"Oh, for fuck's sake, " I hear Lord War lament. "Cachexys," he hisses, "get over there and...stop that, will you?" He idly waves toward the dance floor.
I dart my eyes from couple to couple, resting them on Lord War's new bride, Kaija, and Elias' bosom friend, Kayleon. I sigh. Lord War really is too paranoid. Kaija is his, now. Lord Death won't actually stand against him again. After all these centuries of cowardice, what other mortal woman could have spurned a real change in him? However, what I think is irrelevant, and Lord War clearly dislikes the situation, so I suppose it won't hurt to go have a bit of fun.
War's bride and Kayleon don't notice as I make my way over, and plant myself firmly behind Kayleon.
"May I cut in?" I ask, the slightest note of menace in my voice.
Watching Kayleon get riled is...fun? It's so terribly easy to rile him. This man lives his life walking on eggshells, and it takes very little to get his hackles up. Though I suppose it is a tad warranted in this case. Elias and Kayleon are close, and Elias has made no secret of his feelings for War's latest bride. Lord Death will probably be getting a beating or two in the coming weeks. Lord Death sometimes gets too big for his britches when he is displeased, and he will be greatly displeased when Lord War finally takes this Kaija girl as his.
Kaija's reaction is less pronounced, but more severe at the same time. She has her guard up, but for entirely different - and, for some reason, I think, more important - reasons. I'd like to find out those reasons. This will be delightful.
"I'm afraid I'm rather enjoying Miss Kaija's company, " Kayleon states.
Oh Kayleon. I cannot begin to say how desperately I want to roll my eyes straight into the back of my skull. I refrain from doing so.
Instead I say, "Let me rephrase that, Lord Kayleon. Our Alpha has noticed you've spent a considerable amount of time with his bride. I'm here to see to it that she's not monopolized."
I must be smiling like a lunatic. I can't help it. Making Kayleon squirm gets me giddy, and he is absolutely squirming right now.
"Well, then, if my Alpha commands, " Kayleon says, stepping away from Lord War's bride.
Her reaction is fantastic. She has fear in her eyes, and gazes pleadingly at Kayleon. She obviously has no idea who holds the power here. It's really a pity that Elias has put her on like this. The least he could have done is to prepare her for what's coming. Instead, he seems to have given her false hope that she will not have to meet her fate. It's cruel, really, and a little pathetic. Well done, Elias.
"I'll be right over here," Kayleon says, moving toward a nearby table.
.
I'm sure my grin has nearly reached my temples by now, but I don't care. This is all too precious. If I get rid of my grin, I will surely start laughing, and we can't have that. I take this Kaija by the hand, wrapping my arm around her waist.
"Okay." Oh no, she's whispering now. Barely breathing her words out. This woman who has faced Lord War with impunity and dared to defy all he has built is scared to dance with me.
I glance ever so slightly in Lord Death's direction. He looks far angrier than I've seen him in quite some time. He's usually in complete control of his emotions, so I find it odd that he is so visibly upset in such a public venue. I can't imagine what has him so upset, but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.
Lord War's bride is still staring fearfully at me when she politely says, "My Lord Famine."
The formality of it all is so boring, and yet so necessary in most cases. You can't keep someone under your foot if you allow them to address you as their equal. I don't see that being a problem with Kaija, though. She doesn't lie down and let people step on her, it seems, so why why bother with the facade?
"How very perceptive you are. Please, call me Cachexys. I have a feeling you and I are going to be very close by the end of tonight."
Obviously, I am going to use my power on her. How can I resist? Perhaps it will knock a small amount of sense into this feisty woman. Perhaps she will realize what she is up against, and treat Lord War with the respect he is due if she knows what power his friends possess.
Kaija sways as I manipulate her life force. I revel in how easily I can weaken the mortals. She pushes lightly against my chest, trying to move away.
"I'm sorry, but it seems I've danced too much. I really should sit down." Her voice is weak. It's like music to my ears.
I smirk once again, though I'm not entirely certain I ever stopped.
"Oh, did noone tell you you I can manipulate life force? It's my secondary ability. I find it very helpful in subduing enemies."
I can tell she is disturbed by how flippant I am about my ability. I'm quite enjoying myself, so I delve a bit deeper with my power and -
Impossible. I sense a second life force.
My mind races for a moment. Either this woman is far more than we previously thought, or far less than Elias did. My bet is on the latter, because I am incredibly doubtful that we could have let an offering with power slip through the cracks. Oh Elias. Placing your faith in the wrong person, once again. I wonder which of the few men on the grounds won this prize.
"It's strange, though. I can almost swear I'm sensing more than one life force in you."
Kaija's entire body tenses. I can almost feel the waves of terror wash over her, which lets me know that she is fully aware of the baby.
She's been tense this entire evening, as has Elias, and until this point, I assumed it was simply the two of them lamenting the ending of their tryst. I assumed it was the tension between lovers when they want to savour every moment, and yet those moments are stolen or slip away. How foolish of me.
I am now putting the pieces of the puzzle together. Elias knows about the baby, which is why he was so upset when I came to dance with Kaija. He knew I would be able to sense the baby. His baby.
"Is standing creepy close a thing now, or is it just because she's cute? Because I am totally down if it's a thing now," an unwanted voice quips.
Ugh. I hate Luck. Loathe him. I don't think there is a more insufferable creature on this planet.
"What do you want, Luck?" I hiss, "Can't you see that this is a private conversation?"
Luck babbles something about "not private" and "no music" or some other obnoxious thing, and he pushes himself between Kaija and I. Making exaggerated gestures, he and Kaija tango away from me. I think I might vomit.
Luckily, I don't vomit. My annoyance at Luck's existence momentarily derailed my train of thought, but now it is rushing back to its previous track. So many thoughts are swirling in my head.
I need to speak with Lord War immediately, and I do not think it will be an enjoyable exchange.