Summoner 18, p.2
Summoner 18, page 2
Hey, I worked with what I could, Phi huffed. The Shadowscape isn’t exactly renowned for its real estate.
“Sorry,” I replied, though I didn’t fully mean it. There was some kind of magic here that kept this place from being a complete dump like the rest of the Shadowscape, and I added it to my list of things to investigate.
At the end of the hallway was a red-painted door, and Carth’s red-brown eyes were heavy-lidded with lust once we paused before it.
“And this door leads to my chambers,” the horned goddess purred. “Entrance is usually by invitation only, but for you, Beastmaker, I’ll gladly make an exception.”
The gorgeous Archon angled her body in a way that made her ample breasts stick out ever-so-slightly, and she brushed her hair behind her pointed ear to highlight her curves even further.
“Would you care for a private tour?” she purred, and my heart raced for a moment as I considered the offer.
Sure, Carth was super sexy, but I was basically a prisoner here, and while there was some validity in the ‘sleeping with the enemy’ approach, I didn’t want to give the goddess the upper hand.
“Maybe some other time,” I replied with a clearing of my throat.
“Suit yourself.” Carth shrugged, and she appeared entirely unfazed by my rejection.
We resumed our walk in silence until we reached a closed door at the end of the opposite corridor. I was surprised she hadn’t assigned me to her private chambers, but I had a feeling the location of my room was strategic. It was just close enough to Carth’s room that I would be able to make my way without getting lost, so I knew it couldn’t be a coincidence.
“And this, Beastmaker, will be your room,” Carth said, and then she unlocked the door and held it open for me to enter.
The room was decorated just as the others. Well-crafted black furniture, polished floors, and walls inlaid with gems and dark jewels. The chamber had no windows, but instead was filled with an excessive amount of silver candelabras and rose-shaped sconces that swathed the room with a surprisingly warm glow.
I studied the room, and then I perched on the end of the pewter comforter-clad wrought iron bed.
“Is it to your liking?” Carth wondered.
“It’s comfortable enough.” I shrugged, and my tone was ambivalent. “Since you’ve given your tour, I think it’s time to revisit the promise you made on the battlefield--”
“I don’t think you’re in much of a position to be making demands,” Carth laughed lightly as she leaned up against the doorframe. “I’m a woman of my word, Gryff. Your answers will come in time. If I divulged everything now, what would we have to talk about for the rest of the week?”
“What would you rather discuss, the weather?” I snorted. “Or perhaps the migratory patterns of box trolls?”
“Cheeky.” Carth smirked. “No, I don’t wish to discuss the weather or any other dull topics that humans force themselves to exchange with others. I want to know all about you. Your likes, your dreams, your desires… I wish to know everything there is about Gryff of Njordenfalls, the mysterious man who managed to subdue some of my sisters and sway them to fight on behalf of the humans.”
As if we would fight for humans, Utuni growled. I fight for Gryff and Gryff alone. How dare she insult us like that?
“Maybe you’d like to join them and find out?” I suggested as I drank in her gorgeous frame. “You know, it isn’t too late to change teams and forget all about this alliance of yours.”
“Tempting, but unlike Sera and the others, I’m not so easily overcome,” Carth replied with a smirk.
“I wouldn’t say it was easy,” I relented. “But I can assure you the others got some satisfaction once they joined me.”
The goddess bit her full red lip, and her russet eyes traveled down my body hungrily.
“We can have a proper conversation following tonight’s festivities,” Carth murmured after a long moment. “For now, I’ll leave you to bathe and get ready. You’re still clad in your battle gear, and you look like you could use a good soak.”
“Get ready?” I frowned at the goddess. “For what, exactly? What festivities?”
“Tonight is a celebration,” Carth replied, as if it were entirely obvious. “It isn’t often our lovely realm has the pleasure of hosting the Beastmaker. My sisters will be arriving home soon, and they are awfully anxious to meet you.”
