Page 14 of Bound By Darkness

“How else would she have known where we were?” I demand.

“I don’t know!” she insists.

“I see what you really are,” I continue. “I see through this fucking mask you’re wearing. All that shit about missing your memories was just a bunch of bullshit, wasn’t it? You’ve been playing a game with us all this time, attempting to seduce us into trusting you. Well, it might have worked on Dragan and Baron but it’s not going to work on me. I’ll be damned if I let a fucking Succubus destroy my carefully laid plans again..."

“That’s enough!” shouts a booming voice from behind me.

I turn to see Dragan striding across the forest. My cheeks flush in anger. How dare he reprimand me! I shoot a glare atEilish, her large eyes are dewy—the moonlight reflecting in their shimmery surface.

“Spare your fucking words,” I snarl at Dragan. “Until you understand what your little angel was in the middle of doing out here.”

She looks at me and then Dragan and opens her mouth as if to defend herself, but I continue before she can say anything.

“I found her out here, alone. She was talking to someone but whoever that person is, they’re long gone.” Then I glare at the big, stupid moron. “I told you we couldn’t trust her, but you don’t fucking listen to me. And now we’re going to pay because she’s obviously a spy!”

“A spy?” Dragan repeats with a frown.

“Yes! She has been all along! How else do you explain how Anona found us so easily?”

Dragan raises an eyebrow, “I said, that’s enough.” His voice is icy. I feel the air move as he speaks; everything changes focus and suddenly the ground vibrates with intensity.

“You don’t fucking talk to me like that,” I say.

“I’m sick of your idiocy,” he responds. He takes a step toward me as if to intimidate me but I don’t back down. I’m tired of this prick and his sense of superiority.

“I’m sick of you fucking up,” I spit back at him. Then I look at the girl. “And she’s just another prime example of you fucking up.”

“Don’t test me,faerie,” Dragan whispers, his voice harsh.

Not wanting another physical altercation, I step back. The air returns to normal; I watch his shoulders relax.

“Revenant is awake,” he tells me. Then, turning to Eilish, he adds, “We need to get back. It isn’t safe out here.”

At first, I’m annoyed he doesn’t show any interest regarding what I’ve just told him. But then I decide I shouldn’t be surprised. This is just another example of Dragan’spigheadedness. He’s a fucking fool, and he’s the worst type of fucking fool—a stupid and stubborn one.

“Let’s go,” Dragan says forcefully.

Then, something interesting happens. Rather than accompanying Eilish, he turns away from her pointedly. Obviously. His body language toward her is closed and formal, such that mine is. Before, he was a doting fool and now he appears… disinterested? Angry? Unsympathetic? Distrustful?

Eilish and I fall into step behind him, our journey back to camp silent and pensive. Dragan’s quick strides place him ten or so yards ahead of us. Prior to this moment, I can’t think of one example when he’s allowed me in Eilish’s company without him. This is very odd, indeed.

I fight the urge to continue to taunt her, to let her know I’m well aware of her duplicity. She hangs her head, but I can see her expression is one of disappointment and sadness.

But, no matter.

I’m more interested in Dragan’s reaction to her. I wonder if, perhaps, the bastard gargoyle has come to see things from my point of view after all? I smile at my apparent win, but not for long. For some reason, beating her doesn’t feel good.

Furthermore, the joy I’d anticipated at catching her solo in the woods conversing with a stranger, is nowhere to be found.

Yet, I had exposed her! I was right! I’d caught her red-handed, just as I’d assumed I would.

But where is my satisfaction? It’s missing. All that’s left is... perhaps pity? Disappointment?

It’s an interesting development, and certainly unexpected.

I can’t tarry on the topic, however. Instead, I turn back to thoughts of Baron.

He spent a long time under the influence of the stone, and he wouldn’t be the first strong mind to fall victim to its powers. Memory is dangerous territory; I should have done more toprepare him for all he might uncover. But how can you prepare someone for the level of betrayal Baron suffered? Stabbed by his own brother…

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