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Post by Eliora on Jan 12, 2023 22:04:19 GMT -5
He was silent as he watched her closely. She seemed a bit distracted and weary of him. He understood why, though he couldn't hide his small smile as her weariness turned to outright suspicion. He licked his lips in an unintentional sensual manner, allowing the tip of his tongue to toy with his left fang.
“Te avio päläfertiilam.( You are my lifemate)” He said before abruptly stopping himself from saying the rest of the binding ritual words to bind his mate to him. He looked at her closely. She didnt seem the type to take being blind sided very easy. He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest,simply enjoying her presence, even if she was staring daggers at him. Each moment seemed to slowly build a small connection to her the longer they were together.
“You are on their radar now.” He said calmly and nodded his head in the vampire’s direction. “Their leader has seen your face and smelled your scent.” He said with a soft growl at the idea of Vampires taking a fancy to her in any way. “You are a fellow hunter and seem new to the vampire hunt. The knowledge would better help you survive.”
He looked over to the screeching undead burning log and turned his attention back to his mate. He wanted to see if her skin was as soft as it seemed and if her lips were as delicious as they looked. Her scent was intoxicating and the beat of her heart was soothing. His growing attraction to her was growing intense and he pushed it aside so as not to frighten her with it.
“This may seem abrupt but you are my lifemate, the other half of my soul and the beautiful light to my dark abyss. Lifemates do not lie to one another, it’d be very easy to tell, making it pointless.” It was pretty difficult to do so since they become bonded in every way body, mind and soul. He continued to watch her as he reached out to gently touch her mind with his, just enough for her to discern the truth of his words.
“If you do not wish to learn, I understand though it's not advised to forgo such an easy life saving lesson.” He said calmly despite everything in him screaming to claim her right now. He lifted his nose in the air and sighed. “Your hound is hurt. I can heal him for you.” He offered.
He’d reached out to Zander due to his silence,though he was still shut off from him. If he was able to hold his barriers in place then he was fine and most likely just cleansing the parasites from his blood. Then a thought occurred to him.”Did either of you come in contact with the vampires’ blood?” He asked with a raised brow before he turned and walked over to where his sword was. He figured Zander had taken it off seeing as how it was painful for him to be in close contact with.
His back may have been turned though his guard was definitely not down on the off chance she had the thought to attack him. Zander gave a soft grunt, acknowledging him and letting him know he was still very much aware of his surroundings and was simply giving the pair ‘a moment’. Cian smirked and nudged him with his foot causing Zander to growl across their link before shutting it back down. The man was just as amusing now as he had been when they were children.
Cian picked the sword up and attached it to his waist. It was gifted to him from Dragonseeker Lysander for helping him and his family escape. It was a 30in blade made of high carbon steel and forged in the fires of Dragonseeker breath. The handle was 8in full tang and made of Rosewood with a D- guard. The scabbard was leather with the Riverglide clan insignia, a black and gold jaguar head embraced by large crimson red dragon wings. He hadnt heard from the small family in some time and wondered if they were ok.
He walked back over to where he initially stood near his mate, each step was a steady glide. He tied his hair at his nape before he gave a sweeping bow. “I believe introductions are in order though soon we will need to vacate this entire area seeing as how it has been compromised.” He said smoothly.
“I am Cian Cartecar, Carpathian Healer.” He had to literally bite his tongue to stop himself from speaking the remaining binding words that pressed him hard. “And you are?” He asked with a raised brow as he looked up at her as he slowly began to straighten up.
After a moment he looked past her to the flaming vampires. They needed to be killed quickly before it became more of a problem. ‘Zander go ahead and kill the one you held in place.’ Zander growled at him. Muttering something along the lines of not being the errand boy for a daisy. He grit his teeth and moved away from the tree.
With a wave of his hand he called up the weather to create a rock spike that burst from the earth and pierced it cleanly. It was nearly ripped in half by the large spike but it didnt stop it from fighting frantically trying to get to its heart. It only lasted a moment as the flames that had been engulfing him burned its heart and soon after one last scream , its struggles ceased and it burned to dust. Zander’s didnt reveal his presence and wouldn't until Cian was ready for him to do so. He didnt want to spook the woman too much,Cian seemed to be doing that already.
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Post by Thea on Jan 13, 2023 2:38:25 GMT -5
It was difficult for Patience to blush. Mainly because she never was one to be self-conscious. That and her tanned skin hid flaming cheeks well. But there was no denying how flustered she felt after she caught his sensual action and her full-body fuck yes reaction. There was something that she caught, though, that she wanted to ask about right then. A fang. If he was not a vampire, then why did he have fangs?
And those words ... they held the same reverence as the previous words he said. Though this time, there was a part of her - the very same part of her that was awakened when she first laid eyes on him - that rose within her, making it clear that this man was hers, whether Patience would like to admit it or not. It had to be the dragon within her. The only time other time her instincts fought her logic was if there was something or someone she wanted in her hoard. This was different, however. And the urge to confirm her suspicion was hard to keep at bay.
At his indication, she looked to the vampire's burning form briefly, letting her sight be consumed by the hungry red-yellow flames that came from within her. Her jaw clenched to stop her tongue from tasting the Dragon Snot out of habit. The viscous liquid, if not used, will be rendered useless by her need to swallow eventually. Unfortunately, that was the only vial she carried and the night was still young. She could still need her ability to breathe fire. The young woman was half tempted to use it on the vampires again to alleviate her frustration.
Yes, she was a hunter. There was no limit to what she hunted, from deer to enemies of the Seelie Court. She came across all manner of beings in her lifetime and would continue to do so for many decades to come. She was not afraid to learn about a new enemy, especially if it came to her survival. That didn't mean that she wasn't nervous to hear she was on something's radar. She was no Greek hero. Death was a very real thing for her and she actually quite liked living.
His next words had her turning her head abruptly back toward him - if it hadn't been for her quiver her braid probably would have whipped her in the face. Patience shouldn't be so shocked, considering her growing suspicion of his being the person destined to be her True One. She couldn't help it, though. She could give a reason for her actions because she knew herself. Yet this man was a mystery from the start, all the more confusing with every word exchanged until it all made sense.
The word "lifemate" wasn't hard to get the meaning of. It was literally in the name. Sure, there ought to be a little bit more nuance, an explanation of what it meant to him and his culture. It definitely explained the soft way he spoke to her and his desire to teach her to properly kill these things. A male dragon would do the same for his mate if he was worth his salt.
