Erasthais Across Time

20 - The Shadowy Shadow Market

~Present Day~

Damien's POV:

"How did you know to look at the teeth of that boar?" I asked. "Hm? Oh. Nashoba had given me some light reading on dark magic spells and charms. One in particular I was looking into had to do with a particular rabid-like appearance. The spell caused an infection in the mouth that could spread through bodily fluids, like saliva or blood. Even urine I would almost assume. I read in one of my anatomy books that if there's any issue with the teeth, it can ascend into the sinuses and affect the eyes. The boar's eyes were swollen shut, he couldn't have seen you or I. I wouldn't have noticed if he wasn't sniffing us out," she said, smart as always. I scoffed. "What?" she asked with a laugh. " 'Some light reading' my ass. I saw the texts Nashoba assigned for you. He would give you massive texts, scholarly scriptures, academic journals, medical diaries...I mean, you were just a kid and you were reading Shakespeare. Who does that?" I said, rolling my own eyes. "I'll have you know, I took my time with those books. Yes, some were difficult but he helped me through them. Once I understood the language, it got easier. Like a code. Then it was all about switching up which code was being used and I got the hang of it," she said, shaking her head. "Yea, okay. So easy for anyone to do," I said, getting up to stretch. "It's not like I had many friends to play with. My cousins were off in different kingdoms, and any of the warriors my age were boys. There were some noble girls but they never wanted to study the plants or bugs, or go shoot arrows. They wanted to practice braiding each other's hair – which I will admit is useful – or gossip – also useful – but that's it. They wanted to stay within the castle or gardens and not explore. I couldn't be tied down with that so I stuck with Nashoba. Luckily for me, he needed help caring for his erasthai so my youth and energy were welcomed," she said, while stretching herself. Watching her buttons struggle to keep her blouse closed was a tease. I kept hoping they would all pop off and let those beautiful soft mounds free. My tongue missed the feeling of her tight nipples. "Hello? Earth to Damien?" she said, waving at me. "Hm? What?" I said, completely lost in my lustful feelings for her. "I said, did you want to stay out more or did you want to go back inside?" she asked, crossing her arms. "Whichever you prefer," I said, hoping she'd model her "bathing suit" again. She sighed. "That defeats the purpose of–Whatever, we'll go inside," she said, and walked back inside. I followed like a puppy looking for a treat. She grabbed herself some iced tea and poured me some. "So, what's on the docket for today, boss?" I asked her. She eyed me suspiciously before speaking. "Tomorrow we have one more errand to run and then I thought we would go visit the pack lands. So today, why don't we spend some time at the Shadow Market?" she suggested. "A Shadow Market? Here? Where?" I asked, trying to figure out where such a place would hide. "Love, it's called a Shadow Market for a reason. I know where to look either way. Did you want to go or no?" she asked. She had some grapes out and was biting into one. Goddess that face she makes. "Hello? Yes or no?" she asked again, putting away the grapes. "Hm? Oh, uh, whatever you want to do," I lied. "Hmph," she said, getting very close. Her scent filled my nostrils and gave me a semi. "Go change and come back down. I have something to give you," she said, walking away into her room and closing the door. I did as I was told and changed into something more fitting for a Shadow Market: dress pants and nice short-sleeve shirt. I could've dressed down but with the clothes I have access to now, I figured I'd make use of them – plus, I knew she would dress nice as well. I walked downstairs and saw she changed into these tight black pants, and leather boots. She had two boxes in her hands and something green draped over her shoulder. "Do you need help with that?" I said, going to grab a box from her. "Wow, I'm impressed. I'm glad you're wearing the clothes – Stefano would be very happy. And no, thanks. Sit down so I can show you," she said. I sat on the end of the couch and watched as she moved everything around. "When I was with the druids, I met a seamstress who had too much material and she needed to get rid of them. She said she would make summer and winter cloaks for us, half off each. I had too much money with nowhere to spend it so I gave her full price for everything and then some. She said she never worked harder in her life as she did for these cloaks and impregnated them with some magic," she said, putting on her own lovely green silk cloak. "Bear was with me so he got a set as well and she asked me if there was anyone else I had in mind for the cloaks, and so I thought of you. Each cloak is reversible: black on the inside, primary color on the outside. The primary color is unique to each person, but the black is for stealth. If you flip the cloak," she said, as she did turning it inside out. "And have the black on the outside with the hood up, you blend in with your surroundings. And both sides have pockets that connect to each other but never lose items through some magical means. The summer ones offer a cooler, light-weight feel, while the winter one is lined with wool. Both are fire and water proof. They expand to the size of the wearer, so technically when we shift, we don't have to