Page 55 of Eldritch (The Eating Woods #2)
The voice was familiar, and Kazhimyr lurched forward, training his gaze on the man who’d spoken. When the cloaked figure turned around, Kazhimyr’s muscles tensed. “Dravien?”
His old traveling companion didn’t bother to look at him, his blade trained on the beast. “Get the hell away from me!”
Dolion chuckled. “Hell, indeed. He, er— you— probably crawled up from the very pits of Nethyria.”
“What is it?” Torryn asked beside Kazhimyr.
“That would be an ombrevor. Beautiful, isn’t he?” Morwenna’s lips stretched to a smile, as she stared back at the creature. “No worries, he won’t harm any of us. Only him.”
Dravien swiped with his dagger, severing one of the branches that grew out from the ombrevor’s bony shoulders and the back of its neck. As he scrambled backward, the ombrevor let out another roar and scampered on all fours toward him.
“As I said, once set into motion, you cannot kill this creature. No matter what you do, you cannot stop an ombrevor.”
Dravien climbed over the bed, the ombrevor chasing after him, knocking over the bedside table and firelamp.
“Should we do something?” Kazhimyr asked, watching the beast tear through the room after Dravien.
“Why should I?” Morwenna crossed her arms over her chest. “Bastard broke into my house. He’s lucky I didn’t find him first.” An object flew through the air, and as Morwenna stepped aside, a candelabra landed between them.
“Stop this thing!” Dravien screamed, when the ombrevor took hold of his leg and jerked him closer. “ J’mil redrisz !”
“Are you certain of this?” Dolion asked.
“Yes! I’m certain!” Dravien clawed at the floor in a futile attempt to get away.
“As the occupant of the room you’ve invaded, I banish you!” Dolion called out, stepping toward the beast, and waved his finger, as if drawing something in the air. A strange glyph glimmered a pale blue, lingering in front of him.
The ombrevor swung around, looking back at Dolion with glowing, silver eyes. It gave one more snarl toward Dravien and scampered up the wall, before disappearing into the ceiling.
Still breathing hard, Dravien sat trembling, holding out his knife.
“What are you doing here?” Kazhimyr strode closer, flipping the knife in his hand for a quick jab, if necessary.
The Elvyniran lowered his blade and pushed to his feet. “It occurred to me we hadn’t discussed a meeting place.” He disappeared into black smoke, and Kazhimyr spun around in search of him. Dravien reappeared, his blade propped beneath Dolion’s chin. “I’m here for him. No one needs to get hurt.”
Behind him, the ombrevor appeared just outside the window, staring in on them like a dark shadow.
“All I need to do is say the word, allow him entry back into my home, and he’ll rip you apart, devour every inch of you, and leave nothing more than a pool of blood on the floor,” Morwenna warned. “Not even your vanishing trick will be quick enough. Trust me, I’ve a bit of experience with this.”
“How’d it get in, if it had to be invited first?” Torryn asked.
Arms crossed, Morwenna huffed. “They don’t need permission to enter. They need permission when banished, as Dolion so graciously offered the scheming little codsucker.”
“Let him go, or I’ll put a blade between your eyes,” Ravezio yanked two blades from the holster at his chest.
Dolion glanced down at the one propped below his chin and raised his hand. “He can’t kill me. In his culture, it is forbidden to kill, or bring harm upon, the man who saved his life. J’mil redrisz is Elvyniran for I surrender my life to you.”
“I wouldn’t put too much stock into folklore, old man,” Dravien gritted out, keeping his eyes on the surrounding Letalisz, sparing only a quick glance toward the window where the ombrevor kept watch.
“Do it, then. If you insist on killing me, slide that blade across my throat.”
Dravien sneered. “Begging to be slaughtered.” The sneer faded as his brows came together, and on a frustrated growl, he released the mage. “Fucking hell!” He ran his hand back and forth over his head, mussing his hair.
“Unless my Elvyniran is rusty, you owe me a favor.”
