21. Kami

21

Kami

I 'm relieved to see Oz but also scared. If he isn't Oz, that means the tree man has killed him and taken on his likeness. But if he is Oz, then he has to be warned before more of our companions find us.

We need to be able to test them without me getting too close.

I can't afford to turn into a tree here. Not only must I keep that ability secret, but this strange vegetation doesn't like me.

The tree men notwithstanding, this place is freaking me out.

The baby tree only fell to me because it's young and wasn't expecting my power.

Trees are connected species. So if one knows what I did, they all will. I doubt I'll get that lucky again.

Oz's smile fades. "You okay?" He glances around, his gaze going right past the Kami-tree I created.

"Uh, yeah. Glad to see you're good too."

We stare at each other. He looks me over with intensity .

Then he's on me before I can move.

He shoves me up against a tree, my face smashed into bark.

Oh shit. He's one of them.

He growls, "What are you?"

Or maybe not. "Oz, get off." But is it Oz?

"You know me because she knows me. You think it's fun to steal another's will? To rape and kill without consequence?"

"Oz!"

He's snarling and crushing me against the tree. I have no idea how to convince him I'm who I say I am.

If he's even who he thinks he is.

His laugh is ugly. "Yeah. I didn't think so. If you were her, you'd already be inside that tree."

"I can't bond with them," I manage to rasp.

"Liar." He tugs me away and spins me around. Lifting me in his arms, he stares into my eyes.

His are a deep red flecked with gold and green. Up close, his pupils expand so that I can see a hint of the real Oz, the soul of a decent orc with some real rage issues.

"I…"

He pulls me closer, his frown growing. But instead of biting my face off with his fangs, small though they might be, he kisses me.

The petal-soft contact is confusing because I can feel his anger still thrumming like a wild beast inside him.

But with that fierce emotion is a shadow of quietness and need.

And it's that calm that I melt into, letting myself connect when I would normally pull away.

I have only shared that tender quietness with Ahza, awash in a shared loyalty and affection.

But Oz is different. He's captivating in a feral, untamable way. Yet for all his size, he's gentler than Ries .

Ries was arousing and drugging with pleasure.

Oz is sexual yet comforting.

It's odd, but I'm lost in his scent and taste.

And aware he's kissing me back just as hungrily.

"Kami," he breathes when we both come up for air.

"It is you, right?" I whisper, though I know it is.

I sense he's the same creature who tried to help me escape, and who tried to provide comfort while in Rilitar's dungeon.

He blinks down at me then hurries with me away from the moonlight, into a shadowy alcove some distance away.

"We'll be safe here."

I marvel that he found the space. I wouldn't have seen it, and I'm usually pretty discerning when it comes to wild forests.

Though it's darker in the tree-lined space, the canopy above us lets small beams of moonlight to dapple the lush, grassy ground.

"It's an empty tree-scorpion den," Oz announces with quiet cheer.

I tense. That's not something to be happy about. Tree-scorpions tend to grow larger than me, and they eat their prey while it's alive.

"Don't worry. The scent is old."

"Hate to break it to you, but I'm still going to worry."

He chuckles. "Little dryad, the key to surviving these stupid games is finding a safe place to rest."

"Not to annihilate your enemies and feast on their blood and bones?"

He grins, his blunt features handsome in a rough kind of way. "Not yet. Let them weed each other out. Save your strength for the big fights." He grows serious once more. "Because those fights are coming."

I nod. I'm tired of constantly feeling scared and slide down to my knees on the ground.

His face softens as he sits next to me. "Want a hug?"

I climb into his lap and let his open arms close around me.

I shouldn't feel so comforted being in a stranger's embrace, especially one who could easily crush me, but Oz is…Oz.

He holds me in silence for a while before he says, "You can't bond with these trees?"

"No." I sigh, tracing circles on his taut chest. The fabric he's forced to wear does nothing to hide his strength. "They're alien and won't hear me. I only took over a sapling because it's so young."

I shudder.

"What's wrong?"

"The tree man. I watched it, er, have, well— It raped a gnome. Then it made the gnome release all over the ground while it emptied into the guy. A new, creepy tree came forth from it."

Oz groans. "I saw one of them do that to a vampire. Freaked me the hell out."

I can't help smiling at that. "Scared a big, strong orc like yourself?"

He pulls back to glare down at me. But I can tell he's only trying to look tough, because there's a twinkle in his eyes. "Who you calling an orc, Dryad?"

"You."

"I prefer monster." He smiles as he says it. Which is odd because most people use the word "monster" in a derogatory way.

"You look like an orc, except for the missing lower fangs."

He nods. "My dad was an ogre." His tone shifts, his voice flat when he adds, "My mom is part orc."

I make a mental note. Oz has issues with his mother .

Ogres are known for their cunning and strength. Oz seems to have all that and then some. I can only guess what his mother has gifted him.

In this life, nature usually trumps nurture. Look at me. I'm a necromancer and dryad, raised by a small community of fae until a Pure and his bitch angel wiped us out.

Life with Ahza should have turned me into a pleasant person.

But no, I turn trees into monsters. And instead of creating new life, I take from the living, enhancing myself while at the expense of others.

"Looks like some huge thoughts going on in that tiny brain."

"Tiny? I'm big enough," I taunt him right back.

There's a moment of silence. When I glance up at Oz, I see him staring down at my chest, which is promptly on display thanks to this stupid top.

He lifts his gaze to mine and smirks. "I have no complaints."

The silence grows.

As does the sudden tension between us.

I shift and feel the bar between his legs prodding at me.

"We're safe, and we're here," he growls in a low voice. "Just the two of us."

"Just the two of us."

He smiles, and the humor and desire in his eyes snares me.

"Don't worry, Kami. I'll protect you."

I nod, believing him.

He just has to add, "Even if you cock-block me. I'll still watch over you."

I bite back my own smile and raise a brow. "Yeah? You'll protect me?"

"Yep." He tightens his arms around me .

I don't feel hampered. I feel…safe.

So I smirk back. "I'm so glad you're protecting me. But Oz, who's protecting you…from me?"

Then I kiss him.

And man, it's on.