take these off. They need minimal repair unless damaged by some severe magic, and if we lose them, or misplace them, they will return to us within 24hrs," she said, twirling in her summer cloak, I'm assuming. "How though? How does it know where to find me?" I asked, looking over at the boxes. She grabbed the first wooden silver box, and I realized it had a sun carved into it and it was small, like a hat-box of sorts. "She needed something personal of ours. Something that would tie them to us. She needed our DNA," she said, looking at the box. She handed me the box and I traced the sun with my fingers. "How? How did she get my DNA?" I wondered. She paused before answering. "From the small vial Mama Estelle made you fill. The druid only needed a drop per cloak so I didn't waste much," she looked at me in the eyes as if hoping I understood the weight of her decision. "Oh, I see. Thank you," I said, and opened the box. The silver-gray cloak shone in the light and shimmered in the rays. I stood up to match its length and wasn't surprised that it fit me perfectly. "That druid knew her stuff. I'm glad I gave her full price for everything," my erasthai said, standing in front of me and adjusting the clamp and hood. "There. Now you look enchanté," she said with a mischievous grin on her face. As much as it made Zeus uncomfortable to be wearing a cloak infused with druid magic, I didn't mind it. It felt agreeable, resourceful, durable and it was definitely unique. "Ready for the winter one?" she asked, grabbing the other silver box. It was a little bit bigger and had a snowflake carved into it. She took the summer cloak from me and handed me the other box. I opened it and saw a similar cloak inside and pulled it out. This one definitely seemed heavier. I put it on and instantly felt warm, a little too warm for this weather but nonetheless it fit perfectly. The hood even had a small trim of wool on the outside. I was definitely impressed. "Wow, that looks fantastic on you! You look so regio, like an –" "Like an Alpha?" I blurted out. She was speechless. It took me a second to realize what I said. "Sorry – I didn't mean to–" "No, it's okay. It's appropriate. You do look like an Alpha," she said, then quickly flipped the hood over my eyes. "And now you can't see!" she said with a weak chuckle in her voice. She's hurt, whimpered Zeus. I know, I didn't mean to, I said, feeling guilty. "Let me put this one away and we can head out," she said. I unfastened the clamp and took the winter cloak off. I watched as she delicately folded the cloak back into its box perfectly. "Thank you," I said quietly. "Oh no worries. I'll show you how to fold the other one later. The winter one is a bit more difficult because it's bulkier," she said, and handed me both boxes. "No. I mean thank you – for everything. For everything you've done for me: everything from Stefano's, the phone and computer, letting me stay here, feeding me...and now the cloaks. You've done so much for me, so much and more, and I...I haven't found a way to repay you," I said, putting my hands over hers. Tears threatened to fall from her eyes. "Yet – you haven't found a way to repay me yet. I'll think of something," she said with a smile, then turned away. "Go put those upstairs in a safe spot, and we'll get going. Just keep the summer cloak out – you'll want it for the market," she said, wiping her eyes as she walked into the kitchen. I walked upstairs and found one of the duffle bags Stefano's place "gifted" me and tucked them in there. I walked back downstairs and watched as she twirled her green summer cloak in the hallway mirror. Zeus started to purr. "Is there a reason yours is green and mine is silver? Wouldn't it be better for it to be the opposite?" I asked, as I walked over to her, with my own cloak hanging over my shoulder. She continued twirling with her eyes closed and smiled. "The druid said it would remind us of the other. It would bring us back together if we were ever apart," she said, slowing down. "Plus, the green goes with my hair, and the silver goes nicely with your eyes," she said with one last big twirl. I couldn't help but smile. She reminded me of when we were young, and had little responsibilities. I walked over to her after she adjusted her cloak and put my arms around her waist. "I love you," I said. She looked up at me a bit surprised but gave me a kiss on the lips. "Put yours on and we can take a selfie," she said. "What's a selfie?" I asked, giving her a face. "A self-portrait, but with both of us in it," she said, taking my cloak off my shoulder. "Oh, that makes sense. I thought it was a sexual thing," I said with a smirk. She rolled her eyes. "No, but I guess it sounds like that. Put it on, we'll take a few photos and then we'll go," she said. After several selfies later we made our way downstairs and onto the streets of the city. "Which way?" I asked. "Hmm, I'm going to let Xe takeover. She can find it faster than I can. You should let Zu-zu take over; let them have a mini-date," she offered. I watched as she closed her eyes and opened them, revealing Xena's radiant silver eyes. "Hiya Dames. You're looking sharp today. Can Zeus come out to play?" she said with a wink. "Hm. Hi Xena, thanks. And yes, alright. Give me a second – it's been a while," I closed my eyes and connected with Zeus in a way I hadn't in a very long time. "Zeus? Are you ready?" I asked, searching for him in my mind. "Yes, but, what if she doesn't like me?" he said softly, walking as