Chapter 6

6

In the nothing place that chilled me through and through, which was kind of odd considering I lacked a physical body, the voice found me.

I told you I didn't want the roc. It sounded slightly annoyed.

I'm aware. We ran into a problem disposing of it. We couldn't penetrate its skin and my magic bounced off.

Because the roc's hide not only protects it from most weapons, it also repels magical attack.

So how do we kill it?

With a much sharper blade.

Which I don't have, I pointed out.

You should get one. A matter-of-fact suggestion that did me no good.

I will. Great idea, but in the meantime, can you do me a favor?

Another one? You have yet to reimburse me for the first. Definitely salty overtones in that reply.

I've offered you bodies. Not my fault you're picky.

Would you have wanted to inhabit any of them?

I should have lied and said yeah. I mean, the vampire had been sexy. But… No. But you have to understand, this isn't easy. You're asking me to sacrifice someone.

They won't die. Nor will they lose their sense of identity. I shall merely enhance it.

So you claim. I wasn't dumb enough to take a desperate entity at its word.

Why would I lie?

Because you want to escape.

I do. I've been punished long enough.

Punished for what?

Why do you care?

Because you're asking for a human body, meaning you'll be settling on Earth. I'd like to know if I'll be releasing a psychopath intent on destruction and mayhem or a functioning member of society.

For the first time, the entity laughed, and I actually heard the feminine overtones in it. I like the forthrightness of this generation. I could have used it more in my time. For the gift you've given me of mirth, which I've not enjoyed in eons, I shall grant you this boon. The roc will be sent somewhere it cannot harm humanity.

You won't send it somewhere it's going to murder a bunch of innocent locals, are you?

The dimension I've chosen has no intelligent life. It will not cause any harm.

Thank you.

Shall I send the Infernal hound with it?

What? No. Clover's mine.

You are keeping the infernal hound? The voice sounded surprised.

I know, it sounds crazy, especially since Leviathan gifted it to me.

You should have refused. The voice turned stiff.

What else could I do? Cain wanted to kill lit and it's just a baby. Why did no one but me see the sweetness in it?

You have a soft heart, messovenata.

More like I don't kill things unless they deserve it.

The hounds can be savage.

I hear a ‘but'.

But— the voice sounded reluctant to admit— they are also very loyal to their masters. Train it well, and it will serve you faithfully.

I plan to. Now about that roc…

Already handled. Where do you wish to go?

Back to the tower so I can grab Vance before returning to the castle, please.

Your mates have already been transported.

Mates?

The reapers, Cain and Vance, whom you've taken as mates.

The way it referred to them had me huffing, They're not my boyfriends.

Such a childish appellation.

Whatever. We're not like lovers or anything. I held in the yet part.

But the voice knew. While you have yet to consummate, they are besotted with you and you with them.

I would have wrinkled my nose at the archaic terminology if I had a nose. Yeah, we're kind of hot for each other but running into the issue of who I should be with.

Why choose?

That's what I said! I keep telling them I want them both, but they're being all, ‘I want you exclusively,' which is flattering. And I mean, I am being kind of greedy. I'm sure one or the other would be perfectly satisfying ? —

They will adjust. After all, the messovenata has greater needs than most.

Um, pretty sure my sex drive is the same.

This is about more than fleshly pleasure. A messovenata has many enemies. She must be protected. A lover, or two, or more, is ideal as they are emotionally vested in your protection.

I don't want to have sex with them so they'll guard me. I like them. Maybe even kind of love them? A questioning lilt on that last part because I'd yet to figure that part out. Could I love two men equally or was I being unfair?

There is a strong bond between you three.

By bond you don't mean a magic one where they're forced to like me, right?

Again, the voice laughed. Compulsion is a short-lived thing and at best only amplifies existing feelings.

Good to know. Then because the voice appeared chatty. Were you ever in love?

Yes. It did not end well.

What happened?

I don't wish to speak of it.

Sorry. Obviously, a sore spot. I oddly felt sorry for the voice seeing as how it still bothered her eons later.

I made mistakes when I had a body. Many of them.

And were punished.

This punishment was of my own doing. I trusted the wrong person. Believed them. Listened and took their advice. It turned out to be self-serving.

I'm sorry. That sucks. And I had a feeling I'd just gotten part of the story about her love affair gone wrong.

It did and does.

Guess if they were still alive, you'd be wanting revenge.

If I could see them again, I would kill them without a second thought.

Why won't you tell me your name?

