Sleeper Of The Wildwood Fugue (Book 7) by Charles E. Yallowitz Read Free Book Online Page B

shaking, the chaos elf is unable to fight the tears that stream down her face, along her neck, and slip under her shirt.
    “Stop it or I’m coming in there to punish you!” Stephen calmly shouts. The voice abruptly stops, releasing Trinity from its clutches. “Best to be careful. She gets desperate during her moments of partial lucidity. Those are becoming more common with ever slumber. This time she managed to contact Sari and Luke. She’ll eventually be able to break the curse and wake up of her own power. Probably have to locked her in the Chaos Void the next time, but I’m not the one who makes that decision.”
    Trinity stares at her companion as she recovers her senses. “You’re telling me that the champion who made me feel miserable is still asleep?”
    “Her powers are stronger when she’s asleep or in a trance. It makes her incredibly dangerous,” Stephen answers with a twinge of pride in his voice. He caresses the chaos elf's cheek, wiping a remaining tear away with his thumb. “I know you’re wondering why we don’t kill her, but all I can say is that she’s special. Not like you and Nyx, so she isn’t competition for my pleasurable affections. The thought of that truly sickens me, which is not a sensation I’m used to.”
    “Can you tell me what she is?”
    “It’s better for you to see for yourself.”
    Trinity frowns and considers letting the matter drop, but her curiosity gets the best of her without much of a struggle. Casting magic sight and reaching out with her senses, she searches the forest. Weaving around the voids that signify undead and dodging the crazed curse, the young woman hunts for anything out of the ordinary. Within minutes, she tastes a great power that was originally masked by the sentient curse and layers of defensive barriers. The instant she slips through the final shield, her world erupts in a blinding light and her senses are rocketed back into her body. Trinity is barely able to breathe as she realizes that she can no longer see, only calming down when Stephen touches her face and restores her sight.
    “That . . . She . . . It . . . By the gods, she can’t be what I think she is,” the chaos elf whispers in shock, her heartbeat still drumming in her ears. “Why would Gabriel create something like that? How did he even find a being like that?”
    “An interesting story, which I will happily tell you over an early breakfast,” Stephen states with a gentlemanly bow. He feigns a pained expression when Trinity tenses and leans away from him. “I promise to behave and treat you like a lady. I’ll even pay for the meal and allow you to have dessert. It is your birthday after all. Though, I think you’ve indulged a bit too much in the delicacies of the outer world.”
    “Being entirely nice is beyond you.”
    “Yes, so give me credit for only making verbal barbs.”
    “This could be more fun than I realized.”
    “Remember that there will be a day when my father is no longer around to protect you from my advances,” the ancient nobleman threatens in a menacing voice. He growls and takes a deep breath before meeting his companion’s violet eyes. “I am trying to behave and while I expect you to take advantage of the situation, I would hope that you show me some respect. If not respect then whatever is the equivalent for someone you dislike.”
    “I’ll give you some mild apathy and smug enjoyment of not having to fear your wrath for a few days,” Trinity offers, extending her hand. She is surprised when she finds herself bent over backwards, Stephen’s lips pressed against hers. “Let go or I hurt you.”
    He releases her with a playful spin, his hand grazing her shoulders. “Promises, promises. Now, I’m in the mood for a good meal. The champions are at the portside inn, so we’ll stay away from there. No reason to start the fun without our guest of honor.”
    With a snap of his fingers, Stephen and Trinity disappear from the forest road. A powerful