Are You Afraid? (Lesbian Story)

Chapter 18

I thought getting to Exodious would be hard. But both Nyx and Iodite said they could create a portal at will. So when we were teleported there in a warp of purple and blue magic that made it feel like reality itself was tearing, I didn't question why I threw up in the nearest bush.

"Are you going to be okay?" Nyx asked as she gently rubbed my back.

I stood up and groaned. "That wasn't pleasant." I answered.

"Don't feel bad." She smiled and pointed to Jenkins, who was in the same situation as I was. "The first time always feels like that." Nyx admitted. "You get used to it."

"I hope so." I sighed. "Let's get on with this then." I looked around. "Where are we?"

We were mostly surrounded by trees, but we had been placed right in the middle of a dirt road that curved through the forest in either direction.

"We are on the road between Frostfall and Yeager." Iodite explained.

Nyx was looking at what appeared to be a dirt path leading into the woods but she tore her gaze away. It probably wasn't important.

Iodite pointed down the road. "That way to Yeager." She announced. "We should move quickly."

"Why?" I asked as she started down the road and the rest of us followed. Jenkin's pheonix sat on his shoulder in it's parrot form.

"Staying in the woods is not the safest bet." Iodite explained. "The faster we get into the town the better."

"I'm sure Lyall and Nyx would sense if anything was coming." Jenkins shrugged.

"While this is true, it's better to be safe than sorry." Iodite explained as she put her hands behind her back as she walked, her tail still dragging across the ground behind her.

"Iodite, why do you drag your tail around like that?" I questioned.

"I have no need of it at the moment so it doesn't bother me to just let it be." Iodite admitted. "Its fine by me."

"If you say so. It looks like it could sometimes be painful." I admitted.

"Would you like a tail?" Iodite questioned.

"No thanks." I turned my head away from her and continued on the road. I could have sworn I saw her smirk at me from the corner of my eye.

"Nyx, you said you spent time with the Greeks and Romans. Does that mean you grew up there?"

"Mostly."

"So have you been to Exodious?" Jenkins questioned.

"Many times. I spent several thousand years here after the incident with the Romans." She shrugged. "But I avoided Daybreakers and other vampires as much as I could. Needless to say I had no interest in becoming a slave or a pawn in any dumb war between clans."

"You want to stay neutral then?" I asked.

"I'm loyal to me and those who care for me. Those who I can return the favor to." She admitted as she took my hand gently. I couldn't help but smile at her.

Even when Jenkin's turned around to look at us she still held onto my hand, ignoring the look we received from him.

I don't care what he or the guild has to say. I love her, is that not all that matters? Nyx thought to herself as she glared at Jenkins, and I wondered if she forgot I could hear her thoughts now.

Either way we continued on the road, Nyx's hand never leaving my own. I really enjoyed her touch. It made me feel safe even though I knew I was more than capable of defending myself.

We passed a sign that told us we were entering Yeager and before we knew it we were walking into a village that felt more like a city. I could see that there were humans and demons all working together, carrying stock, cleaning the streets and just being good neighbors.

It told me that everyone could get along, demons and humans. And Nyx and I were even more proof of that.

"I feel like I'm out of place." Lyall admitted. "With our clothes we probably look like royalty or something."

"They see human world tourists all the time coming for Merlin's tree." Iodite explained. "They make most of their profit off of them."

"How do they make money of of us? We don't use the same currency?" I asked.

"There's precious metals in our coins." Nyx explained. "Copper, silver, it's all there. They take our coins and melt them down."

"Doesn't that hurt the economy back home?" I asked.

"Of course. But if a coin is gone, they need only make another. The human world government is aware of this. Visitors from Exodious bring the same precious metals back, including gold which can be resold back home. Its a cycle."

"A complicated one." I sighed.

"Indeed." Nyx smiled.

Iodite led us through the town and down a back road leading back into the forest.

"Can we go visit the town after?" I asked.

"Of course." Nyx smiled.

"I'd like to go home after this is done, thank you." Jenkins grumbled.

Iodite patted him on the head. "I'll take you home, don't worry."

Jenkin's swatted her away but she only smiled softly.

Did you know she had a playful side? I asked.

No, but I can't say I'm that surprised. She was probably just holding a front the first time we met. Zealots are usually hard to read and honestly, that's how they like it. Nyx explained.

We continued on our path, walking up to a massive oak tree. In the center of the tree was a face, made out of the same bark as the tree.

"So that's Merlin?" I asked.

"Indeed." Iodite nodded. "In front of his presence would be the best place for you to practice using magic."

"I thought you were going to have me talk to him?" I asked.

"Only a seer can talk to Merlin. The magic binding him is too great to allow him to wake by any other means." Iodite offered.

"A seer huh?" Nyx sighed as she scratched the back of her head.

"Are you a seer?" Iodite questioned.

"If I was, I would have known Jenkins planned on ambushing me at the movie theater." Nyx admitted.

"That's true." Iodite shrugged. "While we may not be able to commune with him, he may still hear us, and can pass on his influence to those around him. He can help you learn to control your magic."

"I thought Nyx was going to show me how to use it?" I asked.

"While this is true, Merlin can make casting the spells easier on you. He was the most powerful mage ever, and even in his imprisonment he can still use bits of magic."

I looked over at the tree and sighed. "One day, I'll free you from your prison Merlin. I'll fix the curse my mother created, and I'll set everything right."

I expected the face to laugh or taunt me, or even thank me. But the bearded bark face remained still, its eyes closed and frozen in time.

Nyx smiled softly. "Are you ready to practice your magic?" She asked.

"Ready as I'll ever be." I admitted.

Magic sparked up Nyx's hand as she stepped in front of me, and her eyes glowed bright purple. "Then you best prepare yourself. My training won't be easy."