Abyss - Book Five of the Alpha Series - MxM

Chapter 20

The rising sun peeks over the horizon and I can see through the window slats that dawn is upon us. Yawning, I lean back against the corner I've found myself in and absently wipe at the blood that covers my arms. I feel sticky, coated in the horrors of this unending night. Looking across, I see I'm piled in with Fillipa, Anuetta, and Steffan. 

My strigoi friend crosses the short span to sit beside me, carefully brushing my hair out of my face to examine me though I glance away, not wanting to look weak in front of the ambassadors. I feel exhausted and yet I don't think I could sleep if I wanted to with all that has occurred. 

"Does anyone know where we are going?" I finally manage, vaguely aware of the gash on my hairline. I take the offered handkerchief and press it to the wound. 

"Ze train station, monsieur, it's ze fastest way to get to France." So we are going to France. 

"What about the war? Are we really running away?"

They all exchanged glances and finally, Fillipa speaks. "Our jobs, as ambassadors and rulers of our people, is to survive long enough to speak for them. Once the treaty is made, we can return with weapons and whatever reinforcements it will take to abolish the corruption that has been allowed to fester in your father's court. For now, we have to survive. We can not let all those deaths be in vain. If they are willing to go through all of this trouble, you are on the right path, Nicolas." 

I relax back into the corner, I have no rebuttal. 

I don't question our path though I do question leaving those responsible in power for even a moment longer. But, with our numbers reduced and the fact that we don't necessarily have an army at our disposal, it seems like departing as we did was our only option. The carriage lurches and Anuetta emits a shrill shriek, we all ready ourselves as the door opens but it's only Verando.

 He's completely naked, I assume from his time as a wolf. "They seem to have backed off, for now, the only trains that run the distance from here to France are quite a distance from our current location. We will have to camp for the night."

"Camp? With these beasts hunting us? We will be sitting geese!" Anuetta frowns.

"Ducks." Fillipa corrects. 

"It is our only option. The horses have to rest and we need to regroup, many of the soldiers who have accompanied us are wounded." It never surprises me that he cares about others, that he wants to check on those under his command. It seems to impress Fillipa though Anuetta could do without his sympathies. 

"We will take a break in a few hours to eat and water the horses, rest while you can. It's going to be a long night." 

I want to ask him to stay, I want to check over the many bleeding places I can see on his naked form. But, with a quick glance, I can tell none are life-threatening. 

"Thanks for rescuing me, Rando." Anu, unashamedly, takes him in. He pulls his lips into a thin, unimpressed line and turns his attention to me.

"Are you alright?" 

I nod, offering him a small smile. 

"Everyone get some rest." He pushes the door back open and it swings shut as he jumps out, I can hear his two feet turn to four as I catch a glimpse of the gray fur out the window slats. 

"Your bodyguard is a good man." Fillipa smiles towards me. 

"He's rather incredible." I allow. "Roksana is quite the guard, herself."

She nods, her smile turns to one of fondness. "I'm lucky to have her."

Anuetta rolls her eyes, "My bodyguard is useless, should you ever part with Verando I wish to purchase his contract. Though he's changed from when he was young, he used to be a lot more fun." Strangely I find that hard to believe considering he's been a stick in the mud by everyone's accounts since I met him.