“A favor.” Dravien gave a bitter chuckle, shaking his head as he paced, glancing up toward the window. “That’s rich.”
“You’re going to escort my friends to the mortal lands.”
“Dolion …” Kazhimyr sailed a quick scowl back at Dravien before taking a step toward the mage. “Are you mad? Trust him, after he tried to kill you?”
“He’s harmless. Required to fulfill my wish. Failing to do so will result in a grave misfortune. Isn’t that right?”
Turning away, Dravien pressed his lips together.
“You will escort my friends, and help them find someone we’ve lost there.”
“Who would be asinine enough to visit the mortal lands?” Dravien muttered.
“He goes by the name of Zevander Rydainn.”
Dravien’s face ashened. “What did you say?”
“You know him?” Dolion’s brows pinched to a frown.
“Yeah, I know him.” He stared off, his face a mask of concern. “Tried to have him killed once.”
“Well, you won’t kill him this time. You will bring him and his companion home safely. Once you’ve accomplished this, your debt to me is fulfilled.”
Dravien glared back at the old mage. “You ask quite a bit from me, old man.”
“You tried to take my life. I’d say it’s tit for tat.”
“This was your intention all along, wasn’t it?” Kazhimyr growled, his hand resting on the hilt of his dagger, the urge to stab the bastard tingling his palm. “You befriended Ravezio and I to find Dolion. I knew there was something off about you.”
“Always trust your gut.” His taunting sneer only intensified Kazhimyr’s urges.
“My gut is telling me this idea is shit. Ravezio and I can find Zevander ourselves.”
“I promise you, he’s perfectly safe to travel with.” Hands behind his back, Dolion turned to Dravien. “Remind me again what happens when you break your oath?”
The Elvyniran didn’t answer at first.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.”
He looked away. “An unfortunate tragedy befalls us.”
“Yes. What a shame that would be, if you betrayed me.”
“Who hired you?” Torryn asked from behind.
Dravien shrugged, his insouciance grating on Kazhimyr. “Can’t recall.”
“Perhaps opening that window will jog your memory?” When he didn’t answer, Kazhimyr strode toward it.
“Loyce! General Loyce hired me.”
Dolion groaned, scratching at his overgrown beard. “Unfortunately, it makes sense. And all the more reason to find Zevander and Maevyth. I’m certain the general will be after her next, if her interest is the septomir.”
“Then, it’s true.” Dravien swung his attention back to Dolion. “You do possess six of the seven stones.”
“Whether I do, or do not, is inconsequential to you now. You have a new mission. How wonderful for you!”
The loathing on his face brought a smile of satisfaction to Kazhimyr’s. “And what am I to do about that curse?” Dravien pointed toward the window, where the ombrevor still peered in, watching him.
“Any idea who may have summoned it?” Aunt Morwenna asked.
Dravien sighed. “Yeah.”
“Your mother?” Ravezio taunted.
“No, pissrag. The woman I bedded last night.”
“Ooh. That bad, huh?” Aunt Morwenna tipped her head, wearing a sympathetic expression. “S’all right, love, we can’t all be skilled when it comes to that.”
Dravien rolled his eyes. “I stole a locket of vivicantem.”
Dolion held out his palm toward the man and flicked his fingers.
Groaning, Dravien reached into his pocket and yanked out the locket. The monster outside let out a wild roar, and he flinched, quickly depositing the necklace into Dolion’s palm.
The old mage crossed the room toward the window and unlatched it. He dangled the necklace over the creature’s bony palm. “ Un’det complisz. ”
Snarling, the beast closed its claws around it and scampered off.
Dolion turned around. “Your debt has been paid.”
“That’s all it wanted? I could’ve handed it over myself and paid the debt without surrendering my soul to you cunts.”
“Not exactly. It would’ve eaten you regardless. Whereas, I’m a seer, which means I possess the power to call off a summons.”
Dravien dragged a hand down his face. “So, when are you heading out for the mortal lands?”
It still ground at Kazhimyr’s bones that he’d be forced to travel with him. “First light. Don’t be late.”