The Agrista (Between the Lines Book 1) (8 page)

BOOK: The Agrista (Between the Lines Book 1)
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  The voice came from a middle-aged man. He was built like a gladiator and filled up the entire doorway. Being well over six feet tall, he had to crouch down just to enter.

  For an older man, Marie found him quite attractive. He had a chiseled face with a pronounced chin, framed by wavy tresses of mossy brown hair peppered with gray. Traces of crow’s feet framed his starkly green eyes that shone with starbursts of sparkling gold.

  Laugh lines wove across his face beneath a five o’clock shadow, lighting up his kind eyes with a contagious smile that showcased shockingly white teeth. Marie watched him cautiously as he slowly closed the distance between them, wondering if he too was an Umbra. The Umbra seemed to have distinct eyes that were unlike any others’.

  “You’re no fun!” Fallon pouted, jumping to her feet. “I just wanted to see how they’d hold up in an interrogation. By the way,
you
failed miserably,” she rolled her eyes at Marie.

  “You knew we weren’t spies?” Marie choked out.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t here earlier, brother. I didn’t arrive until just now,” Cayden spoke up, sensing Marie’s rightful agitation. Fallon thrived
on provoking people, and he didn’t want to give her the chance to stir up more trouble.

  “You ruin everything, Cayden!” Fallon sighed, spiraling her dagger through the air with a flick of her wrist. Marie’s eyes widened with horror as it bit into the doorframe a mere breadth from her face.

  “Fallon, enough!” Cayden cut her an angry glare, causing her to sink down into a nearby chair as she defiantly crossed her arms over her chest.

  “I’m sorry you didn’t receive a warmer welcome.” Marie nearly snorted at Cayden’s understatement. “Times are tough. Our soldiers are under strict orders to capture all outsiders. There’s not many you can trust these days.” Cayden helped Alex to his feet, and they embraced each other in a brisk hug.

  “I’m just happy you’re actually on
our
side,” Marie mumbled. “Why can’t Alex change?”

  “The arrow you pulled out of me was a
Dingu
arrow. They’re laced with Baindingu poison. Once the poison is in an Umbra’s bloodstream for a certain amount of time, they can no longer transform from their human form. That’s why we had such an impromptu landing,” Alex explained, flashing her an apologetic smile.

  “I could smell the poison as soon as I approached the hut. Foul stuff! I imagine that’s why he brought you here first, Mariella. The cure for Baindingu poison lies in the venom contained in Infragilis Lilies,” Cayden broke open a lily with the sound of crackling glass, pooling its contents into a clay bowl. “Only problem is,” he sniffed, pouring the venom over Alex’s wound. “It burns as hot as Lucidus.” Marie instinctively cowered as Alex’s terrible scream tore through the room. Cayden clumsily caught him before he shot to the ground. “You should be fine now, Alex.” A sheen of sweat broke out over Alex’s brow as he softly trembled in his brother’s arms.

  “Why did you call me Mariella?”

  “Because that’s your name, of course! I remember how excited your mother was when she decided on that name for you.” Cayden smiled warmly while Fallon rolled her eyes.

  “My mother?”

  “I hate to trouble you, brother, but we could really use some food,” Alex possessively snaked his arm around Marie’s waist as a means of distraction.

  Why do people keep bringing up my mother if they’re not willing to talk about her?
Marie internally pouted. She desperately wanted to know everything she could about the woman.

  “
I
could sate your appetite,” Fallon winked. “I’m sure a young, virile male like you is insatiable, but I don’t mind.” Fallon skipped circles around Alex, eyeing him like he was a piece of candy. “We have a beautiful hot springs here. How about you and I take a
dip
? The warm water feels like velvet against your naked skin,” Fallon rubbed her hand over Alex’s bare chest, sighing sensually. Marie did all she could to keep her jaw from dropping. The woman had no shame.

  “You just gave me a wonderful idea, Fallon.” Alex slowly ran his tongue over his lips. It would’ve brought a blush to Marie’s cheeks had she not been so appalled by his responsiveness. “Marie was able to get some rest on the way here. I think a relaxing dip in the hot springs is just what she needs. It will allow me to get some rest while you and Cayden gather some food.” Fallon scowled once she realized he was mocking her, pulling a stifled laugh from Cayden.

