In a world of so many mysterious species, the humans have very little defense against "dark" creatures. For the most part, the Fey have been kind enough to offer support, though at a price. Whatever that price is, it is not mentioned by many.
However, there are some humans who have their own inner strength. Powers similar to the other species occasionally manifest in the more adaptable one. For the most part, these extraordinary humans were the soul protectors of the weaker species.
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She was surprised that a human graced the dinner table at complete ease. Etonae swirled his glass of red wine with one hand as he told her Masters of his journeys. His demeanor was so casual. He even dared to become flippant at Master Rhoe, who was obviously biting his tongue and had been for two hours.
Areica eyed Etonae with trepidation as he spoke with his deeply, accented voice. He sounded educated, but the things he said struck her more of an adventurer than a scholar. And, much like Master Rhoeshard, he had this air of joviality that would pique anyone's interests. However, that was troublesome. If Etonae was anything like Rhoe, underneath that nice exterior lie something cruel. Too cruel.
To keep from staring, she focused on her plate. Rare roast, so decked with seasonings it formed a light crust on the top of the meat. Along with potatoes and leafy greens, it was quite a savory meal. However, her hunger felt satisfied without consumption. Instead, she picked at the tender meat.
Memories of Master Khelman came to her suddenly with a hot, throbbing pulse. The taste of his mouth . . . deceptively soft lips with the slightest hint of someone's blood. She remembered the scent of him as she pressed herself against him. Her body reveled in the feel of him buried to the hilt inside of her. A smile touched her lips as the after effects of memory flowed over her.
"Areica."
The voice snapped her back to the dinner table. She tried desperately to stop the growl that crept in her throat, but a little of it spilled out of her mouth. Her eyes met the new male at the dinner table as her hand covered her mouth in surprise.
He smiled at her, almost lewdly. His eyes, one grey blue, the other an electric shade of green, looked straight through her. Like he could see every part of her down to the soul. Her breath caught and his smile widened, auburn mustache twitching slightly as muscles worked.
In truth, this was the first time she'd looked at him. The moment she walked in after returning to her room to dress, she bowed her head slightly and took her place at the table. Now, he was unavoidable.
Long tinted fingers trailed down his jaw–a sharp slope ending in a point at the chin. Straggly red-brown hairs littered his chin, meeting with the thin mustache above his full brown lips. He moved his body until hunched over the table slightly. Propping an elbow, he rested his head in his hand, giving Areica a look as though waiting. She watched as his long, thick braids nearly dipped into his half-eaten meal. He must have known the danger, since he flung it over his shoulder, exposing his ear. It almost glowed in the light with all its gold posts starting from lobe to tip. Etonae's eyes batted as that nearly boyish smile grew.
"Areica!" Rhoeshard called from the left, fist slamming on the table in time.
Areica and the entire jolted. She turned in his direction. A shiver ran down her spine like an ice-coated finger. Though his face stayed deceptively calm, Master Rhoe's eyes held a heat. She knew that look too well. The vampire was angry and wanted quench that anger. Her stomach clenched as her hand began to shake. Wincing from the savageness and darkness of Rhoe's eyes, Areica turned to Master Khelman.
There was a weariness in her other Master's eyes. Suddenly, she understood a little of the tension. It made her tense that much more. How much of that anger Rhoe had would be paid with her body?
"Sorry, sirs." She said quietly, "Was something asked of me?"
Khelman shook his head. In front of her, Etonae cleared his throat. She turned to him expectantly.
"No, lady, I was simply trying to get you to stop staring at me." Etonae said as he waved a hand dismissively. "It's such a rude thing to do over dinner."
There was a hissing sound off to the left. Areica dared not turn to see the look on the blonde master's face.
"Not that I mind," continued Etonae, "Some say I'm nice to look at. But, you, lady, you're a sight far better than I am."
A flush spread over her cheeks. Whether from embarrassment or anger, she wasn't sure. There wasn't much time to ponder. An icy chill and static filled the air. A blur moved over the table, quickly as a flash of lightning in a storm, knocking over place settings and candelabras alike.
Before it could register in her mind, she saw Master Rhoe lording over Etonae. His claws dug into the other man's neck. There was nothing human in Rhoe then. Just an angry monster out for blood. Each choking sound Etonae made, it raised hairs on the back of Areica's neck. She felt something rush through her . . . some need to stop this. Her hand reached for the sharp knife on the table. Once in her hand, she clutched it tightly in her left hand, ready to strike.
Hiking up her long violet gown, she climbed onto the table. Distantly, she heard her plate clamber to the floor. As she raised her hand to strike, she noted a blazing feeling at her side. Wide-eyed, she turned only to see a blaze along the fine satin table cloth. Hissing, she tried to get away, but a clawed hand grabbed her wrist. Nails dug in so thoroughly, they broke her skin. Yelping, she dropped the knife.
The blaze was getting closer. Etonae's fist pounded on Rhoe's arm, but Rhoe could not be moved. In fact, his ice green gaze turned to Areica. Possession and anger were in that stare. She whimpered, knowing what her attempt to help Etonae would cost.
Another blast of different, but similar energy and Master Khelman appeared in front of Rhoe, fast as the wind. The darker man stared at his protege without expression. He just loomed, intimidatingly and still as the dead of night. Rhoe paid him little attention, until Khelman's hand turned his face.
Master Khelman's eyelids lowered sleepily as he stared at his vampire companion. Behind those lids, his eyes grew incredibly large until the whites no longer showed. There was something hollow about the darkness, encompassing too. It made Areica feel as though she might fall in if she watched too intently.
Rhoe tensed, then shook. His green eyes momentarily rolled in the back of his head. Areica tried to move, but whatever was happening didn't diminish Rhoe's strength. He simply held on as the fire began sizzling off the fine hairs of her exposed arm. Panic rose in her until the point she nearly lost thought and let instinct take over.
But he let go. Etonae first, then her. Blood dripped down her arm as she slid off the table which was now half covered in fire. Etonae gasped a few times, looking hazily at Khelman. Khelman was too focused on Rhoe, who now muttered incoherently.
Once he got himself steady, Etonae raised a hand over the fire. His hand was scarred and bandaged, but a massive blue jewel glimmered at his ring finger distractively.
"Afiran." He said calmly.
The jewel blazed to life as the fire died down from blaze to smolder. Suddenly, Areica felt as though she could breathe again. Of course, this also made her aware of other things like her pain. She clutched her still bleeding arm and held it close to her chest.
"Etonae. Take Areica to her room and fix her wound." Khelman said calmly, but darkly still focused on the confused looking Rhoe.
"Yes, Master." The man responded, then moved around the table
Once there, Etonae placed a hand on Areica's shoulder, turning her away from the sight of Khelman and Rhoe. Gently, he led her from the room. As they moved further down the hall, there was a blast of energies, swirling angrily. Areica shivered. The man beside her squeezed her shoulder tightly, then relaxed. Together, they moved up the stairs.
He opened the door to her room. She wasn't sure she liked the idea that he felt so casually about her space, but she swallowed that for now. There had been enough fighting for one night. Instead, she focused on the thing that just came to her.
"You're a Mage?" she asked, trying for casual and failing.