Chapter Two
“I’m afraid I forgot to bring a formal suit with me.” I shrugged, and then I gestured at my ripped and grime-covered garments. “I wasn’t exactly given time to pack, so hopefully these will suffice.”
“I’ll have my servants rustle up something more suitable for the occasion,” Carth said as she studied me closely. “While I admire you in such a rugged state, my sisters may not feel the same way.”
“Do you have a live-in shadow tailor as well?” I joked, but the Archon didn’t react to the quip, so I dropped my smirk.
“Your bathing quarters are right through that door there,” Carth noted, and she pointed to a door I hadn’t noticed on the other side of the chamber. “You will find the water is quite hot and pleasant. Of course… if you need someone to help get you even warmer--”
“I think I have it under control,” I interrupted her, and the Archon let out a small sigh.
“Suit yourself,” Carth said, and her full lips pouted slightly.
I was suspicious of the Archon’s pleasantries and knew gifts from a goddess weren’t to be trusted, but I put on a neutral face anyways.
“But thank you,” I said simply. “I, um, appreciate the hospitality.”
“Of course.” Carth grinned, and her ivory fangs glinted in the candlelight. “Call out for me if you happen to change your mind.”
Then the horned goddess silently gave me one last lingering glance before she slunk away and closed the door behind her.
Once I was finally alone, I let out the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding, flopped back onto the bed, ran my fingers through my tangled hair, and uttered a low groan.
This was all too much to handle.
A lump grew in my throat as Carth’s words set in. The thought of meeting the three other Archons was definitely intimidating. Carth was a force in her own right, so it was hard to imagine being in a room of similar goddesses, especially on unfamiliar ground. At the same time, though, I’d already gone up against and conquered five Archons. What was four more?
Women, amiright?
A smile crossed my face as I heard the voice of my familiar, Dio, in my head, and I reached into the pouch at my hip and retrieved the kitten-sized saber-toothed tiger. Dio’s round eyes were bleary with sleep, and he let out a huge yawn that only called attention to his comically large fangs.
“Definitely right, buddy,” I agreed, and I scratched the cat behind his ears.
That lady is awfully weird, Dio remarked. I don’t think I like her. She’s gorgeous, though.
“She is,” I admitted to my familiar. “She could have some useful information for us, so we have to play nice, even though I also agree she’s weird.”
I hate playing nice, Dio grumbled, and I chuckled to myself. My familiar always told it like it was, and I appreciated having someone else on my side.
I gently set him down on the comforter beside me, and within a minute, Dio’s contented purrs filled the room with a pleasant rumble. I continued to pet the tawny creature while I stared at the ceiling and considered my situation.
Then I felt movement in the back of my mind, and I let out a sigh as the Archons made themselves known.
Carth certainly wants you, Phi remarked, and her tone was snarky. Her boldness is unexpected but impressive nonetheless.
Our little Carth certainly has become a woman, hasn’t she? Utuni scoffed.
She only wants his power, Phi sighed. Otherwise, she wouldn’t bother. Carth never cared for others before.
Not for human men, anyways, Miralea added. Of course, that’s not surprising in the least. None of us cared for human men before.
“What was she like the last time you were all awake?” I wondered. “You all mention she used to be quiet and meek, and Carth told me herself that when she awoke, she was tired of being a doormat. What happened that could have changed her mind so much?”
The Archons were silent for a moment, which told me they were about to give a vague answer to my question. The monster goddesses were sadly predictable when it came to revealing deep truths.
You know how it is with younger siblings, Veopa mused. Our situation is no different, only we’ve had far longer for those feelings to fester.
“I’m an only child,” I reminded the succubus goddess. “Can’t say I have a whole lot of experience there.”
Lucky you, Phi grumbled. She and Sera shared a volatile relationship, and I wondered if the other Archons saw Carth in the same light the white-winged goddess saw her dark-winged counterpart.
It is unnecessary to delve into the specifics, but we had a great many disputes, Veopa said, and I could feel the shapeshifter shrug. Carth was never this strong. She always needed assistance, and yet was too mild to demand it.
