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constellationsadvocate · 4 years

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Down Boy, Chapter Three

Asena stood in the doorway of the master’s office, pouting. “She’s gone? But she just got here.”

She cried, her eyes watering. Zaharia stood from his desk, a faint smile on his face. “Yes, the king said it was urgent and that she needed to go.” Tears escaped her intense hazel eyes, causing him to pull her into a tight embrace, her head under his chin. He looked to the doorway, grinning broadly. “But, she left you with something.”

Asena removed herself from his arms, looking at Zaharia with a hopeful gleam in her eyes. “Like what?”

Zaharia grinned devilishly, spinning her around. She gasped at the man in the doorway. “Saros! You’re back!”

Saros, a tall and built man with ashy purple and silver dreads that dropped over his deep violet eyes contrasted his dark skin, broad shoulders, a sloping strong jaw, a slightly crooked nose and a dashing smile. “At least someone’s happy to see me, unlike the madness I just entered down there.”

Asena grinned, blushing slightly. “Well, I have to be a sunshine to someone.”

“Then come on over sunshine and give me some warmth.” Saros chuckled, opening his arms to her.

Asena squealed girlishly, dashing straight to him and jumping onto him. “I missed you so much, Sar! Why do the best always have to leave me here to boredom?”

Saros spun her around, then placed her back on the ground. He gazed down at her questioning. “And who else of the best have left?”

Asena gave him a faint smile, looking down at her feet. “Taarini. Again.”

Saros grunted in comprehension, then glanced at Zaharia. “We’ll talk later, Z.” He then wrapped his arm around Asena’s shoulders. “Now, let me go give sunshine some sugar.”

Asena giggled, wrapping her arm around his waist, “Down boy.”

Zaharia nodded, watching the two young mages head back downstairs to the madness that is the downstairs. “Gods, help me with these brats.”

One Night Prior

Taarini stood in the grand hall, standing before King Vulcan as he drew on about the mission she would be going on. There had been recent sightings of strange creatures that they have no record of and he, the king of all of Patavium, wanted her to leave for a scouting mission for somewhat simple creatures.

‘What a bore.’ Taarini telepathically linked to Roland, rolling her eyes. A small chuckle sounded from the man, who promptly cleared his throat. ‘Whatever shall I do with myself with three charming men with nothing to do besides looking?’

Roland, a charming man with the build of a knight, slicked back black hair that was faded on the sides and icy blue eyes that screamed trouble. They rested upon bold, low cheekbones that had turned a subtle shade of red at the thought in his head. Straightening up, he crossed his hands behind his back, his gaze focused on the king. ‘I wasn’t always a Warden, you know? Maybe we can start the real party when this is over.’

He replied slyly, glancing to Taarini who suppressed a mad grin. ‘A Warden gigolo. You have my interest. Would you be tying me up with my hands behind my back? Or would you be interested in a fancy dinner first? You seem like the classy type.’

Roland cracked a crooked grin. ‘None of that, yet. Dinner sounds nice, on the other hand. After that, you’ll just have to find out how I get you in my bed, legs spread.’

Taarini grinned devilishly. ‘Down boy. Good boy. I’ll give you a cookie later.’

Vulcan cleared his throat, catching the Warden’s and mage’s attention. “Is there something you’d like to share, Lady Taarini? Or is it too scandalous for the whole embodiment of this grand hall?”

‘Prick,’ Taarini snipped toward Roland before dropping the link. “No, Your Majesty. I couldn’t help but be amused about how your nose wiggles when you talk. But no worries, a case of wiggling nose hadn’t completely distracted me. I’m to scout out Sanguinis in their dire times of unknown creatures. When I find out what exactly they are, I’ll send you a report and to the MGA of both regions.”

Current Time

Harlem, Sanguinis

Along a dark alleyway, Caterina Vela lured a young man into her embrace. He kissed her roughly, pushing her against the wall of the local vampire bar, Crimson Rose, only for her to push back, pinning him against the wall instead.

“Sorry, dear. I don’t do the pin-the-lass-against-the-wall ordeal. That’s how it got me in this situation.” She spoke alluringly, causing the man to tilt a curious gaze at her despite being lost in her completely.

