Chapter Forty-Four
The flame from the fire pit flickered, casting a glow on Col’s drawn features. The sad strains ofBeauty of the Beastby Nightwish wafted on the smoke, dancing as if in mockery of the large man’s pain.
“What is this?” Barric growled, and he got up to his feet, across from Col.
“I swear to you,Brodheror not, If you change that song now you shall surely lose a limb,” Col lashed out.
To everyone’s surprise, Barric merely chuckled. “I merely wished to identify the name of this song. Forfend your undergarments from winding.”
“He means ‘Don’t get your panties in a twist’.” Aylwyn helpfully translated.
Col buried his head in his arms in a groan. With luck, the flames from the fire pit would reach out and immolate him.
“Col.” He raised his head at the voice of hisVixar.Tybalt had taken the seat beside him. “I wouldst but speak of this what ails you. Having known my ownDestine, I wouldst give anything in mine possession for just two minutes in her presence once more. And nothing less than Death, for to rend us asunder evermore.”
A heavy silence followed his words, filled only with the crackling of the flames, and the chittering of the crickets, who cared not for Col’s pain.
“MayhapDestinesare not as they were in our time.” Col’s voice was broken. “Mayhap she finds me wanting in some way, and wishes not to be mate-bonded with me.”
“Pussy.” Barric growled. Col started to lift his head, as if to fight, but then lowered it. It was an admission that mayhap the dark beardedBrodherwas correct. Whether he meant Col was likened unto a vulgar reference to a female part, or an even worse comparison to a feline creature, it mattered not. Katie Cooper did not want him. As Aylwyn would say,End of.
“Didst she tell you that herself?” Barric pressed. “Or is this mere conjecture on your part?”
“No, but—”
“She still bears your scent,” Aylwyn said.
“Aye, she does.” Barric confirmed.
“It is unlike you to surrender so easily, based solely on supposition,Waryeor.” Tybalt said. “And it is unbecoming of you to show your belly so readily.”
“That is surely not the organ you should be showing so readily.” Aylwyn japed.
“I’ve got an organ I can—”
Barric was mercifully interrupted by Tybalt. “Go to her, Col. From the time you were whelped, you have been shaped into being a fearsome fighter. And now you must fight for this. Fight forher.”
Col looked up at the threeBredhren, all gazing upon him intently. At that moment he felt the solidarity that had been missing since his senses going haywire, when he had not yet realized that hisDestinewas entering into his life.
He looked at Tybalt. “You are a good leader, myVixar.”
The handsomest one of them said in a sad voice. “Aye. Being a leader is easy.”
He looked all around the fire, at all the intent faces, and then straight back at Col.
“Tis living with only memories of mineDestinethat is unendurable.”
* * *
“You’renot the one who’s supposed to be the fuckup! I am sobeyondfucking disappointed!” Cadmus’s veins were popping on his forehead and neck. Infernal Gods help one, if the cowering girl in the passenger seat caused him to have an aneurysm or heart attack, he would reanimate from the dead just to shred her into a thousand pieces.
Jordy was tearfully whining drivel about how she would do better, that she would do anything to make this up to him, blah blah blah. It was getting tiresome, and only angering him further.
Billy Bob was in the backseat, sniggering, a front row seat to the fireworks show in front of him. Almost literal sparks, as Cadmus channeled all his aggravation into the air around Jordy and—
She started screaming from the agonizing pain, and bucking against the strap of the seatbelt that held her in place. Cadmus smiled, all the anger draining from his body. It was only something he could do with one as malleable as she was, who had given him access to her mind by virtue of being his acolyte. It sure was coming in handy now. Using the merest of effort, he squeezed a little harder. With everyone the effect was different — scratch that, it was whatever would cause them the most pain, enough to get their own hearts beating so hard that if Cadmus were to push it just a little further, the organ would literally explode. And then the pain would be over for them. Forever.
Cadmus would be calmed, his own heart at a nice, relaxed rhythm. Win-win, cardiovascularmagicksfor everyone!