a bipedal, his true lycan form. "Zeus. What are you talking about? Of course she likes you – it's Danielle that we have the issue with," I said, walking up to the 9'5" lycan. "It's been a hundred years...things have changed. We've changed...I've..." Zeus said, sounding insecure. "Dude, she fucking loves you. Just remember, they've changed too so everyone's a bit different from how we remember each other. Go up there and just be yourself. I'll be here if you need me, alright?" I said, offering a fist bump. He smiled, with his fangs protruding and returned the fist bump. I stayed within my mind and watched the scene of events like a movie projector. "Hello my erasthai, you look astonishing," Zeus said, and offered her his elbow to take. "Still the charmer as always, you rascal," she said, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. We walked around aimlessly – or at least that's what it felt like. Watching them flirt was like chaperoning two teenagers: it was cute but also grossed me out sometimes and I preferred to ignore it. Hey, you okay? A voice said. Me? I responded. No, the other ethereal being in your subconscious – yes you. The voice replied. I'm okay, what about you? I asked. Haha, you don't know who I am, do you? It asked. No...should I? I replied. Oh boy, okay. Add this to the list of things we need to brush up on. It said – or rather she said. A swirling gust of wind, I guess, materialized in front of me and there was a hazy image of Danielle. Hey there sport. Remember me? she said. Oh, hey. I didn't remember we could do that. I feel like that's more than what we used to be able to do, I replied. Well, maybe more than you can do but I can teach you. You'll need to connect with Zeus more in this state though to get used to this place, she said. Works for me. I could use a break from the controls every now and then, I said. Just keep in mind what's being discussed; keep one ear on the conversation and the rest here. That's how they do it, she advised. Got it. How long until we get there? I feel like we've been walking for a while, I asked, looking out towards the trees. Technically we're here but Xe is letting Zeus find it. And she also deviated a few blocks to make it worth his wild. It takes just a glance but it shimmers like light through a diamond. It moves its location every few days and it's mostly hidden in gross places like on the side or next to a dumpster, on a broken brick wall, or near a dead end. Someplace that the humans wouldn't want to go to even on the best and brightest of days, she said with a shrug. Makes sense to me, I nodded. Ooh, okay. He's getting close – he may need your help. We notice things differently here since we're looking at the big picture rather than in the moment, so he may need your help. I'll see you topside soon! She said then disappeared. I walked over to a couch that materialized in front of the projector and watched out for the clues she gave me. Hey bud, any luck yet? I asked him. No, it's actually very difficult with all the smells of the city. Lots of piss for sure – and fried food, he replied. D gave me some hints, you want any? I asked. Yes please! He replied a little more enthusiastically than I expected. Alright: look for a shimmering light amongst foul or broken places. Something that would be ignored by humans, I suggested. Hmm, okay. That actually helps because the scent changed by this drain pipe, he said. Go for it. Get close and we can see if there's a shimmer, I said, feeling invested myself. He walked us over to this overflowing drain pipe that was rusted at the bottom. I stood up to get closer to the screen. He looked down at the dirty water and I thought I saw something in it when he splashed the water. Wait - Zeus go back! I shouted. He stepped back and tapped the water again. At first it seemed like dirty water but then, at an angle, you could see the banner that read "Shadow Market" in many different languages. That's it! The puddle! I cried out. I could hear Zeus verifying with Xena and she confirmed it was correct. YES! I exclaimed. He was asking her how we get in and she mentioned we would have to touch our hands to the dirty water since it needs to be skin contact. She recommended we switch back since the Market world doesn't fully know or remember lycans just yet and their eyes would definitely draw attention with how bright they are. You ready bud? I asked. Yes. Can we switch on the way back? I enjoyed the walk, he asked somewhat excitedly. Sure, why not? I assured him. The transition back was easier than previously and I felt like I was back in my "meat-suit". "Ready?" she said, bending down. "Yea. What do we do?" I asked, never having gone to a Shadow Market this way. "Haha, it's easy but can be a bit of a rush at first. Crouch down and put an arm around my waist, and I'll do the same. When I say 'go', make contact with the water. Okay?" she said with a smile that made everything seem so easy. I nodded, forgetting how to speak. "Ready? Go!" she said, slapping the water. I barely touched the dirty water myself when we were slingshotted into another realm. "Stand up slowly. It can be dizzying at first if you stand up too quickly," she said, rising to her feet. I followed her advice and felt like I was underwater. "Haha, okay, easy now. When you get your feet, tell me and we'll start walking," she said, stretching. I followed suit and nodded, indicating I was good. "Alrighty, down the creepy dark tunnel we go," she said, and led the way.