Page 37 of Magic & Secrets
I swung around with my blade at the ready. A masked creature lingered near a tree. He was no more than four feet tall and wore rags over his hunched body. His wooden mask was painted with red markings.
Though I couldn’t see others like him, I smelled them hiding in the shadows.
“So pretty,” he said and crept closer. “All alone in this dark forest.”
Holding my sword before me, I asked, “How close is the nearest human settlement?”
“No humans around here. Just our little hovel.”
More of the creatures peeked out of the shadows, hiding behind their masks.
“Humans hunt Meiwia,” I said, counting twelve creatures creeping closer. “That makes humans a threat to you. I don’t believe you aren’t aware of their nearest outpost.”
The lead creature hissed. “What is Meiwia? We are not schooled in your human beliefs.”
“The Meiwia were once human thieves. They stole from the Elven kings who chased them across thousands of miles. Cornered in this forest, the Meiwia hid for years, unable to flee without facing the Elven Empire’s wrath. Over time, the magic in the forest twisted their human bodies into something new. To hide their deformed faces, the Meiwia wear wooden masks.”
“Never heard of them,” the creature said and moved forward. “No humans around here except you, little thing. The pink on your cheeks is like a blooming flower.”
I counted another dozen closing in on my location. Their claws tapped excitedly against their wooden masks as they imagined the flavor of my flesh.
“You’ve been in the forest for too long,” I whispered to the male Meiwia before me. “You’ve lost the ability to sense a predator in your midst.”
“You smell like a doe fresh from its mother’s womb,” he mused. “I wonder if you’ll taste like one, too.”
I swung my sword in three swift motions, moving like the wind. The male Meiwia’s furry mop top fluttered next to hisshattered mask. He cried out and hid his face behind his clawed hands. The others froze around me, waiting for a signal.
In the distance, I heard roaring from an enraged beast. The Meiwia pack tensed at the sound yet refused to abandon their prey.
“Either you point me toward the nearest human settlement, or I will cut off the thing just below your now bald scalp,” I warned and retrieved my second sword. I swung them both in a circular motion at my sides. “I have enough weapons for your friends. How do you imagine this day ending, little one?”
Despite my blades and the approaching roars, the Meiwia refused to scatter. They crouched low and extended their claws. As they prepared to fight me, I didn’t blame them for their lack of fear. The Armgard were extinct. I looked human enough and would offer a large meal for their pack.
The creatures suddenly froze and looked around startled. The roaring had gone silent, yet a new scent wafted along with the breeze.
To me, it smelled like cinnamon. To these creatures, it smelled like approaching death.
Roque
AFTER CENTURIES ONthe hunt, I had gotten to know Varema Territory well. If I kept traveling for a day, I was bound to reach the glorious Elven city of Elatalora. From there, I could negotiate transportation back to Mt. Elysium. No doubt my packmates had devised similar plans. Ditching Calla and continuing in this direction would solve many problems for me.
I became agitated the farther I moved away from the troublesome warrior. A growing unease crawled over my skin, nearly forcing me to shift. Hesitating, I scanned the quiet woods and searched for predators. Nothing moved in the forest’s shadows.Why did I feel as if death itself was wrapped around me?
My thoughts flashed to Calla somewhere alone. The warrior showed solid skills on the day we met, but she was a flustered mess against the Sorcerer and Wolf Shifters. She also likely didn’t have experience facing off against enemies without her sisters.
A violent image seared my mind. I saw creatures tearing Calla limb from limb. I could barely breathe. I smelled her blood. I saw the light leave her eyes.
Shaking with rage, I looked around and snarled at an unseen threat. Would I even hear Calla’s cries for help before it was too late?
Changing directions, I shifted into my tiger form and raced back to the spot where I had left her behind. I caught the scent of other predators in the air. Ugly images again flashed through my mind.
Panicked over her impending death, I roared for Calla. The trees shook under the weight of my rage. Birds left their nests, fleeing into the sky. I also spotted small creatures scattering in the forest ahead of me. I sensed they were once human. The magic in this forest transformed all those who remained in its bosom for too long.
Chasing Calla’s scent, I felt nearly drunk on its sweetness by the time I located her in a clearing as small creatures scattered. She held her swords at her sides. Her green eyes weren’t devoid of light. Instead, they shone with annoyance. She frowned at me before turning away and walking in the opposite direction I had come.
I shifted into human form and joined her. Calla didn’t react to my presence. I’d injured her precious feelings.
Laughing at my mate's idea was probably a mistake.Females were known to get emotional over such trivial matters. No doubt apologizing would calm her ire, but I refused to bow when she was in the wrong.
