“He is fair game, Yuki-onna.” The Dragon Lord fired back. “He attacked this gathering and can clearly see us and has power to defend. If he were outside my Demons would eat him still. Just as I am going to do.”
Gaia placed two large hands between the sniveling human and the Dragon. “As law keeper, we are still in council. Until it is ended, you are not allowed to infringe on Demonic Code ninety two under the gathering of Lords… Even if the soul did indeed attack us. As it is, all we can do is sever his soul from his body so we may finish.”
“Seconded!” Dileep spoke.
Methrom growled from being overruled, then stepped on the man and turned him to a bloody pulp, but did not consume the soul or flesh.
Ethan pulled the last inch and with it came a burp of blood. He threw the spike aside and held her neck to stem the flow. “Is she able to receive medical attention yet?” Kyoko asked as she came over now that the interrogation is done.
“She is… right about… now.” Kira said. As she finished the rest of her spell and saw the artery stop hemorrhaging from his own spell.
“Pixie-chan, send them now. She will require surgery. Magic alone won’t fix it all.” Kyoko pointed to Kanade and Ethan distraught to see her in such a state. “The rest must remain till the meeting is concluded.”
“But?” Floa looked around.
Blake said “Send them. We will be fine. If they wanted to kill us, Ethan is in no position to defend us. And it seems as if Ethan has their respect.”
“He does.” Gaia said with finality. “Go and see Ethan’s mistress healed. Blake, correct?” The Naga nodded. “I assume you are second in command and know the details of this document?” Her Arachne Shaman held up the shrunken file for her. Again he nodded. “Then you are to replace Ethan as Order’s voice till we end deliberations.”
“Very well. Floa, send them now.”
She clapped.
Ethan was pulled from his worry when the scenery changed to the emergency wing at the First House. He magically made his fist glow green and carefully levitated her without moving anything so she landed on a table. Alerted medical staff were already waiting and prepped. He realized one of the team had called ahead for an emergency thanks to the headsets. He backed away to let professionals do their job so he sat down and watched as they fed thin tubes in her gaping neck wound to correct the damage, working from the inside out.
A huge gorilla grabbed Ethan’s arm a few minutes later and pulled him outside where Tattoo and Odin waited. The large silverback was then reabsorbed into the paraplegic as he asked “What happened out there? I was monitoring the feeds from your mission and ten minutes ago they are all running and I see you rip someone in half with your bare hands and disappear. I heard the rest, but not the start.”
“Give the lad a moment, Tattoo.” Odin said and pointed to a bench. “Lad, take a seat and collect yourself.”
He did just that and put bloody hands on his face, her fresh blood, he realized. This time her blood didn’t arouse him. This blood was violently taken and he shook with renewed anger, but he did as Blake would have and closed his eyes and meditated to control his anger. Breathe in and out. Center your mind to calm and your body will follow. He thought and eventually recovered enough to get started on briefing his superiors. Odin gave him some ale and was surprised the lad didn’t react like last time. The heat felt good and gave something else to concentrate on. The two powerful men listened to every word of the briefing. Ethan glossed over the Blood Speak thing and that the Lords knew what he was becoming. For some reason he believed them over trusting the heads of his own home. It only took a few minutes and Odin suppressed a laugh when Ethan told how he attacked Methrom and Dileep.
Just as he was finishing the report Mikhale and Valande slammed open the doors and stormed in. “Where is my daughter?” Mikhale asked tightly, green wings tensed to go off after any who survived and kill them himself.
“In surgery right now.”
“Did you kill them?” Mikhale asked Ethan, muscles rippling with restraint.
Ethan glared from the seat, the amount blood covering him spoke volumes for itself.
“Easy now you two.” Odin stood with arms up to the worried parents.
“Take it easy? Would you if it was your child…” Mikhale stopped as Odin glared.
“My child what? Was injured? No, I wouldn’t. I would be worried sick. You’ve never lost a child, and wont. I have lost hundreds I’ll likely never see again. But if her body dies, you can fix it and she can hop right back in. So be calm and shut yer trap. Let the healers work.”
