Hybrid, Ch. 3

From Dyrico's POV

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I woke up in someone's arms, bright light all around us, and, once my eyes adjusted, I gasped at the sight of what was above me. It was...it wasn't? Kakumei held me. He startled when I gasped and nearly dropped me. Instead, he quickly set me down, backing away quickly from me. Although he wasn't fiercely different, he seemed much more dangerous to me now. His hands now had claws, I could see in his jaw dropped mouth that his fangs were much longer, and his skin was darker with black runes... his eyes...His eyes were hauntingly gold. However, his physique, his facial structure, his hair...Several things about him had stayed the same. I couldn't help but notice he wasn't dressed the same either.

"Kakumei..." I softly whispered, absent mindedly adjusting my cloak about me.

His face became solemn and dark, slowly turning from me, "I'll leave you now..."

Panic shot threw me and I bolted forward, grabbing his arm and turning him to me, "No! No...Don't…Don't leave." I stared up at him pleadingly.

"Why? I'm a demon. I'm dangerous to you. I could kill you," He sighed and spoke softly, barely audible, "And you don't love me..."

I bit my lip; he spoke the truth. He was a demon. He was dangerous. He could kill me. And I...I wouldn't admit to loving him. It was important last night that I kept him from losing every ounce of sanity, so I did everything I could... I had almost lost myself, though. He was the source of so much sexual tension, and I refused to ever give in that much again. I might have feelings for him, but they were nothing. A simple liking of him. Nothing more.

I pretended to not hear his last reason. "Kakumei, I don't care. I..I need you. It's very hard to admit it. Please, don't leave." I stepped closer to him to further prove my point that I wasn't afraid of him.

He looked away from me and finally nodded, giving in. "Alright..." I could tell he wasn't entirely convinced but he wanted to only please me. He turned to me and quickly brought me into a close hug, "Thank you for what you did last night. I think that without you I would never have been brought back," There was something in his voice...regret? "And I apologize for kissing you, but thank you for letting me do that as well." So he could remember what happened...

I didn't know what to say. My face was blushing hotly and I returned his hug briefly before uncomfortably moving away from him. I walked ahead of him and soon heard his footsteps fall into pace right behind mine. I shuddered and rubbed my arms, trying to quell whatever was trembling inside of me. I didn't love him. I didn't. So why did I wish I was still being held by him?

And he didn't love me, did he? He didn't, couldn't have meant anything he said last night. His prophecy that everything beneath us would come and destroy souls, his proclamation of love...He didn't mean it. He was insane, he was mad. So why was he reluctant to let me go? No. Shut up! Stop musing that he could care about YOU. He more than likely only thought of me as a freak of nature, something that never should have existed. But here I was, contemplating and imagining him.

Fiercely, ferociously I brought up the image of Feiric... The only person who had loved me beyond my body, and loved ME. He had loved me passionately, and never in bed. He had been the one to come in the middle of night when I was in my room, blood on my arms, chest, and face from cuts, and held me...He cleaned my wounds and held me, telling me it would all be alright. He put up fights when the guards came to take me back to the lab. He had more than once been knocked out, left bleeding and with concussions on MY behalf. This had always put me into such a depression, that once in the lab I would let my opponents attack me and fight me until I was at the brink of death and then I would fight back. And when I was returned to the Academy, I would always find Feiric first. I never told him of what happened when I was in the Lab, but he could guess. And because of how badly he wanted to keep me safe, he died. The guilt I bore...that it was MY fault he was dead...

I would put my distance between Kakumei and myself now. I could not let him die on my behalf.

I didn't realize how far he had actually brought us to the city of Dagzron, and it did not take long until we saw the outskirts of the city. He had stayed behind me and was frighteningly quiet. Usually he would at least talk with me, about anything. About what we were going to do, about what he would do with the extra money he had, about where we were going to stay. And he would do things to get a rise out of me. He would make some playful but lewd comments, he would be suggestive; generally he would act like a pervert. I knew that wasn't HIM, but it got the reaction he wanted. Me at least talking to him. But now...Now he was silent. Walking behind me.

