AETHER BEASTS

Chapter 246

Now that I was seeing her up close, I had to admit she was even more exotic and beautiful than I had first thought. Her lower form was that of a snake's with gleaming green scales, but her upper half was that of a slender beauty with jade-like skin, and curves that would make many women jealous not to mention the assets she had on her chest which I made sure to not stare at. I wasn't a creep and I wasn't going to start acting like one.

"Well thank you, Mezareen," I replied with a dip of my head.

She blinked and nodded back. "You are welcome, and I appreciate the thanks, but I am simply doing as one of the court should for an ally."

"Nevertheless, I thank you." I smiled and I swear a small blush bloomed on her cheeks before she swept away, gliding along the sands with ease.

As order once again reasserted itself and people were healed and got back to their vehicles, I turned my attention to the others.

"Misty, you good?"

"I'm fine," she replied. "We had no trouble here. The scorpions posed little threat to a group of trained vampires who've been working together for years and have fought worse. I just helped where I could, and you?"

"The green court came out fine," I replied, turning my attention to Sandra. "And you Sandra?"

"We have a few injures," she said. "But nothing serious. I'm really going to need to take charge. It was a mess over here and if not for a few like Pate, Kai, Ashala, and the other representatives, many would have died."

"Are we going to be continuing on?" I asked Zirani mentally.

"We are, after a few minutes," she replied. "It would be stupid to stay for long as the dead bodies and the aether that we used will have been sensed by greater beasts, and we do not need to deal with those. That's one of the biggest problems with this place. Yes, it is extremely large, but all it takes is one mistake to get swarmed by beasts, though it's less likely on this route."

"What if a larger group shows up?"

I felt her worry through the bond. "If a horde of them shows up then there will be many deaths, and the only way the weakest will survive is if they are protected, which will be difficult as even I or Aeverie can only fight so many. They're more aggressive in groups, beasts like the scorpions, and will attempt to overwhelm us with sheer numbers alone."

The mental image of a wave of scorpions charging at us came to mind and I shuddered, imagining the carnage it would cause.

Zirani was right, and we began moving a few minutes later, though Zirani made her way to me. "I've spent enough time with Aeverie and that Julian. Things are going as should be."

We entered the vehicle and the rest of the journey for the day was mostly quiet, and even though I asked Aneva for help, she was dormant, having decided she was done for the day after the beasts had interrupted us which was annoying but I was also glad that things seemed to be coming along with her and there wasnt as much back and forth between the two of us like there had been when we had first met, though I wasn't sure if she had changed or if she was just more aware of her current position and what would happen if she didn't cooperate.

Once the time came to stop again, we disembarked and met up with the others.

"I found out a few more things," Misty said as we headed towards an area where a few tables and chairs had been on the ground that had been changed from sand to grass. Even for just a night the green court still liked looking good, though I couldn't complain. Anyone could have their food in their vehicles and we could have had it brought to us, but we had all spent hours in them and wanted to spend some time outside.

Once our food was delivered and we began eating, Misty glanced around and leaned in. "THe alchemist spends all his time in his vehicle which is also his workshop. He has his meals delivered there, and no one except a few are allowed in."

"So how do we get in?"

Zirani smiled, taking a bite of a piece of fish. "We might not have to worry about that. Aeverie has a device planted on the red ribbons spymaster, and though she hasn't caught anything concrete, there is a lot there which could be used. If we weren't in the scar then we could just take them out, but a fight with them would cause chaos even if everybody else would side with us. In any case, I also found out that one of the dryads spotted two vampires leaving the perimeter last night."

"Just two?" Sandra asked. "No alchemist?"

"No, but I believe we should keep an eye out, and tail them next time."

"You mean I should," Sandra said and we all turned to her. "I'm the best when it comes to stealth, and my gravity affinity also allows for other uses which would allow for a quick getaway."

"It would be risky to go alone," I mused.

"We have our bond," Sandra replied. "If I need help then I can just give you a shout and you'll come to help."

"I suppose," I replied reluctantly. "But still, take care and if you do see anything, let us know first before you act, ok?"

She nodded. "I promise."

Zirani nodded. "Then next time Aeverie lets me know and I'll send it over to Aiden who will tell you."

The rest of our meal continued in relative quiet, though at one point Shana did come over to thank me. She was blushing profusely and it made me certain that her shyness came from the fact there were others around.

"What was that about?" Sandra asked.

"She got stung by one of the scorpions," I said, and then remembered something. I turned to Zirani. "Zirani what is an arcane poison?"

"Is that what it was?" She frowned. "Odd, but this is the scar. An arcane poison is exactly how it sounds, a poison that attacks the arcane rather than merely the flesh. Your cores, essence, and some even try to get at the aether infused within your body, by either tearing towards it or draining it, which will leave you even weaker than you were before you reached that level of infusion. Some arcane poison or disease and such actually look like they're living patterns, which most don't understand. Hell, not even i get it."

"Aren't you an expert on poison?"

"To a degree, yes, but remember I didn't reach the top before all this happened, and as I've said before I don't know everything.." She didn't seem saddened by that fact, which I knew was because she had a second chance and had met me. She would also be stronger when I hit the level she'd been at. "I should probably teach you how to counteract them. They can actually be stopped by will alone, and clever use of aether but it's difficult and hard to do when a foreign power is attacking you."

After our meal instead of heading back to our green court vehicle, I decided to head with Sandra back to the Umbrin Clan area. Misty looked jealous at the fact, but she also knew that I wouldn't be allowed in the Red Ribbons area. As for Zirani, she said she was going to be getting something ready for us, which I wanted to know more about, but by then I was being dragged away by Sandra.

The Umbrin Clan area looked a lot less vibrant and just as dark as the first time I'd seen it, though it wasn't completely without light. Everyone either nodded or bowed as Sandra passed, some even directed towards me oddly enough, which I guessed was either due to my one position or my bond with Sandra. Either way, I didn't pay too much attention to it.

"It seems you've taken charge," I said as we entered her vehicle.

"For the most part," she said. "Though I'm still unsure about Kai. He seems ok, but I can't tell if he's just putting on a mask. Pate is nice enough and grateful and this real Pate seems to actually like Lucy so that's good. Ashala can be difficult but she hasn't actually tried to cue problems. It's mainly that Darn. He tries too hard to get into my good graces and will take down anyone if he thinks it will help. I've also heard some very disturbing rumors about his family."

"Like what?"

Sandra shook her head. "Nothing I want to talk about right now."

She smiled as she turned to me, her hands moving over her clothing as she disrobed.. "Right now I just want to relax and have some fun."