Witch Way

Chapter 31: Face-plant

"Get on," Sebastian stated.

"Oh my, so you wanted a hug. Damn Seb, you're a bundle of surprises," I retorted while crawling to my feet and slapping a hand on his cold, wet scales.

He hissed. "Do you wish to die instead? I can arrange that."

"No, no, no." I stuck a finger up, waving it around. "Let's succeed and laugh into the night."

Sebastian's back arched, and he lowered himself to the floor. Still, his body was taller than my head, and climbing up slippery slopes wasn't my forte. "Seb, some help here."

"Can't you do anything?"

"You're so mean. I'll cry you know," I sniffled and groaned as I twisted my back the wrong direction. "I'm hurt, be a doll and help this old lady out."

His tail swished to the side, the speed unimaginable at first. I winced, awaiting impact and the sharp pain of talons digging into my body. But the tail slowed, nearing me at a snail's pace with a gentle touch to my soft spots. "You're so sweet."

"Don't test me."

I bit back a retort. Mocking Sebastian was my bread and butter, but returning without an extra hole in my stomach or side was my preferred future state.

His tail scooped me up and placed me on the ridge of his back. Still, I questioned how I'd maintain a balanced position on this undersea dweller. Did he plan to move fast? The mere placement of my body onto his high water repellent skin caused me to slide further towards the ridge in his neck. I gripped what little of his body I could with my thighs, clutching for dear life.

"Seb, I swear I won't strangle you, but let this lady make a harness, okay?"

He sighed, but returned a fair answer. "Fine."

Spindling my dark energy from both palms, I threaded the filaments and extended them into a thick band. The two identical halves flailed as I grew them, but with the length reaching the floor, I directed a burst of energy to control their movements. The fibers rose, seeking each other's end. Another smidgen of energy and the two united.

I pulled on the band and faced resistance. "Okay, ready. Don't get me killed now."

"Shut up for once."

"Fine," I grumbled.

I watched him circle the apparatus once with small movements. Subtle and irrelevant to the naked eye, a low rank Witch would miss his true purpose. Each step he exuded energy, coating the outer housing of Erwin's storage hold. His magical nature drew from his environment—dark mist—prominent for Supernaturals that dwelled at the ocean depths. All the awesome aspects of dark attribute holders combined with the absolute control over water. Together, the two made for one nasty combination, fitting for Sebastian.

His novice dance ended and his frame lowered. Instantly, the air flew past me as we sprinted out of the technology cluttered room. I clung on for dear life, my eyes shut against his scale covered back. Please, for all of Verdina's lustful clubs, don't throw me off.

I winced as glass nicked my face and pecked my body, but Sebastian charged forward. The stomping of his feet and banging of his tail against the steel walls intermingled. Yet, the noise became a silent background as a roaring explosion erupted. The time delayed spell Sebastian created had initialized.

"Seb, no time," I murmured into his back.

The sound transformed into a high pitch screech. I bit down on my lip to subdue the pain shooting from my ears to my brain. The damn noise was ear splitting. Even worse, Sebastian lurched into the wall, almost knocking me off.