Two

War

I watch her as she jams her fingers between the butt cheeks of the Light One. I thought he was her mate. Why is she assaulting him?

Another muncher beast steps forward, heading straight for the Goddess. I could allow it to attack. To do the work for me. Eliminate them before the final trial. Do as I have been commanded.

But for the first time in my existence, I don’t want to do as my mistress commands. She needs the Elven crystals for her plan, but I… I do not want to harm this woman.

This Goddess with purple hair and blue eyes.

So instead of allowing the muncher beast to proceed, I eliminate it.

Something has changed. Something in me…

Is this what free will feels like?

Moon

“Do we know where the exit is?” I ask, as we walk slowly and quietly through the hospital of horrors.

“Not really. I think we need to just pick a direction and clear every room until we find a way out,” Daire says.

“Okay, but what if there’s like a front door with like a big ol’ exit sign like right in the front?” I ask, and all five men give me a look. “No?” I grumble. I have never wanted to escape as badly as I do right now. I just want this trial to end.

This does not bode well for what's to come.

“Beast!” Arlo shouts, as another hulking monster charges us. I close my eyes and lift my hands. I try to sense my magic. I try to feel it in the air. In my chest, the way I used to.

“Bag of dicks!” I snap when I feel nothing. I reluctantly open my eyes, prepared to fight this fucker with my fists. Only to find a massive bag in its place.

“There will never be a day when you do not surprise me, Badger,” Tristan chuckles as he inspects the bag. “This is, in fact, a bag of dicks, in case you were wondering.”

“No way!” I rush over, looking down at the bag. I throw my hands up, frustrated. “I couldn’t feel my connection to magic. I don’t even know how I managed this!” I look around, searching for something, anything… “Bag of dicks!” I shout, focusing on a blood-covered hospital bed. Sure enough, it transforms into a bag of dicks.

“I’m guessing it’s because you had blood for the first time. Maybe your two powers aren’t independent of one another. Maybe your Goddess powers only work when the Blood Fae in you is properly fueled?” Arlo says, frowning at the bags of dicks.

“Okay, so maybe the beast attacking wasn’t enough chaos, but my Blood Fae half is fully powered up, so that's why I’m able to do magic again?” I guess.

“It’s our best theory…” Daire agrees.

“I’m just a regular Fae,” Fen says, looking a little bit lost in his thoughts.

“Look at the bright side, man. Now you don’t have to be worried about touching one of us when we’re all banging our girl.”

“Tristan!” I scold the Elf, and he just shrugs.

“What? I’m serious! You can’t tell me you haven’t thought about it! There’s no way I’m the only one who was worried!” Tristan throws his hands up, and I shake my head.

“Now is not the time.” I waggle my finger at him and start walking away from the men before they can see my red cheeks. “Shit, I think I see the exit!” I hiss, pointing toward the massive double doors that look like they lead out a backdoor.

“Careful,” Silas says, tugging me backward and into his chest. “Let’s wait a second. If there’s a trap, we need to know.”

I lean into him, enjoying the way he feels so close to me.

“Moon,” Silas scolds, and I shrug.

“What, you smell good. Sue me.”

“Perhaps you should refrain from sniffing us until after we escape this trial, my mate.”

“Probably a good call, Murder Noodle.”

We remain like that. The six of us pressed close together as we watched the door. When no one comes through, I start to think we’re just going to have to risk it.

Until him.

I watch the tall man with tanned skin and scars walk past us. His hair is silver but black at the roots and is cut short. Just when I think this stranger hasn’t noticed us, he turns his head and looks directly at me.

Then he smiles. Sweet mother of Jacob Elordi, that smile…

I try to pretend like that didn’t just happen. However, all five of my men turn to look at me, lifting their brows.

“What?” I ask, avoiding each of their eyes.

“What do you mean what? What the heck was that?” Arlo asks, and I shrug.

“How would I know?! I don’t know that guy!” I defend, refusing to look at said guy again.

“You’re a trouble magnet, huh, Badger?” Tristan shakes his head, and I pout.

“I have no control over any of this,” I remind them, and they all chuckle.

“Don’t worry, Moon. We know that,” Daire reassures me, and I nod.

“So… That guy just walked right out. So does that mean we can?” I gesture toward the door, and Silas sighs.

“Fine,” he agrees, standing taller.

The second we all step forward, three of those fucking beasts come into view. Well, they’re not fucking… You know what, never mind.

Silas moves first, ready to fight, but I nudge him out of the way, throw my hands up, and make a complete ass of myself.

“Bag of dicks!” I say and wait for my magic…and wait, and wait… Nothing! “Fuck bags…” I grumble and make my retreat. Fenrick attacks the one on the left with his blades, while Daire attacks the one on the right with his badass Vampire moves. Tristan and Arlo attack the one in the middle. I stand back and try to figure out why my magic is once again being a flaccid cock.

There’s a sense of like…chaos? I can feel it in the air as the muncher beasts and my men fight. The beasts are big and awkward but vicious. My men are fast and powerful, but the way the munchers go after them makes me unwell.

I close my eyes again, letting the chaos around me wash over me. This time, when I reach out for my magic, I feel it. In the same way you can feel the wind, I feel my magic wrap around me. It’s a comforting feeling. Especially when I was starting to panic that my magic had abandoned me.

Without opening my eyes, I imagine my magic restraining the beasts, holding them against the wall, so my men and I can safely pass by.

“Moon?” Arlo whispers when the noise around me dies down. I open my eyes, finding my men unharmed and the muncher beasts against the wall.

“I felt my magic. I feel it… I think. When chaos is raging around me, it’s easier to feel, like when the wind blows. The air is always there, but the wind comes and goes. My magic is like that,” I say, looking around me. This moment feels important, and I can’t help but notice the men that are missing. “Come on. Let's get out of here.”

I don’t wait for the men to respond, I just move and expect them to follow. They don’t disappoint.

I suspect they won't ever disappoint me if they can help it.