was surprising considering how quiet it was when he came home. But in asking, Kivsey related how she'd left to return Vita's doll only to be cornered by several young men and women in an alley.

  “They obviously wanted to confront me,” she concluded, “and even asked if I was your mate, probably to make sure they wouldn't incur your wrath if I was hurt.”