  Fallon practically bore a hole into Marie’s skull with the seething hatred burning in her eyes. Marie wasn’t the kind of person who needed everyone to like her, but she couldn’t understand how someone could hate her so much upon simply meeting her.

  She
was the one who’d been wronged, not Fallon. The crazy wench knew exactly who they were and tormented them anyway! The reason why still eluded her.

  When Fallon drew blood, Marie nearly lost control of her bowels! She embarrassed herself enough on a daily basis. She didn’t need help from anyone else.
I don’t need her to like me. I don’t like her!
Marie returned Fallon’s glare, taking her by surprise.

 
Fallon suddenly stormed out, shoving Marie to the wall as she bustled through the door. Cayden trailed behind her, shaking his head. Fallon must’ve been, quite literally, a constant pain in the neck for the poor man.

  “What is wrong with that woman?” Marie snapped, glaring at the space Fallon previously occupied.

  “You need to learn to ignore her. After all, she and Cayden will be traveling with us,” Alex sighed, bracing himself for Marie’s reaction.

  “What?” Marie choked out. “Why?”

  “We need all of your siblings to open the Agrísta, and she’s your eldest sister.”

  “No. Frickin’. Way.” Her expression soured. This adventure
sucked
so far.

  “Cayden’s not so bad, at least. He’s her Umbra.”

  “Ah. That explains why he puts up with her. He doesn’t have a choice!”

  “Come on,” Alex laughed. “I’ll show you where the hot springs are. You need to unwind.” She couldn’t argue with that.

  Alex had to stifle his laughter every time he took in Marie’s shocked expression. He could tell by the pensive look on her face that there was an internal diatribe raging in her head, and wisely stayed his distance as they made their way to the hot springs. He found her constant contemplation endearing, and often wondered what she was thinking; though right now, it was obvious.

  Marie made short-work of the mile walk to their destination. She kept a brisk pace in rhythm with the thrum of angry thoughts swirling through her head, reflected in her aimless glare. If the rest of her siblings were anything like Fallon, she sure didn’t want to meet them.

  “Here we are,” Alex announced as they approached the hot springs. “Take as long as you need. I’m exhausted,” he admitted reluctantly. “When you’re finished, follow the path back to camp and come find me.”

  Alex struggled to suppress a yawn as he wearily dragged his feet back up the dirt path. Marie stared at his taut honey skin, stretched thin over wide shoulders and clear lines of muscle. She briefly entertained the thought that she wouldn’t mind him
joining
her in the hot springs before quickly shoving it away. No need to complicate things.

  I still can’t believe Fallon’s my…
Marie ground her foot into the dirt. She refused to even finish the thought.
I’m here to relax, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do!
Her angry determination directly contradicted her good intentions.

  Marie nearly ripped her clothes as she angrily tore them from her body. She threw them in all directions, not caring where they ended up. She’d most likely regret it later, but she could only focus on this single moment.

  She wrapped the towel Alex had given her around her and clinched it closed over her breasts. She didn’t trust Fallon not to do something terrible to her when she was her most vulnerable. The wretched woman seemed to have no inhibitions and thrived on irritating Marie. What better opportunity than when she’s naked and alone?

  She harshly adjusted the towel, grinding the rough, grainy fabric over her tender flesh as she ground her teeth. Leaping before she looked is how she wound up here, and she certainly wasn’t taking any more chances.

  Marie charged through the fog, letting out a blissful sigh as the hot water rushed over her feet. She immediately immersed herself in the warm rushes of silk, and all her cares melted away. Every negative thought piggybacked on every bead of sweat that rolled down her rosy cheeks until she finally felt calm. This was
exactly
what she needed.

  She took slow, deep breaths, letting the steam fill her lungs and soothe her soul as her limbs undulated softly beneath the water. The subtle pressure felt like a full body massage that sent her to the edge of euphoria.

  She spent hours soaking, refusing to think of anything outside of this moment. That was a challenge all on its own. It was far too easy to stay here forever, for her mind was at ease and the water would never chill.

  “I guess I should get out before I turn into a prune,” she sighed, examining the puckered skin on her fingertips.

