A Court of Wings and Teeth

Chapter 15: A Spider and her Web

Nyx POV:

"Lucky bastard" Aston growled, my gaze followed his, and we watched Thorne and Celeste head off into the forest. Their heads held close together in quiet conversation. 

"It's probably better if you don't have a distraction"I muttered, running my hand through my hair.

"I'm not the only one that gets distracted by a pretty face" his mismatched eyes flashing. He pulled on the leash, "come on you bastard". He strode off into the forest, a hand waving behind him "that was meant for you Nyx". 

I huffed a laugh and followed him. We fell into step, the sunny meadow fading behind us. I looked over at the beast. "So, let me guess. You felt homesick and called for a puppy?" my eyes trace over the whip-thin body of the grey hound. It seemed to understand me as it looked up and met my gaze with night-black eyes. 

"Exactly" he answered surprisingly. He leaned down to ruffle the dogs' ears and met my stare. "I thought for sure that the Night Court had a better handle on strategy". He shrugged "I guess I was mistaken".

I opened my mouth to interrupt, but he continued. "Since you aren't familiar, allow me to enlighten you". He stopped in a small clearing, pointed into the forest, and uttered a softly spoken word. The hound perked up, turned on its heel, and ran swiftly into the forest. Aston removed one of the small emerald cuffs he wore on his ear. He then looked around the woods and hid the cuff under a small branch and walked around the clearing, his hand lightly trailing the trees and branches surrounding him. He leaned against a tree, put his two fingers to his lips and blew out a sharp whistle. So silently, I didn't even hear it approach the dog returned, trotting into the clearing. It sat before its master and waited, head cocked to the side. Aston whispered one word and the hound took off searching the clearing. In less than 15 seconds he had looped the clearing and sat in front of the branch where the cuff was hidden. Aston walked over, uncovered the cuff, and wiped it off.

"Neat trick, but that still doesn't tell me how the beast is going to help us," I said, engaging in a slow sarcastic clap. 

Aston fixed the cuff back onto his ear and rolled his eyes. "Must I spell it out?" he sighed. "We are on a hunt" he pointed to the dog "he is a hunting dog". "Ergo, he'll be able to sense where these creatures are lurking," he said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Hmm," I grunted noncommittally. I had to admit, it was a sound plan. Provided the hound was as good as the legends remarked they were. If we were to be partners, I suppose I have to trust him. 

He walked over to me and slipped his long fingers around my wrist, yanking my hand up to eye level. "Are you going to tell me why you wanted an accessory?" he asked, his green and brown eyes dancing. "Was it to look handsome in the woods for me?" a slow smirk playing across his lips. 

I pulled my hand out of his grasp, we stood only a few inches apart. "This isn't a ring, it's a siphon" I said adjusting it on my finger. "I was only allowed one, but if I had my way I would have had a few on each hand" I said, thinking back to Cassian and Azriel's collection. "They're a way for me to channel my power, which I assumed might come in handy on this monster hunt" I cracked my knuckles.

Aston stepped back and threw his arms out, "then we should prove to be a good team, I'll find them and you kill them".

I smirked and rolled my shoulders, "if that's the plan, that's fine by me". "Come on let's keep going, send that dog off already," I said before resuming our path into the forest. 

I heard Aston whispering something to the dog before it sped off into the woods, lightning quick. Aston followed after me and we continued our hunt.

After some time passed, a lone howl pierced the trees and Aston smiled "he found one".

I nodded and we sprinted through the trees, following the sound. The dog was growling, hackles raised when we approached. A beautiful high fae was standing next to a large oak. Her dress was white and almost sheer, the thin fabric slid down her body, hugging every curve. Her silver hair was long and unbound, dropping to her waist in waves. Her large blue eyes gazed over us and held us entranced as she began to speak "are you here to help me?". Her voice was as lovely as she was, musical and soft. 

"Are you lost my lady?" Aston asked, slowly stepping forward. 

Her eyes were incredibly sad "I fear I am lost in these woods, and I do not know how I came to be here". A tear shimmered on her pale white cheek. 

Aston stepped up beside me on his way forward and his dog growled. I stuck my hand out and grabbed him by the front of his doublet. "Wait" I demanded. 

"But she needs our help" he sputtered, his hands ripping mine off of him. "Something is wrong with her!" He managed to slip out of my grip and continue forward.

The female smiled and opened her arms out, "please, help me" her eyes were full of secret promises. Though she was asking for help, her demeanor was that of a spider, beckoning a fly into her web.

Aston was fully under her spell now. His hound turned from the female and faced his master before leaping and biting into the flesh of his arm. Aston screamed and I leaped forward to push him back, sending him tumbling behind me. I faced the female and she screamed, her glamour dropped swiftly. Before us stood a ghastly figure with dying grey skin and hollow black eyes. The body was long and snake-like and writhed back and forth waiting to strike. Her mouth dropped open and she screeched like a banshee before surging at me.

I rolled to the right and focused my energy into the siphon on my hand. The ring illuminated with purple and I sent out a quick burst of energy at the creature. She dodged it, as agile as a cobra. We faced each other and entered into a dance as she lunged and I dodged, before returning her strikes. Her tail whipped me and slashed my cheek. I felt my blood drip down my chin before wiping it off. I crouched down again, preparing to strike when Aston appeared, a small dagger in hand. He sped forward to slice into her back. She screamed and slid around to face him. Taking the opportunity, I jumped and grabbed onto her back. My fist pressed against her skull as I let loose a burst of energy straight into her head. She slumped forward and I jumped to the ground as the body hit the ground with a sickening thud. Landing soundly on my feet, I shake off some of the dirt I gathered during the fight. 

"One down," Aston said appearing behind me. Twirling his knife, he looked quite pleased with himself.

I was about to chide him for his mistake of falling under her spell but thought better of it. He probably already felt like shit and I didn't need to pile it on. I simply nodded and responded "one down" in agreement. I leaned down to pet the hound "good job" I whispered. 

Aston gave the dog a command and he obeyed, leaping into the woods. We followed after him, resuming the hunt.