She was the weakest of us, Phi agreed. So much so that I cannot speak for her power.
Each of the Archons wielded a power that set them apart from the other goddesses: Sera could open portals, Phi could create illusions, Miralea had berserker power, Utuni had her blood aura, and Veopa was a shapeshifter.
“Wait, you don’t know what her power is?” I clarified, and I rose up from the bed. “How is that even possible?”
She never exerted any type of magic against us, Utuni said. Nor against anyone else for that matter. She was the first of us to be overcome in battle, which came as a surprise to no one, I may add.
“Well, now I can see why she’s so pissed,” I muttered.
I didn’t want to give Carth any of my sympathy or understanding since she was my enemy, but neglect had to play a large role in her motivations. It amazed me that ancient goddesses could be so unaware of one of their own. While I had no siblings of my own, I was reminded of how Layla’s family treated her back in the slums of Varle.
Don’t compare our actions to familial neglect, Veopa snapped. Not all of us sought to stomp on her feelings.
Sera did that enough for all of us, Phi murmured.
“Is that why Sera was so intimidated by Carth out on the field?” I suddenly realized. “She was the only one who was truly hung up on coming here.”
Sera’s main concern was about saving her own skin, Phi laughed cruelly.
No one berated or hurt Carth in the past more than she did, Utuni added. Granted, Hunnah wasn’t much better, but she had at least a little more fondness for her than Sera.
Sera’s never shown fondness for anyone but herself, Miralea agreed.
“That’s not entirely fair,” I spoke up. “Sera’s helped me with a lot of situations, and she’s risking a lot to be in Mistral right now.”
She’s obedient to you, this fact cannot be denied, Veopa said, but the shapeshifter didn’t sound fully convinced. However, you are her master, so she must obey.
And honestly, her presence in Mistral buys her time away from Carth, Phi said. I would be surprised if she returned at the end of the week.
Care to make a wager? Utuni joked.
“Focus,” I commanded the Archons, and the five goddesses simmered down.
Sorry, master, Utuni murmured.
It all comes down to this fact, Phi continued on. Sera regarded Carth almost as poorly as she did the humans.
That’s being awfully generous, Veopa sighed. Sera never took her seriously, never tried to connect with her. She only wished to destroy Carth’s spirit and use that power to make herself feel mightier. Though I can’t say I’ve ever regarded Carth highly, either.
But now Carth has ascended to a higher position, and we cannot underestimate her any longer, Phi pointed out.
It figures she’d rally the eldest to fight against us, Miralea grumbled. That’s so like Carth.
“What are the others like?” I asked the Archons. “What are their gifts? ”
Xanrith, Quilla, and Hunnah’s greatest advantage is their age, Utuni explained to me. They were created before us, and as such, their powers are stronger, and so is their bond with each other. They fought like mad in the old days, but still, there was a closeness between them that would have been easy for Carth to reignite.
We’ll speak more on their gifts later, Phi stated. None of them possess anything that can be used against you at the moment, so it’s not necessary to discuss.
“That isn’t reassuring,” I groaned. “I feel like I’m at a huge disadvantage here.”
Nonsense, you have us, Miralea purred. We will be right here, master. We would never let any harm come to you.
If Carth or the others attempt anything, we will strike them down with no hesitation, Utuni agreed with Miralea. Do not let them plant fear inside of you.
“Thank you,” I muttered. Then I sent the Archons away with a wave of my will and looked to Dio.
The cat had curled up into a ball and fallen asleep, so I carefully shifted myself out of the bed as quietly as possible to keep from disturbing him. My familiar had fought valiantly in the battle against Carth and deserved a good catnap.
I stretched out my back and cringed as I heard a loud popping sound. I could definitely use some hot water on my aching joints, so I walked over to the door on the far side of the room and entered the bathroom as quietly as possible.
The room was made of smooth black tile, and it featured a sunken circular bathtub in the center of the space. I walked over to it and twisted the ornate knobs, and to my surprise, hot water roared out. I tilted my head as I watched the steam rise. I’d expected more shadow liquid, like the kind that poured from the courtyard fountain, but this water was completely clear. I cupped my hand and caught some of the liquid, and then raised it to my lips and took a sip.