“Huh?” The young man grunted, her hand going over his mouth to keep him from screaming. She bared her fangs, sinking them deep into his neck. Within moments, gold dust collected around her wrist in the form of gilded ropes.

“Caterina.” Zahava, a man with charcoal gray hair and golden hazel eyes that rested on high cheekbones that complimented his sharp, chiseled jawline and strong jaw. He smiled warmly at her as the man slumped to the ground. “What did I say about these kinds of things?”

Caterina reached up with her bound hands, twirling her pale blonde hair around her finger. Her warm, inviting lavender eyes glinting in the moonlight, her plump red lips, covered in crimson, smiled salaciously. “To not to.”

Zahava smiled dashingly. “Without me of course. But, come along, dear. Let’s get to bed. Maybe we can have some fun there instead.”

Caterina smiled innocently. “You must be inviting someone else along with me then, aye?”

“Only if your intentions are matching mine, my scarlet heart.” He chuckled warmly, deeply. “Maybe, just maybe, I’ll have you all to myself.”

Caterina laughed seductively. “Oh, my. Down, boy. Let us get home first, my golden soul.”

Taarini yawned softly as the group finally reached a small and convenient inn in the city of Harlem. The three Wardens reined in beside her, stretching upon their steads. Roland gazed silently at Taarini as she dismounted her infamous war stallion. Taarini shot him a side glance, smirking. “Stop imagining things, Roland.”

He cleared his throat, dismounting. “I wasn’t doing anything. I swear.”

Taarini rolled her eyes, reaching into the bag on her saddle. Wrapped in thick parchment paper was a savory chocolate chip oatmeal cookie. She turned on her heel, handing him the sweet. “Down boy. Good boy. Here’s your cookie.”

Roland roared into laughter hysterically, tucking the sweet into his satchel. “You really were serious about the cookie. Maybe I’ll just have to save it for later.”

He quipped when he finally calmed down and she had meandered into the inn after she handed him the treat. Indra dmirked coyly. “You really are a dog.”

Roland glowered at him. “How? I don’t bark at everything, or piss everywhere, or even violate everything I like.”

“But, you do drool everywhere like a dog waiting for his favorite toy.” Indra countered cooly, making his way inside the front door of the inn.

Arminius laughed throatily, “Down boy. Good boy. Follow boy.”

He mocked, leaving Roland outside the inn with a baffled expression on his face. Slowly, an award winning smile crossed his mouth. “I’ll be damned if this good boy doesn’t get to eat his cookie and then some.”

#chapterthree #ConstellationsAdvocate

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constellationsadvocate · 4 years

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Ire Of the Moon, Chapter Two

Chapter Two

“Come on, guys.” Arealla begged, laying over the bar. “This doesn’t need to happen.”

Taarini smiled sympathetically. “Don’t worry, I promise I won’t destroy anything. I don’t know about Asena.”

“No worries whatsoever.” Asena smirked, her forearm consumed in golden flames. “The only thing I’m destroying is your face.”

“Either you can keep talking or you can let off some steam.” Taarini leaned back naturally back against the bar, casually waiting.

On an aggravated growl, Asena exploded in flames as she charged toward Taarini. Kaimana lurched forward in his chair, his curiosity intensifying. The members moved their chairs and tables back towards the walls. Jericho remained while Gemini moved her chair closer to him.

“I hate this,” She mumbled. “Everything usually ends up getting destroyed.”

“And the other half?” Jericho questioned, an amused smile on his lips. The man was tall and gruff, strong square shoulders and a toned body. The kind of man you’d see on the sidewalk and cross the street based on intimidation at a glance. The dark gray hair faded on the sides while the top was left longer, the dark gray eyes to match, the left having a scar from an unknown encounter never told to the guild members. Jericho was always mysterious and refrained. Once you got to know him, he was just a giant teddy bear. He was the kindest person you could ever meet. If you ever did him wrong, he’d be your worst enemy. Jericho was never one to show all of his cards.

Gemini smiled serenely, almost giddily up at him. “The other half almost wants to join, but I would rather not die today.”