The presence in her mind was another shock as well. She wasn't sure why she didn't immediately try to shut him out, yet was glad she didn't. Reading minds was her brother's forte, but she knew enough to feel comforted that he was, indeed, telling the truth. Grateful, she nodded once. "Teach me, then," she said, voice steady.
When he mentioned Nemus, she nodded. If he was truthful with her, then she could afford to be, too. "He is." A quick warning to her hound later, the glamour was dropped. Blinking into place was a dog-like creature with features similar to that of a Great Dane. When he stood on his hind legs, Nemus was over six feet tall. On all fours, he stood at Patience's waist. His paws were easily the size of Patience's palms. His ears, characteristic of his breed, were blood red and stood like sentinels on the top of his head. Everywhere else was ghostly white, from his eyes to the tip of his sweeping tail.
Or he would be if he wasn't stained in dark-colored blood from his front paws to his muzzle. His head hung low as he sat behind Patience, mouth opened ajar with black, oozing drool dripping from his jowls. He looked positively menacing. But he was in pain, that his mistress knew.
"My hound ripped into one of them," Patience said, confirming his question, hands gripping tightly on her weapons to resist the urge to pet Nemus. "He says the blood is acidic. You can heal him?" She had no desire to attack the male, instead using this opportunity to put her bow on her back and kneel in front of Nemus. Their eyes met briefly before he looked down again, ears pinned back briefly. How bad?
I am being eaten from the inside out.
Her breath exited sharply through her nose, and she shot to her feet in a rush. By the time she turned around to face the man once more he was speaking of introductions and needing to leave this area. It made her worry that there were more vampires out there, acting like invasive pests. When she struck the bargain with the treefolk and spriggans, they all were under the impression that it was just a singular entity. The stakes seemed to have been raised.
Still, nothing was lost yet. She returned his bow with a nod of her head, face softening a tad. If she was his lifemate and he her True One, she needed to teach him a few things too. Like not using his full name when introducing himself. "I go by Mellow." A shortening of her middle name and something that was safe to give others she just met. "Though I have many names and titles. This," she gestured to her hound, "is Nemus."
After a few moments, she looked back to where Cian was looking, taking stock of the two flaming animated corpses before watching one of them meet a unique death. It was sort of poetic to have the earth split it in half. It was her retribution. "How long will it take for you to heal him? And what would be your payment? Afterward you can teach me how to properly dispatch these ... vampires."
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Post by Eliora on Jan 14, 2023 0:49:56 GMT -5
Cian watched as the vampire burned a moment more before he gave his woman his undivided attention. He enjoyed watching the minute changes in her body language and facial expressions, as she processed his words. He allowed her the moment she needed. When she agreed to learn, he wore a soft approving smile. It slipped a little when she confirmed her hound had been injured during his battle.
When the large hound appeared out of nowhere, he wore a neutral expression as he walked over to it so that he could examine the wounded creature. It was a magnificent beast and from the looks of his wounds , was an asset in battle. Cian found himself approving of his woman’s companion and wanting to see it in action. Pushing those thoughts aside, he stood near the pair and greeted the hound. “Bur tule én jutta félet.” He said respectfully in the Carpathian language. “Well met, I greet a friend.” He replied in English before he continued to listen to His woman’s explanation.
“Yes, I can heal him. Though it may take some time to do so, maybe an hour or two at most.” Cian replied. “Though in order to do so, I will need blood to replenish my energy.” No sooner had the words been said, Zander reached out to him.
‘I have a supply for you. No need to worry the female. She already seems upset about her dog.’ Zander said gruffly along their link. He had seen a couple of people creeping around in the area. It would have ended badly if he had not been monitoring the area and they ‘happened’ upon Cian and his mate. Despite the excruciating pain, he used his blurring speed to catch them. He put them under a hypnosis and scanned their minds to make sure they were safe.
He’d sat the pair at the base of the tree he stood at only moments ago. ‘I will be here to watch your back and hers.’ Cian was grateful to his brother and said as much.
When she spoke her name he could help the small smile that played across his lips. ‘Mellow.’ He toyed with her name in his mind for a moment before going back to the matter at hand. Since she had introduced her companion as well he figured it was only fair that he did the same. “This is Zander, my brother.” He said as he took a closer look at the hound’s wounds to determine their depth. “May I?” he asked the hound.
When Cian had spoken his name Zander allowed himself to be seen and his presence felt. He was tall with the stocky build of a hunter-huntsman- sporting a wide scarred chest and arms with sinewy muscles. His long thick raven black hair was worn loose around his shoulders. His cobalt blue eyes were watchful accompanied by his stern expression and a frown on his full lips. He stood barefoot in gray sweatpants and had no shirt on. He had a dangerous and domineering presence about him. “Bur tule,sisar. Well met, sister.” He replied with a slight nod in her direction. His voice was a little deeper than Cian’s but held the same melodic notes of an accent from their homeland.
He was a bit less formal than his friend but respectful nonetheless. He didnt dare allow his gaze to linger on her lest he stirred the primal beast that would awaken in Cian to claim and protect what was his. It would definitely put a damper on the puppy love phase. “I will put up a barrier, though do not linger too long, I too have wounds of my own to tend to.” He said and began to slowly walk away. His suffering was all too familiar but he dealt with it. As he walked away a thick swirling fog would begin to roll in then spread out to create a perimeter that would keep the humans and any other unwanted pests away. If anyone tried to approach from the outside, they would be met with heavy foreboding and a sense of life threatening danger should they try to venture further inside and it would only get stronger the further in they go.
“In order to heal Nemus I would have to do so from the inside out. I would have to leave my body to enter his body as pure light and energy in order to push the vampire’s blood from his body. Zander has brought fresh blood for me so renewing my energy should be no problem.” Cian explained matter of factly. He felt she would have questions about the need for blood among other things but he felt those could wait. He created a barrier to keep the vampire in place.
“In the meantime, you can practice killing the Vampire in front of you. Remember to separate the heart from the body. As long as the heart is in rich soil or in contact with the body, the vampire can regenerate. The soil in this area has been poisoned and killed or dying thanks to them, so you dont have to worry about the soil rejuvenating it. Though beware, the vampire will fight with every fiber of its noxious decayed being to get its heart back into its body. During this point is where some can become extremely dangerous.
While I am not in my body, I can still speak to you telepathically, if you are open to the idea of me doing so. Just reach out to me and I will be there. Once a link has been established I can send you images of how killing the vampire can be done.” He paused for a moment thinking of a possible payment for healing her companion. He frowned and shook his head almost as if he were offended though he knew in some places that was how things worked. “I need no payment. Healing him grants you more protection. That is enough payment.” He said with a sigh.