  Marie lazily dragged her hand through the water, hypnotized by the ripples pulsing from her fingertips as they languidly stretched across surface of the water. She wished everything in life was so predictable.

  “What’s wrong with me?” That was exactly what Marie was running away from: predictability.

  She draped her head forward and sighed wistfully, bringing her knees to her chest. She’d gotten exactly what she’d spent years wishing for – adventure – and now that she had it, she wasn’t so sure she wanted it anymore. She was beginning to miss the mundane, and she hated herself for that.

  A peculiar image slithered into her periphery with an ocular shudder, abruptly disrupting her pity party. Marie tersely looked away, feigning ignorance. She convinced herself that there was nothing there, and that she was simply imagining things.
Because that worked so well the first time
, she scoffed.

  She kept her eyes closed as she slowly turned her head. Each shallow breath imbued her with courage. “There’s nothing there, right? Right. Okay, I’m going to open my eyes now.” Marie took a deep breath and flung her eyes open. What she saw below the surface ripped a scream from her lungs and sent her wading through the water in a tizzy.

 

MYSTERIES OF MILITES

 

 
M
arie sliced through the steam, clutching the heavy, wet towel close around her as she screamed expletives at the top of her lungs. It was near impossible to see anything through the sheets of mist, and Marie wasn’t paying attention to where she was going. The second her feet touched dry land again, she heard a loud metal clunk as she ran face-first into an armored soldier.

 
“What’s wrong?” The soldier took hold of her shoulders and steadied her.

  “There’s a dead woman in the water!” Actually saying the words out loud made her squirm.

  “A woman?” the soldier arched an inquisitive brow. “A
dead
woman, you say?” he clarified with mock concern. Marie slowly nodded. “The only woman among us, besides yourself, is Fallon, and you’ve seen firsthand that no one can penetrate our borders without us knowing about it. I think you’re seeing things, sweetheart.” he snickered, reclining against a nearby tree with his arms folded behind his head.

  “What. Is. Your. Name?” Marie’s anger fractured her speech, marking each word with a staccato.

  “Raeph.”

  Raeph was a solid man who’d been through hell on more than one occasion and survived. He towered over Marie. Most people cowered in his shadow, intimidated by his sheer size alone, but she stared up at him with fire in her eyes. It was a welcomed change. One that he found most attractive.

Layers of black silk cascaded over his muscular shoulders, reaching all the way down his unnaturally straight back, postured perfectly to look as intimidating as possible. He kept the top half of his hair loosely tied back, away from his pitch black eyes. They burned like hot coals, framed by thick, shapely brows.

  Light scars wove a helical pattern across his face, mapping out a story of every battle he’d ever fought. The white puckered skin cast shadows over his olive hue, but the scars by no means marred him; they gave him a dangerous edge that only added to his appeal. A patchy shadow beard detracted from his charismatic smile, flanked by two large dimples that reached all the way up to his eyes.

  “Listen, Raeph,” she practically growled his name. “I know what I saw. There
is
a dead woman in the water!” He’d struck a nerve when he implied that she was seeing things.

  “Sure there is,” he winked. “Are you looking for male comfort? Is that it, sweetheart? You don’t need to concoct some elaborate rouse. Females are in short supply around here, and you’re cute enough,” he shrugged, eagerly anticipating her explosive reaction.

  “First of all, I am
not
your damn sweetheart, nor do I have
any
desire to be!” Marie spit. “There
is
a dead woman in the water! I’ll show you myself, damn it!” Marie’s anger sparked an unexpected bravado as she clutched Raeph’s hand and dragged him to the edge of the fogbank.

  Her heart stopped as soon as her feet touched the water and the steam began to dissipate. Every muscle in her body pulled painfully tight, and the sting of tension forced her to cower as she struggled to take her next breath. She was happy to have someone with her this time, even if that someone was a sarcastic brute.

  A familiar fright crept over her as they approached the spot she’d been soaking. It slithered up her body, leaving goose bumps and tiny raised hairs in its wake. Feeling more proud than afraid, she slowly scanned the murky surface as she held her breath. A small part of her hoped she was wrong about what she saw, but as she quickly discovered, she wasn’t.