Jericho laughed gruffly. “Yeah, you’re just scarred from when you got put in your place.”

“I’m not gonna lie,” Faolan chimed, sliding his gaze from the two pairing off and to the pair at the table. “I think we all got put in our place that day.”

“I still have nightmares about it.” Lyra gulped, looking unsteadily from the mages to the members a table over from hers. “I never thought one person could even use that much ather.”

Taarini swiftly stepped out of Asena’s path of blaze, all the while pulling on her own ather. By the time Asena turned around and her flames died down to give her an ethereal appearance, Taarini had disappeared into a cloud of smoke. The guild members, Asena included, looked around the guild as an enchanting laugh echoed throughout the space. Kaimana grinned and looked up to the rafters. Hidden in the rafters, Taarini leaped from her position and rolled into a kneel. As she hit the ground, gravity began to deplete. Everything that wasn’t held down, started to arise. Guild members watching the fight scrambled to grab onto anything that wasn’t a table or chair. Asena, on the other hand, awaited the minutes as air thinned and she floated mid air.

Taarini smiled devilishly, releasing the ather she held and spread a healing light over the guild members as they hit the floor. She launched herself from her position once more towards Asena, connecting with a right hook. The fire mage was thrusted back to the ground hard from the blow to the jaw, grunting. She rolled away from a boot coming for her chest, summoning seven cloistered sun mines around Taarini.

“Go ahead. Say it.” Taarini smiled tightly, urging Asena to finally let everything out. “Say it or my offense is only going to get worse.”

“You left!” Asena snapped, the sun mines exploding from the outburst. “You keep leaving when we need you most or when the jobs we have here are out of our league! We need you!”

“Is that so?” Taarini snapped as she dove under a table, covering her head. She summoned moon particles, letting the ethereal dust collect around her. “Now, why don’t you say what you really want to?”

The moon particles hardened, cracked and then shot throughout the room as spikes, lodging into anything and everything.

Asena growled, kick flipping off of the floor. “I want my best friend back. The one who’d do stupid things with me and would help me out drink anyone in this guild. I want my best friend back who used to be able to laugh at my stupid jokes and who would be there when I needed them when I wasn’t being myself.”

Taarini smiled sadly, her eyes flashing with remembrance. “I’m sorry. I know I’ve been gone for awhile. There’s a reason why I disappeared that night without telling anyone.”

Asena called on her ather, anger still leaking out of her body. “That’s not a real apology. Why don’t you give me a real reason?”

Glowing in her hand was an orb of pure sun magic, growing larger as the flames from it consumed her hand. She tossed it into the air, the flames dripping like magma as she forced more of her magic within it. The orb itself began to fill up the space within the guild, miniature orbs falling from it and exploding above and around Taarini. The mage attempted to dive away from the fire, only to be forced against the wall behind her. When more started to fall upon her, she shielded herself within arcs of lightning.

Arealla, who has been watching from behind the bar, peeked over the top to see what damage has been done in just a few minutes the ladies have been fighting. She whimpered at the sight, the floor burning in random areas, chairs broken and tables toppled over, spikes of concentrated moon dust lodged into the walls and tables. “Yeah, I’m going to die today. The masters are going to kill me.”

Armazi glanced over the bar to look at the bartender fretting for her life and laughed heartily. “Woman, you know that the master isn’t going to kill you over this. This,” He pointed to the rest of the guild, continuing when she made eye contact. “Is not even remotely your fault. So, he’s not going to kill you, dear. He’s going to kill them.”

Arealla looked to Armazi with a petrified glare then slid it to Taarini and Asena. “Oh, boy.”

Taarini deflected a left uppercut, planting her foot on Asena’s chest and back flipping away while thrusting the sun mage a few feet back. She summoned upon her ather again, a deep roar bellowing throughout the guild hall. White mist traveled along the floor of the guild, then collected in a pool of light around Taarini’s feet. The light grew brighter, wrapping around her legs in tendrils, then continued up her form. In a blink of an eye, a booming sound resonated within the building, both Taarini’s and Asena’s magic dropping and the women falling to the ground.

