Chapter Fourteen

Aryan

Is this girl stupid?

I couldn’t believe my eyes when Samara stepped between Alois and me. I was just about ready to clock him, and here she goes, proving that lack of self-preservation I mentioned before.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one surprised. Alois snorted like this was the funniest thing he’s ever seen. “You let your women fight for you now, Aryan?” the ass started cracking his neck, getting ready to fight. “Fine by me.”

Alois started to reach for Samara, and for some reason, that just really pissed me off. He grabbed both her arms like he was going to pick her up and throw her. His grip was tight, I could tell by the way her sandy skin paled from his touch. To her credit, she didn’t yelp or scream at all.

“Get your hands off her!” I growled, getting my talons ready to strike.

But before I could, I heard Samara whisper like a soft breeze. “Release me.”

Yeah… it doesn’t—

I didn’t even finish my thought when I saw Alois freeze up and then… he actually backed away from her. He shook his head, just as shocked by his actions as I was. “What the hell just happened?” his eyes were frightened and furious. “What did you do to me!?”

Samara didn’t even look at me. For just a moment, she had her eyes to the ground, like she was ashamed.

“You little…” Alois released a growl that was more like a whinny and charged at Samara.

She looked up then. Not even worried that this angry, bulked-up Janus was coming at her. She sighed, and it was nearly undetectable. Had I not been watching her, I would have missed it completely. Just as Alois was about to reach her, she said only one word to halt his attack. “Stop.” And… he did. Alois stood ramrod stiff, his eyes panicked. “Relax, Alois. I’m not going to hurt you.” She stared at me but turned back to our frozen companion before I had a chance to make any sort of comment. “You owe Aryan a favor, and it’s time to repay whatever kindness he’s bestowed to you.”

Well, I don’t know if it was kindness. I thought, amused. I only helped Alois expand Quintessence because I needed a place to hide that wasn’t a cave…

Alois nodded wordlessly—hypnotized. At his confirmation, Samara continued. “Give us food and lodging for the night—” Samara looked at her body for just a second. “—and some fresh clothes.”

“Yes, of course.” He agreed. “Follow me.”

Samara stood beside him like it was natural, and not like he hadn’t just tried to rip us in half a few seconds ago. I couldn’t even put together a proper thought about the whole thing—there was just too many questions I wanted to ask her. So, I followed wordlessly, but alert to anyone else who might try something stupid.

Alois led us up the stairs, and to the corner of the top floor, where another tree trunk with a rope ladder was waiting. We climbed the ladder until we reached the top. I looked around quickly, checking our surroundings. We were up in the treetops, and from here, I could see a handful of huts—some lit, some not.

Alois silently led us across a wobbly, but secure bridge. We crossed and climbed multiple bridges and ladders until we arrived at a platform that led into a dark hut.

“In there, you’ll find everything you asked for…” Alois glared at Samara like he would kill her the first chance he got.

“Thank you, Alois.” She was about to walk in, but then stopped. She turned back to the steaming Janus. “Alois, tell no one we are here. You only know this hut is in use, and not to be disturbed.”

He nodded and then started back down to the bar below.

“I’m sorry…” I thought I heard Samara whisper just before she walked into the hut.