  Marie’s eyes met with another’s. Her lungs exploded in erratic, shallow gasps that kept rhythm with her frenzied heartbeat, drumming in her ears until she grew dizzy from the intensity. She spun around and slammed her face into Raeph’s chest, shaking so hard she rattled his armor.

  “That’s her! You see? I told you!”

  “Where?”

  “Right there!” she whimpered, pointing to the spot directly in front of her.
Please don’t make me look again!
The image was already burned into her brain.

  Of course, she’s daft.
He looked her over and heaved a disappointed sigh. She wasn’t fearless. She was crazy. “You mean this girl, right here?” He reached over and placed his hand atop Marie’s head, gently bobbing it from side to side.

  “Stop mocking me! There’s nothing funny about this situation! There’s a dead woman in the water, for God’s sake!” Marie flinched when the woman suddenly pointed at her while a large hand tousled her hair. “WHAT?” she thrust her knees into the muddy banks and edged her face closer to the water.

  “I’m sorry
you
don’t find it funny, honey, but I think it’s downright hilarious!”

  Marie trembled uncontrollably as she waited impatiently for the water to settle and sharpen her reflection. Raeph’s boisterous laughter branched out in ripples, making it near impossible for the tide to calm. His mockery incited violence within her that she hadn’t even realized existed before coming here.

  “I need a mirror!”

  “You’ll attract more flies with honey, sweetheart.”

  “Please!” She lightly touched his hand, stilling his laughter. “Please, I need a mirror.”

  “Don’t know what that is,” he sharply looked away. She was frightened. A look he knew all too well.

  “Something I can see my reflection clearer with. Do you have
anything
like that?”

  “Follow me,” Raeph trudged through the water with Marie dutifully following behind. Once they hit dry land, he mindlessly plucked an Infragilis Lily from a nearby tree.

  Marie nearly shot to the ground when he put the full weight of the lily in her hand. He managed to hook his arms under her before she made her descent, unintentionally slamming her face into his chest. When she pulled away, she could’ve sworn she’d seen the slightest hue of color in his cheeks, but he’d looked away too fast for her to tell.

  She cupped her hands around the flower, slowly bringing it to her face. The first thing she noticed was her startling blue eyes. It was as if someone stole a piece of the heavens and trapped them within the confines of her irises, reflecting a starry night. Long, black locks shimmered like velvet, in stark juxtaposition to her creamy complexion that put fresh snow to shame.

  “I need to talk to Alex right away.”

  “Funny you should mention that. He’s the reason I’m here.”

  “Is everything okay?” It certainly wasn’t on her end. Her face had changed completely, and she had no idea why.

  “He’s fine. You’re both safe within our borders, so long as you don’t piss Fallon off.” Marie nearly laughed at that. Was such a feat possible? “He’s asking for you.”

  “I need to see him too. Let’s go.” With a brisk nod, Marie began marching down the path.

  “Um, sweetheart?”

  “What?” she heaved an irritated sigh.

  “You might want to put some clothes on first.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything earlier?” she gasped, tightening the towel around her.

  “Why would I?” he winked. Raeph appreciated a woman who didn’t leave much to the imagination. You knew exactly what you were getting into. In Marie’s case, quite literally.

  With a comical effort to protect her modesty, Marie shifted awkwardly as she tore a small piece of fabric from her towel. She then hurled the damp cloth at Raeph’s face and gesticulated its intended purpose as makeshift blindfold. She didn’t trust Raeph any more than she trusted Fallon.

  Naturally, once Raeph gathered her meaning, she was bombarded with an onslaught of jibes, thick with sexual innuendo.
No surprise there
, she thought, but at least he wasn’t dangerous.

  It was an awkward walk back to camp. Raeph tried to initiate a conversation with the fiery female several times, but she only replied with one word answers, more polite than interested.

  Marie didn’t mind her new face. In all honesty, she preferred it to the old one. Pleased as she might be, she couldn’t accept it. When a person is used to staring at the same reflection for twenty-four years and it suddenly changes without any effort on their part, it throws them through a loop, to say the least.

  Marie was beginning to feel like she didn’t have control over
anything
, including herself. While she might appear calm on the surface, in truth, she was beginning to shut down. She felt as if she’d been backed into a corner, endlessly pummeled by surprises. A person can only take so many blows to the head before they lose themselves and go numb, and that’s exactly how she felt right now.

