Page 103 of Black Mamba

A couple minutes go by before Lukys hears the approach of another and indicates as such.

He turns toward the lake and I follow his gaze, seeing a flash of orange within it. A splash of bright blue appears behind the orange, swaying side to side in the water. A long body is revealed, ending in another burst of vivid orange.

A devilishly handsome naga rises from the water, eyeing Lukys and me with a questioning expression. His bright orange hair and face take me aback especially as it changes into a noticeable blue around his upper neck and jawline. His pitch-black eyes stare at me and I glance at Lukys, unnerved.

“Vagan,” Lukys greets.

“Lukys,” the other naga says.

I raise my hand. “Elena,” I offer as Vagan swims to the shoreline and climbs out of the lake. Lukys and I move back to give him some space as he hisses under his breath. My gaze flicks to his muscled body and I quickly look away, reminding myself he’s not naked… Nagas just don’t wear clothes…

“I wassss wondering when I would see you again,” he says with another hiss.

Lukys smirks and it makes him drop-dead gorgeous. I realize right then the alluring nature of the nagas, especially the few I’ve seen. They are all unique and wildly beautiful. Even the massive Titanoboa had eyes so blue they were enrapturing.

Vagan is something else… but so is Lukys, in his shadowy black and gray coloring. I love Lukys’s darkness and the way his body blends into the gloom. I love how he looks within the morning fog. There’s something enigmatic and beguiling about him like he’s a being from another realm. A dark fae.

Vagan is bright whereas Lukys is… not.

“It has not been that long,” Lukys says.

Vagan glances at me. “You were having trouble last time.”

“I am no longer having trouble.” Lukys straightens. “You are clearly wondering why we are here⁠—”

“Yessss.”

“We have been under the blue veil and have sssseen its source,” Lukys offers. “Elena was there when the beam shot into the sky. I know you have seen it. The veil is just on the other side of the river, east. We are here, not for a request, but to share with you what we know and for Elena to meet Shelby.”

Vagan sighs like he’s put out by Lukys’s words and it makes me want to laugh. It’s apparent the Blue Coral naga doesn’t want us to interrupt his peace. I try not to smile but my amusement is hard to temper. “I thought you were friends?”

Lukys startles as Vagan continues to hiss.

“Friendssss, I do not have friends,” he says.

“You do now.” I point to Lukys and myself. “He’s right, though. I was there when the beam went up and they finished charging the powercell. We do come with information even if we are intruding on your time. That’s a bonus, right?” I shoulder my pack. “I also have a gift for Shelby.”

“Since you are here, come. Shelby will be displeased if I send you away.” Vagan’s eyes narrow but then he sighs again and turns away. Lukys and I share a look before we both follow after him.

He leads us through a series of boulders along the mountain to a hidden pathway beyond. Climbing up and over the rocks, we enter a small cave away from the lake. I hold Lukys’s tailtip when it becomes too dark to see but after a curve, a cavern with a large opening at the top appears. Water cascades down that same opening, gathering in a big pool at the bottom. The water leads deeper into the space, out of sight. On either side are rocky pathways.

To my left is a large nest of furs and a series of hides draping across the space, held in place by staked poles. To my right is one of two firepits, with the other being on the opposite side of the nest. There are fold-out tables covered in electronics, books, and gear. Spears and various weapons, including several guns, line the walls past the drapes. There’s a flash of blue light behind one of them, and I see movement.

Vagan leads us to the firepit closest to us and indicates for us to stay put. He disappears into the drapes behind his nest. While Lukys and I wait for him, I peer around at all of the electronics, and listen to the loud hum of the waterfall.

A woman with bright, glowing blue eyes and dark skin walks out from the drapes behind Vagan. When she sees us, she grins and claps her hands. I’m taken aback by her beauty.

“You did it!” She looks at Lukys while walking over to us. Vagan trails close behind.

“He did it?” I ask, speaking loud enough so I can be heard over the water. Feeling immediately shy and a little jealous, I take in Shelby’s messy but badass appearance. With long black braids and a toned body, she all but appears like a woman used to living in the wild. Her clothes are military grade and form-fitting, revealing the muscles of her arms and legs.

She faces me, walks over, and embraces me tightly. “He got the girl!”

I’m enveloped in her body’s warmth and it reminds me of my sister. Easing into her arms, I hug her back. “He did get me.”

She pulls away and gives me a once over. “You’re young. And very pretty. I expected the pretty, but I didn’t expect the young.”

“I’m twenty-three.” I don’t feel young. In fact, I feel old. “I’ve been listening to your broadcasts when I can catch them. They’ve been really informative.”