13. Kami

13

Kami

R ies's suggestion starts to build some heat inside me, a passion long buried after Ahza's death.

Even better, I can trade sex for spirit energy without anyone losing their shit over it. I give them sex, they give me a little power when they lose control. An even trade so long as no one makes a big deal about it.

Of the four, Ries might let me sip from him because he clearly wants sex. And Malkar, the demon, is used to siphoning energy.

He'll be okay about it.

But Crash, that jackass, has to go and mention Ahza.

I'm once again trying to stifle tears.

I'm over his death. I truly am.

The tenderness of that emotional wound lingers, but I know my brother, my best friend, is in a peaceful place.

I've dreamt of him a few times.

I don't remember much of my dreams, though I always recall him smiling at me, telling me we'll meet up again some day right before that strange guy with the intense eyes shows up.

I feel like he's been nice. I like those dreams a lot.

Reality, not so much.

I don't know why I'm crying since Ahza would love being me right now, surrounded by hot guys.

He wouldn't like having to fight for his life so much though.

He's definitely better off away from this.

Oz is patting my back, looking at me with concern. He's been so compassionate and caring.

I don't trust it.

But I'll use it. I'll use him.

To get to Rilitar.

Yet as I glance up into Oz's dark-red eyes, I don't feel as manipulative I should.

I feel…drawn.

There's something familiar with the orc. Something that feels safe, good. Like family?

What the fuck?

I tug him down, staring hard into him, and see beyond the surface. A sense of my necromancer skills buzzes down my spine.

"What is this?" I hear Malkar hiss, threatening and powerful.

But I'm drawn to Oz's innermost self.

His soul.

It burns so bright, threaded with the green of life and the black of Death.

Of me.

Oh shit.

"You ate my fruit." I have accidentally tied us together .

He's not being protective because he's such a great guy. I must have magicked us together, somehow.

"Yeah, so?" He blinks. "Oh, you think I'm being good to you because of the apples?" He laughs. "Honey, you're just one in a long line of people I can't stop myself from safeguarding."

His expression closes off.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to insult you. I—" I what? Felt bad when normally I use who and what I need to get by?

What is wrong with me lately?

Well, besides the obvious.

I'm trapped with stronger, fiercer predators who are offering me a way out.

I'd be stupid not to take it.

And I'm done being stupid.

I wipe my eyes and sniffle, glad I'm not a huge mess like I was when Ahza first passed.

After drawing in a large breath, I let it all out. The stress, the fear, the pain.

I'm ready.

"Okay, let's deal."

The others pause then gather closer.

All of them, even Crash, despite looking like he'd rather incinerate me.

The room isn't that big to begin with, a four-walled space with a closet-sized bathroom and two big beds with a small space between them.

We've been arguing at the base of the beds, standing close.

Close enough I can scent the lust from the merman, the need from the demon, the reluctant interest from the fire fae, and the protective instinct from the orc.

"Speak, Dryad." Malkar waves at me. "If that's even what you are," he adds in a low voice I ignore.

"Thanks, your highness," I sass back .

Crash actually grins at that before realizing he looked happy for a second. He sees me watching him and scowls.

I roll my eyes.

Ries laughs. "Go on, Kami."

I like hearing my name on his lips.

"Let's say we make a pact to act like a team through this competition. Oz says there are over two hundred people being forced to fight."

"To kill," Oz corrects.

I swallow. "Right. I'm a dryad. I can feed us and protect us. But it's not an offensive power."

Oz nods. "I'm strong. I can fight. But even with my strength, it won't be enough against some of the obstacles we'll face. We'll need numbers."

"Agreed," Malkar says. "Though I won't have my ice magic, I'm incredibly strong when powered up." He looks pointedly at me.

"Me too," Ries says. "Keep me happy and I'm probably as strong as the orc."

Oz just looks at him.

Ries grins. "Almost as strong. Better?"

Oz grunts.

Crash frowns. He sneers at me. "I don't need sex from the dryad."

Ries shrugs. "Great. I'll take his turn."

"I do agree we'd do better to ally ourselves. I'm better with fire magic," Crash says, ignoring him. "But I can do other tings."

He wiggles his fingers and murmurs and a small flicker of light lingers over his fingertips.

I'm not sure how he's doing that, but I won't argue it's a benefit.

"That works," I say, hiding my wariness. This guy has buried power, and I don't like it.

I don't like him, to be honest.

"So glad you approve," he retorts.

"And still an ass. Great. You're consistent."

The others grin at that, though he scowls at me. "Okay, Queen Annoying. Now what? You going to spread your legs while everyone but me takes a turn?"

"I'm game." Ries gives me a thumbs up.

Oz gives Crash a dirty look. "Keep talking like that and you'll be missing some teeth."

Crash bares them. "Bring it on, big man."

Malkar steps forward. "Please, forgive the hothead. If you recall, his life is mine."

"Fuck you," Crash starts when Malkar does some weird tapping thing on the fae's head and neck.

In a blink, Crash is out. Malkar catches him and tosses him on a bed with ease. "Wow, is he annoying. And surprisingly heavy for a lithe-looking beast."

We all look from Crash to Malkar, who shrugs and says to me, "Sorry. You can fuck him if you like when he wakes up. I just get tired of his talking."

"No kidding." I smile at the demon. "You, I like. And you and you." I look to Ries and Oz. "Him, not so much." I swallow my uncertainty.

Act like you know what you're doing and people will believe what they see, I can hear Ahza saying in that smug tone of his.

Forcing confidence into my voice, I add, "I say we power each other up and live so we can come back and kill Rilitar."

"And Folas," Malkar adds.

"Oh yeah, and Folas," Oz agrees.

"I hate Folas too." Ries sounds downright cheerful. Then he sobers and stares at me, and I feel shivery all over. "So how do you want to do this? One at a time or all at once?"

Wait. All at once? "That's a thing?"

Ries's smile is downright sinful. "It can be if you want. So what's it gonna be?"

He's leaving the choice in my hands. My tiny hands.

Their huge bodies.

I gulp. "I think maybe one at a time."

"Good choice." Malkar nods, a twinkle in his eyes. "But if I may, no matter who you're with, I'd like to watch. Sexual energy can bleed off the coupling, and I don't want any to go to waste."

Oz stares at me, his gaze hungry. "I'll take first watch." He glares at the others. "I'll be just outside. Don't hurt her, or you'll answer to me."

Ries is already taking off his clothes. "Hurt her? Man, I'm gonna make her come so hard she'll be begging for more. Now if no one minds, I'd like to go first."

First. Before the others.

I blink at the sight of the naked merman and his huge dick and wonder what the hell I've gotten myself into.