“My lovely angel.” He said and deactivated his headset while still trying to reconnect with her mind. ‘Dearest angel’ turned it on while ‘lovely angel’ shut it down. Ethan didn’t bother talking from then on or acknowledge anyone.
Two hours later the door opened and out came most of the medical staff. Heart slamming, Ethan was on his feet before anyone and rumbled “How is my angel?”
The leading Pixie surgeon flew up and chimed “Out of danger. The first aid in the field saved her body. I repaired her artery walls and properly reconnected every fiber of each severed muscle from the multiple stabbing. She was very lucky. Her death would have been agonizing before she’d be able to separate from her body. I also got out all the debris, but she’ll need to be sedated till tomorrow. Her shoulder and wing wounds were just as bad, but her rapid healing will see her through. As a benefit, her tough body actually saved her. If she weren’t what she is the weapons would have blown her apart instead of getting lodged and thereby putting pressure. You can see her now, but be careful reading her mind or talking loudly. Can I assume you’ve been trying to read this whole time?” He nodded. “Then keep doing it. Her mind is much more relaxed than the scans should be for the sustained trauma. Soothing thoughts only.”
“Thanks, Doc.” He said with genuine relief. She smiled, pat his cheekbone and flew off to ready for the next injury.
Sighs all around had him turn to see his own team right there with his in-laws. Kira and Nell hugged each other while Ellen smiled. Blake and Magnus were also seriously relieved with Reevy putting a knife away from sharpening her claws. Kira then laughed “Now you acknowledge us?”
“How long have you all been waiting here, guys?”
“About an hour.” Magnus admitted. “I swear your focus is frightening. We were all afraid you’d literally melt the doors with your eyes since you hardly blinked this whole time. You want a rundown of what happened after?”
“Wouldn’t mind.”
“Blake here didn’t say much, but after reading the simple proposal, all the Lords agreed and signed it. About ten minutes before we came home we went with Dileep as he told Sheedan’s minion no to her surrender offer. Apparently she was ready for his answer and attacked minutes after, but the force she sent was pitiful when the other four other Lords showed up and demolished the army that would have certainly overwhelmed him. But five Lords united with their elite warriors against her rabble, was fodder for them. In five minutes the strike was over and the enemy of our enemy was killed to a man. I’ve seen battles before, but next to when you went all tornado I’ve not seen such a one-sided victory. But before we left, Methrom wanted us to give you this. Floa, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” She pulled her hands together and appearing out of thin air was a huge diamond shaped scale about four feet tall as he grabbed it by reaction.
“Why would he give me a scale?”
“All he told us was it is his finest and hardest one and for you to ‘keep in your hoard.’” Floa quoted by using her fingers to air quote for emphasis. “It is just a really hard scale that is pretty. I want it. Like a big, flawless ruby. You must have earned it from how you punched him senseless, as I recently told them.”
“A scale like that would make a fine arm-shield.” Reevy admitted to draw from Floa’s hungry glances to the shiny scale. Pixies love glistening things. “If you want I’ll make it for
you for sixteen thousand points and it will take two months to complete.”
“Sounds good. As long as it isn’t comics or comic related, I have no need for it if it doesn’t serve a function. I’ll transfer the points later.” He handed her the beautiful red scale. “I need to check on Kanade now.”
He and the rest quietly filled the spacious operating room. Kanade lay unresponsive beneath a white sheet. Ethan continued thinking how much he loved her while noticing her blue lips had become rosy again and her paleness returned to glittery alabaster. Gauze wrapped around her neck, blue hair tied and out of the way upon a soft pillow. Never has he felt so helpless before, nor had she seemed so small. He went to her left and took her hand for contact. Comfortable tingling helped him not break down. Valande and Mikhale stood on the other side, tenderly stroking their daughter’s silky cheek. Everyone was quiet as they all checked on her, Except for Floa who shrank and landed on her left breast and walked down it to speak softly in her ear. A deep sigh left him as he stood on his knee.