Judging from the Nemus’s injured Cian knew he would need to give him some of his blood to speed up his recovery. Doing so would create an unbreakable blood bond between them, so he wanted to ensure they both were ok with that, though if they were not it would be fine Nemus’s recovery would just be slower. Cian informed them of this information and patiently waited. “Are you ready to begin?” Cian asked both Mellow and Nemus. He would only proceed once he received their agreement.
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Post by Thea on Jan 14, 2023 5:44:25 GMT -5
If it was one thing Patience would give Cian credit for, it was his ability to be unfazed.
Granted, Patience wasn't trying to shock him in anything she did thus far. But she figured one would be surprised - at the very least - if suddenly there was a canine in a spot that previously did not have anything in it. Now that she was thinking about it, he didn't seem too terribly turned off by her appearance either. In fact, unless she was misinterpreting his prior action, she would think that he was attracted to her.
Which ... she guessed was a good thing. There was the whole "I'm part alien" issue that needed to be addressed, after all. How would she even break that to him? A different conversation for a different day, she had to tell herself. Right now was not the time. Nemus was gravely injured and needed medical attention. The uncanny part of her True One being a healer was not lost on her, however. Being descended from one of the Nine Muses, whose ties were closely related to Apollo, the god of healing, it would only be fitting. Nemus did say that Cian smelled like her mother's altar to him. It had her pondering if in some sort of twisted way this was the god's way of reaching out to her.
The twinge behind her brows suggested not to look too deep into it.
Nemus let out a sound that was not quite a growl, but a sound of pained confusion. There were not a lot of people that would speak to Nemus directly, and fewer still in the respectful tone that Cian had. Both hunter and hound were used to it, and at times used it to their advantage. And yet, it was confounding to be presented with such regard. He calls me friend?
"I think you may have broken my companion, Cian Cartecar," she said with as much humor she could muster, using his full name since that is what he gave her. She figured that Cartecar might have been his last name, but didn't want to come across as informal. Just because she was his lifemate didn't mean they knew each other so intimately.
What little humor she had was made like a bug and squashed. It wasn't just the time frame he had given her, but the mention of blood. When it came to Nemus, she would give most anything to ensure his well being. Even so, she grew suspicious once more of who or what he was. Fangs, the need for blood. He said that he was a "carpathian". An unfamiliar term, yes, but one that made her wonder if it was something his people called themselves when the rest of the world would call them vampires. She wasn't forthcoming with an offering, that was for sure.
Patience was so focused on Cian and Nemus that she didn't realize there were a couple of unconscious people leaning against a tree. It wouldn't be until later that she would kick herself for not constantly surveilling her surroundings. Cian's introduction to his brother had her looking in that direction however, and took stock of the being she assumed Nemus had smelled earlier. Objectively, he was handsome. He definitely would have a fanbase, both human and non, with the scars on his chest alone. Her gaze was nothing but assessing, however - there was no gut-deep reaction or even a passing attracted feeling that she got with Cian. Zander did end up getting a curious head tilt from her before she nodded her head. "Hello."
Patience stayed silent afterward, though took in the fog's ghostly tendrils creeping in along the forest floor. That was when she noticed the two unconscious people. She was just about to ask when Cian spoke once more, bringing her attention back to him and Nemus. Yes, she did have questions. So many that her mind was swimming through them. Pure light and energy? From the inside out? This was new for her. WIthout much thought she brought her hand up to rub against her eyebrows, while the other turned into a fist before it rested on her hip. She brought her attention to the burning vampire, and thus the smell of charred skin.
The silver hunting knife was enchanted to cut through even the densest of bone. Carving its heart out should be no problem, but if would fight her even in this state she worried about how she would get close. Her armor was magicked as well, strong enough to withstand various weather conditions and tough enough that only the sharpest of weaponry could get through. Even so, it only covered so much of her body. Her hands were left bare because it was easier to use her bow. And while the dragon patches on her skin could pass through flames unharmed, it was her more delicate skin she was afraid for. The irony was not lost on her.
Cian's talk of telepathy brought her attention back to him, taking his words in and seriously considering them. Now was not the time to be too proud or wary of him. She did appreciate him tacking on the "if you are open" bit because usually, she wouldn't be so comfortable with the idea of someone other than her hound being in her mind. She was also grateful that he did not ask for her blood as a payment even though he was fully in his right to ask her of anything once she offered. "I am grateful for your efforts, then."
The brief smile his sigh brought to the surface quickly faded at the following information. Her eyes sought out the ghostly gaze of her hound's, and once they met it was obvious they were conversing.
Doing this show a great deal of trust in two beings we have never come across before, Nemus, always her voice of reason, said slowly, as if keeping up their communication on his end was quite difficult. We do not know what a blood bond would entail.
He's put a great deal of trust into us, Patience countered. Plus, it seems that only he would be able to heal you from this particular wound. This isn't something I myself can just patch up once we make it home. We do not have to do it if you aren't comfortable.
If it would speed up my process, Nemus acquiesced and broke eye contact to look at Cian.
Patience did the same. "Yes, we are."
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Post by Eliora on Jan 15, 2023 17:31:23 GMT -5
Being unbothered by things suddenly appearing was normal for him and his ilk. They were a species who could completely mask their existence; sight, sound and scent. They could even mask their presence, leaving not even the smallest of traces that they were there. Their senses could span as far as they could send them. Their senses were multiplied allowing them to hear, see, and even smell scent over a set distance away. The abilities of the Carpathian people were vast but since coming to this realm, they seemed to have been severely limited.
Cian had been aware of the hound's presence despite not being able to see him, so when he suddenly appeared he wasnt surprised. Though admittedly, he’d been distracted from the very beginning and hadnt handled the situation properly. Instead, it appeared he had been stumbling through it until now. Cian hadnt seen anything wrong with how he had addressed the hound. Nemus had fought as valiantly as any other warrior without knowing his enemy and protecting Mellow. He’d definitely earned the respect.
When Mellow stated he had broken her hound, he lifted his brow looking from her to Nemus. The amusement in her voice had him hiding his smile. It filled him with warmth allowing every cell in his body to be rejuvenated by her. Hearing his name on her lips caused his heart to flutter and incited the beast within him making it harder with each passing moment not to claim her.
