Kane was able to feel my pleasure and my fear in the dream. Perhaps if I lure him there again and seduce him, I could kill him in his sleep and slip through the forest undetected.
“Briar,” Kane calls over his shoulder, startling me from my thoughts.
With apprehension, I ride up beside him and he points toward a glimmering lake. The water is the clearest blue I’ve ever laid my eyes on, rivaling the icy shade of Willem’s ghostly eyes. Small, slick, ivory creatures bob their heads out of the water, regarding Kane with what appears to be respect. Flickering lights dance above the water, twirling about like fireflies in a meadow.
A long, iridescent hand reaches out towards us. Amphibious eyes blink up at me. Kane nods his head and I press my palm flat against the creature’s. I hear a voice in my mind. It’s different from the one that sounds like Kane’s, more of a hissing whisper. She tells me tales of wonder and adventure, of prophecies and destiny, before submerging back into the glittering waters of the lake. These stories are tied together, neatly bundled as they implant in my mind, spreading out in full detail all at once. I can see and hear the characters in my mind, and the stories are long and in depth. While it should have taken days to learn all of the knowledge it passes me, it was but a tiny fraction of a moment that our bodies align. Kane tugs on the reins and I continue down the path.
Part of me can’t imagine ever leaving the underworld.
As we travel farther, I begin to watch around me in wonder, curious as to what other oddities and fantasticals live among the thick of the forest. I begin to hear noises, and see creatures I have never thought to exist. I feel as if I am riding a noble steed through the stories my sisters once told me as a little girl. As we travel along, I notice the trees wavering back and forth, bending low almost shielding Kane from the encroaching light coming from high above the canopy. Willem’s story is seeming more and more realistic as the moments pass.
Approaching a babbling brook, we stop for a short while. Willem leads the horses to the water just over the ridge as Kane and I stroll through the lush foliage. He points out the dangerous plants and the ones that are safe to eat if there are no other options for nourishment.
“That is a Morbus Cater, a wild growing infectious little beast,” he snarls. “They spit small darts filled with a poison. One or two and its just irritating, fall into a patch of them and you’ll have their spawn sprouting from your skin within minutes. I’ve seen a few go down like that, and its not pleasant in the least.”
I step to the side as I pass by, but it doesn’t move. My eyes shift across the horizon following Kane’s outstretched arm. “On the ridge, the purple and orange blooms. Those are Mirroring Tripods. They move with you, dance with you, and make music by rubbing the tiny leaves on their stems back and forth. If we all make the trek back, we will stop a while and play with them. They remember your movements and from the moment you introduce yourself to the end of your days, they will recognize you.”
I smile, thinking about the kind of bond that takes. To attach yourself in that type of construct is deep and meaningful. He continues to point out different plants and shrubbery, discussing their characteristics, and keeping my mind busy as we walk. But something catches my attention.
The way he talks is like he does not think all of us will make it back from this journey. It’s startles me at first, wondering if I am one of them he foresees being left behind. Or maybe he can sense my plan. That is unlikely though, I imagine he would be crushing me in the calm of his palms if it was the case. I try not to let my thoughts wander any further, focusing on the questions he asks so I can answer them properly.
I catch Kane watching me suspiciously out the corner of his eye. He cocks his head slightly and purses his lips. “What’s on your mind? I can tell it’s somewhere other than the plants of the underworld.”
I try another reassuring smile, but it fails to reach my eyes. “Nothing, just thinking about all of the new things that I have not experienced until now. Living with my sisters I never learned of dancing plants. It’s curious.”
Of course, he sees this and narrows his gaze further. Those obsidian orbs zero in on the pulse point in my neck and I remember the way his fangs pierced my lip. “Do you have a fascination with death?”
The question catches me off guard. “N-no. I...why would you think that?”
We continue to walk. He looks down at the ground as he carefully strolls. “You said before that you read about the underworld throughout your childhood, so I know you’re aware of some of the dangers of this realm. And yet I’ve seen your eyes light up in situations that would usually cause mortals to keel over or lose their lunch. The fascination is there. Even if it is concealed by fear most of the time.”
I let out a long deep breath and turn to him, shaking my head. “Is this about the Nephilim?”
Kane goes quiet and I know he’s thinking of the dream.
Knowing he isn’t going to offer a true answer, I shrug. “They did fascinate me, but