My hypothesis was correct. It was just water.
So, I carefully unfastened my bandolier and pouches and set them off to the side of the room, and then I stripped out of my grungy clothing. I winced when I noticed all of the debris, blood, and other unidentifiable bodily fluids that stained my gear, and I hurtled the bundle of clothes as far away from me as possible.
Then, fully naked, I lowered myself into the deep bathtub, and I let out a sigh of relief as the hot water caressed my body. It felt amazing after everything I’d been through, and I spent a few moments in stillness as I enjoyed the soothing sensation.
Once I was in a more relaxed state, I began to scrub at my skin, and I didn’t stop until I was sure I’d removed at least two whole layers of dirt and general nastiness. My body felt a little raw, but at least I was clean. Then I dunked my head under the water and washed the goo out of my hair. I was surprised by the shagginess of the strands and vowed to have one of the women trim it once I returned to Mistral.
As soon as I was grime-free, I hoisted myself out of the tub and was surprised to see an enormous towel waiting for me near the door. It hadn’t been there when I’d entered the room, and no one had come in when I was bathing, so where had it come from?
I glanced around the room, but I was entirely alone, so I shrugged and padded over to the towel and wrapped it around the lower half of my body. On the opposite side of the room was a vanity with a tall mirror, so I walked over and was pleasantly surprised to see a comb atop the counter. I ran it through my wet hair until it was slicked back off my face, and then I studied my reflection in the mirror.
My bangs fell into my red-rimmed eyes, and I did my best to bat them away, but the effort was pointless. There was only so much primping I could manage, and I wasn’t sure I needed to get so fancy for a meeting with the Archons.
A cologne bottle and a toothbrush sat next to the comb, so I quickly brushed my teeth and then sprayed myself with the cologne. The scent was spicy and a little fruity, but not unpleasant. Carth had certainly thought of everything, and once again, I wondered how the Archon had access to these possessions.
When I returned to the room, Dio was no longer sleeping, and the saber-tooth’s tawny fur stuck out in every direction as if he’d been electrocuted. His tiny cat body was slightly arched with his shoulders back and his rear raised up into the air, and a low growl came from his mouth.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, and I followed my familiar’s gaze.
A shadow hovered ominously in the corner, and the second I spied it, it darted underneath the door and disappeared.
I raced to the door and threw it open, but when I searched the hallway, there was nothing there. After a moment, I returned to the room, and Dio hissed at me menacingly.
“It’s just me,” I assured my familiar. “Whatever it was, it’s gone now. Are you okay? Did it hurt you?”
Dio relaxed his stance, but the saber-tooth’s eyes were still huge with concern.
It didn’t hurt me, I’m fine, he said. It just… slipped in. It left a pile near the wardrobe and then just stood there. Whatever it was, it was freaky, and it moved too fast.
“Shadal,” I realized. “They’re Carth’s servants. Shadow creatures.”
I walked over to the wardrobe, and sure enough, a pile of clothes had been left beside it, neatly folded and crisp-looking, like they’d been pressed. I picked up the bundle and placed it on the bed, and Dio jumped back in surprise and hissed again at the pile.
“Relax,” I assured the cat, and I reached out to pet him, but Dio wasn’t having it.
Those smell funny, the saber-toothed cat growled, and he retreated closer to the wrought-iron headboard to get away from them. I don’t trust them, boss.
I picked up the garment from the top of the pile, a metallic-threaded button-down shirt, and sniffed it just in case Dio was onto something. However, when I inhaled, the fabric had no odor.
“I don’t smell anything.” I frowned and then inspected the rest. Nothing seemed outwardly amiss, so despite Dio’s insistence that something was off, I dressed myself in the clothes and admired the softness of the pieces. The black trousers, sterling-colored button-down, and black vest fit me perfectly, as if they’d been hand-tailored to my measurements.