The growing suspicion of hers helped him to clear his thoughts and focus on the task at hand. He created a cotton towel from thin air and wiped at the black drool dripping from his mouth. It was clear they were novices so he could only imagine the pain Nemus must be in since it was his first time. He and Zander had grown so accustomed to the burning over the centuries the he couldn't remember the first time he’d encountered the vampires’ blood. Looking at the two, he could tell they were conversing and he allowed them a moment to come to a consensus. Nemus’s had some deep wounds , while some looked worse than they actually were.
Nemus had multiple scrapes and burns around his head. There were deep lacerations and puncture wounds that showed that the vampire was trying desperately to dig out the hounds own heart. He had flayed flesh along his neck which was also accompanied by both shallow and deep laceration that extended to his shoulders. The hound had fought hard and Cian’s respect for him grew. He could tell the two were pretty close and Cian felt a tinge of jealousy, as he wanted to be close with her as well but he knew it would take time. She didnt wholly trust him and was weary. He understood and wouldnt push her.
When Nemus looked at him, Cian held his gaze as he awaited their answer. He gave a small smile and nodded. Healing others always left a Healer vulnerable to attack which is why it was customary for a warrior to accompany them. “Alright. Remember to reach out to me if you need me. Zander is also here as well to protect you. Females are precious treasures to be well protected.” He said that last part as a caress wanting to touch the beautiful dragon skin on her face.
Without wasting another moment, Cian shed his physical form to take on the form of pure iridescent light and projected himself into Nemus’s body. He would begin with his head, wanting to make sure his brain was clear from influence. He set to work with the bloodletting, pushing the acidic vampire blood from the open wounds. He worked calmly and methodically as he worked his way slowly throughout the hound’s body. Cian didnt dare to rush lest make a preventable mistake. He stopped the bleeding, reconstructed tissue,muscles, veins and skin.
All the while he was working on Nemus, he left his mind open to Mellow. He reached out to her mind, registering her mental wave and gently brushed against it simply letting her know that he was still there. It also served to help calm the burning need to connect with her on some level.
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Post by Thea on Jan 16, 2023 19:06:19 GMT -5
atience has been called many things in her childhood. "Proud", "stubborn", and "hard-headed" were just a few of them. While she's ... mellowed out since then, she didn't make it a habit of relying on people. In her experience, they let her down more often than not. She had a feeling that if her 18-year-old self could see her now she would have had a heart attack. Trusting two random men that she met in the middle of the woods? Inconceivable.
Though what was even more inconceivable was Nemus's death. The woman knew that if Nemus had been a normal dog it would have been a miracle if he survived it long enough for them to come to a consensus like they had. Even so, Nemus was not immortal. With them being together for over twelve years without signs of old age, it was easy to forget that. She couldn't help the thought that if Cian and Zander weren't here - if they had taken on the vampires alone - she would have lost her companion. Her partner. A part of her hoard and family.
Patience worked diligently to dispatch the rock-like lump that appeared in her throat, clearing it a few times and exhaling puffs of smoke as she turned away. Cian's comment regarding women eased the load some, causing her to snort despite the obvious intimacy in the statement. It wasn't a derisive snort, but that of an amused one. Her sire, having grown up on Benchizuno, believed that as well. Women were seen as splitting images of the Dragon Mother, Ronera, and since it is through them that life is born, they were goddesses in their own right. A fact that she tried to teach to her followers because Benchizuno had more similarities to Earth than differences.
What was amusing to her was the image that popped into her head of him finding out about her various adventures as she'd like to call them. Patience never was one to be the "damsel in distress", and since giving her uncle her True Name couldn't afford to be if she wanted. The image quickly turned into the question of if he would try to lock her in a tower or something as drastic to keep her safe. She most definitely was still wary of him, even if the feeling was lessening the more she watched him interact with Nemus. How he had been so careful cleaning his drool with the towel he created from thin air.
Patience hadn't taken her eyes off him for a hot minute now, but when she saw a bright light emerge from his slumped body she couldn't believe them. He did say that he would have to shed his physical form; given the abilities, she's seen from him so far she didn't doubt him. But there was a difference between believing and seeing, wasn't there? Weather and environmental manipulation. Telepathy. Conjuration. Shapeshifting. Flight. And now this. Dumbfounded, she watched the light enter her hound, and when the light disappeared she looked back to the slumped body.
Under her surprise was a sense of concern. Logically, he was fine. His brother was around here somewhere watching over them so it wasn't like he was left defenseless. The gut twisting feeling didn't let up though. Not until she felt his presence within her mind.
I have so many questions, she couldn't help but tell him, using the same method as she would with Nemus. Then she tore her gaze away from the pair back toward the remaining vamp, unsheathing the blade at her hip. But right now I'm ready to take care of this vampire.
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Post by Eliora on Jan 16, 2023 19:28:58 GMT -5
Cian was working on a deep wound near Nemus's jugular when he felt her presence in his mind. Through it he sensed her worry and concern for him and it lit a fire in him. He would have smiled if he'd had a physical form,though he let it be felt when he replied to her. 'I am here to answer them accordingly,csitri.' he said in a calm tone that held warmth and the hint of a smile. From his tone you would never have thought he was essentially in the middle of life saving surgery.instead it sounded as if he was completely relaxed and enjoying a night out on the porch enjoying the music orchestrated by the creatures of night.
He waited patiently for Mellow to speak again, ecstatic that she took the step to connect with him even if it was only to learn about killing a vampire. He would take whatever she was comfortable giving. He slowly healed the tendons and ligaments that had been torn and soon began to heal the surrounding muscles and skin.
Cian thought about her question and was silent for a moment though he did chuckle at her last quip. He was concerned about her ability with fire. How was she able to use it if she couldn't withstand it? He wondered but pushed the thoughts aside. There were many things he needed to find out about her and vice versa but now wasn't the time.
The more time they spent in one place,the more likely they would be attacked. Cian would be drained and need time to rest after healing Nemus but would fight to ensure Mellow's safety. Zander was heavily injured though he would still fight with Cian at his side. Nemus would need rest after healing though Cian assumed the loyal hound would fight for its partner as well. Then there's Mellow, who was learning to fight the vampires, but would undoubtedly stay to fight as well because the rest seemed unable to.
From the short amount of time he'd known her,he knew she wouldn't simply leave. She was stubborn. If a fight could be avoided at this moment then that would be the best. 'The most efficient way to kill it is to rip it's heart out and destroy it. Though because you are not fireproof ' He said in amusement. 'Take my sword from my waist so that you may use it for the flames. It can cut through and absorb dragon fire.” he explained, though truthfully he never thought he’d have the chance to absorb dragon flames after Lysander had given it to him.