Kaimana looked to the library. When he saw no one there, he then tilted a glance to the front door. He smiled crookedly when he saw the master standing there, silhouetted from the daylight. The old man had called upon his magic and slammed his palms together causing the force to cancel Taarini’s next move along with Asena’s. He then gathered all the ather sitting within the hall and absorbed it into his body. He casted out luminous bonds from the energy around him, binding them around Taarini and Asena.

The Master, Zaharia Vasile, is a man in his late ages. His silver blonde hair had started going white, faint wrinkles appeared around his green eyes and thin mouth. His body once held a well sculpted physique, but now it just seemed worn down with a fine muscle tone. Zaharia cleared his throat, sliding his gaze around the hall to the ladies that are bound. “I see I came just in time before you destroyed the place completely again.”

He quipped in a firm, yet somewhat amused gravelly voice. Taarini laughed lightly, “Well, this is one hell of a way to say welcome back, Z.”

“Can you please release us?” Asena grumbled, squirming in her binds. “I promise I’m not going to try to break her face anymore.”

Zaharia grunted. “Not yet.”

Asena glowered at him, then leaned against a pushed over table. She then slid her gaze to Taarini. “You still haven’t given me a reason.”

“To what?”

“On why you keep leaving.”

Taarini lowered her gaze to the floor, sighing in defeat. When she looked up with a solemn look in her eyes. “I’ve been carrying out special missions for the king himself. Not for the MGA, but for The King.”

“Why? Why does he send you away for almost a year?! What’s so gods damned important that you’re always gone?” Asena demanded in a stern tone, a deathly glare in her watering eyes.

“The well-being of our kingdom depends on these missions. If I’m the only one capable, then I will gladly do so.” Taarini responded quietly, sliding her gaze to Master Zaharia.

“Speaking of the king, he’d like to speak to you.” Zaharia motioned for the door, then headed for the bar. He peered over the top, finding the cowering Arealla crouching against her side of the bar. “Dear, one of these days you’ll have to put your foot down.”

Arealla shot to her feet. “But Z! How can I put my foot down when I don’t have magic yet? How can I stop one of literally the scariest and deadliest mages alive without magic?”

“Do you need magic to be yourself?” He quipped pointedly. Arealla sighed shortly, dropping her head.

“No, Z.”

“You still have time, flower.” Zaharia smiled warmly, grabbing a bottle of ale and headed for his office.

“Zaharia!” Taarini yelled, snapping her gaze in the direction the guild master went. “Relea-!”

Without even finishing her sentence, the luminous bonds disappeared, giving her free range of her movement. She smiled appreciatively in the direction Zaharia went in, then disappeared within a cloud of electricity and gray smoke.

The guild members left in the hall looked around to each other, then to Asena. She raised a brow to them, her voice dripping with sass. “Don’t look at me. I got what I wanted and she did too. If you’d like to keep your eyes, look the other way.”

Kaimana stood from his spot, then headed for the door. Faolan shot him a puzzled glance, throwing his hands up in short-lived disbelief. “Is everyone just coming and leaving today?”

“Dude,” Armazi gruffly laughed. “Get your panties out of a twist. You know how Kaimana is. Not much of a crowd person and he doesn’t like you up his ass.” He turned in his seat to look at Kaimana, plastered a huge dazzling smile on his face, then gave him a thumbs up. Kaimana palmed his face after rolling his eyes. Armazi turned back to Faolan with a straight face. ‘So, stop it.”

Zaharia looked from his office window, the sun was setting behind the clock tower, casting a long shadow over the city. His gaze slowly traveled over the town to the castle. Sighing softly, he turned to his desk, pulling out a stack of papers from his satchel. He read over them as a knock came to the door. “Come in, Arealla.”

Called upon, Arealla poked her head in. Her jaw length brown hair framed a slender face, a soft jaw and a button nose. Her blue doe eyes rested upon soft high cheekbones. Arealla was a woman of average height, born of nobility from a foreign land. She found herself fleeing here to Patavium after war had taken over her home when she was young and her parents were caught in their house after it was set ablaze. The wardens that were serving their lands only had time to save her, even when she begged for them to save her parents.

