Page 13 of Fated to the Damned

My empty well of magic hurts like a physical wound and my mouth is parched. My body is begging for blood that I can’t be bothered to hunt for right now.

My shredded tunic hangs in tatters, soaked crimson, but my pants are mostly intact with small tears down the legs. With trembling fingers, I rip a strip of cloth from my tunic and tie it tightly around the gaping abdominal wound, biting back a scream as the pressure sends white-hot agony lancing through my nerves.

“I need to fucking heal,” I snarl at my failing body.

Maybe this is my punishment. For deceiving the Council, for not being honest about putting my goddess first, I don’t know. But I can’t believe that Fate is not involved in what has happened to me today.

My vision dims, consciousness threatening to slip away as blood trickles down my stomach. Breathing deep, I ride out the torture until it recedes to a throbbing ache.

Once I can see clearly again, I place my palm over my leg, knowing that I need it more than anything, and murmur a weak healing spell. It likely does little, but it's all I can manage now.

Utterly spent, with no magic or strength left to give, I know rest is my only hope for recovery. Maybe the First will bless me with an animal wandering too close and I’ll find some blood to replenish what I’ve lost.

As I give in to the black oblivion calling me, my final thoughts are of hazel eyes and thick curly hair. And even as I lose the battle against my body, panic surges through me at the reminder of who I left out there...

Will she make it?

Or is this just the beginning of what will come after her without me by her side?

8

JESSA

“Ireally am an idiot,” I mumble as I pick my way through the thick path. The trees sway forward as I make my way through, branches and leaves brushing over my skin.

Thankfully, whatever the winged man – or whatever he was – did to me healed me. I feel great. A little tired but not wounded or in pain.

And nowhere near in the state he left in.

I haven’t let myself think too hard about what happened before. Two pale men, both beautiful, both biting me. It’s confusing enough without the questions that pop up if I examine the situation too closely. So I haven’t.

I just need to find safety first. Then, I’ll worry about what creatures I’ve encountered.

A loose vine caresses my face as if to argue with me, and I shake my head. “No, I’m telling you. This is single-handedly, the dumbest thing I could do right now.” Another pet down my hair. “But what option do I have?”

I’m prodded in the back by a branch, which I interpret to mean that I should keep going. Honestly, I’m halfway convinced that I’ve been hallucinating for hours, but when there is magic, there is a little sense.

Hence, me having a conversation with plants.

When the man took off earlier, I knew I couldn’t stay where I was. I’m disappointed he didn’t take me with him to the base, but I don’t blame him. He was in no state to be slowed down. I could see that. So, instead of protesting, I watched the winged man as he left.

Powerful muscles rippled under smooth icy white skin as he unfurled his massive wings. They were enormous, at least fifteen feet tip to tip, the membranes torn and bloody. Scarred but stunning. I was shocked as I watched, especially as the sun filtered through them. I’d never seen anything like it, and I was surprised by how enamored I was.

With a rush of displaced air, he beat those mighty wings and launched himself skyward. I should have been more aware of my surroundings, but I was stuck watching in awe as those powerful limbs propelled him higher with each downstroke. He moved with predatory grace, exuding danger and beauty in equal measure even in his state.

The sunrise caught on the obsidian claws at each wingtip, making them gleam. His long hair streamed behind him like a banner as he took off overhead. I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

I was left breathless, heart stuttering in my chest. I'd never seen anything so stunning yet terrifying as this wild, winged man in flight. He stirred some primal awe within me, speaking to an ancient instinct.

And after he left, I hoped and prayed that he would find his way back. I want him to recover, and not just to help me. Yes, I am grateful he came to my aid, but I also hate that he was injured doing so.

I did expect him to have found help by now. And with the way he came to my rescue, I thought he’d extend that to me.

But it’s been hours, the sun high in the sky, and no one has come for me. Thankfully, nothing has come after me either, thanks to my plant friends that have been shielding me.

So, I did the only thing I could think of. I kept moving. Sitting still is easy prey for anything out here, and I did see the direction he went in. It’s a long shot, but I’m hoping if I just keep following the path of his trajectory, I will find a place where I can finally be safe.

"Do you even know where you are taking me?" I ask the tree that leans into me, nudging me forward. It presses harder, and I take that as an indication that it does.

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