Dance of the Damned

Thirty-Five

"Is there any other dangerous secrets that I should be aware of?" Bastien inquired with a mischievous grin after I managed to convince him that I was fine. Apparently, he witnessed my body deteriorating rapidly and the room becoming dark and windy, which reminded him of a similar incident involving Zeddicus when they were younger. He immediately sought help and his fast thinking saved my life.

"No," I fibbed, giving him an innocent smile. I didn't want to disclose anything about my parents, a topic I preferred to keep to myself. And the Grim Cave was not mine to reveal. "I'm still trying to comprehend it. Nothing like this has ever happened before."

"Zed said he can assist you in learning to control it, so that it doesn't happen again. He's also teaching you how to control your Grim powers. You'll be spending a lot of time together," he stated, furrowing his eyebrows and glancing at the empty seat on the couch beside me.

"So?" I responded, disliking the tone of his voice.

"I don't like it," he flatly declared, not holding back.

"You don't have to like it. We're not in a relationship," I retorted sharply.

"Would you like to be?" he surprised me by asking.

"Not if you're going to be a possessive and jealous asshole," I honestly told him. "I need these lessons, Bas. If there was anyone else who could help me, I would train with them instead. But there isn't, and for me, it's a matter of life or death. I don't have centuries of experience like the rest of you."

"I understand that, but you don't have to fight in this war," he argued. "And I don't trust Zeddicus or his motives."

"That's ironic considering he warned me not to trust you either. Your family has all kinds of trust issues that need to be sorted out and I don't want any part of it." I crossed my arms and frowned at him. He tried to reach for me but I pushed him away.

"I am just trying to look out for you." He sighed, letting his hands drop to his side. "You shouldn't trust him, that's all I am trying to tell you."

"Weren't you the one who tried to steal his fiancée?" I retorted. I knew it was a low blow, but I was becoming irritated.

"Venya, I—" he began, but before he could respond, the door opened and the King of Death entered.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Zeddicus smirked. Honestly, it seemed like he didn't care if he was.

"Not at all. I was just informing Bas that I'll see him on Monday," I glared at Bastien and walked over to Zeddicus, allowing him to wrap a strong arm around my waist before orbing us out of there.

We materialized on the mountain, high up in the air, right outside the entrance and long tunnel that leads to the Grim Cave. He extended his hand to me, and although I scowled at him, I reluctantly accepted it, remembering that the tunnel was pitch black for about a mile.

"My cousin didn't seem too pleased back there," he remarked with an amused tone as he guided us through the darkness.

"I don't think that's any concern of yours," I quickly retorted.

"No, it isn't. But it's common knowledge that Bastien can be possessive and overbearing. It seems like you're just discovering that," he spoke casually, his hand warm against mine.

"It doesn't matter. I have no desire to be in a relationship with anyone, including him," I stated with unexpected honesty. While I genuinely liked Bastien, I had no intention of getting entangled in a relationship with him or anyone else, especially after his behavior before we left.

"Does he know that? It didn't seem that way when he dragged me to your room last night," his tone shifted slightly, although he continued walking at the same pace. I felt a wave of embarrassment as I realized he probably saw me naked when he saved my life.

"Once again, it's none of your business. Do you pry into the personal affairs and sex lives of other Grims as well?" I replied sarcastically.

"No, but you're different. You can fully shift and see the dead. Everything about you is exceptional," he responded, finally coming to a halt at the end of the tunnel. He turned around and lifted me into his arms. I heard the sound of his massive wings flapping as we began a slow descent towards the huts.

"Bastien told me about Orbissa," I stated, breaking the silence that had enveloped us. As I received no response, I cautiously pressed on. "Is that the reason you don't trust him?"

"It is one of the factors, but not the only one," he replied. Judging by the tone of his voice, I sensed that I was venturing into delicate territory and reminded myself to exercise caution.

"I apologize for what happened with her and his involvement in it," I offered. My arms were securely wrapped around his neck as we descended the thousand-foot drop, and he held me so tightly against his chest that I caught a whiff of natural earthy aromas emanating from his skin. If Bastien could see us right now, he would be pissed and it would serve him right for being a jealous douche.

"Why? You had no part in it. It happened centuries ago," he remarked, to which I remained silent, prompting him to continue. "Have you ever been in love, Venya?"

"Um..." I shifted uncomfortably within his embrace, taken aback by his inquiry. "No, I do not believe so."

"You would know if you had. The right one will let you know what real love feels like," he responded, his tone now gentler. Before I could utter a word, a blinding flash of white light engulfed us, and we found ourselves within the profound depths of the Grim Cave, where the Grims hide, reside, and train.

Several individuals strolled past us, casting curious glances in our direction, yet no one uttered a word. The scene before me was a vivid recollection of my previous visit: an array of huts lined up, outdoor fireplaces scattered about, earthen and rocky walls and floors, and floating orb lights illuminating the surroundings. The absence of sunlight left me pondering how the inhabitants kept track of time within this realm.

Zeddicus gently placed me on the ground, and I gazed up at him as his wings vanished behind him. "You mentioned possessing swordsmanship skills," his obsidian eyes gleamed down at me.

"Yes, Arter taught me when I was thirteen, and together with him and Nayte, we battled countless abominable creatures in The Middle for years," I confessed without much thought, suddenly regretting divulging such personal information. I had no desire for anyone to discover the extent of our time spent on the run or the fact that I was responsible for my parents' deaths. During our previous encounter here, he made it evident that he knew I had caused harm, but I had withheld the complete truth from him, and I intended to continue doing so.

Two shining iron swords materialized in his hands, and he casually tossed one to me. I barely managed to grasp it by the handle, narrowly avoiding the blade and the potential injury it could inflict upon my hand.

"Then let's make our way to the arena and witness your skills," he smiled at me, striding off amidst the huts, leaving me with no choice but to follow him.