Drangonseeker were the only Carpathian branch Cian knew of that could change into a dragon and they were thought to have gone extinct at one point. Though that could have been attributed to how well they kept themselves hidden from the rest of the world. He was brought from his thoughts when he felt Zander’s presence in his mind. ‘What is it brother?’ Cian asked immediately.
‘Be calm. I was going to simply say to have Mellow move away from you. As soon as the barrier is dropped from the Vampire, I will put one around you and Nemus. When she needs a break, she can simply say so and I will place it under the barrier again and release you. We will continue like this until the Vampire is either dead or you have finished fixing the hound.’
‘Understood.’ Cian replied and sensed Zander turn back to his duty. Cian sought Patience’s link and relayed the info to Patience from Zander. ‘Get ready,the barrier is coming down.’
As soon as Patience was in a better spot,Zander would drop the vampire's barrier and put one up around Cian and Nemus. He would also put one up for the two humans that he'd brought for Cian to feed,in case the vampire got any ideas about trying to eat them
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Post by Thea on Jan 17, 2023 2:38:41 GMT -5
Patience knew that the only way to kill a vampire was to take its heart from its chest and set it aflame. The latter part was no problem for her, but the flames proved to be an issue. Cian seemed to be the only healer from around, but he was currently occupied with Nemus. In order to get to the heart she would have to be up close and personal with the abomination.
At his mention of his sword, she looked at his slumped body once more. Sure enough, there it was. She knew that he didn't have it when they first met, and wondered how much she was actually paying attention to her surroundings. There was only a little bit of hesitance at his offer as she looked toward her hound, whose head hung low as his wounds slowly but surely were being stitched up, her steps toward her newly-found mate's body were filled with purpose. It was as if a fire lit up within her that had nothing to do with her dragon abilities, showing within her mismatched eyes. You have my thanks, she said not for the first time, crouching down to pull the sword from the scabbard.
One could tell the blade was for someone that was bigger and taller than she was. When she stood and took stock of the weapon, one of the major things she noticed was the length of the steel. Just that alone was half of her height. Which ... was honestly an advantage if she thought about it. She could keep the vampire at a distance. And when she practiced the eight basic angles of attack she was taught ages ago, she found that it wasn't as heavy or cumbersome as she feared it would be.
Cian's voice returned to her as soon as she finished; she gripped the hilt tightly and nodded at his words, seeing no fallacy in them. She was quick to move, wanting the vampire to focus as much as possible on her. A thought formed as she created as much distance as possible between her and the two groups. All the while she kept her eyes on her target, allowing a sense of deadly calm to etch her face into a cool, ruthless expression.
And she would be ruthless, much like her ancestors before her. There were no such feelings of pity or compassion for one such as this burning, screeching creature that defied the laws of Nature. No, she wouldn't stand for something such as this existing when it and others like it destroyed the earth as she saw coming into the forest. Not when this one in particular nearly killed her companion.
Usually, she didn't like close combat. Yes, she knew how to fight like so, but if it could be avoided she did. This time? She wouldn't complain. The hunter would know for sure this time that it would die with no hope of returning to the world of the living.
Up until this point, the vampire was pressed against the barrier, wanting to be let out. Screeching in pain as the flames licked and lapped at its decaying skin. When it was released it didn't hesitate to charge right at her. Patience did the same, keeping the blade against her side until she was ready to use it. The vampire was definitely faster than her, but what that gave her was the opportunity to pivot out of the way, raise the sword, then bring it down at a downward angle.
Metal met flame, then flesh, then bone. Patience couldn't afford the time to be surprised when the sword really did absorb some of her fire (she did doubt Cian, since her dragon breath was extraterrestrial), nor the frustration trying to creep up on her for missing her original target completely. There was a grotesque gash separating the neck from the shoulder, however, and for the briefest moments she could see the humans laying blissfully unaware of the battle through it.
The inhuman scream the vampire let out, but what caught Patience's attention was the way the blade glowed the color of her flames. And how it ... hummed. It was such an ethereal sound, pleasant to her ears. It soothed the dragon within her, a purr crawling up her throat. And then, quick as lightning, a face came to her mind. A woman, her smile so luminescent, ruffling the hair of a young male that looked familiar. She heard a ghost of laughter. Felt such warmth.
Patience! Dodge!
The faces went away, and she came back to reality in just enough time to side-step out of the way of the barrelling vampire. She worked to get her foundation again and just got it to block a clawed hand from slashing her face.
Gritting her teeth, she used the strength she had built in her training to keep her forearm up. Its fingers curled over her leather guard, attempting to push her arm out of her way as it took the time from the piercing wailing its been doing for the last while to get a sniff in.
"Your scent..." it sniffed again, breaking out into a sinister smile. "You smell like the dawn."
Patience didn't waste a moment wondering what the dawn smelled like to a vampire. Instead, with a snarl, she kicked its knee twice with such force the vampire's leg bent backward, a parody of a flamingo. Her ears rang with its howl, but she was given an opening when the grip on her arm loosened.
The princess didn't hesitate.
The arm that made her leather armor groan in protest came off cleanly, the glowing blade in her hand humming in that soft tune again. The flames were smaller now, barely there. Patience took her hunting knife out of its sheathe and pursued the scrambling vampire, condemnation twisting her face into a scowl.
Desperation was evident in the creature's every movement, one good eye looking from its detached limb to her advancing form to the sword she held in front and at the ready. The decision it made was evident in its body language, stupid as it was. He dove out of the way, leaving its side open in its quest for his arm. Patience pivoted once more, bringing the blade down at another diagonal with the momentum of her turn to slash its ribs.
It didn't have much longer. Surely not.
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Post by Eliora on Jan 21, 2023 21:05:04 GMT -5
Cian was meticulous about healing Nemus’s wounds. After he was satisfied with the healed wound near the jugular he moved upwards to heal the lacerations and burns around his head. He ensured that there were no fractures, possibility of infections or inflammation. His glowing light pulsed warmth to help alleviate some of the pain. It was unfortunate that the healing wasn't instantaneous because fighting through the debilitating pain of microscopic parasites eating you from the inside out was a lot to ask of someone who was unfamiliar with the sensation.
He’d actually seen humans go insane trying to dig the creatures out. Many ended up killing themselves to get away from it. Zander normally led the way to find such humans throughout the centuries because most times they were being used with the intention of creating ghouls for the vampires. Putting them out of their misery was a mere mercy. It was why Cian thought Mellow was a trap, he was happy to find that Mellow wasn't a trap and simply his other half.
