Page 17 of Whispered Warnings: Part Two

I don’t think that River’s response was entirely about me. I think that he is far too strong of an alpha and that even if it hadn’t happened tonight, and I wasn’t involved at all, he would have ended up in a similar situation with Ahren. I just really hope that the camaraderie of the rest of the evenings sticks around because I believe River, and I instinctively know that if there was going to be a fight to the death between River and Ahren, that Ahren wouldn’t win, and I don’t want to lose him, he is like a brother to me, and has been there for me through a lot of shit.

I do understand that if it comes down to that though, I have fuck all say in the matter, it’s the way things are done in the supernatural world, and that’s final.

I silently plead,please, please don’t let them end up having to fight.

The voices mutter loudly with my plea, and I have no idea if that’s a good thing or not. I mean, technically speaking,they could be mocking me and my plea, or maybe they know something I don’t. Perhaps they are simply reacting to the stress that the thought causes and don’t actually know anything at all. One day I will know exactly what they are, and what the variations in volume and tone actually mean. I briefly consider speaking to Sully or the guys about it, and although I don’t think it would be a terrible idea, not now that we are pretty sure that I am a supernatural, I don’t think that I can bring myself to do it now. I need a little bit of time to build up to telling them. Who knows, maybe it will help to identify what I am.

I make a promise to myself that the next time that we are all here together, I will ask Sully about the voices and what they mean.

As I say goodbye to Ahren, Ernie, and Murray, Draith hangs back and pulls me to the side out of earshot of the others, who are now quite drunk and still speaking loudly with the guys and Sully.

“I wanted you to know that if you need me or the dragons for anything, you have our allegiance and friendship,” he tells me seriously.

I frown, slightly confused by the use of the word allegiance, but I nod, “I know, Drai. I really appreciate it.”

“I mean it, Neith. If something comes from the display of power that your new,” he struggles to find the right word for what River is before deciding, “friend, put out earlier, you call me. We have your back, and that means those of your friends as well.”

My eyes widen, Draith has known Ahren for centuries longer than he has known me, he knew him when they both lived in Trieneliea. The fact that he would offer me what he is, well that’s huge. I have a feeling that the implications of that offer are even more monumental that I am aware of.

I smile, giving him a hug and saying, “Thank you. I hope that it doesn’t come to that.”

“Me too,” he mutters as he returns my hug and then steps back. All seriousness gone as he says, “Until next time, Neith. I will win back that jewel.”

“Jewel?” Reed asks curiously as he walks over to us.

Draith rolls his eyes, “Yes, me, in all hubris, gambled a dragon’s blood ruby in one of my first games with Neith. She won. Fortunately for me, she is as honorable as a dragon, and so although she won it fair and square and could have easily used it to her advantage, she has instead kept it safe for me, although she will not return it until it is won back.”

“That’s not entirely true,” I reply. “It’s safer with me.”

Draith smirks, “Ah yes, that too.”

“That is not what I expected you to say,” Reed replies, giving me a look that I’m not entirely sure how to interpret.

“I think you will quickly find that Neith is nothing like you expect,” Drai replies, smiling fondly at me.

“That I can agree with,” Reed replies with a knowing smile.

Draith returns it and then adds, “Your magic gives off quite a kick. I imagine that you find it difficult to be around other supes with the control you have now?”

Reed seems slightly stunned by the conversation change but answers honestly, “Yes.”

Draith grins, “Well if you ever fancy not having to do that, you’re welcome to come to the keep, my dragons will be able to withstand it after exposure to it for an hour or two, just like your team. It doesn’t work for most supes, but dragons and demons have long had a warrior relationship. In Trieneliea you would have been taught to fight from the backs of one of us.”

My eyes widen, “That is so fucking cool.”

“I never knew that,” Reed mutters, his mind clearly trying to absorb everything that has been told, and I get the feeling he’s referring to more than one thing that he has been told.

“Think about it, man,” Draith says as he claps his hand on Reed’s shoulder, “Dragons are a rowdy bunch, but you won’t have to keep a lock on your magic, and any friend of Neith’s is a friend of mine.”

“Thanks, man,” Reed replies.

He just sort of watches as Draith follows the others out and we are just left with Sully.

“Are you okay?” I ask Reed quietly.

I nod, “Yeah, he just said a couple of things that I hadn’t even realized were possible. I need to talk to everyone when we get back home.”

“Okay,” I reply with a smile.

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