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Six
Callum
Oh, I was going to have fun with this human. Not only was that magical display outside impressive but fighting alongside her had awakened a long lost urge. One I hadn’t felt in years.Her magic was extraordinary, and without access to my own powers, I had to be obedient or appear that I was a good little prisoner. If I was going to survive and get my freedom, I had to make Kelia need me in a far more pleasurable way. The magi clearly kept the pretty human caged for too long. While I jested about calling her little, she had all the curves of a woman, one who would soon be tied to me in more ways than one.
I didn’t lie when I had told her about life in the Underground. Her way of conversing would end with a dagger in her back. I’d prepare her, and once this odd journey was over, I’d disappear back on the surface and far away from anyone I ever knew.
George bleated, pulling me from my dangerous thoughts. He bumped into my leg as I shoved his fat body into the cabin. This log home was surprisingly well stocked for such a remote area. In front of the fireplace sat two old, yet comfortable looking armchairs. The material had been worn in some areas, but the cushioning was soft. A white fur rug lay next to the hearth and I wondered if it belonged to one of those cats outside.
Kelia tugged George into the kitchen area where a half wall with a door separated it from the living space. I spotted two rooms with plain beds with the linens folded on top. Between the two rooms another smaller room, and I was surprised to see the washroom held a toilet and tub.
For a place so remote someone’s been taking care of it.
“Are you hungry?” Kelia called out from the kitchen.
“I am.” I walked over to the counter and sat on one of the stools opposite her.
She rummaged through a cabinet pulling out ceramic plates. As she reached for one of the higher doors, her sweater lifted a bit, revealing creamy skin.
Needing to distract myself, I looked over at our tour guide. “Is he staying in here all night?”
“Yes.” She placed a rectangle shaped tin on the table then went into one of the bags to pull out a knife. “There’s a wet room behind the kitchen he can stay in.”
“Does that fireplace work?”
“It does. Will you start it?”
With a nod, I moved to get this place warm. Whoever kept the cabins stocked, managed to leave firewood. Shoving the planks inside, and making sure the flume was open, I took the tinderbox and started lighting the kindling. With slow breaths, I fanned the fire alive until the flames were a decent size.
“That feels nice.” Kelia stood behind me holding two plates with a dark brown rectangular substance that looked worse than the three-day old oatmeal served in prison. She handed one to me then took a seat in one of the armchairs.
Outside the sky darkened, and if this had been any other situation, I’d say it was a bit romantic. Taking my plate, I sat in the opposite seat, examining the object I was supposed to eat. I picked up the slightly sticky substance and sniffed it.
“Sorry, it’s not more, but I don’t think fishing is wise with the cats out there. The pemmican tastes better than it looks, especially if it’s cooked right,” she said, and she sounded tired, and who wouldn’t be after the day we had. “If we leave early, we’ll make the town by sunset.”
“And from there?” I took a bite, pleasantly surprised the jerky didn’t taste like rotten fruit. In fact, it had a sweet-tarty flavor of a cranberry.
“To the River of Night.” She leaned back against the chair, closing her eyes. “Thank you for your assistance out there.”
“Of course. I couldn’t let my little sparrow be bested by a bunch of furry kittens.”
She opened one eye to look at me. “I would’ve been fine.”
“No doubt,” I replied with a grin. “Is there anything to drink in this place? Or are the magi as boring as one would expect?”
“Try one of the cabinets. This cabin is stocked regularly.”
After checking multiple cabinets, I found a glass bottle of brown liquid underneath the sink. Screwing off the top I took a sniff.Mmmm. Whiskey.Bringing the alcohol to my mouth, I savored every drop as it slid down my throat.
“Did you find any?”
“I did.” I brought the bottle over and held it out. “Want some?”
She took the bottle and chugged three long sips. A little bit of the whiskey slipped down the side of her mouth and kept sliding until it reached her neck. Handing the drink back to me, she glanced up and wiped her mouth with her thumb, and oh, did that set my senses on fire.
“Not bad,” she said, her voice hoarse.
Standing over her, I took another swig, watching her watch me. Yeah, this would be easy. Whether she realized it or not, I sensed the attraction, could feel the tug, and I would use that to my advantage. Kelia was the key to my freedom, and I needed to unlock her secrets before we reached the Starlit City.
