" .. stop this silly nonsense. I'm fine, just a little ..
" Cursed? "
We all looked at Nifa, who quickly hid behind her wife.
His wound looked deep, but after some cleaning and expert bandaging, he looked brand new.
And not superstitious at all.
" There's no such thing as curses people. Now .. Manata, Lucian .. "
The two were kneeling their eyes full of tears until now but jumped up hearing their name.
Zephyr pointed behind them towards the way of Hori village.
" You two go and bring the soldiers.. find Draykos as well. Have him gather the available men .. we need to chop and divide Hori. I'll be sleeping next to my daughter tonight. Go. "
" Yes, big brother. "
Lucian turned around to check with Manata, but he was already full tilt running where we left the horses. He closed his mouth and sprinted right after him.
The rest of us were content staying away from the dead body .. even dead, it looked intimidating.
" Don't be scared .. his brains are dripping out of its nose. You can take a look. " Zephyr laughed at our expressions.
Even with his light attitude, only Carlos and Alexander took real interest in the corpse.
" Are you sure you're okay? " I asked the hundredth times.
He didn't even answer. He just let Cintia put his arm bracer back on. " Thank you, Martell .. how did the painting turn out? "
Cintia looked unsure how to answer that until
Nifa managed to put up a forced smile even though her best effort just landed in the mud and dirt.
" I'll have it all here now .. should be great. " She pointed at her head.
Stuart and Eli kept making grim expressions, looking at his arm.
( SNAP SNAP )
" There are no curses, guys .. " he gained their attention. " .. I'll be here next full moon just like I will be for .. hopefully many. "
I could see the smile they wore it was him alone. They didn't wanna annoy him further, but their eyes didn't change.
I understood them.
Even though every single braincell told me that curses and such are nonsense .. the fear remained.
Eventually, he gave up seeing through our attempts at hiding our worries and walked to the others and stood by Carlos's side, who knelt beside the enormous body.
" Something wrong? " He asked.
Carlos looked up and wiped his finger on his side.
" The blood, his blood .. how does it smell to you? "
We walked closer and stood behind Alexander, who looked especially interested in this topic.
Zephyr shrugged but dipped his finger into the large pool that soaked into the ground and smelled it.
" Metallic .. Like blood? Why? What does it smell ..
" Delicious.. " he cut him off, looking at his now clean finger that was still coloured a light shade of purple. " .. like something incredibly delicious. "
" Emet was the same. "
We all looked towards Alexander, kneeling himself, smelling the ground. " .. It was inexplicable. But .. right after Emet died, his blood was everywhere, and it smelled.. the same. "
I got curious and saw the others inching ever closer until we could smell it.
It reminded me of .. honeycomb and .. Zephyr and .. something else I never had but wanted more and more. I felt my heart beat faster the more I watched the purple liquid.
Carlos was close to licking his finger until Zephyr stopped him. " Easy brother .. let's not tempt faith with .. mythical bloods an.. ALEXANDER! "
He was late .. and by the time we looked at him, Alexander entire face was purple as blood was dripping down on the side of his mouth.
" I .. I'm .. s-sorry .. I couldn't ..
" FOOL! SPIT IT OUT .. RIGHT NOW! " Demelza ran over and shook the large man.
To his credit, he immediately obeyed. Spitting and wiping his mouth with his hands.
In the stunned silence, Zephyr walked over, gently pushing Demelza to the side. He grabbed his brother by the shoulder and examined his face.
" Look up .. Down .. Open your mouth ..
Alexander was shaking like a leaf in the wind but followed his words. Meanwhile, me and Eli quickly closed in on Dem, who looked like someone about to faint.
" Okay .. How do you feel? " Zephyr stopped examining and sat him down. " Talk to me. "
" I'm.. I feel okay, little brother. I feel .. the same. " he sounded surprised but also a little disappointed.
" I'm sorry .. I d-don't know what came over me. "
" I TELL YOU WHAT YOU ..
" Sister, please. " Zephyr spoke without taking his eyes off Alexander, who wanted to hide from his wife.
We hushed Demelza and did our best to calm her down .. unfortunately, the smell got to me as well.
It was irresistible. My head slowly turned and kept on the small pool growing ever larger. I noticed Eli and the girls mesmerised as well but didn't care ..
I just wanted a taste so bad it hurt my throat.
" .. Vistellia will look at you when we get back. In the meantime.. you stay put. Carlos.. come here. "
Carlos needed a few seconds to tear himself away from the blood but eventually did end up close to the rest of us. His eyes were wide open, and he looked wired .. nervous.
" .. Lylly! "
I wiped my head so fast it almost hurt hearing the anger in his voice calling my name.
" In fact.. how about we all move a little further away? " he took a look at each of our faces.
The fact that even in this situation, we were all looked reluctant to move, which made him step up.
He walked between us and the corpse.
" Move .. Now. " he pressed the words through his teeth.
His eyes were filled with the promise of trouble .. it did make everyone move a little, Stuart and Carlos held Alexander even though he looked fine.
I felt my hand grabbed. Zephyr kept staring as if looking inside me.
" Does it affect you as well? "
I was a little ashamed.. but nodded silently.
He sighed and led me towards the others. I felt a strange burning sensation I haven't felt for a while ..
" Nobody moves until you feel .. normal. Keep an eye on that idiot. " he pointed at Alexander now firmly inside his wife's arms. " If any of you come an inch closer .. it won't end well. "
The fact he actually had to use the promise of violence did sober me up a little as he walked back to the beast alone. I saw the others were stunned as well but their eyes .. they contained anger.
" J-just .. what was that!? " Carlos asked more himself than the group.
Nifa stepped beside me, keeping her eyes on Zephyr's back.
" Did .. all of us felt like ..
" Like hungry animals? " I asked in anticipation.
" Yes .. " she gulped.
I did a quick scan and saw all their faces .. they showed hostility towards Zephyr, maybe for the first time in their lives.
Even I ..
Felt a little cheated out from something.. life changing and delectable.
I got wet and looked up, expecting rain.. but it was only Carlos pouring cold water on himself using his own ability.
After an entire minute, he finally stopped.
" .. That's better. I FEEL BETTER .. Alexander.. well, everyone. Gather close to him. " he pointed.
I felt ready to protest, but he didn't wait for us.
A large blast of ice cold water drenched the entire group, making most of us scream a little from the surprise or the temperature.
But it worked..
I gradually starter feeling better .. less hungry, so to speak. After a few seconds, we all stood silently as the water washed our .. unnatural desires away.
Once done .. he asked.
" Better? "
We all collectively nodded.
I felt like I came out of a dream. My husband.. my love .. I almost felt anger towards him for keeping me away. How did this even happen!?
I saw the same feelings wash over everyone. Regret and guilt. Just as I was able to think clearly, the sounds of footsteps took our collective attention away.
Lucian and Manata walked, leading our man, and quickly closed the distance before they arrived.
" Why are you just standing here.. wait .. why is everyone wet!? "
No one wanted to answer Lucian's question.
Hell .. we wouldn't even know how go start.