“Oh, c’mon. Don’t be like that, beautiful,” he said, stepping forward again, his eyes narrowing with visible irritation.
As the heir to the House of Clay—next in line after Hanna—I was sure this man often got his way, but I wasn’t even remotely interested. I didn’t exactly feel unsafe at the moment, but I was starting to get uncomfortable as Anders continued. I had a feeling that if I started walking away, he’d only follow.
“What’s wrong? Do you only go for the women? Oho, I could change your mind,” he said, his eyes darkening with desire. “Give me one round, pretty thing. Hel, Sienna can even join in.”
I resisted the urge to gag. Abyss fucking take me, this man was a pig.
The arrogant prick took another step forward, all but cornering me against the wall. As he reached out his arm tosnake it around my waist, I was about ready to pull a punch… And then I felt him. Felt his Shadows before he’d even rounded the corner behind us.
“If you’d like to keep that hand of yours, Anders, I suggest you keep it to yourself,” a familiar voice purred in the darkness.
Cragg turned, and paled ever so slightly before straightening himself up again, chin held high.
“Ah. I didn’t realize this was the piece you were screwing tonight, Captain. No matter. You’ll be done with her soon enough, and I’ll get my turn, eh?”
“Allow me to clarify, Anders,” Kieran’s voice was sharp now, a threatening growl as he took several strides towards us both. “There is no end date on that warning. Touch her again, uninvited, and find out what happens.”
As I glanced over my shoulder, I could see Kieran had a firm grip on the hilt of one of his daggers, where his Shadows were beginning to coalesce.
Shit.
“Finally settling down then, Vistarii? Or are you just keeping this one around for seconds?” Anders hissed, before turning to me. “You really don’t want to know how many cunts and cocks your man has drowned in, darling. Wouldn’t you prefer something a tad… cleaner?”
His leering eyes were anything but clean.
“Besides, girlie—haven’t you heard? Vistarii here is into some fucked up shit.”
“She’s myfriend, you asshole,” Kieran spat.
I could see his Shadows spread further, coiling around tight fists. He was trying to control himself. He didn’t want to scare me, but I knew full well what he was capable of.
“You don’thaveany friends, Vistarii, you filthy fuckin—” Anders started, and Kieran took another menacing step forward, ready to lunge.
I stepped in front of him, inhaling sharply. I was acting on impulse now.On instinct.Instead of summoning my own arcana, I drew fromhisShadows—and lo and behold, a blade of burning aether formed instantly in my palm, searing with unapologetic Light as I held it against Cragg’s throat.
“He does, actually. If you’re seeking out my favor, Anders, you sure as Hel won’t get it by insultinghim,” I snarled before letting my face settle into the vapid, sweet smile he had probably hoped for earlier. “You can fuck off now. You absolute prick.”
The sleazy heir to the House of Clay scowled, but took several steps back.
“Shoulda known you’d be a crazy bitch, hangin’ round with the likes of him. Suit yourself, whore,” he spat, turning on his heel and slinking back off towards the tavern, leaving Kieran and I alone in the darkening alley.
I exhaled slowly, allowing the blade to dissipate, releasing the aether that still felt hot in my hands. When I turned back to Kieran, the look in his eyes was… intense.
“You… Fuck, you shouldn’t have done that, Arken,” he said quietly, running one hand through his hair.
He was right. It was inappropriate of me to have drawn from his aether like that without consent. I had been pissed off and had acted on impulse, remembering how the High Scholar had mentioned it was easier to summon an aetherblade if you drew from a parallel source.
I hadn’t even known if it waspossibleto draw upon someone else’s manifested arcana in the way I could pull from the natural elements, but Kieran’s Shadows had been easier to use in that moment.
“You’re right. I’m sorry, Kier. I should have asked before I—”
He scoffed. “I didn’t meanthat. I meant you shouldn’t have threatened Anders. Not for me. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. And the Hel do you mean, “not for you”? He was being a dick!”
Kieran sighed.
“By all means, Arken, defend yourself as you see fit, but you don’t need to defend me… Let me be the bad guy for both of us, okay? He won’t be quick to forgive that insult.”