Shadow's Chosen (Dark World Mates Book 3) Read online

  "I'll be fine, assuming nothing has shriveled up inside me." He let out a low hiss, and Elise covered her mouth, trying to stifle her laugh.

  "Sorry." She choked down a giggle then forced herself to look serious. "Sorry, that wasn't funny."

  "No. It was. And you did the right thing. You went for a vulnerable place." He shook it off, righting himself.

  Elise backed up a step then placed her hands on her hips. "So, what's this about letting your guard down too much? How easy are you making this for me?"

  Nezka tilted his head in a shrug.

  Elise threw up her hands. "How can I learn to get better if you go easy on me?"

  "I'm trying not to put you back into the same state you were in when we first came here."

  "But somebody else might," Elise countered. "If I can be faster than them, then there's a lesser chance of that happening."

  "Maybe." Nezka started back across the courtyard.

  Elise went after him, catching his arm. "One fight," she said, walking beside him. "At your best. I just want to see."

  Nezka snorted. "No, you don't."

  "I do!"

  She watched him roll his eyes then stop and look down at her. "You really don't know what you're asking. I could seriously injure you. Remember how you said you'd never had a broken bone?"

  "I trust you won't mess me up that much."

  Nezka laughed. "I don't trust me."

  He went to move, and Elise caught his arm again. "Please."

  He glared down at her, and Elise shot him with her best dolly-eyed look. He turned toward her and sighed. "One. One fight. But as soon as I make a clear hit, we are done."

  Elise grinned. She moved back into the courtyard and took position, raising her fists and taking up the stance he taught her.

  Nezka placed himself opposite her and didn't so much as lift his arms. "Ready?"

  Elise nodded. "Yes."

  "Go."

  Nezka shot over and was on her so quick Elise almost missed her block. He swung so fast and hard that all she could do was dodge and shield herself from his blows. Even with her armor, she could feel the hits to her arms all the way to her bones. She circled, jumping back, never hesitating for a second, trying to keep up with him. To her dismay, she found herself retreating farther from the middle of the courtyard until she was at the door. She never turned her back to run, but his attacks never stopped. Heart racing, she led him down a passage and back into the main foyer where she was also forced to step around fallen pieces of glass and metal while escaping his blows. At one instance that she ducked his punch, his fist landed on the side of a stone obelisk in the middle of the room, and a piece of it shattered and crumbled to the ground.

  Elise cursed. Thinking quick, she rolled to the side then jumped up. As he turned, she saw an opening and went for it. She swung out her leg, hoping to strike his midsection, but Nezka was too quick. He swerved away from her kick and instantly stepped to the side, snapping out his arm.

  His fist collided with her chest, and she went flying back, the air sucked out of her lungs as she landed on her ass and slid across the floor. She lay back, stunned, the glass roof above going in and out of focus. She thought she heard a growl from somewhere and tried to lift her head when Nezka was beside her, lifting her into a sitting position. Elise blinked and gazed up at him.

  He looked pissed.

  "Are you hurt?" he asked in an angry growl.

  Elise opened her mouth but for a moment couldn't seem to speak. She touched at her chest and looked down and found the armor plate cracked on one side. Oops.

  She took a deep breath but was relieved to feel no real pain. She glanced back at him and smiled. Then quickly dropped the grin when his expression didn't change.

  "I'm all right, honestly," she said. "That was incredible."

  His eyes narrowed as he studied her. His hand lay flat against the middle of her chest, as if his touch could gauge whether she told the truth. His face came close to hers, and he closed his eyes. Elise went still, noticing his other arm was around her back. She watched his face, noting the skin was beginning to heal where it was burned, his teeth were nearly covered with a new layer, and she could no longer see his cheekbone. Now there was only pale new skin forming over it. Where he was still purple in shade, she was close enough to notice a set of small scales knitted tightly together, kind of like a snake, making what she assumed was a smooth surface. She had a sudden crazy urge to touch and see if it really was smooth. Her hand started to lift up when his eyes opened to look back at her and all she saw was bright orange.

  "You’re fine," he concluded. He released her and stood, pulling her up with him. Elise wiped dust from her suit.

  "Well, at least I held my own for a small time. Next fight will be different when I've practiced more."

  Nezka glared at her then let out a hiss of breath and turned for the stair. "If there is another fight. And don't expect me to go hard like that again."

  "Oh, come on! It wasn't that bad," Elise called, following him to the steps.

  "Not this time maybe..." she heard him mutter. "But I won't risk it again." She thought to argue when he turned back to her. "It’s all we will do for now. It's time we started making plans."

  Elise paused, gazing up at him, thinking about arguing still but deciding to nod her head instead. "Yes. I agree."

  ***

  They returned to their room on the top level, Elise feeling a slight soreness building in her chest but nothing more. Nezka went over to the bag and took out the strange green block. He broke it in half and gave one piece to her.

