Page 9 of Of Nightmares & Fire (Elusive Umbra #1)

Chapter nine

Astraea

The darkness is eternal… a vast expanse of nothing that swallows me whole. Even though my eyes are peeled wide, I see nothing. It’s how they always start. The nightmares that have haunted me for as long as I can remember.

Then, just like every time, the flashes begin.

Bright white light zooms past me at breakneck speed.

The blur of motion stretches into one long white streak in my periphery.

My body is thrashed at a steady rhythm like the galloping of a horse’s hooves.

Screams pierce my ears, straight through my brain.

Despite digging the heels of my hands against the sides of my head to try and block out the sound, the screeching, pain-filled wail always gets through .

“Stop.” My body thrashes more, trying to escape the cries. “Please stop!” Heat wraps around me like a vise. A lasso of fire digging into my skin, around my arms, and cuts into my ribs. I can hardly breathe through the tightness. “Please.” My voice comes out as a wheeze.

The thrashing of my body slows, and just like every other time it does…

The shadows consume me again, and the sound of a deep, rumbling laughter follows me into the dark.

Nothing else is there, no one but me and the echoing darkness.

Its laugh is taunting me with a wicked peal.

The tightness that was once wrapped around me, binding me in place—is gone.

Replaced by a cold mist against every part of my skin, and as the shivers take over— I cry.

“Just go in there and wake her up.”

“No way! You know you aren’t supposed to wake someone up from a nightmare.

You do it.” The sound of boots shuffling, a thud, and then the “OW!” that follows tells me enough to know I’m no longer in the clutches of the nightmare…

I squeeze my eyes tight, trying to pull moisture into them, but even before I force them open, I know there is none to give.

When was the last time I drank water? I groan, rolling to my side.

“Well, shit, thank the dead divine! She’s awake.

See, Zinny, all it took was— OW! Stop hitting me!

” Mavros is in my line of sight now. The huge man, bent at the hip, looks at me with a tilted head, like I am some sort of piece of art he is here to inspect.

He’s become more lively with each interaction we have, and I have to admit, he makes me feel… so mething.

“Don’t give me a reason to hit you, and I wouldn’t have to.” Zinya says flatly, her arms crossed over her chest.

“What the fuck did I do?” Mavros whisper-shouts.

“You keep calling me Zinny . You know I hate that. Plus, you’re just…” Her hand comes out and gestures up and down Mavros’ body as he stands and glowers at her. “You…”

“Just me? What does—”

“Uhh, hell. Could you guys please be less loud?” I grumble, having had enough of their raised voices drumming into my brain.

Clearing my throat after my sleep-heavy voice cracks, I press my index and middle fingers into the center of my forehead.

A futile attempt to stanch the tension building behind my eyes.

Another side effect from the dreams… they are especially worse if I am woke early, or if my sleep pattern is off at all.

Considering I didn’t sleep at all the night before last, last night I slept in an old wooden chair, and now I have fallen asleep during mid-morning…

The throbbing that has begun in the center of my skull is likely to only get worse as the day goes on.

“I came in to see if you were alive, and well, you were crying in your sleep.” His face twists.

“Well, more than crying. You were freaking out. I didn’t know what to do.

I don’t know what to do with all that crying shit.

So, I went and got Zin—and that was a mistake because she’s even less in tune with her sensitive side than I am, but you’re awake now, Princess.

You good?” Mav’s face is scrunched up like the question hurts him to ask, and I would laugh, but the pain is too much this time.

I let my head roll back, eyes straight up to the ceiling .

“I’m alive and awake.” Opening my eyes, I’m met with a hand outstretched in front of my face.

Mavros has made warming up to him easy. He’s not at all the dominant brute I thought at first. Well…

dominant and brute, sure, but not together, not with me anyway.

So far, I can only consider that to mean luck is at least somewhat on my side.

“Good. It’s time for dinner. Turns out we’re in luck; musicians were on their way to the castle and stopped here to take cover from the storm too. Dinner comes with a free show.”

“Great divine, just what we need,” Zinya rolls her eyes and opens the door.