Automatically his mind reached out to hers , not to distract or disturb but simply to be present. He could feel her frustrations, her determination and her confidence in each of her movements. He felt like a proud parent as she attacked the vampire. Smiling to himself he turned his attention back to Nemus and his wounds. He moved back down from his head after healing the small cuts in his mouth and continued down his neck once more.
On his second run down his neck, he healed the smaller cuts and bruises, making sure everything was healed before he went to the more serious wounds. Those resided on his shoulders and legs down to his chest and abdomen. He’d lost a lot of blood but it helped with the blood letting of the vampire blood.
He began to work on the flayed skin of the shoulders and began to heal the wounds there. He reached out to Mellow once more.’ Don’t let your guard down.’ He called out to her. The vampire wasnt done and would try to strike her once it felt there was an opening. He share with her, his encounters of when he encountered vampires who played opossum during battle. He wasnt completely sure how clear it would come through for her though, since they havent had their first blood exchange. But the fact that he was able to speak with her through their mate link, he figured he would give it a try and if that failed then he would simply tell her the information.
Heaving a deep sigh and centering himself again, he allowed the warmth of his being to flood the area he was currently working on to ease the pain for Nemus. As he began to slowly get to the worst of the wounds, he would work while reciting the Healing Chant of his people to assit in the healing process.
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Post by Thea on Jan 27, 2023 23:19:24 GMT -5
Nemus was no stranger to pain.
He's been tortured, clobbered, and thrown. Overcame many weather and environmental conditions. Yet no words could describe what he felt after tearing into the beast Cian Cartecar called a vampire. He wasn't exaggerating to Patience what it felt like to have these wounds. It was like little creatures have made themselves a home within him, burrowing deep into his muscles and tissues. The sensation of foreign objects crawling under his skin made his skin shiver and fur stand on end. It was a wonder even to himself how still he sat for Cian, whose presence within him was the polar opposite. It was a tingling warmth, moving consciously through him. Everywhere the light went, his pain was blissfully numb. Which, a part of himself was grateful. Mostly? He was focused on Patience.
Every move she made was executed with ruthlessness. It was a trait that all her dragon ancestors had, which was useful both during a hunt and while in court. Nemus knew that Patience didn't need him to fight. She was a capable hunter, a strong warrior. Even so, his instinctual loyalty questioned why he was sitting here when he was needed there.
This time, when Nemus whined, it wasn't because he hurt.
*
Patience wasn't sure if she would get used to having someone that wasn't Nemus in her mind for an extended period of time. She's had her brother in it before, but never longer than sifting through recent memories, and certainly not without her permission. There was a difference between all three of them, she would muse later in the night. Nemus, despite his bestowed gift of logic, felt very much like the canine he was sitting in the back of her mind. Wade's ability to go through minds had Patience equating the sensation to someone sifting through store shelves or clothing racks. Cian was like a warm summer night, minus the mosquitos. He reminded her of the peace she would feel, hearing the symphony of the environment around her while she swung in her hammock, with no worries of court summons or having to put on a front for the outside world.
Cian's warning came in for her in hazy images, as if she was watching a static-y TV station. She did get the gist of them - the vampires liked to play dead. With her already knowing that the sure-fire way to kill them was to separate the heart from the body and then incinerate it, she wasn't too concerned. The more she whittled at her opponent, the more lethargic it seemed to move until finally, it stopped. There it laid prone, doing exactly as Cian had warned. It even exhaled a death rattle, its one good eye going blank.
Patience held off in going for the final blow, going through a few different scenarios as she worked to catch her breath. By now, her head was throbbing, and so were a few other places the vampire struck, like her shoulders and side. Her enchanted leathers still held fast to her, which was always a good thing. Cian's humming blade went silent slowly, the steel cooling to its original shining color.
She could shoot the creature with her arrows, pinning it down at its feet and remaining hand to keep it from moving as she carved its heart out. Or sever the head and remaining appendages. How difficult would it be for her if she were to flip over the body and punch through its chest cavity? How much would that hurt? It was already bad enough that she felt a migraine coming on. The last thing she needed was to have a serious injury that she couldn't treat herself.
Fuck me, she thought to herself, deciding ultimately to use her glamour. She was glad she didn't have anything to do tomorrow.
In a blink she was invisible, and just beside her disappeared form was a doppelganger - or more like a mannequin, with no facial features or any other defining detail. It walked in step with her, body language conveying confidence that her target was slain until she stood at its head and crouched to get a better look.
Just as Patience anticipated, the vampire reanimated and sprung on the dummy, hissing in its scrambling haste. The dummy moved back hastily, screeching in fright once. But before the vampire could take another step - before it realized that it was a decoy - Patience swung Cian's sword to sever its head. It met little resistance, and it rolled down Patience's back as she rammed her shoulder into its chest. The body fell clumsily on its back. Her knee pinned its arm to the ground as she plunged her hunting knife into the rib cage and cut around where she guesstimated the heart to be.
It was when she was almost through cutting that she realized something: her blade, enchanted to weather almost anything, was being eaten away by the blackened blood seeping from her incisions. She cussed, rather loudly and unladylike, airing out her frustrations. Her movements quickened, grounding her knee even further into pinning the vampire, ignoring the body's independent movements from the head. It started to seem like an impossible task - and then she did it, spiking the heart on her ruined blade before she moved away and set it aflame with an exhale.
The body stopped moving, and she moved into a standing position. In a blink she dropped her glamour, then tossed her flaming knife onto the body before it settled into dust.
Despite the pain she was in, she let a small smile of triumph grace her face, chuckling under her breath.
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Post by Eliora on Feb 11, 2023 21:19:08 GMT -5
He could almost feel her triumph when Mellow killed the vampire. He was proud of her and couldnt help chuckling softly himself. His lifemate was definitely something else and he was looking forward to delving into the person that she was. Cian felt Zander stir and his chuckle mellowed to a small smile.
‘You’re doing great Nemus.’ Cian thought as he mended the flesh of a wound that stretched from shoulder to third rib. He didnt have much left to do and the hound was doing better than he’d have expected , especially with him moving around and healing him. Cian moved to the smaller cuts and burns that seemed to be going towards the spine but wasnt nearly deep enough to cause any real damage. He continued to move smoothly and methodically as he healed the remaining wounds.
He felt Zander stir in his mind again and knew that he would need to feed soon , though Cian could hold out a little longer. Zander really was a mother hen, Cian couldnt wait for Zander to find his lifemate so that he could be saved as well. He'd been exposed to vampire blood more the Cian. He was surprised Zander was still hanging on,though he was very grateful. Now that he’d found her, Cian couldnt fathom going even a moment longer without Mellow.
