Ravaged

Chapter 40

Feng's arm is numb. It's an interesting sensation, the tingling in the extremities of his fingers, the blank feeling from the rest of the limb.

He knows there's a tattoo there, though what it is he isn't sure. He'll have a look at it later.

For now he's more concerned with two things--Andreas on the border of East and West Layos, finding Sin, and LeiLei, sitting on the floor of the entryway in Thorn's arms. Del Renarin has his chin on top of her head, his eyes closed. Feng grudgingly admits that he can't hate the elfling for it. He's not a bad guy, really. Feng just doesn't understand what LeiLei sees in him. She doesn't even like elves in general--with good reason.

Feng was an elf when she met him, and he wasn't the nicest guy. Then there were the other idiots who took advantage of her. On second thought, Feng doesn't much like elves in general, either.

But Sin trusts del Renarin, and Den hasn't killed him yet. LeiLei doesn't have the best judgement--she likes Feng, after all--but if Den and Sweetness are okay with Thorn, Feng supposes he can get on the bandwagon.

The others--the two men who were unconscious earlier--are leaning against the wall nearby wearing somber expressions. The little golden dragon has moved from the kid's shoulders to the shoulders of a blonde haired man.

The kid himself is sitting on the stairs, looking tired.

Xander hops out of Sky's and Feng's arms, running over to the kid. A faint smile tugs at one corner of Feng's mouth as the two hug.

"Feng!" LeiLei's voice, and Feng glances over to see her stand, leaving Thorn--who doesn't look too happy to let her go, but doesn't protest either--sitting on the floor.

Skylar starts to slip out of Feng's arms, and for a moment his grip tightens, not wanting to let her go any more than Thorn wanted to let go of LeiLei. Huh. Her eyes lift to his, warm gray depths. Surprise lingers in their depths, along with questions she hasn't yet asked and a hint of vulnerability that she rarely allows to show.

LeiLei stops in front of them, a thoughtful look on her face. Feng slowly lets Skylar down, ruffling her hair. She steps away, as if to give LeiLei room. Feng arches a brow at her and vaguely notes the arrival of Andreas, Sin asleep in his arms. He focuses on LeiLei instead of them, though.

"Do me a favor," he tells her, placing a hand atop her head. He leans down so his face is level with hers. "Next time you decide to fight a couple of gods, give me a holler, yeah? I don't like seeing you bleeding on the floor."

LeiLei crosses her arms over her chest. "You weren't even supposed to be here. You left, well, apparently you didn't. Thanks for letting me know by the way."

"You're welcome," Feng says cheerfully, straightening again.

She wraps her arms around his middle, her head on his chest. Feng folds his arms across her shoulders, holding her to him. "I'm glad you're okay, too," she says.

Feng snorts. "I'm always okay, LeiLei."

Across the hall, he can feel del Renarin's gaze on them, contemplative. Skylar is sitting against the wall, while Andreas is upstairs tucking Sin into bed. The others are looking between Feng and Sky curiously. The blonde man with the dragon... there's something in the way he stares at Skylar that is impossible to miss. The poor man is obviously in love with her... but Feng doesn't know who he is. Skylar never mentioned anyone but Ethan and Xander. She never spoke of Andreas or anyone else from her past--and it wasn't hard to see why. They never came for her.

They left her alone.

Looking at the blonde kid--a Dragon Rider by the scent of him, actually--Feng doesn't think it was because he didn't want to save her.