AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I can almost see why the dark elves keep them around if they are so easily molded to the desires of their betters. But which one? This group of humans would never forgive what I’ve done here, I know that much.
Soon, the fires begin to die, the smoke rising in a black ribbon towards the sky. It will be a marker to all in the vicinity that this territory is hostile to their settling here. I do hope I don’t have to repeat this process, but I wouldn’t be opposed.
It was rather good sport, if not a little pedestrian.
A being like me should not be lowering myself to the task of exterminator. I have a greater role in the workings of Protheka than what I’ve done here today. And still, there is something that nags at me, but it wouldn’t behoove me to sate the urge.
I don’t feel like humans feel.
Iam.
I need nothing more than myself. But it would be nice, perhaps, to have a creature underfoot that is eager to serve my every whim. To speak to them in the small minutes of twilight. To pet and to hold and to make squirm when the occasion arises.
If the humans can be so protective over one another, it isn’t beyond the realm of possibility that they could bond to me in a similar manner. I may not grasp the depth of their emotions, but I could play at them, learn their ways and proclivities.
In fact, I think I’d rather enjoy the process.
Something warms my heart space, and I realize I quite want to try.
The humans that are fleeing are not suitable for my purpose. I have already ruled them out as prospective companions. It has to be someone who hasn’t yet felt the heat of my flames at their backs or seen my true form in all its glory.
They need to look upon me like the god I am.
A grin finds me.
So lost in my thoughts, I didn’t realize that the humans had finally found a way through the winding dunes and crossed out of my territory and into the safety of another. Their slow procession in the morning heat will overcome them soon enough. The desert is not a merciful mistress and sympathy to those who find themselves in her grasp at midday.
But something else catches my attention.
This far up, I’m surprised I noticed it at all. They look about the same size as a desert suru from here, less than that, but they stand on two legs, tumbling forward with the weight of their exhaustion with nothing but the ragged clothes on their back. I turn to fully observe the human, and my grin widens.
“Ask, and it shall be delivered.”
7
ARIE
Trust no one.Her words echo with every step.Trust no one.
But not even the press of Mother’s company is still with me on this journey. The absence of her presence is loud, like a high buzzing in my head. I glance back, only to verify what I already know, and weep.
Ezekiel’s hammer casts the last nail into my coffin.
“You don’t matter. You never did. That’s why I abandoned you.”Her confession is acerbic at the back of my throat. How can I hear her voice when she’s so far away? There is nothing to keep me upright any longer, and over the next dune, I let myself fall to the hot sand.
The wind has settled, mercifully still cool enough to keep my body from boiling. The last leaf in my pocket is left untouched. What would be the purpose, anyway? To draw out my death just that much longer?
“There’s no point,” I whisper, resting my head against the sand.
The gods have abandoned me here. I did not bring their likenesses with me, and so they are punishing me for my disloyalty. Maya beats down on me, her bright rays chasing away any shadow of a doubt that she will be the one to claim me.
I might as well let it happen.
My eyes close of their own volition, and I take a shallow breath, maybe one of my last as Arie. When I try to move, everything hurts, so I hold as still as I can. Where I thought Maya’s grip would be searing, it’s almost like an embrace, one I’ve been craving since my mother…
I can’t finish the thought, even with the karasu circling.
I simply don’t have the energy.