“Z, how’d it go at the MGA?”

Zaharia smiled faintly at the pet name, then cleared his throat. “There have been reports of strange happenstance occurring in neighboring regions. Some could be handled by a few teams that are here.”

“But?” Arealla questioned, sensing there was more to what he had said.

“But, little flower, there is one that only Taarini can handle. It’s too dangerous for you and the others.” Zaharia replied softly.

“That’s why the king wanted to talk to her.” Arealla turned her gaze to the floor, adding softly. “She just got back. Asena’s going to be heartbroken all over again.”

“I know, flower, I know.”

Taarini rode through the forest in the early morning sunlight accompanied by three of the king's wardens. The creek babbled in a short distance off to their left, forest animals chirped and chattered as their morning began. The morning sun shone softly through the red oak trees.

Taarini sang softly, her voice loud enough for her companions to hear. The three men, turning their heads to look at her.

“She rode through the streets. Down from the hill on high. O’er the wynds, sticks and stones. She rode to the song of the moon. For that was her only secret.”

Roland watched her, enchanted by the smooth smoky notes that were plain yet enhanced by the forest surrounding them. “It was her chain and her key. Her ire to free the broken. For her desire is of one and none.”

Arminius and Indra passed each other quizzical looks, trying to see if the other had figured out what Taarini was singing about.

“Ire of the moon, give me back what once was mine. Ire of the moon, Why do you have to be so cold? Ire of the moon, you can mold one’s path. But the hands of a lover can save me. Ire of the moon, set me free.”

#ConstellationsAdvocate #ChapterTwo

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constellationsadvocate · 4 years

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The Constellations Advocate

Book One

Prologue

“Time is always a fickle thing when you’re running against it and it’s already beating you to the punchline. It’s really not something to laugh at, but the idle irony of the stars aligning and time freezing- coming to an absolute standstill- just for the mere amusement of one's boredom.”

“Boredom?” An amused, deep and half-laughed question asked. “I don’t believe it was so. Maybe, out of coincidence, it was out of revenge?”

“Well, then it took them awhile. To plan revenge just so you can fix your own fate because one may or may not have been, shall I say, screwed over.”

“Not screwed over, friend.”

“No? Then, dear, what would you call it?”

“Double crossed.” They gruffly, briskly called back. They laughed lightly, a charming smile on their lips. “But, do continue, doll. The story is just beginning to get good.”

“Now that you’ve shut your big mouth, I will gladly do so.” The first voice coolly replied. “Like I said, Time came to an absolute standstill for the sake of one’s boredom. It wasn’t always boredom, no, but it was anger. Anguish. Pain, grief, heartbreak, guilt, longing. Our story didn’t start at the beginning, but at the start of the end.”

“This isn’t some children’s story is it? You know, the one with the colorful pop-up pages?”

“Just because your one molecule brain can’t break down big words, doesn’t mean you can’t follow along.” A third voice chimed, causing the other two to look back at the mysterious being.

“Why I oughta-!”

The first, smacking the back of the second’s head, reeled their hand back again only to stop and grab their cup of whiskey. “Put a sock in it before I knock your teeth out. We have a story to tell and I will gladly do so by myself if it’s by the means of removing your teeth and cutting out your tongue.”

“Whatever.”

“Anyways, it all began when it ended.”

“Doesn’t it always?” The third laughed softly, only to go quiet as a killing glare was sent their way.

“It was a destructive timeline. There wasn’t an end to finish and a start to begin. Therefore, something more constructive, crucial, was born.”

“Didn’t it fail?”

“Honestly, the first three thousand times it did.” The first signed disdainly. Then smiled mischievously. “But, what’s the harm in one more chance?

The other’s glaced to one another, then smiled cruelly. In harmony, “Născuți din focul Fenixului, constelațiile vor avea protectorul lor.”

Adeodatus, Patavium

“Aye, cad e mar a bheifea ag suil le fear dall a asal a fhail san aimsir seo?!” An aging, balding, middle aged man with refined attributes of a square jaw, straight nose, and oblique pale once blue eyes yelled out to a young man. The man, a simple farm hand stumbled through the rain and mud behind the old man, Maddox, looking frantically for the lost mule. Maddox, the blind man, stopped in his tracks causing the farm hand to slide to a stop. “Erivan!”

