Twizzlers (MxMxM)

Chapter 19 - I'm Cupid Now

I had to wake up in the middle of the night for watch, but it was uneventful. When light began to filter through the moss-covered cave entrance, everyone was woken up so we could prepare to leave. Figuring out how to subtly guide everyone in the direction of Erin's string was a problem I didn't really want to solve, but I'd created it for myself.

Why did I think I could meddle with fate and not out myself? It's fate for a reason, right? Goddess, this was Wren and Joshua all over again, though I think I can get away with strangling Erin. I hadn't thought strangling either Wren or Joshua would get the point across very nicely. Plus, how the hell was I supposed to know that Wren was special like me?

"Aaron, do any of these rock formations look accurate to the description given to you?" Minori asked as we all stood outside the cave entrance.

"Umm," I attempted to look like I was searching. "I'm not quite sure. Maybe we can try that direction first, though? The canyon widened out over there, so maybe that's a good spot to start."

I pointed in the direction of Erin's string. Minori took the answer and began walking. Ugh, I guess we weren't flying there. Maybe it was best not to fly in on a dragon, anyway. If Erin's mate was out here, I doubt they'd take well to a surprise like that.

It suddenly hit me that Erin's mate was from the dragon realm. Were they a dragon, too? It seemed likely, right? Damn. That'll be interesting news to bring home. As we walked, I wondered what kind of mate the Goddess gave my best friend. They'd better be amazing. Erin deserved that. After everything he's given and lost, didn't he deserve a little happiness?

We walked for what seemed like hours when a heavy aura settled over me. A chill went down my spine. What was this feeling? It felt so cold and heavy, like a weight crushing down on my chest. The urge to turn around and escape the pressure was intense, but we continued forward. I seemed to be the only one from our original party that felt it. Minori had a slight grimace on their face, but everyone else looked fine. So, did this only affect magical creatures? Was it...was it like a ward? Meant to keep wandering creatures away from whatever was in this direction?

Something stirred in the back of my head as we continued to walk. Erin's string was getting closer and closer to its end. I could see it by midday. The pressure continued to get more intense and even painful the further we walked. At one point, I had to pause for a second to rub at my chest.

Minori noticed and took this as a chance for the group to rest. I walked off to the side and leaned against a large rock, squeezing my eyes shut.

"You feel it, too," Minori stated.

"I do," I admitted. No use lying if they accused me so bluntly. "What is it?"

"It is used as a territorial marker. Dragons are territorial and possessive, especially wild ones like those that live here. Long ago, this was how dragons kept trespassers off their land, but this feels...different. Usually, you would be able to sense that you've trespassed into specific territories, but I do not get that sense. It's almost as if the dragon that created the marker is not the actual owner of the territory."

My eyes popped open. "Do you think those parasite things could force Rin to create a marker around their own prison?" I asked.

Minori smiled tightly. "It's likely, but that's not why we're heading in this direction, correct?"

I think my heart just stopped for a second. "... How'd you know?" I asked, lowering my voice.

Minori chuckled. "My clan does more than grow moss. I was elected as the guardian of the portal you entered through because of my ancestral power. Do you know what my name means in the human realm?"