Behind the Evil (Villain Series Book Two)

The Weight Lifted

Chapter Eight-  The Weight Lifted

Valentine refuses to let us leave until after we’ve had a good night’s sleep and even then the next day he reluctantly sees us off, “If it gets too rough, come back straight away.” He instructs and we nod, he’s been saying the same things for a while now.

After a few more things we’re ready to go. I spread my black crow wings out from my back as Duke morphs into a cat. I pick him up in my arms, his soft black fur brushing against me. I resist the urge to cuddle him.

He meows goodbye and I wave before jumping into the air. Zaebos flies excitedly beside me. The day lingers on as I fly all through it, only stopping for a quick break half way through. We chat every so often, Duke speaks briefly about some events he had experienced in the two years we hadn’t seen each other. I enjoy listening to him but I also enjoy the peaceful silence as I fly through the wind.

My wings feel the strain from the flight as the sun sets and Duke convinces me to settle down for the night. I drop my height and land in a small clearing, gratefully closing my wings.

Duke jumps free of my arms, morphing back to his normal self and stretching. I stretch too as Zaebos perches on a tree.

I swing the bag from my shoulder and toss it to the floor. “I’ll get a fire ready.’ I offer, walking off to get some fuel.

Under the trees, it looks a lot darker than it did in the open air. Zaebos flies to my shoulder and rests his wings as I search for sticks, leaves and branches. I return them to the campsite as my arms get full and continue until we have enough to last for a few hours. The air has grown cold and it feels like it will rain soon.

Duke has sent one tent up and turns to look at me and I throw the last pile of wood on the floor. “Who got the tents for us?” Duke asks, suspicion in his voice. He walks over to get some food from the bag; easy cook vegetable soup.

I raise my eyebrow, “Jett and Darcy did, why?” I light the fire with my powers, it ignites instantly it warm flames.

Duke laughs slightly, preparing the soup, “There’s only one tent.”

I blush, slapping my hands to my face and dragging them down slowly, seriously? “I should have known not to trust them with that, sorry.” I make a mental note to punch them when I return.

The soup begins cooking over the fire. My stomach grumbles loudly, flying really takes a toll on the body. It’s true that Duke and I get along well but I doubt his heart beats crazy like mine does every time he looks at me a little too intently. I suppose we’re partners now but we have only been reunited a short while ago.

Zaebos laughs in his own crow like way. “Shut up Zaebos or I swear I will throw this hot soup at you.” I snap but he doesn’t stop laughing.

I grumble, tightening my jacket around me and sitting grumpily on a log. Duke looks away from the soup and bites his lip, “It get’s worse…” He begins.

I swallow nervously, afraid of what other embarrassing things Jett and Darcy planned, I’m not sure if I want to know what.

“There’s only one sleeping bag and mattress.” Duke finishes, looking back at the soup without his expression changing. In contrast, my eyes widen and my heart beats fast again/

I let out a loud defeated groan and bury my face in my hands, “I hate them,” I grumble miserably to myself. A part of me is kind of happy I don’t have to sleep alone but the other half of me is ashamed of feeling like that.

“But,” He continues,” It’s big at least; we can unzip it and use it as a large blanket.” Duke and I will practically be sleeping together!