Mythic (NaNoWriMo14)

Chapter 21 - Hunger

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Chapter 21 - Hunger

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Cayden didn't know how to react.

The cost the oracle was talking about, he realised as his body went numb. The cost was Rena's key.

"What do you mean the djinn kept her key?" he managed to ask. "By a fae's wings, why would you let him keep it?"

Rena's head was turned from the light of her sceptre, but he heard her draw a ragged breath.

"It was a requirement to train with him. The only way he'd proceed was when I handed over my key. At the end, he would give it back. Said he could help direct my ley that way so I'd learn faster."

I'm the reason she was at those lessons. She didn't want to, and now I know why.

"Why didn't you tell me he took your key in the lessons, Rena?" Cayden asked. "Why—"

"What did it matter?" said Rena quietly. "I had to get close to the djinn if we had a chance of getting Nazine out. Not that it mattered in the end. He figured it out anyway and almost killed you with the spectre."

Kat's voice came in from the side. "Can't djinn read the thoughts of Mythics whose key they hold?"

Rena snorted. "Explains that, then."

Cayden stepped forward, the movement stiff from guilt. "Rena—"

Rena sniffed as she turned. Her tear-streaked cheeks and her drooping ears betrayed the hardened expression she'd molded to the rest of her features.

"It doesn't matter, I'll worry about it later. I don't need my key to feed Nazine," she said, ignoring his pity. "But I do need to feed off one of you to reach seven tails." She attempted a thin smile. "Any volunteers?"

Kat went to speak, but Cayden beat her to it.

"I'll do it," he said. "The other two need to conserve their ley, and she can't kill me as easily if she accidentally goes overboard."

Kat raised an eyebrow. "Will that even work? You aren't a Mythic."

"I don't need to be," said Cayden. "Kitsunes don't just feed off ley. Regular energy works too, not to mention, well, emotional."

"Emotion, eh, Cayden?" said Kat. The second eyebrow joined the first. "Okie dokie, if you say so."

"It should work," said Rena. Her expression melted under the nerves, giving way to the worry beneath. "Just... stay still, Cayden. I've only done this once before and that was—uh, just stay still." She glanced at Kat. "Pull me off if I have seven tails and don't seem like I'm stopping."

Kat grinned. "Third wheel. Done."

Cayden did as Rena asked. He kept his arms by his side, watching her as she prepared.

She steadied her breathing, the technique he'd taught her himself to collect panic and allow clarity to take its place. With closed eyes, she stretched her arms out long, flexing her wrists as her tails lifted off the ground behind her, taking on fluid movements as they flourished behind her.

Her eyes snapped open, and the corner of her lips tweaked upward.

Rena stalked towards him with soft, light steps perfectly balanced on the balls of her feet. The depth to her gaze drew Cayden in, calling for him to move closer. He resisted with some effort, remaining still as she reached him and placed one, tender hand on his chest.

Cold logic held Cayden still as instinct wanted to reach out. He told himself that this was for Nazine as Rena's fingers played with the edges of his tunic, sliding up until they rested on his neck, but even that thought couldn't suppress the shiver down his spine at her touch.