  "What is this?" Elise sniffed it. It had a minty, citrus sort of scent.

  "Soap," Nezka answered. "Use the rest of the water in your canteen, and I'll fill it up when you're done." He picked up the other canteen that had once been filled with liquor but was now replaced with water and headed out of the room. "I'll return shortly."

  Elise watched him go, curious about his reaction to their fight. She let it go for the time being and went to her chair. As she began to take off her armor and unclasp the suit, she grimaced as she smelled the inside and the stink of sweat. She peeled away the top half and shivered as the chill air bit at her. She washed quickly, scrubbing her skin with the block till she was red then washing the dirt away with cold water. When she was finished with her upper half, she risked doing her lower, assuming Nezka would warn her before he entered again. She washed and rinsed to the best of her ability, using up all the soap he had given her. When she deemed herself clean enough, she placed a little more salve on a few areas still healing. Then, with the remainder of her water, she rinsed out her suit, letting it dry some before forcing it back on. With her canteen now empty, she left the room to inform Nezka she was finished.

  She walked down the hall and was about to call out to him when her eyes glanced over to a nearby room, and she saw him sitting by a faded glass window. She peered in closer, and her heart did a little flip. She slid back quietly, hiding herself by the open door. She remained still for a moment longer then slowly looked back in.

  He was naked from the top, his back turned to her as he took his canteen and poured water across his shoulders. His back was filled with the same white scars as his face and arms, stretching across tight skin and sharp shoulder blades. His body was hard muscle along a slender but well-built frame that seemed larger, longer than any human’s. It was an odd yet curious melding of a man's body and a primitive, animalistic power; like he had inherited the muscular complexity of a tiger or wolf. The scars even reminded her of a big cat, though his skin seemed more reptilian in nature. The sight left her breathless when she first noticed him because, for a split second, she thought he'd begun transforming into some hybrid werebeast.

  No. No, that's just...him.

  Nezka didn't turn to look at her, and she wondered if he really didn't notice she was there. Feeling embarrassed for staring, Elise started to open her mouth to make herself known when he bent his back and—
r />   Elise's eyes widened, and she had to cover her mouth to stifle her gasp. She slid back from the door again and just stood there.

  He had spines.

  Not just a regular human spine but sharp protruding spikes that curved along his back like quills. They looked sharp and deadly as they rose up when he had bent forward.

  Elise, though shocked, was just curious enough to dare another peek. She carefully looked around the door and saw that he was now standing up, the sight of his hard stomach and broad chest exposed in the dim light. He began to take off the rest of his gear, and Elise caught a brief look at the sharp line of his lower abdomen before she quickly turned away and headed back to the room, ignoring the sudden heat that ran across her body.

  Whether from the embarrassment of watching or from something else she didn't care to name, Elise distracted herself by keeping busy, readjusting her armor to her suit then organizing their food rations. When she heard him return, she didn't look up, pretending to be focused on a snag along her suit .

  He didn't seem to notice her unusual quiet as he took up the empty canteens and went to refill them. When he returned again, he sat down in the chair beside her and began to repack the bag. Elise eyed him cautiously and saw him wearing the Red Blade suit once more.

  "I've looked over the map a few times while you were resting," he began. He touched at his band, bringing up the map before them. He focused on where they were now and what was ahead. The next gate wasn't far, but they were off their original course and would have to find another way through. "We have a few options on getting past but none will be easy," he stated. "We can head back farther north and find the trail we used through the tram tunnels..."

  "I'd rather not go down there again," Elise confessed.

  "I would agree. By now, they will be swarming with Red Blades," Nezka said. "So, that leaves another gate back south that may not be as heavily guarded but will put us at least a day or two behind and would force us back into the pack of car thieves’ territory. Or there is the bridge."

  "The bridge?"

  Nezka focused on a part of the gate that was only a little ways east from them. There, they saw an opening unlike the others. Instead of a regular tunnel entrance, there was a bridge situated between the walls with what looked to be a building at its center. A deep river base flowed parallel to the gate at first then crossed below it, exactly where the bridge stood. "It seems that this is an old gatehouse made before the other gates were built. It could not be torn down, likely due to the river-chasm below, so for whatever reason, the drogin left it and built the new gate across the old," Nezka explained, pointing to a crossway at the top that went over the gatehouse and bridge. "The bridge is several spans long on both sides of the gate and doesn't end until the river turns off either to the north or south. It is the closest pass by far, and if we come out the other side, there is a road that can take us back to a path toward the energy deposit."

  Elise observed the map carefully where the bridge and gate crossed each other. It wasn't far at all. The only thing standing between where they were now and the bridge was an expulsion plant—whatever the hell that was. After that, they could get a good look at the bridge and see what they were up against. If they could sneak past, they could gain some serious ground despite being a little off their course. Even the road he mentioned had to veer away a little before putting them back on their original path. Elise fixed her gaze on a portion of the map just past the bridge that the road went around. It was completely blank. "What's going on here?" She pointed to it.