After a few minutes of silence Valande touched his shoulder to say “Son, you need to clean up.”
Realization hit him and he looked at all of the coating of blood on his hands, gauntlets and chest. “Val, stay with her while I go upstairs to bathe and let me know right away if something happens.”
“Count on it.” She touched his shoulder in a motherly way.
Outside the room he was stopped by a hand grabbing his wrist to look down at Kira who asked “Are you alright, Boyo?”
“Not even close.” He laughed, empty, but forced it to lose some tension. “After Kanade was hurt… well I’ve never wanted to kill anyone like I did those men. I literally ripped that short Earth Elemental bastard in half after crushing his skull. I must be in shock because I’ve only killed with fire, but not long ago I tore a man in half and don’t feel conflicted. I don’t feel bad about it. Did you learn anything?”
“We’ll tell you later, Boyo.” Kira said gently. “You’re in no condition to listen. And don’t be upset or over think. For what they did to Kanade, you were kinder than what I would have done. They’d be cursed forever, locked in stone to be trapped for all eternity without any means of communicating. I just wanted to see if you were well. I’ll stay with you and Kanade all night if you want.”
“I’m alright. Go change, Kira and settle in. Oh, can you make more of that cleaning potion you used that blocks scents? I’d like to buy some of your potions for later with my lessons.”
Her braided auburn hair bobbed. “For you, Boyo, anything. I cook up some extra things you might like too.”
“You’ve become a good friend.”
“All thanks to you and her. And I have to do another cleansing ceremony tonight too.”
“Still focused on finding your soul mate?”
The Scottish Witch grinned. “Aye. Ten weeks and three days are left. It isn’t easy now that I’ve overcome the Incubi hunt and remain celibate. But when I find my soul mate I plan to put you and Kanade to shame.”
“Good luck with that.” He genuinely laughed this time.
Not long after he entered Kanade’s office, had Dress take his clothes to be cleaned and removed of blood. He washed the gauntlets in the bathroom sink, even picking bits of flesh from the spikes. The in the tub he showered. Using a long handled rough scrub brush, he scraped dried blood off his wing that decapitated the Wizards. Warm water invigorated him and soon all he smelled of was pine scented soap and Kanade’s cinnamon he’d forever carry.
Drying off was a snap. Just turn up the heat and wrap a towel around. He brushed his hair and tied it back with a string before stepping out and have Dress already lay out fresh clothes. He put them on and folded the onyx gauntlets over his pants. Dress commented “Backwards isn’t it, Handsome?”
“Yeah. Kanade always watched over me every time I was hurt and now I’m doing it for her. I wish it had been me that got hurt, not her.”
“And she says the same thing when you are hurt. Don’t do blame. Blame those assholes. They did it, not you. We’ll talk later on what happened. Right now go keep my girl comfortable.”
Ethan left, glad to have so many close friends.
“Morning, Sunshine.” Kanade heard and moaned as she rolled over. She smiled as she cracked open her eyes. “How you feeling.”
Kanade’s dry mouth said “Really sore, Darlin’. May I drink somethin’?”
He sat her up gently and held up a glass. “Howdy y’all.” She greeted the room before drinking slow due to a sore throat.
“Do you remember yesterday?” Valande asked immediately after the glass was taken and sat down.
“How could I forget, Mother. I was stabbed through the neck, arm and wing.” Her fingers touched the tender areas, but found no markings. Her wounds had healed perfectly. All that hadn’t were his loving bite marks. “My throat is the sorest part, but I’m hungry… Cook?” The wisp appeared moments after. “May I have some raspberry oatmeal and a bowl of grits?”
“Always.” She floated to bowls Ethan had cleaned when he ate last night and she filled two bowls as ordered and made a glass of fresh water. Kanade began eating slowly and listened to her man’s accounts of what transpired and what he did to those who hurt her. She was upset at how he killed, but found herself more attracted to him. Her instincts knew that any children she’d have would get the same fierce protection. This in turn made her thoughts of making a child take up the most room in her head.
