“He said, I’d be delighted to challenge the prince,” the pixie reported then waited for her payment. Since wine was getting scarce I only offered her a small glass not an entire bottle. The lush was desperate and gladly accepted.
Zyacus slid his arm around me as we walked toward the lake. He was startlingly hot. The body heat radiated off of him making me sweat. “Are you sure you’re not ill?” I asked. I touched his forearm. “You feel feverish.”
That’s just what we needed to add to the list of blood moon calamities, a plague.
When he turned to me his eyes had changed to that strange silver shade and his pupils were enormous. “I’m fine. Don’t try to talk me out of helping.”
“That’s not what I’m trying to do.” I gently stepped out from under his arm. “You’re making me too hot. And there’s something strange about your eyes.”
He stopped and faced me. “What’s strange?”
“They’re a different color. Silver, not blue.”
He waved it off. “It’s probably the lighting. Come on, the boys are waiting.”
I could guarantee it wasn’t the lighting considering the moon was red, but I dropped it. The boys waved at us as we approached. Aric smirked at Zyacus and clapped him on the back. “You sure you’re up to the challenge? Kyan did just give you a whooping.”
Both Taz and I recoiled slightly. With how angry he got at the loss I wouldn’t be surprised if he fought Aric over the comment. But Zyacus smiled and gave Aric a shove. “Putting Firo down will be easy.”
I held up my hand. “Um, just so we’re clear you’re not really supposed to challenge Firo. We’re subduing him so we can give him a truth potion and get answers.”
Zyacus gave me a smug, lazy smile. “I know. I might get a few good shots in during the subduing process.”
“How do we know he won’t bring more than his brother?” Taz asked. “We might be in for a real fight.”
Aric’s eyes flashed red. “I think the four of us can handle it.”
I hoped he could stay in control and not turn on anyone for blood. “Alright, let’s go.” The four of us headed down the path until we reached the edge of the property. Firo and his brother Dain were already there waiting for us.
They approached and the tension grew, swirling around us like a living thing. Firo gave all of us a once over. “What rules did you have in mind for this little arrangement?”
I didn’t wait for anyone to respond. I cast the sleeping spell over him and his brother. Aric and Zyacus caught them before they hit the ground.
“You did not say that’s how you were going to subdue them,” Zyacus said, cutting me a glare. “He deserves a couple gut punches at least.”
“You do have the truth potion, right?” Aric asked, carefully setting down Dain.
Zyacus laid Firo on his back and pulled a small glass bottle from a pouch at his side. “Yep.”
“Where did you get it? Or did you make it?” I asked.
Zyacus also pulled two pairs of black kirune manacles from his side pouch. “I asked Professor Brimstor to give one to me. When he asked why, I told him it was none of his business. He still handed it over.”
Taz’s eyebrows shot up. “Woah, I could never get away with that.”
“You’re not the Prince of Hesstia,” Aric stated with a lift of his shoulder.
I took a step back when Zyacus came near me with the manacle. I did not want my magic drained and blocked. “Hurry up and put those on before—”
Firo flew up throwing a percussion spell that knocked all four of us to the ground. My elbow had caught my fall and throbbed as I shoved myself up. That stupid—vines wrapped around me at a rapid speed, engulfing my body in a matter of seconds. I grunted as I squirmed trying to think of a spell that would destroy the vegetation. All three of my boys were wrapped in the tangled mess too.
Come on, think! I screamed internally as Firo sauntered in front of me.
“You thought you could get the best of me? What were you planning to do?”
“I want the truth,” I said, “Why are you here?”
“I told you, I’m recruiting for my family.”
“Recruiting for what?”
Aric burst free of his bonds and was on Firo in the blink of an eye. They hit the ground rolling and grunting. With an animalistic growl Aric threw his head back then chomped into the muscles between the neck and shoulder.
Zyacus somehow melted the vines and tackled Dain.
I closed my eyes and frost trickled from my fingers, freezing the bonds, weakening them enough they could shatter with ease. I broke free and sliced through Taz’s entrapment with my dagger.
“Don’t kill him, we need answers!” I shouted, pulling on Aric’s shirt. He whirled on me, eyes wild. “Get control of yourself,” I snapped and shoved him hard enough he fell over Firo. We didn’t have time for him to be blood-crazed.
As soon as Firo rose up, he held a hand over his wound. “I didn’t expect the Collweyan boy to be cursed by the moon.” His eyes went to Zyacus who was still fighting with Dain. “Only that one.”
Aric crouched on the ground, blood leaking down his chin. I held my hand up to him. “Wait,” I commanded, hoping he’d listen.
“Cooperate, Firo and we won’t attack further.” My magic’s strength buzzed to a near uncomfortable level.
“Fine,” he said, sounding a little weak.
“First off, what are you talking about? Zyacus is not a blood drinker.”
With a worried expression, Firo retreated a few steps. “No, he’s something else.”
Taz, who stood beside me, gripped my arm. “Vis, look!”
When I followed his direction, Zyacus roared in Dain’s face and in seconds his form shifted, hair sprouted where skin was, his beautiful