Behind me...

Usually he would stay ahead of me or to my side. I turned back to him and motioned for him to come up beside me, and he gave a smirk. He quickened his pace briefly until he was in step with me. I felt safer and adjusted my cloak to completely hide my wings. It was painful to keep them locked flat at my back, but it was imperative that I not stand out.

I’ve no idea how long it took us to reach the city gates, but it had to at least have been an hour. While approaching the city, we passed many merchants leaving the city, seeming extremely happy: the marketing in Dagzron was absolutely incredible. And we also passed a few heading towards the city, loaded down with heavy carts, a few with families in tow. All the while, Kakumei seemed to be very nervous. His hands were exposed and showed his claws and markings. I could tell by the look on his face and the way his lips moved silently that he was making a list of things to do or things he needed in the city. Once there, I knew we would more than likely find an inn as quickly as possible and rest before we did anything. We would split up in the market place and meet back sometime in the evening.

This was how we always worked.

As we neared the city gates, I felt Kakumei’s arm go about my waist. I blushed without meaning to and looked up at him, curiosity in my gaze. He looked back at me and seemed just as surprised as I was. Perhaps he had done this out of instinct, rather than affection… He simply smiled at me and squeezed my waist gently, and this sent a fluttering sensation to the pit of my stomach. His hand rested against the curve of my hip and I couldn’t help but look down, blushing, trying to will my nervousness away.

We entered the gates, Kakumei looking stiff and nervous as he passed the guards, but relaxed some as the crowds of people closed in around us. I felt him tighten his grip on me protectively, looking very solemn as we walked.

Dagzron was a very colorful city.

Everywhere you turned, brightly colored signs would attract customers and visitors, promising great bargains, rare items, amazing shows, and the best of the best in the world. I heard children whining, laughing, crying; I heard mothers scolding, playing, and comforting; I heard men give their scoffs of disapproval, their grunts of agreement or disagreement, and others just speak to their friends of family. The city itself was alive. People of all races gathered, of all skin-tones. Kakumei did not stand out amongst them. I, however, did not witness anyone with wings, so I did not yet feel comfortable taking off my cloak, even though in it I was broiling. The day was warm, the sun was very bright, and being crushed close to the hot bodies of other people did not help.

As we passed many inns and hotels, we quietly discussed prices. We argued, this price was better the same for two rooms, but this one was less for a room and two beds. We finally agreed to an ancient looking inn that offered one bedroom with two beds for 25 gold pieces a night. It was a little high, but despite the age the inn looked very nice, though not many people, which was fine. And no one looked like someone to worry about. A large plus. I looked up at the sign and noticed a Siren on a stone depicted in the wood. A fitting image. The Siren Inn, it had drawn us to it. However, Siren’s were deadly…

When we entered, we were met with the musty wood smell of an old building. There were small candles lit all around, giving the room a warm, golden glow. Stairs were in the corner of the room, leading up through a hallway to what I suspected were the bedrooms. There was no fire in the hearth; it was much too warm for that. Tables were set up all around and some sat at them, eating, playing cards, drinking. It was a welcoming inn. A sleek woman with black hair and dark green eyes sat behind the counter near the front, dressed in blue with an apron about her. She was rather stunning, not a figure I expected in an old inn. She smiled as we entered and as we approached I noticed the fine silver wisps throughout her hair. She was older than she looked.

“Hello there, Miss, we were wanting a single bedroom with two beds.” Kakumei spoke fast, wanting to get straight to business. He was still rather unsure, his markings were distinct and he would be a fairly recognizable man. Light hair, dark skin, pale eyes… Among other things. I could see the hint of fear in his eyes.

But the woman smiled and pulled out two silver keys, “Hello, I’m Madame Fed’rahraka. There are your keys, room 34, it’s 25 gold pieces a night, when you leave I will collect what you owe.” She flashed a brilliant smile, “Thank you; Siren’s Call will do whatever you need us to, don’t hesitate to ask.”

