The Lycaetos

Chapter 25: Twisted Tables

If I wasn't afraid of stepping in glass I'd take off my shoes to feel the plant life scattered around me. It was a nice spot Kirsa had found for us. Long green reeds and soft yellow spider like flowers off of bushes were behind us. While small lilac tinted vase like flowers low to the ground surrounded us. The sound of water could be heard in the distance and the dirt that was visible away from the flowers seemed an almost permanent semi moist state. Especially in the cool humid night. 


Private and beautiful. Owned by no one. This was a common area for illegal activity and drinking. Yet here in this specific spot in the area was just us now.  I wasn't quite sure why she had brought me here until I noticed how intently she continued to glance and eye the bruise on my face. It was a big one and I knew it. Distinct in a shade of purple that was no less distracting than the flowers. 


I tried to turn away from her prying eyes, but she stepped around. To continue staring so obvious. 


It wasn't what she thought. Yet I couldn't exactly tell her about the secret training Hunter and I had been doing. It was supposed to be secret after all.

I nodded at her and tried to hide the burning I felt at keeping another thing from her. It always felt like that was what I was doing. Hiding from her, from Hunter, from everything. 


Still she never held it against me. What kept Kirsa so cool I wonder?

"I could kill him if you want."


I laughed and pushed her shoulder. A nearly screeching laugh that was quick and held a release of breath violent enough to give away the hesitant sigh just begging to show a little of how I really felt. 

Cool indeed. I guess we all have our definitions. 

"No you can't. " I answered. My voice curt, and a complete 180 from my temporary loss of face. 

She chuckles back, "I know."

We start to walk closer to the sound of the water. Kirsa grabs my hand in a gentle fashion. She continues talking. 

"Hunter keeps this whole city protected, he could probably kill me with just a finger." 

I roll my eyes. 

"Protection." 

What could be worse than us Lycaetos? 

Obviously we are the problem. 

But I guess, him being in charge here, does keep other Lycaetos away- at least it did. But what is he planning? What are they planning. 

More so, what will I do? I'm a Lycaetos too. 

This sucks. 

I wish I could tell Kirsa this part, these things. If she knew, maybe we could resist together. But she's right, with just a finger he could take us down. Just a touch and my brain doesn't always do what it should. 

I wish Hunter could understand. Wish we weren't like sandpaper to stone. Sometimes smooth, sometimes rough.

Couldn't we be like fish in a river? All just going the same way. 

I gripped Kirsa's hand tighter. Closing my eyes and just taking in the sound of the water. The higher but still deep pitched wooshing slowly flowing against my ear. 

It was nice, made my pulse feel no less like I had been running, but it helped keep my mind less turbulent. Which I preferred. 

Actions are all that matters, and sometimes thinking just gets in the way of that. 

Woosh!  Tuc, Tuc, bup, bup, BUP. Shing!

I open my eyes and pull Kirsa toward me as quick as I can. 

The metal just barely misses her but recoils, as if attached and swings directly into my throat. Hitting it for just a moment like a heavy whip. On instinct I step back, but I still keep Kirsa with me. 

"Who the fuck was that?" I beckon. 

Trying to be polite. 

My eyes land on the source. A taller muscled guy holding a rope of heavy chains, who seems to be with a couple of friends. All dressed to the nines looking pretty damn pissed.

Angry? Maybe cause I called them out, or because their little violent theatrics didn't work... I didn't care about that though. No the guy to the left suddenly took all my attention. Holding a weapon I recognized. Of course I would. Since I recognized this guy too.  Why is he here? 

Hunter.