Page 22 of Wolf Burdened


Font Size:  

NATALIE

Lucian and I teleported to Rehema’s shop. The moment we were outside, we smelled an infected. I couldn't tell if it was an animal or a soul, but when Lucian looked down at me, I spoke before he could.

“I’m not leaving,” I grumbled and walked away, hurrying towards the two-story building.

On either side of the entrance, the shop was decorated with flowers of all kinds. Rehema and her father had found their purpose in decorating the realm with the most beautiful flowers.

Rehema’s ability to control plants made her the perfect soul for the job. With a snap of her fingers, she could turn a seed into a grown plant. And she could bring forth life from the ground, as she’d done to protect me that night outside the S.R.F.

Though she and her goddess mother weren't close, Rehema used her demigoddess abilities with impressive proficiency.

Lucian and I hurried inside, and a holographic bell hovering over the door rang. The interior of the shop teemed with vegetation—some on the ground, others on levitating shelves.

There were several tables and chairs in the main area like a café and a small counter with baked goods meant to tempt customers to sit down and enjoy the natural flora.

I listened carefully, but there was no sound. Oh right, Rehema had mentioned that the back of the store was soundproof, which I thought was odd. So I cocked my head towards the door, signaling to Lucian that that was where we needed to go.

He nodded in agreement. His eyes were already black and his shoulders tense, ready for battle.

However, as we made our way to the door, there was an explosion behind it. I flew backward, but Lucian caught me even as he stumbled.

Chairs and tables shattered as a female fae soared through the door.

She slid across the floor before coming to a stop and quickly jumped to her feet. She looked at Lucian and me, her platinum hair messy with long strands covering her face. I froze at the sight of her eyes—red orbs of rage—staring back at me.

A part of me had hoped we’d come across an animal, but no, another soul had obviously fallen victim to the virus.

Monstrous brown roots appeared through the gap in the wall, followed by Rehema. Her usual dark brown eyes were bright green, and her hair billowed around her.

She was usually jovial and chatty, but right now, she radiated power at an almost terrifying level.

A battle cry escaped the fae’s lips, and the pots holding all the plants and flowers shattered. I ducked when roots from a nearby plant reached out to me, grabbing and tangling in my hair while another grabbed at my legs from the ground.

My claws cut through them quickly, but when I looked up and found the fae staring at me, I went still.

Those eyes—those damn eyes.

Her face was twisted, a picture of fury, and my chest ached. She looked young—no more than a teenager. And she had a gold bracelet, which meant she’d been born in this realm.

“Natalie, don’t just stand there! Tackle her!”

I heard Rehema’s words, and I was aware of how close I was to the fae, but I couldn't move. The moment I saw the life leave the eyes of the werewolf I’d fought flashed before my eyes, and my fists clenched.

I couldn’t go through that again. I just couldn’t.

A chill went through the shop, and Lucian stepped in front of me, his arms covered with frost. He raised his right hand and held his palm out to the fae. She turned to him and crouched down like an animal ready to pounce. But before she could, Lucian acted.

Before she had time to do anything at all, a thick white mist escaped his hand, covering the fae in an instant and gradually freezing her where she stood. She cried like a cornered animal as she froze from the feet up. Before long, her body was covered in frost, but she still had a heartbeat. Thank the Goddess.

“Hey…” Lucian turned to me. “Breathe.”

I took a breath, but it stopped short. That’s when I realized I was hyperventilating. I turned away, inhaling and exhaling rapidly through my mouth, and my vision blurred.

Was I having a panic attack?

I wanted to calm down but couldn't seem to make myself. I kept seeing the she-wolf, her lifeless body on the ground, and I covered my face with my hands while Lucian held my shoulders.

“Deep breaths, Natalie. Everything is fine.” His hands were a bit cold, but they soon warmed up as his eyes reverted to brown. He cupped my cheeks, taking deep breaths with me. “That’s it.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
Articles you may like