“For the last time, sir. People will think you’re a mad man yelling out in your old language!” Erivan sternly warned. He calmly walked to stand beside Maddox, placing a firm hand on the mans shoulder. “The mule can’t be far at all. You know how he gets during thunderstorms.”

“I know this. But that stubborn mule is getting on my last nerve.” Maddox replied briskly, tired of the same old routine. “And yes, I know what you’ll say. ‘He’ll find his way back home, Maddox.’”

“Aye,” Erivan smiled warmly, slicking back ebony wet hair from his forehead. “Now, can we please go inside before we both get sick again?”

Maddox nodded, turning back the way he came from. Erivan smiled assertively and followed behind. Only a few steps in, when in a short distance behind them, a mule brayed and stomped it’s hooves in the thick mud. The pair turned sharply, Erivan’s eyes landing on a cloaked figure and the mule itself.

“Maddox,” An enchanting, smoky female voice called out. Maddox smiled brazenly, chuckling.

“Aye, Taarini.” Maddox greeted warmly. “What are you doing in this horrid weather?”

“Ag feachaint ar asal do dhuine dall.” Taarini laughed warmly as she answered in the old language. She turned her amused gaze to Erivan. “You shouldn’t assume there isn’t a fair share of people who still speak the old language. It may be dead or dying, but nothing stays dead forever.”

“Of course, Taarini. How foolish of me.” Erivan sassed, sarcastically rolling his eyes. “Thank you, oh great one.”

“Sarcasm. Funny most of the time, but when it comes from you it's just simply rude. Maybe if I cut your tongue out, it’ll stop rolling off.” Taarini sneared, smiling devilishly as she walked the mule to Maddox. “Do you not remember the last time I gave your ass a lesson?”

“Children,” Maddox chimed. “This is not the time. Maybe when the weather is better and we can have spectators on a warm, sunny day. Aye?”

Maddox laughed robustly, taking the reins from Taarini and turning back for the farm. “Come on, Erivan! I can’t always walk by myself. So, kiss the pretty lass goodbye and move your feet.”

“You’re a mad man!” Erivan shouted after him, scurrying to catch up. A few feet behind Maddox, Erivan turned around to gaze where he once was standing with Taarini. She was still standing there, the rain seemling becoming heavier and something unnatural hanging in the air. His gaze rested on her for a moment longer. Taarini everything is shrouded in mystery and questions. No one knew exactly what she looked like, except the bold, rosy pink lips, the slender and strong jaw and jawline. The high cheekbones and the gray and gold mix-matched eyes that rested upon them. Everything else was covered with the hood of a cloak and a black fox mask.

In a blink of an eye, Taarini disappeared behind a caravan passing through town. Erivan blinked rapidly, searching around him before he sighed and shook his head. “You’re going crazy Eri. You’ll go completely insane hanging out with Mad.”

He continued mumbling to himself, breathing easier as the rain and air lightened up in the surrounding area as he hastened for the farm.

A scream erupted from the inside of Solas De Danaan as Jericho, Armazi, and Gemini reigned in their paint mares and gelding. The three snapped their attention to the guild, unmounted and tied the reins to the post, busting through the front door of the guild.

Inside the fortified guild, the pale ashen oakwood floors were spacious with dark red mahogany tables and chairs. A bartop that had a matching wood stain, the shelves behind it, just as dark with mirror essence casted behind them. From the main floor, pale ashen oak stairs spiraled to the second floor and led to the library and a secondary storage room and office. Magical orbs of pure light floated and bobbed above the heads of the guild members who had immersed themselves in the situation at hand.

Asena, a sun kissed woman with golden blonde hair that curled at her mid back and eyes that could set your world on fire. Her fiery hazel eyes rested upon soft cheekbones that were dusted with freckles. Her physic was lean and curvy, but be no fool, she can out drink any man and leave him under the table. Despite her feminine and goddess like beauty, she can and most likely will put you in your place. Lesson, never dirty your hands if it means crossing someone who can literally light your ass on fire.