Because the stories that have been passed down about me are not accurate.

A hint that indicated her past had been recorded. Or at least a version she didn't approve of. You could tell me, and I could have it corrected.

There is no point. What is done is done. It is time for you to go. Your mates are concerned about your welfare.

I blinked. How do you know that?

They keep clasping the talisman for travel and arguing about how they will locate you.

My sigh didn't have a whoosh of breath. They worry too much.

They care. That's a good thing.

If they truly cared, they'd give me the one thing I asked for.

Perhaps instead of asking, you should show them.

Like what, get naked and be like, here I am, take me?

Again, laughter sounded, shivering all around me in that cold place.

Nudity is one way to get their attention. But I spoke more of showing them how it could be. Seduce. Tantalize. Impassion them so they can think of nothing else.

Look at me, taking sex advice from someone without a body. Good advice, but still...

Maybe I will. Or maybe I'd chicken out over fear they'd reject my offer. Vance seemed to be coming around, but Cain… He'd be the holdout for sure.

Are you ready to return? the voice asked.

Yeah, just one more thing. The body… given you used to be a woman, should I assume that's your preference?

Yes. Although, if I must, a male will do. Anything to be rid of this lonely existence.

Let's say I try to find a woman. Does it have to be a guild witch or just one with magic?

She doesn't have to be trained, so long as she has ability.

What about age? Looks?

Not too old, but I'd prefer someone past childhood, and preferably attractive enough I can find a lover.

The idea the voice might want to get laid kind of blew me away.

And you swear you won't kill them or, like, send their consciousness to purgatory?

Souls are not that easily ousted but they can be melded.

The tidbit would have dropped my jaw if I had one. I was talking to a soul. How wild.

I assume you'd prefer someone willing?

For the meld to be successful for both parties, acceptance is vital.

Great. That just made my job harder.

Given these requirements, you do realize it might take time to find the right person.

I am aware, and yet I cannot quell my impatience. For centuries, I've been alone. Until you.

How come you never talked to the reapers and witches who use your portal regularly?

They can't hear me.

Why?

You are like a child, always asking questions. What is the one thing you have they don't?

The duh moment hit me. I have both sides of the magic.

The sangual is what allows us to speak.

How come reaper witches are so rare?

Enough queries. Your mates are preparing to use the talisman. Time for you to reassure them.

With that, the voice—who I understood a lot better and even felt sorry for—thrust me back into the real world, depositing me on the dais to a glowering Cain and a startled but soon smiling Vance.

"You're back!" he exclaimed. "We were getting worried.

"Yeah, sorry. The voice and I were having a chat."

"What of the roc?" he queried.

"It's gone and it ain't coming back." At those words, a nudge on my leg had me looking down to see Clover by my side. He wagged his tail and drooled in triplicate. "Glad to see you made it with me. Ready to see your new home?"

"Woof" —times three.

I managed to make it a few paces inside the castle before Nova bellowed, "What is that thing doing in the castle?"

No need to ask what thing. She glared at Clover who huddled by my side. Vance and Cain, my so-called protectors, made themselves scarce for the coming battle.

I dropped to my haunches. "Say hello to Clover."

Nova's expression didn't soften despite my new dog being the cutest. "That is an Infernal hound."

"I'm aware. I found him on the mission."

"And didn't kill it?"

"What is it with everyone trying to murder Clover? He's just a puppy," I growled.

"That will grow into a deadly war machine."

"Only if he's trained that way," I defended.

"Trained?" Nova's eyes practically popped out of her head. "You're delusional if you think that's possible. It must be destroyed."

"I'm not killing it." On that point, I wouldn't budge.

"Then send it back to Inferis. It can't stay here."

I glanced into those three sets of loving eyes. "You haven't even given him a chance."

"A chance might cost someone their life. The Infernal hounds are the hunting dogs of the Inferis princes."

"Yeah, I kind of figured since it was a gift from Leviathan."

Poor Nova almost lost her eyebrows in shock. "And you kept it!"

"Well, yeah. It's not Clover's fault he got shipped to me."

"This Leviathan wouldn't have given it to you without an ulterior purpose."

"And what would that purpose be?"

"For starters, taking out the messovenata."

"Clover won't hurt me." I remained firm on that belief.

Nova didn't care. "Get rid of it."

I stroked Clover's head as I processed my choices. Boot Clover back to the hell he came from, or end his beautiful puppy life?

Neither appealed. Hence why I went with option number three.

"I'm sorry you feel that way. I'll pack my things and go."