  "Uncertain," Nezka admitted. "Maybe an unmarked blockade. Or a hole."

  "Hm. Too bad," Elise said. "If we could cross that particular section, it could make for a decent shortcut."

  "Perhaps. But for now, I think our focus should lie on the bridge," Nezka suggested.

  "Good point. I think it's a great idea. We should go for it."

  "There's one issue." Nezka focused on the bridge. "What I've heard from others while out on my runs is that the bridge is owned by someone called Krow. The gatehouse now serves as both his own personal stronghold and as a sort of gambling entertainment clubhouse. They let people cross but for a price."

  "Great." Elise sat back.

  "I don't know what that price is exactly, but I assume he has his own pack and is armed to the teeth."

  "Why else would he still have hold of the bridge and not the Red Blades, right?" Elise said.

  "Exactly," Nezka said.

  Elise shook her head. "They might not let me pass if they see me and know the Red Blades are looking."

  "Not if they see you with me," Nezka countered.

  She glanced up at him and could tell he had an idea in mind. "What are you thinking?"

  Nezka smirked. "You might not like it."

  "Probably not."

  "I pass as one of the Red Blades bringing you back as a prisoner," Nezka said.

  "You're right. I hate it."

  "But it could work."

  Elise exhaled through her teeth and crossed her arms. "Assuming they even believe it."

  Nezka tilted his head. "Why wouldn't they?"

  "I don't know," Elise admitted. She sighed and looked back at him seriously. "What would it entail, then?"

  "You'd have to do as I say. You'd be bound, maybe gagged."

  "Kinky."

  Nezka gave her an odd but intrigued sort of look, and Elise felt her face grow warm. "A joke! But in all seriousness..." Elise looked back at the map to the bridge, shaking her head. "There's really no other way? Maybe we could sneak in?"

  Nezka made a cutting motion at his throat. "No."

  She really didn't like the thought of having to act the part of hostage. But his idea was sound even if risky. There were few other choices with less of a risk that she could think of. "All right." It pained her to say it." I guess...if you think it will work."

  "I do," he said confidently. "Assuming they don't catch on, our biggest concern will be trying to convince this Krow to let us pass." Nezka tapped her arm assuredly. "It may take some time to convince him. A day or two."

  "I was afraid you'd say that."

  "But if we can get through after, the energy deposit is all that remains." Nezka closed out the map and rose. "We stay one more night, then tomorrow, we go."

  Fourteen

  They left at first light, taking the two-wheeler out to the nearest road and making east for the bridge-gate. Nezka had Elise keep hold of her gun, assigning her as lookout in case they met with anyone who posed a threat. Thankfully, those they did see were nothing to worry about. The drogin and otherkin of this particular part of the city were scavengers and poor folk looking to live peacefully and nothing more. They hid themselves when he drove passed, likely seeing his red and black armor and identifying him as a Red Blade. The real threat.

  They passed the market and living district and drove on through to the factory zones where tall metal bots stood like dead corpses in mid-action, long since shut off and rusting. From there, they came to a wasteland of garbage and steel until they hit the expulsion plant. Large clouds of steam bellowed out from giant vents in the ground, making the way foggy and warm. It was here Nezka was forced to slow and where he warned Elise to keep her eye out and her gun ready. Shadows ran along the road and across the buildings, dashing in and out of sight. Nezka knew someone or something was watching them, following them.

  Whoever they were, they weren't carrying guns for they never stopped nor did they fire at him. And that concerned him. He neared another set of buildings where several large fans turned slowly in front of two giant, empty vents angled toward the road. As he drove under a wide bridge toward them, a loud buzzer went off, and the fans started to turn faster. A wind picked up, and steam, along with other debris, began to spew out of the vents. Nezka stopped the vehicle as Elise called out to him over the wind. He hopped off the two-wheeler and dragged her with him into the shelter of the bridge.

  "Someone is trying to force us back," Nez
ka shouted, pulling her with him against a thick blockade under the bridge. They huddled down as pieces of metal and chunks of concrete whipped by from the force of wind and steam. The air grew thick, and Nezka could see Elise had her mouth covered as if it was hard to breath. He too found it difficult and so ripped off the Red Blade's mask connected to his belt and tugged at the straps to loosen the bindings and widen the mouthpiece. Angling the mask, he pressed his face against hers, covering their mouths with the ventilator. Their breath mingled and, as intimate as it was, in that moment, Nezka could only think of the danger surrounding them, of the glass and dust and steam that could choke their lungs and the metal that flew by, powerful enough to shred them to pieces. His eyes shot around, preparing himself to shield Elise from anything that might fall on them when he felt the warmth of her hand cover his. He turned his gaze over to her, and their eyes locked. Her eyes spoke of her fear but also her fury and her will to endure, and in that moment, as time seemed to stretch, he felt again that pull—that need to bring her closer.