“Can’t see in the house, though. Those pesky charms of his keep everything out, even my magic.” Jabez waved his hand and the image turned into something dark moving swiftly through the forest. “Good. Looks like he’s already on his way. I wasn’t sure if he would since he hadn’t come for any of the others I’ve taken.”
He slapped his hands together and the silver disc of liquid vanished. Then he turned to them with a dull expression on his handsome, yet alien-like, face.
Reia had a hard time looking past his horns, his long-pointed ears, and the striking black marks on the outside of him. The amount of muscle on him said he bore not a single ounce of fat, and he looked so remarkably strong she was sure he could snap her like a twig.
“What are you?” Reia rasped.
He was freely able to use magic. He’d freaking teleported her here! What else could he do?
His eyes crinkled with humour, his head lowering as he smirked. “A little bit of that, a little bit of this.”
At her twisted face, her nose bunching up on one side, he threw his head back and bellowed out a deep laugh that echoed in the hollow, stone room.
The woman sighed, giving him a look of irritation like she was bored of his antics.
“Don’t mind him. The Demon in him makes him a jerk.”
“Yes, but the Elf in me makes me aware of how easy it is to get what I want when I’m cunning. I was hoping to play with her. It’s fun to tease the humans. You’re ruining my fun.”
An elf? But I didn’t think they were real. Reia’s brows drew together in concentration as she tried to think back on the book the Witch Owl had given her. It had spoken of Elves,
but she hadn’t read too deeply on the passage of them.
She’s disregarded it as rubbish.
A being that is similar to a human, but not human. Pointed ears, mostly dark skin with white hair, and can use magic.
Usually slim and athletic.
The woman waved her hand at him.
“I’ll entertain you as much as you like later. After I get what I want.”
“Always after you get what you want,” he grumbled. “It better be good this time. I’m delivering the Mavka to you just like you demanded.”
Reia tried to remain alert and listen to their conversation, but she couldn’t help wondering what else was real if Elves were. She eyed him carefully. If he didn’t have those ears, I probably wouldn’t have believed him. Does that mean there are half-humanoid horses roaming around like freaks?
“You’re enjoying this either way, Jabez.” She tilted her head forward with her hands on her hips, looking up at him through her brows disapprovingly. “Don’t play coy.”
His lips curled knowingly.
He waved his hand dismissively at them.
“Whatever. I’m going to my servants to see if they brought me anything good to eat. You know me. Using my Elven magic makes me hungry.”
“Servants?” Reia squeaked.
“Yes. My castle is full of Demons. But don’t worry, they know not to harm any of the humans I bring into my castle.
If you are going to be eaten, it’ll only be by me.” He waved his hand to the woman in front of her. “And she has told me that you are not going to be my meal.”
She waved to him as he walked away to leave, before turning to Reia who was frozen on the spot watching his back as he left.
I’ve got to get out of here. She didn’t know how to do that.
I doubt I can fight my way out. She may want to, but she
also didn’t have death wish. I may be reckless, but I’m not freaking stupid.
Even without the show of his magic, which she knew he must've only scratched the surface of what he can do, Reia had seen his fangs and claws. He was tall, and the book said Elves were naturally fast. Can’t fight someone bigger, stronger, and faster than me.
It would be like fighting Orpheus, and she knew he’d kill her with one strike of his claws.
They want him. So is it better to play along with whatever they have planned until he gets here? She knew he would protect her, a scary shield, but until then, she was... a damsel. A damn damsel in distress and she wasn’t keen on playing this pathetic role. I’m the bait.
But the bait for what? She didn’t know their plans. Either way, she couldn’t leave, and she knew she would have to be the bait until he arrived so they could escape together.
Just play dumb, Reia. Which meant she had to go against her instincts to fight back. She was going to have to learn real fast how to bite her tongue. Don’t get yourself killed or hurt before he even gets here.
“I get that he is pretty in his own way,” the woman said with a bite to her tone. “But don’t think about getting ideas about offering yourself to him.”
Reia turned her head forward since she’d been staring at where he’d gone through a side door. With her narrowed gaze on Reia, she knew the woman thought she’d been staring at him with longing.
“He’s mine, and I won’t allow another human to take my place as his concubine.” Reia stiffened when she stepped forward to grab the ends of her hair, lifting them as though she was examining her. “If you do as your told, I’ll make sure you go home.”
“Don’t worry,” Reia said quickly with an assuring tone.
“I’m not interested.”
