I push myself upright, my muscles taut as I scan my surroundings. The glass, or whatever it is, on the cabin wall has been created so there is no internal reflection, I realize, as outside, the dim lights are just enough to take the edge off mylimited night vision and not so good I can see what, if anything, is lurking in the bushes.
My back stiffens when I hear a crack somewhere nearby, like someone stepping on a branch. I feel like I need to run, and I expect to be frozen to the spot, like I always am.
But not this time. Almost without my say so, my legs move under me, and I find I’m moving swiftly down the lit path, not daring to look over my shoulder as I increase my pace. I can see where the lights end and presumably the jungle vegetation continues, and although a vague warning sounds in the back of my mind about going into it, whatever is driving me to run and as the lights go out, I’m thundering through the bushes.
Of course, it isn’t easy. Vorostor has a moon, but it isn’t out tonight. When I’m plunged into darkness, I get my face whipped by leaves and smacked in the chest with branches, which slows my progress.
Eventually, and it doesn’t take long, I’m out of breath, and my muscles are screaming at me to slow down. I continue at an unsteady pace until finally I have to stop altogether to drop my hands to my knees and heave in the thick air.
Which is my second mistake of the night. The first being to leave the cabin at all. I’m violently jerked backwards by my ankle, releasing a screech of fear and pain as I’m hoisted feet first into the canopy. I attempt to reach up to see what has me but I’m not flexible or strong enough. I swing, head feeling both light and heavy as all the blood rushes to it, before once more I’m being hoisted higher.
It’s then I see it below me, my night vision kicking in with a vengeance, but only to show me all the horrors I never wanted to see.
A gaping hole, filled with what looks like teeth. This has to be one of the plants Deus mentioned. It is carnivorous and I’m going to be dinner.
“Help!” I cry out, knowing that even if it’s Darax or Dante who hear me, it doesn’t matter.
What matters is not being digested head first by a plant.
“Help!” My voice seems like a mere squeak of a mouse in this vast place.
I doubt very much help is coming. For once in my life, my instinct to freeze, to stay where I was, to become small and unthreatening, should have kicked in.
It did not, and now I’m going to be eaten.
I guess this mouse is about to squeak her last.
DEUS
I look down at the last warrior. He sleeps peacefully. I know a thing or two about fighting, and where my mate is concerned, there is not a chance any of these nevvers will touch a hair on her pretty head. I give his prone form a kick, and he rolls down the slope into the tunnel which will deposit him back where he started.
The breach Dante made in my sector will need to be fixed and made stronger. The rage inside me which rises at his betrayal of our bond in allowing him access where no one else was given it before my mind went completely is tempered by what I did and my own traitorous behavior.
Not that it means Dante can do what he likes. And the way I dealt with Dante and Darax’s warriors is going to be proof enough they can’t cross me, especially in my own sector.
I stare down the tunnel contemplating my next move, when a scream penetrates the darkness.
Before I know it, I’m in the air above the canopy, scanning for any sign of my female as I curse at the stars I did not lock down the dwelling when I went after the warriors sent by my enemies.
She ran because that’s what she said she would do.
There’s another, smaller cry, and I pinpoint it within the trees. They are doing their best to obscure what I am looking for, but I can already scent her. A sweetness tinged with the bitterness of fear I loathe.
Whatever has her, if it is another warrior, they will pay dearly for touching her.
No one touches my little ember.
No one makes her cry out in pain.
I slam into the waving leaves hard, my claws reaching out for whatever needs rending into its component parts. Something wraps around my wings, something wraps around my legs.
I look back and release a burst of flame. My legs are free, and there is a damp groan as what holds my wings to my body slackens for a moment.
Konyov!
These plants are the most deadly in the forest, and I had no idea there was one so close to the dwelling. I’ve always been careful to burn them out, keeping them at a safe distance.
But this one has made its way far too close.
