"Let her go, Azrael," Ryker's voice cut through the door, but he pressed harder, giving off an eerie, satisfied smile. I turned to look at Ryker, pleading for help through broken gasps.
"You might be ready to die with her, but we aren't. Remember, our lives are also tied to her!" he said, and Azrael hesitantly let go. I collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, trying to maintain my consciousness. My gaze was focused on Azrael; he just stood there showing no signs of remorse, no guilt....just cold indifference.
It made my heart ache, and I finally blacked out.
EVENING TIME
My lashes trembled softly, and my eyes opened slowly. I could feel a warm towel gently being wiped across my face and then placed on my forehead.
"Hm," I managed to voice out, attempting to sit up, but Ryker's hands reached for my shoulders, gently pushing me back down. "Lie down and rest!" he said, and I nodded, staring at the ceiling. The fact I could have died still loomed in my head. Azrael really is something else. He had the highest hate level and would be the hardest to convince. I have to find a way to soothe him, or at least gain a little trust from him, if I don't want to die.
"What are you thinking about?" Ryker's voice cut through, pulling me back to reality. Forcing a smile, I mumbled, "Nothing," as he gently lowered his gaze, trailing to my neck. I froze.
I could suddenly feel coldness wrap around my neck and noticed an orange mist enveloping the bruise marks. "Don't worry, I'm healing you. I'm not going to hurt you…" he said softly, and I giggled.
"Of course. Why else would you save me?" I muttered and gently reached for his cheeks, but he retracted his face. I froze.
"One step at a time. We'll get there eventually," he said, and I retracted my hands, placing them back on the bed. Now all I have to do is make sure the atmosphere is right and get that kiss, I thought, licking my lips…
"You won't hurt us anymore, right?" he asked, and I gently nodded.
"Never again."
"Even if I did, I might as well be committing suicide," I added playfully, gently rubbing my neck, but his eyes suddenly turned cold and serious.
"Did I say anything wrong?" I thought inwardly, but then his hands reached for my cheeks, softly brushing my hair away from my face and tucking it behind my ear. "Don't think about dying anytime soon," he said. I couldn't help but feel my cheeks heat up. Fucking gawd… my breath ceased. His orange eyes gazed deeply into mine, like he could see everything…
"Ryk—"
I paused as my tummy grumbled, and I froze. The embarrassment hit hard, and I bit my lower lip. Of course. I had been so caught up in the plot, I hardly ate a thing.
"I'll make—"
"I'll make dinner for you!" Veyra cut in before Ryker could. I watched as he made his way in… the guilt and worry were visible in his eyes. "I'm sorry about earlier, I should have helped...."
"It's okay," I replied, but Ryker scoffed.
"It is…?" He paused and turned to Veyra. "If I wasn't there, were you just going to watch her die?" His voice suddenly went cold, different from just a while ago.
"Who said I would?" Veyra chimed in, and Ryker laughed. Clearly, the anger was visible, but I tugged at his sleeve. "It's okay, I'm fine," I said, and he looked away.
"So? Are you going to poison her this time when you cook?" he said, and Veyra's eyes turned blood red, glaring at Ryker… Ryker, in return, bared his sharp canines at Veyra.
I felt the air grow thick and suffocating. I coughed softly, trying to stop them from escalating the situation even further, preventing a disaster before it happened.
"I'll cook," Veyra said and walked away, anger visible not only in his eyes but in the way he walked. Ryker glared at him, but I gently reached for his hands, entangling his large, thick fingers with my soft, feminine ones. I watched as he lowered his gaze, his expression easing. He didn't try to move away. "Progress," I said inwardly, and I smiled.
[Congratulations, Ryker Fox beast-man hatred reduced by 2%]
Seeing the message, a wild smile curved on my lips, but with just a move, I cried out in pain… I didn't realize this backlash was this painful, or if it was because Azrael used too much power… thinking of Azrael…
"Orange," I called out, and the entire room went black and white. The cat appeared on the table, legs crossed, staring at me. "What can I do for you, host?" she asked, and my lips parted.
"How can I control Azrael? If I can't… at this rate, I might die," I said, and her smile widened. "Good, at least you know… But controlling Azrael is far from possible. I'd say it is rather impossible."
"What?!!" I yelled. My back felt like needles had pierced into it. "So I just have to sit back and let him kill me? No, I don't want to die!" I spat out, and she smiled, that widened smirk making me realize there was a way, but, of course, a catch.
"If you could get your powers up by 70%, you could control him, BUT…-"
Of course, that "but" that soul-crushing "but" surely meant something horrible, possibly life-threatening. I steadied myself, waiting for her to finish.
"You have to be intimate with one of your beast-men," she announced, and my eyes brightened.
"Really!! That's a mission I'd gladly complete, have you seen them?" I replied, and she chuckled. "Of course. It should be very easy," she said sarcastically, gesturing to the bruise on my neck, and I rolled my eyes.
"And remember your kiss mission. You have only today and tomorrow, host. Use it wisely," she said and jumped to the floor, strutting away on the carpet. But then she stopped.
"Oh, and I forgot to tell you… one of your beast-men is an actual beast by nighttime…" With that, she disappeared.
"Beast?" I mumbled, and my eyes widened, smirking. Was it what I am thinking…? The thought made my smirk widen into something mischievous.
I imagined rubbing those soft, strong, muscular chests of theirs. Squeezing those juicy arms… my thoughts trailed, and I didn't realize when drool slipped out, and Ryker's hands gently wiped it off… At his touch, I snapped back to reality.
I shouldn't be thinking this now… but I wanted to sooo bad.
I stared at him and looked away, embarrassed. If only he knew my thoughts right now. Hehehehe.
I paused as my nose caught a very soft fragrance. It was alluring, with a meaty scent. I inhaled without a second thought, licking my lips and swallowing hard… that instant, the door opened, and Veyra walked in…
Fuck! I almost nose-bled… he looked so dreamy.
His chest was bare, and he only had an apron on. His chest flushed, and the food was steaming… I didn't realize when I made a step and climbed down the bed… but obviously, I dropped to the ground.
"Ahh!"
Ryker and Veyra rushed towards me, both stretching out their hands… I froze. I smiled and placed my hands in both of theirs, and they gently pulled me up. "This is heaven," I muttered to myself.
"You should be more careful!"
"You should pay more attention," Ryker said, and I smiled, lost in very naughty thoughts.
"Sure, sure," I said and gently reached for Ryker's fox ears, stroking softly. I watched as his cheeks flushed red and his eyes brightened, like he was drooling; he had that puppy look on… Veyra's eyes darkened. "Jealousy," I said inwardly, smiling at the thought, and I used my left hand, gently stroking his horn.
"Good boys," I muttered, enjoying the effect I had on them.
But I froze…
Ryker's fox tails suddenly bloomed out…
NINE!!!