  As usual, Marie was lost in her head and oblivious to her surroundings until they’d reached their destination. Raeph parted the crowd as he led her to a small hut she’d recognized as Fallon’s. A knot churned in her stomach as he sidestepped, extending his arm toward the open doorway and bowing at the waist. Normally, she would construe it as a gentlemanly gesture, but Marie had a feeling he was just being asinine.

  “This is Fallon’s hut,” she stated, hoping he’d made a mistake.

  “Well spotted.
Alex
is waiting for you inside,” he said the name with obvious asperity as he leisurely walked away.

 
Marie dragged herself over the threshold, ignoring the gnawing feeling in the pit of her gut that urged her to turn back before she saw something she didn’t want to see.

  Her heart tightened in her chest. It felt like an elephant had taken up residence lounging on her sternum. If only she’d listened to her instincts, she might spare herself some pain every now and then.

  Marie came to a dead stop upon seeing a hazy amalgamation of flesh. Fallon’s nude body was entwined with Alex’s in a tangle of sweaty limbs. She rested her full breasts gently on his heaving chest with a satisfied sigh, mindlessly tracing shapes over his bared torso while Alex lie fast asleep.

  She
knew
that Fallon was just looking for a fight, but it didn’t matter. Her apathy took a nosedive as her anger clawed its way to the forefront of her emotions, screaming at her to rise to the bait.

  Fallon had called Marie here, not Alex. He had better taste and more sense than that, didn’t he? She couldn’t say for sure. She was still getting to know him.

  “Do you want something?” Fallon beamed upon seeing Marie, basking in what Marie hoped to god wasn’t an afterglow. She barely knew either of them yet, but the thought of them together boiled her blood.

 
Fallon’s voice worked like a detonator for a hair-trigger inside Marie, setting off an implosion. Marie bared her teeth and raised her clenched fists in a show of resistance. She didn’t have a chance in hell against Fallon, but it would be worth it if she could get
one
punch in. Just one blow, to smack the smug expression off her face.

 
“Here on Milités, baring your teeth signifies a challenge. Do you want to fight me, little sister?” Fallon jumped to her feet. She playfully hopped back and forth, completely unabashed over her state of undress.

  “The thought had crossed my mind,” Marie’s courage quickly diminished as she took in Fallon’s muscular build.

  “Great Lucidus, Fallon!” Cayden shielded his eyes as he entered the hut. “We don’t have time for your games!” He ripped the shirt from his back and blindly threw it in her direction.

  “What’s going on?” Alex sat up groggily, confusion written clearly on his face.

  “Nothing we can’t continue later.” Fallon yanked the shirt over her head and skipped to Cayden’s side.

  “You’re better off not knowing. Honestly Fallon, I leave you alone for five minutes,” Cayden shook his head. “I hope you’re both feeling refreshed, because we have much to discuss,” he turned to Marie and smiled. Her stomach growled in response, piercing the awkward silence and causing a gentle wave of laughter to roll through the room. “Let’s talk while we eat, shall we?”

  Marie was surprised when Cayden handed out bowls of fresh fruit. She was fine with berries and melons, but she’d expected to see flame-tinged steaks marinated in blood. Fallon seemed like the kind of person who lived to hunt, taking down her prey with her bare hands and returning with its head on a pike.

  “Fallon has informed me that Aruzhan is at the castle under Canticum Dormientum. If she’s still alive, Cerin must be too. Do you think he’s at the castle as well?” Cayden wasted no time pussyfooting around the subject.

  “He’d have to be a total fool. I bet my lifestone he’s in hiding,” Alex scoffed.

  “How can you be so sure?” asked Cayden.

  “Self-preservation.”

  “I’m
assuming
we’re looking for Cerin solely so we can slit his throat,” Fallon interjected. “He’s betrayed his own Umbra, and in turn, all of us!”

  “He’s your blood, Fallon,” hissed Cayden.

  “A traitor’s a traitor. For Aruzhan to fall under Canticum Dormientum, he had to have been involved in some way. She wouldn’t go anywhere near the castle unless she was following him. He
must’ve
betrayed her,” Fallon snarled.

BOOK: The Agrista (Between the Lines Book 1)
7.54Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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