Asena shrieked again as the figure of Taarini glitched out of sight again, appearing next to her. Arealla, the assisting bartender and right hand to the master of the guild, gasped as she quickly grabbed the bottle of bourbon from in front of Asena before she got coated in the sticky, fraganted liquor again and rapidly took a few steps away from the fiery woman.

“No! Stop it!”Arealla yelled abruptly, looking from Asena to the glitching figure of Taarini. Asena glared at her desperately.

“You act like this is my doing!” She snapped. “Make her stop tormenting me every time she comes around!”

Armazi, Asena’s brother, scoffed. “Sister, are you sure the drink isn’t finally going to your head?”

Armazi,who has the build of a boxer, a strong and sharp jaw, golden brown shoulder length hair, the same fiery hazel eyes as his sister’s, bold cheekbones and a well kept beard. He leaned forward over the bar, taking the bottle from Arealla. Asena and Arealla locked baffled glares onto the brother, questioning his own sanity.

“You know damn well, very well, it takes us both to have downed the whole store to get even remotely drunk before our bodies burn it off!” Asena growled. “So either someone else makes Taarini stop or I will burn her alive!”

Like speaking of the devil, Taarini appeared physically behind Asena with a bucket of water and ice mixed with thick honey. Followed hastily after, she dumped a sackful of white feathers on the sun magic mage. Asena screamed like a banshee once more. Golden flames licked up her calves, slowly. Within milliseconds, her whole body was engulfed in the pure flames. Armazi clapped amusedly as everyone dove from the bursting flames.

“You vile vixen!” Asena screeched, the hatred rolling off of her tongue. “How dare you!”

“Cool it, hothead.” Taarini laughed coolly, strolling to the other side of the bar nonchalantly. “I thought you just needed to be a little cold to feel the burn of the drink.”

Asena growled, blasting golden flames at the mage who became consumed by them. The surrounding guild members gasped, only for confusion to cross their faces as a shadow figure of Taarini pushed Asena against the bar. The flames died down from Asena and Taarini, the masked mage coming out unscathed.

The shadow figure dissipated in a puff of smoke that traveled along the ashen oak floors. Taarini sighed doubtfully, “We do this every time I come back to the city. We used to be friends. What happened?”

Asena frowned disapprovingly. “You kept leaving.”

Taarini grinned cheekily. “But I got you something this time.”

“And let’s see if Asena can be bought back.” Jericho laughed out, taking a seat at a far corner table, Gemini joining him.

“I don’t know whose side I’m on.” Gemini chuckled lightly, watching intensely. “I love them both dearly.”

“Hon,” Lyra, a fellow guild mage with a curvy body, tanned skin, long white hair with ombre gold ends and silver eyes with flecks of black in the iris, full lips and a slender profile. “I don’t even think you know what side of you you’re on.”

“Aye, I second that.” Jericho and Armazi agreed in harmony. Gemini gasped, looking between both men.

“I’ve been good!” She squealed. “I promise!”

“Here, Gem.” Arealla smiled genuinely. “Have a drink.”

Gemini slid her gaze to Arealla, who handed the girl a bottle of ale. She smiled appreciatively and took a long drink from the neck.

“Or you can just continue to hate me for something I have no control over.” Taarini mused, sliding her mix-matched eyes to Asena. “You also have the option of brawling it out with me. It’s not healthy to bottle your emotions.”

“Says the one that never vents to anyone about anything.” Lyra shot back in an undertone.

Asena grinned maddeningly, standing from her seat. “Oh, I’d really love the chance to burn that mask away.”

“I’d like to see you try, firebreather.” Taarini replied confidently, removing her hood from around her head, revealing her silver hair and gold streaked dreads. “I’ll even make it easier and more tempting for you.”

“Oh,” Kaimana, a male mage with silver and blue hair and aqua eyes muttered. “This just got interesting.”

“I don’t know what you want.” Faolan chuckled. “The flames to lick them or you to lick the flames.”

Kaimana looked at him with a perturbed glare. “Neither, you perv. I want the fight.”

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