‘Stop being so mellow dramatic. I am not as far gone as your imagination tries to make me out to be.” Zander said to him through their link. Zander rolled his eyes and started walking back towards the group slowly.
'You are slowing down, brother.' Cian said with a frown as he restored the ripped skin and muscles from puncture wounds. He made sure the blood flow was normal before doing one last check of the internal organs once more. He made sure there was no evidence of the parasitic black blood. He checked each organ for any sign of illness or wounds. He double checked the veins and arteries for the area as well to make sure blood was flowing properly to all throughout his body.
'As are you ,brother.' Zander replied offhandedly. Cian scoffed at being called out as he slowly made his way up and out of Nemus's body and back into his own.
The moment he was in his own skin,he felt lightheaded and his hunger stirred. Subconsciously his mind sought out his mate but he held himself back. He lifted his hand and lightly strokes Nemus's head. "You're a very find partner indeed. I am glad she has you by her side." He meant no disrespect to the hound by rubbing his head. It was an automatic gesture he would do after healing someone,either a head pat or a comforting hand on the leg or arm.
He brought his wrist to his lips and bit down deep causing his blood to flow freely. "I willingly offer up my blood to assist in your recovery. Partake of it and become stronger." Cian said to Nemus while ignoring the growl in his head from Zander.
'You yourself need sustenance, you shouldn't be offering your blood so soon after healing him.' Zander growled.
Cian sighed at Zander before allowing his brother to feel the full extent of his exasperation. 'I am not so weak as to fall over from a mere healing session such as that. I will feed when I am finished. You should feed yourself. I will need to do our daily session when all this is done before we go to ground.'
'Do not worry for me. I will be fine until our next riding.' Zander said stubbornly. Cian sighed knowing he wouldn't change the stubborn warrior's mind.
'Fone. Let us get Mellow to safety.' Cian stated changing the topic to something they both agreed on. He turned to Mellow and gave a small smile. "I take it you had fun playing with the Vampire?" He asked with a lifted brow as he held his wrist out to Nemus.
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Post by Thea on Feb 11, 2023 23:53:01 GMT -5
It was times like these that she wished human medicine worked on her.
Patience watched as her temple throbbed to the beat of her heart, pulsating like little earthquakes. What she wouldn't give for some ibuprofen right now, she thought to herself as she walked toward Cian Cartecar and her hound, her more-than-probably True One's blade in her hand and her bow and quiver strapped to her back. In the time it took to cover the distance, her eyes took stock of Nemus's steadily healing body. It was as if an invisible force was sewing his body back together, yet she could see no stitching or staples. In fact, it was as if time was reversing, going back to before the attacks. There wasn't even a hint of the trauma Nemus went through when he battled alongside her.
Well, besides the dried blood that stained his fur to the same color as his ears.
She stopped about five feet away from them, just in time to see the essence that was Cian travel out of Nemus and back into his own body. It was hard to be surprised at anything nowadays. And although she had seen the light entity move from body to body before, there was still an inkling of amazement at the sight. Thinking it best to stay silent for now, she waited and watched Cian blink his eyes open and pat Nemus on the head.
They truly were breathtaking, his eyes. Deep pools of sapphire, crinkling at the edges as he commended Nemus. They were definitely something a girl could get lost in. Drown in. It reminded her of a piece of jewelry she had stashed back in her quarters at court, which then led her to wonder how he would feel when he found out who and what she was. Would he still believe she was worthy of protecting, as he had stated earlier, when he realized that his life mate was dubbed "the Bringer of Death" in many circles outside of her uncle's kingdom? Up until tonight, she didn't worry about that talk at all. But now?
Logic told her that there really shouldn't be a need to fear. After all, they had just met. And if he truly wanted nothing to do with her so be it, they would go their separate ways without another word. But there was a part of her that abhorred the idea of never seeing him again, offended that she would even think that.
His words brought her out of her derailing thought process; she shook her head once as if to clear the debris and snorted. "Your definitions of fun and play must be different than mine." She looked to Nemus briefly, whose attention was split between her and the blood dripping from Cian's wrist. Seeing it made her chest squeeze painfully, although Cian didn't look like it bothered him all that much. What say you, Nemus? This is your decision.
These vampires are not the only ones in this forest, he replied, still implying that he wanted his master to make the final call. We could very well get ambushed.
You were given the gifts of logic and discernment. Use them.
Nemus had not taken offense at the head pat. It was true what Patience reminded him of, he was smarter than the average hound. But at his core, he was still a hound. He was not above getting ear scratches or belly rubs from Patience. He was a bit proud, though, so he wouldn't go so far as to say he enjoyed the head pat. Even so, his tail wagged of its own accord, slow and leisurely. Now? He was still hesitant to drink the blood of another being he had no real idea of. But Cian had healed him. If he had some other motive to have Nemus drink his blood, then why go through the trouble?
Patience watched her hound stand slowly, hoping that he wouldn't fall or slip, to his full height and reached his head out to sniff, investigative, Cian's offered blood. Then his tongue darted out in typical canine fashion, tentative at first before becoming more confident. He didn't drink too much for too long, just enough to start feeling more rejuvenated. As if he could run miles without becoming winded.
Nemus barked once, the sound a deep, gruff woof that reverberated through the trees. His tail started wagging faster. It took all the hound had to resist the urge to run off his excitement and instead lope toward Patience, circling her once, then sitting down at her side.
Patience laughed out her amazement, eyes wide despite her aches with gratitude as she turned to Cian. "We are grateful, Cian Cartecar. Here, your blade." She brought the sword up to present it horizontally in front of her, one hand holding the tip of the sword carefully with two fingertips and a thumb, the other on the handle with just enough room for him to take it from her. "It is wonderful craftsmanship." If it hadn't been for the vision she had seen at the beginning of her battle with the vampire she would have guessed he knew a dwarven swordmaker. "We will make sure that you and your brother are good to travel. Then we'll be on our way."
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Post by Eliora on Mar 7, 2023 0:03:02 GMT -5
Cian was a bit drained as per usual whenever he healed someone but it wasn't nearly as bad as it would be after he did a healing session with Zander. So as he told Zander this sort of healing , while a bit taxing, wasn't so bad on him. Besides, he'd simply replenish himself using the two strangers under the tree nearby. Cian turned his sapphire blue eyes to Mellow and had to fight his answering grin at her quip to his question.