“I’ve been looking for you two.” A deep voice rumbles from the other side of the door, and heat crawls up my neck in response.

“Shit, Ky. Warn a girl before you just pop up out of thin air.” Zinya responds, squeezing past him. “We were just making sure the stray eats. Come on, I don’t want to eat the bottom of the pot.”

“I would really appreciate less animal references…” I say to no one in particular and I am not at all excited about music, with the ache ever growing in my head. Kyros’ eyes shift to me, and Mavros pushes his finger onto the tip of my nose.

“Boop, but you are such a cute pet.” He smiles devilishly at my glowering response, and I can feel Kyros staring between us.

Mavros winks at his brother as he brushes past him, calling for me to follow.

Rolling my eyes and letting out a sigh, I too, walk past Kyros.

He says nothing, but his brow dips low as my arm brushes his while walking through the doorway .

The whole way down to the tavern, I feel Kyros at my back like a roaring fire licking the walls of a hearth. He surprises me when we do reach where the food is being served and guides me away from the others with a press of his hand to the small of my back.

“This way.” He growls, much closer than I thought.

“We can just sit at the bar,” I start to refuse, but he urges me forward.

“Mavros and Zinya will bring the food to us here.” His arm sweeps out in front of him as we reach the corner of the tavern.

Close to the same corner he and Mav were fighting in.

The booth he gestured to is tucked into the shadowy corner.

High backs on each side close off the table like its own shadowy cave, but two cream candles sit on a silver platter.

Both with overflowing wax pools dripping along the sides.

They light the booth in its own amber globe.

Hesitantly, I sit down, scooting to the far wall. Kyros stands there for a moment, and after looking over his shoulder, he slips into the booth right next to me. I keep my eyes down, watching the flame of the candles dance even though I can feel his eyes on me.

“My brother is here for a reason. He can’t be distracted.

Once the rain stops, you have to be on your way.

” I flinch at his words, and my thigh brushes his as I turn to look up at him.

The hope I had held onto that they were traveling and only stopped here because of the storm, the hope that when they resumed travels I could come with them, fully dissolved with the look on his face.

The stern look, casting more shadows over his face, gives no room for argument. I nod.

He stiffens, looking down at the contact of our legs, and I quickly scoot away, wrapping my arms around myself and looking past him to where Mavros and Zinya carry trays with food and drinks toward the table.

“I never meant to be a distraction to anyone. I was forced to share a room with him. The storm—” I shake my head.

“Our paths never would have crossed without it. As soon as the rain stops, I’ll be leaving Eathian.

No one here will ever see me again.” Silence follows my declaration, and chills roll over my scalp, causing my stomach to sway.

Unease over my future is really beginning to sink in.

Before, I was energized by adrenaline from leaving the castle; now, though, I have had time to let the unknown fully engulf me in its heaviness.

The thought makes my palms sweat and pulse race.

“It’s no feast, but the alcohol will make it taste like a god’s divine decadence.

” Mavros grins and winks as he places the food down.

“Well, don’t you two look cozy?” He slides into the booth opposite me, and Zinya next to him.

She looks between me and Kyros with narrowed eyes and takes a drink from her tumbler with her eyes trained on me.

Her attention feels more intimidating than either of the men.

“Thank you for the food.” I say, passing a few coins to the center of the table. Every one of their eyes follows the movement.

“You don’t have to pay for the food. I’ve got you, Princess.” Mavros says as he wraps his mouth around a huge bite from his spoon .

“Consider it a parting gift.” Kyros says under his breath, but the others hear him just fine.

“Why don’t I take this upstairs and just eat there? You guys can do whatever it is you do, and I will be out of your hair. The rain can’t last much longer.” I say, looking toward the shuttered window where the wind whistles through the cracks.

“Don’t be ridiculous. The music is just about to start.

” Mavros points to the center of the tavern, where a band is setting up to play their string and drum instruments.

“Plus, we’re drinking tonight!” He brings his tankard up to the center of the table, Zinya follows suit, and after a look from her, Kyros lifts his tumbler also.