I was slightly surprised by her name, Fed’rahraka. It was very foreign on my tongue, very exotic, and I figured that would explain her strange appearance.

I shrugged it off and we headed towards the stairs and began our ascent to our room. It was not very high up, just the second floor, and we found it quickly. Upon entering the room, we were met with dark red curtains, red blankets and sheets on the beds, dark wood flooring, a lovely dark vanity with drawers and all, a desk, and a closet. It was a cozy room, but still felt open enough for comfort. Immediately we began to make ourselves at home, choosing beds, mine at the far side from the door, while Kakumei’s was closer. Inside my cloak I had hidden away a bag, which I pulled out and set to the side, taking off my cloak and immediately flexing my wings, feeling immensely better.

Kakumei had arranged his items the way he wished, and was now removing his coat, leaving his arms bare in just the leather armor. I found myself staring as his back as he tossed the garment lazily over a chair. He was very strong. In his back alone, I could see his muscles tense and relax, working in a smooth manner. His shoulders were not very broad, but broad enough to give him a very solid stance, his arms were lithe but muscular; his body in general was this way. I noticed what I was doing and before he could turn, I looked away and cursed myself silently. He smiled at me from across the room, “Shall we sleep before we associate ourselves with the city?” He drawled this, just slightly, while he was pulling back the covers on his bed.

I only nodded and started to pull back my own covers, my back turned to him, engaging myself on making sure my bed was comfortable and the pillows were soft. I was mad at myself. I was not supposed to be feeling what I was. I had to keep Kakumei at arm’s length. I was about to crawl into my bed when I felt a body behind me and turned to see Kakumei unnervingly close. He held out a book to me, smirking at how I reacted to his presence: shocked, frightened, annoyed, and small. “I just found this under my bed. It’s a book of spells. It must have been left here by the last customers.” He pressed it to my hands and went to his bed, sitting down, “I figured you would want to see it, since you’re a magic user.”

”I use my own magic, what I make up; I don’t know how to read…” I trailed off as I opened the book. At first the writing was just squiggles and dots but it became very clear and before I realized what I was doing I was reading what lay before me. I understood every line. I flipped through the book, surprised by being able to read it, and wanting to find something. I wasn’t sure what. Kakumei simply smirked, half knowingly at me. I glanced up and shot a glare at him, which only made him laugh. He had changed so much. Normally he would have been sitting with me, talking, being excited. Now he was simply…Calm, easy, but still had an air of being protective. I wasn’t sure what to make of this.

I had stopped turning pages without knowing it. I looked down at the spell before me and I smiled.

Disappearance Spell

Though other spells claim to be a disappearance spell, they lack some of the more important qualities of being utterly unseen. This spell will allow an object, directed by the caster, to be completely physically undetectable. More than just unable to be seen, it cannot be felt, it can be passed through by physical bodies, and it will be only detectable by magick means. It allows the caster to also set a time for how long the object will be completely undetectable, however if the object must be used before the time is up, there is a reversal spell that can only be said by the one who cast the disappearance spell. Great for protecting valuable objects or hiding objects that are unwanted. It can be used on body parts as well. Simply chant the incantation while holding the object you want to no longer be seen or be physical.

Incantation:

Abeo effugio oculus medium
Tego taxi tectum fortitudo
Ne deprehensio

Reverse incantation:

Orior oriri ortus
In medium
Fieri oculus

I grinned. This was what I wanted. I wouldn’t have to lock my wings to my back, I wouldn’t have to wear a near unbearable cloak in the heat… It would save me from so much trouble and from being noticed. This was just a comfort.

I smiled up at Kakumei and he returned my smile. He got up and came to sit by me, looking at the page I had been looking at, and grinned, putting an arm around my shoulders and squeezing. He knew why I was happy and knew he had been able to help make me happy. He had only wanted to make me happy, even if it was just in small joys like this.