Cook fed everyone since breakfast was going to start soon anyway. Mikhale showed up not long after and fussed over his daughter till he knew she was alright.
Kanade had everyone leave the room so she could get dressed and then sat in the waiting room talking quietly amongst one another till Morgane Le Fay arrived to do another morning checkup and was just as quick as usual. And the same report was they both were still growing at a steady pace and no dangerous issues were detected in the blood. And Kanade personally did another semen sample from him and still nothing was revealed.
When they were dismissed he walked hand in hand with his beloved to ask “Ready for your present now?”
“Are you sure?” She asked.
“After everything that has happened we deserve a vacation. I’m tired of fighting and working all the time. After yesterday, you need it too. The question is, are you ready for your present?”
“What do you think? I’ve waited more than a month.” She beamed as they came around the corner.
“Floa, we’re ready to head out.” He said to the group. “We’ll see all of you in three days.”
“Have fun wherever you’re going.” Nell said.
The Pixie smiled before clapping with knowing it all in her features. After all, he did confide in her last night.
Kanade’s eyes widened as they appeared alone outside, just as dawn arrived to push night’s veil far away. They arrived in a fishing village waking up for the day. It was somewhat populated and her nose detected minimal demonic activity compared to the people moving about so early. Just a few bugs. But it also detected salty sea air. Few cars moved past, but they stood on a sidewalk in front of a store. People walking around paid no attention. But what Kanade especially loved was the temperature. At this hour it was supposed to be well below zero, but here it was a warm seventy. She turned to ask “Where are we?”
“Out in the Atlantic Ocean, in Cape Verde. This island is called Brava and we are standing in the village called Faja De Agua. But this is a stopover. To reach your surprise we need to fly.” He grinned and started taking off his heavy jacket.
“If this is a stopover, why didn’t Floa just send us directly where we are going?”
“Because I asked her to. It is all part of the experience.” He folded his jacket and she followed his example till all she wore was a thin long sleeved shirt.
Wings ready, they lifted into the air. The small village became smaller and showed farm land to the east, but he led west, over the water. Ethan could tell she b
ubbled with excitement and intrigue, but had pushed him out of her mind a bit. He didn’t get upset as he was doing the same.
Tropical air mixed with warm dawn sunshine was just what they needed in a mostly all nighttime Scotland winter. They flew together and watched schools of fish swimming under the sea while some boats were trying to catch them to feed their families. Solitary sharks prowled. But as they flew Kanade thought “Panther! What about our cat?”
“Blossom has it covered. She was all too excited to have him all to herself for our getaway.”
“Whew, that was close. How long must we fly?”
“About twenty minutes. Just enjoy the moment.” The Atlantic Ocean passed below. Beautiful and serene.
And that she did for a little over fifteen minutes till he said “We’re here.”
Kanade’s hands flew to her mouth as they came upon an uninhabited island. White sand surrounded all sides with a lone mountain standing tall and proud. Birds flew around while a beautiful coral reef teeming with life encircled the entire island. Pools of water were fed by underground springs and glittered in the light. Coconut crabs scurried over the beach. But as Kanade looked she saw a translucent barrier and felt it warded from all humans and anyone from intending harm to anyone inhabiting the island. Sitting atop the lone mountain was a large rustic home. “Oh, Ethan, it’s beautiful. How long is it ours?”
“YOU KNEW!” He accused outright as he heard the very subtle change in her tone. Her surprise was a little too forced while mixed with genuine awe. “Kanade, who told you?”
Her eyes dropped as they held position midair. She was ashamed to not have come clean sooner. “No one told me… I uh… learned it when you suddenly started growin’ wings and were asleep. Don’t be mad, My Angel. I might have known you had the house made for us on an uninhabited island, but seein’ the island in real life is beyond perfect. But how long will we rent it?”
02 Wrath of Flames Page 36