He still couldn't believe he’d found her. Her beauty was unmatched and he’d seen his fair share of beauties over the centuries. The pure joy he felt in her presence was overwhelming though at the same time he had to hold back immense amounts of sorrow and regret for the brothers they’d lost or the friends he’d had to kill with his own hands. Zander’s low growl along their shared mental pathway, bringing Cian from his thoughts.
He was grateful and turned his attention back to his mate, her companion and the situation at hand. They needed to get them to safety because now the vampires know that she was a lifemate. Cian knew she had some powers and combat training, though he was unsure of the extent of her prowess. He was naturally concerned for her well being seeing as how she was the other half of his soul and it was his duty and honor to ensure her happiness and well being.
He was looking forward to their future interactions. That thought led to the thought of why she was in the forest to begin with. His brows furrowed slightly as he waited to see whether Nemus would accept his offering. Cian gave a satisfied and appreciative nod when Nemus drank his blood. When the hound finished, he brought his wrist to his mouth and sealed the wounds with his healing saliva. Zander was silent in his measured steps as he slowly approached the two unconscious strangers who were sound asleep. He looked over at Cian before leaning on the tree with his arms crossed as he impatiently waited for Cian to feed. After hearing Mellow’s delightful laughter, Zander sighed softly.
Cian returned her beautiful smile with a charming fanged one of his own. He slowly walked over to Mellow and stopped a couple of steps away. “Thank you.” he stated with an incline of his head. “It is one of my most treasured items.” The proximity to her was called to the primal side of him causing his fangs to ache. He cleared his throat and stepped back as he accepted his sword back and fastened it to his waist.
His entire body stilled when she mentioned parting ways. He knew it was the logical thing to do , for her. Their bond was newly forming and the separation would be painful and unbearable, especially knowing that she was on the vampires’ radar now because of him. “It is my duty as your avio päläfertiil, or lifemate, to ensure your safety.” He said carefully as he straightened up and turned to her. Zander and I will be fine and rest much easier knowing you are in a safe place.”
A large part of him wanted to reach out and gently caress the sky blue scales that covered the left side of her face , just below her beautiful purple eye. He couldnt get over how beautiful she was and the more he thought of it the more he wanted to claim her right then and there. Zander could feel Cian’s control begin to wan. “Cian, come feed so that we can be on our way. We will be better able to escort them to safety.” Zander called out to him before primal urges got him in trouble. He himself had already fed from the female and was currently closing her wounds.
The light scent of arousal disgusted him but he merely rolled his eyes. It was a normal reaction for some. Although Cian hadnt claimed his female, Zander didnt want her to feel disrespected by having Cian feed from another female without her consent. Then again Mellow wasnt aware of their customs so it might have been a pass. Zander shrugged and began to slowly approach the trio though being sure to keep distance between himself and Mellow. It took Cian a moment to gather his wits.
Zadner was right , he needed to feed so that he could ensure Mellow’s safety. He hesitated before going to the unconscious male and began to feed from him. While Cian fed, Zander turned to Mellow and simply looked at her for a moment before speaking. “No matter your protests, he will not rest easy unless he knows you are safe. You are the literal savior of his soul and existence. He will become your shadow. Your well-being takes priority over our own.” He looked at Nemus then back at Mellow.
“You were in these woods searching for something when Cian crossed your path. What were you looking for?” He asked while rolling his shoulders to try and rid himself of some of his pain and discomfort. “Maybe we could be of assistance.” He asked as he tore off the remnants of his shirt, the need to tear something apart was merely hedged at the action.
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Post by Thea on Mar 15, 2023 12:28:39 GMT -5
Patience knew that if Cian truly was her True One and she was his life mate, she was going to have to be forthcoming with all aspects of herself and her multicultural heritage. For example, saying "thank you" is a no-go in the realm of Faerie. It was considered a slight as if she owed him a debt or favor because she was in the wrong. Having mostly grown up earthside, she knew that Cian didn't mean it like that. Instead, he was expressing gratitude for her notice in his blade. Nothing more.
He would not have had a very good night if he had met any other faerie. The thought seized her lungs with fear - Nemus pressed into her leg firmly, grounding her back into reality so that she could blink, at first in confusion. Then again because it was either that or laugh and she didn't think that he'd like that. The thing was, she knew danger intimately. Sometimes, she even had to seek it out. "There is no need," she said firmly, lifting a hand in front of her in a placating gesture. "Nemus and I will be fine on our own."
Before she could go on to explain that she can handle herself, Zander spoke. So she watched, rooted to her spot, as Cian left her to "feed" briefly. Again, she thought it strange that they needed to sustain themselves through the blood of others like vampires but were not. She was curious to learn more. There was a time and place for her questions to be answered, but she couldn't help but echo, "Savior?"
She had to hold back her scoff like the collar of an errant schoolboy. Patience couldn't fathom herself to be a savior by any stretch of the means. How can someone such as her have that much of an ability? Surely this was an exaggeration on Zander's part. There really was no way to tell if he was telling the truth. And even then, did she want for him to be telling the truth? You are the literal savior of his soul and existence. Whatever that meant, it felt heavy. And full of responsibility she couldn't have on her plate right now. What did she do, exactly, to warrant such a statement?
Nemus stood up from his sitting position and stepped in front of Patience with an air of nonchalance. He did this often, whether in crowded spaces or in court. It was his way of creating space for his mistress, who didn't like the claustrophobic feel of either one. He would admit, though, that Zander gave off a different air than Cian. He didn't feel comfortable with Zander being so close, even if he kept at a respectable distance.
When Patience noticed this, she reached down to scratch the top of Nemus's head and pressed her hip comfortingly into Nemus's side. At his question, she contemplated giving him as little detail as possible. She didn't want or need shadows trailing after her tonight, as handsome as Cian was. And what if she was summoned to court? Cian couldn't go with her nor did she want for him to. On the other hand, there were other vampires in these woods and she was not prepared to go toe-to-toe with another one of them. Would it be so bad to have allies just this one night?
"I believe what I was after was what you call a vampire," she said slowly, glancing down at his urgent shirt-tearing before looking back up at him. "I was approached the night before by the residents of this forest and asked if I would see what caused the mass decay not too far away from where we are now. They described the figure they saw as tall, gaunt, and reeking of death. Now that I know there are others out there I will relay that information and go from there." She glanced down at Nemus, then at the humans and Cian. She was going to have to make sure that he was her True One sometime tonight. "I figure that they will ask me to eradicate them. This forest hasn't faced anything so drastic. It's frightened."
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