Page 19 of Wicked Magik

I grunted and hurried down the red carpeted hallway. The dark walls flew past me as I reached my den and I gently nudged the double doors with my shoulder and horns. The door creaked loudly, and I waited for Vesper to stir.

I swallowed heavily and wondered if I had truly hurt her too badly.

Should I have my Lord check on her?

Another crash and swear words poured from my Lord’s mouth. “Oryx! I know you are home! Where in the void of hell are you?”

My tail flicked back and forth with anticipation as I moved toward my bedding area. The mattress sprawled across the floor was covered with thick, heavy blankets that cascaded over the edges. I carefully laid her down, her body as limp as a lifeless carcass, and felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins.

Please be okay, my human pet. I promise to be more careful.

She groaned and rolled over and I sighed a breath of relief.

I couldn't let my pet slip away, not while I was amid handling business with my Lord. I glanced at the stone wall where thechain and shackles hung that used to keep me tied while I slept. Their metal gleamed dully in the dim light. With a swift motion, I grabbed them and crouched down to secure the cold, unyielding clasp around my pet’s ankle. My pet couldn't be allowed to roam the estate freely, not without my supervision, especially since my Lord was unaware of their presence here.

He was in a foul mood.

“Oryx!” He bellowed and my tail thrashed wildly behind me.

I took off her shoes and laid them beside the bed as I took the blankets and covered her. My pet took in a deep breath and, on their own accord buried their face into the blankets.

My body jerked in surprise as I watched them rub their face against something that was mine.

It was my scent.

My pet liked my scent.

I wish I had lips. I wish I could smile, to move them like other people can, to show more emotion.

My ears twirled in happiness and then I heard another crash.

I quickly straightened myself and headed to the door. “I’ll be back soon, my pet Vesper. Do not wake until I return.”

My nightmares were now blessings. My pet would be safe and hidden here.

I entered the open doorway, my head bowed when I stepped through. My Lord pounded the desk with his fist, his forehead against the large table of papers. The mess splattered across the floor. Glass vials, potions, liquids I didn’t even know what of, were all over every surface.

As if he sensed my presence, my Lord’s head pulled up from the table and his long white hair twirled away from him.

“Oryx, I couldn’t reach you.” His voice, once rough, ragged when he called me, was only a whisper now. He took long strides toward me and pulled me into his embrace.

Startled, my body stiffened, but quickly I relaxed and relished the moment he wrapped me in his arms.

What he could, anyway, I was much larger than he.

“Where were you? It took you ages to return, my friend.” He cupped my jaw and rubbed at the dry blood with his thumb. “For a moment, I thought you succumbed to the humans,” he chuckled playfully. “But that would be impossible, right? You cannot die, not… not without me.”

I shook my head and clasped my hands together. My claws clinked and he stepped away to assess me.

“Let’s get you cleaned up. I want to know everything. Who they were, what spell they were casting. What were they trying to do?” My Lord fiddled with the cleaning supplies on another desk. He rang out a clean cloth and came toward me while I stayed silent.

“You blacked out on me, Oryx. You must have gone into a hungered rage with all those humans. Was it the blood? Their blood must taste better than any fae or goblin?” He smiled as he wiped down my petrified nose and under my jaw.

“My Lord, I can clean…”

“Nonsense, Oryx. I am here to help you. Speak, tell me what happened.”

I scratched the scruff on the back of my neck. How do I tell him these things without telling him about my pet? I knew my Lord’s mood, and this mood was most unpredictable.