“Come on, princess, consider this my last who-rah. Once we leave this tavern, I will be on my way to win over a grumpy old goat.” A thump sounds, and Mavros jumps with an ow.

“What was that for?” He looks at Kyros with a frown, pulling his mouth down at the corners.

Kyros pulls his tumbler back, taking a drink before everyone says salute.

“We don’t need to discuss what we are here for.” Kyros growls, but if he thinks that is a deterrent, he’s utterly mistaken. Now I am all the more curious.

“Why are you here?” I say, lifting my cup. It clinks with Mavros’ and he smiles before pulling in a long drink. I do the same.

“It’s not up for discussion.” Kyros looks away from me, and I pin him with my eyes. Mavros laughs loudly, and Zinya just tilts her head. I don’t like the way she’s looking at me. Perhaps she recognizes me .

“Bottoms up, princess. Once the music starts, we’re dancing.” Mavros says, and my face contorts.

“I am not dancing.”

“Oh, you’re dancing alright.” He argues with a raised brow. I’d have to have a lot more to drink if he thinks I am going to just start dancing in a tavern. The thought sparks an idea, and I smile.

“Why don’t we play a drinking game?” It’s one that I’ve played in the past when Colette and I have entertained some of the more daring guards in secret. They were literally risking their lives if they were caught. Colette too.

“Ohhh, I like the sounds of this.” Zinya laughs, leaning back against the backrest.

“I don’t.” Kyros growls again.

“What’s the game?” Marvos asks, leaning in and pointedly ignoring his brother. Just as he does, the musicians start playing an exciting tune, and everyone in the tavern beyond our booth takes to their feet and cheers for the entertainers.

“I’ll start…” I shout, leaning in too so everyone hears me over the chaos.

I toss the coin, bouncing it off the table and into Kyros cup that sits in front of him, making the golden liquid splash over the edge and onto the table.

His eyes slowly turn to meet mine in a glower.

I make a face at him with a dare in my eyes.

“If the thrower makes it, everyone else drinks. If the thrower misses, they have to drink and answer a question. After one turn, we switch. If you’re ready to play… take a drink. I made the first coin.”

“I didn’t think you had mettle, but I’ll accept when I’m wrong. I’ll go get more drinks. I think we are going to need them.” Zinya slaps her hand down on the table and takes a quick drink before laughing and disappearing into the crowd of bodies.

Kyros scoffs as Mavros leans over and pulls the cup to the center of the table, fishing out the coin. He winks before he tosses it. The small silver disc bounces off the rim and lands back on the table with a wobble, and he grins up at me mischievously before his eyes dance to meet his brothers.

“Do your worst, Princess,” Mavros whispers just as Zinya returns with pitchers of what looks like the raunchy ale. I wrinkle my nose at it but press forward and ask my question.

“What are you in Eathian for?” I’m immediately growled at by the man next to me. Like he is some sort of beast in the night, wild and rabid.

“No.” He says, pinning Mavros with a look.

“Oh, come now… Have a little faith, brother…” Mavros responds cockily; he hooks a finger, calling me forward, and I lean in for the secret, but he doesn’t whisper. His voice isn’t a yell, but it’s loud enough that our table hears him clearly.

“We’re here to revive magick to what it once was and will kill anyone who gets in the way of stopping us.” He wags his eyebrows at me and bites his lip. Another growl rattles out, sending shivers down my spine, and Mavros busts up laughing as Kyros pushes from the table.

“Can you not take anything seriously, ever? Fuck, Mavros!” He turns on his heel and storms away, creating a divide in the bodies as he pushes through the crowd.

Zinya doesn’t say anything but does lift her eyebrows, looking down into her drink as she takes a long pull and looks at me over the rim as she presses her lips together.

Unfazed by the outburst, Mavros slaps Zinya on the back and slides the coin to her.

“You’re up, Zinny.” She looks side long at him before rolling her eyes.

“Oh joy,” Zinya coughs with a smile on her face, but I tune out of their back and forth as my eyes hunt for the man who seems to hate my very existence.