Chapter 107: Mantis Troubles

The mantis hisses and squeals as it whirls and thrashes in pain, its body quickly engulfed by the flames as it crashes to the ground. I barely have time to register the two other creatures who spin in my direction, their focus solely upon me. The mantis to my right is closer, it launches toward me, attempting to thrash its way through the men who stand in its path. My legs tremble both with adrenaline and exertion as I scrabble to my feet, darting away from the path it cleaves before me. This new mutation of my power has tapped my energy, my head swimming with the effort of backing away. My limbs are weak and jelly-like.

The mantis is ferocious, its target firmly in its sight: me. But as it hacks toward me its halted by a gigantic black wolf. *Ayris*. He dives beneath the clacking legs of the creature and rips flesh from its underbelly with such savagery that would invoke terror in anyone else. The huge Lycan’s thirst for the mantis’ blood appears unquenchable as he cleaves lumps of gore from its belly, his attention firmly focused on the small gap between the plates of the mantis’ armour beneath its abdomen. Ayris manages to incapacitate the beast within seconds, the other men and wolves joining the attack and taking it down until its hisses stop altogether.

The one remaining mantis to the far left its partly obscured by the trees but appears to have several men and wolves at its heels as it clacks and screams, baying for blood. I jump in shock as I feel a brush of fur at my hand.

A cock of the head and further nuzzling at my side has me huffing.

“I’m fine” The Lycan at my side doesn’t look wholly convinced.

“*Honestly*. I’m fine” Ayris nods, finally acquiescing before sprinting across the forest to help his men take down the last remaining mantis. I take a moment to myself, my limbs still slightly shaky, though I think that’s probably due to the adrenaline coursing though me. My knees are scuffed and scraped, but I’m otherwise ok. I steady myself against a nearby tree, beads of sweat rippling down my chest and palms tingling.

A deafening crack splits the air, startling me from my thoughts. It is swiftly following by a loud thud and the squeals of the mantis. I shake my head, darting toward the source of the noise and the scene has my mouth hanging open.

The beast is pinned beneath a fallen tree, its dying screams filling the forest as it shrieks before fading into silence. Men and wolves are gathered around its crumpled form, and I weave through them as I approach. I’m startled to see Brunella stood several feet away, her face ashen as she looks on. Ayris has shifted and is hauling up an injured male, his arm braced underneath, as another officer strides over, baring the male’s weight evenly between them. Its only as they carry him away that I notice the auburn hair.

Kel.

There’s blood, a lot of it. His torso from pelvis to left pectoral has been carved up, blood spilling freely onto the dirt as he’s taken to be tended by the healers. I dash toward Bru who remains as still as a statue, her face a mask of shock and horror, eyes glassy and vacant.

As I place my arm around her, she seems to come back from wherever her consciousness had slipped. And without a second thought she crushes me tightly in her arms, sobs wracking her willowy frame.

“It was me” Brunella whimpers into my shoulder.

“He dove in its path to save me” I cradle her tightly as she rocks back and forth on her heels.

“The only one to blame is the creature. Kel protected you because he cares about you. Don’t blame yourself for any of this, do you hear me?” she sniffles, wiping big fat tears from her cheeks, nodding meekly.

“We’ll let the healers tend him and then we can head over and get an update, hm? Come on, lets get something to drink to steady you”.

I guide Brunella to the fireside, the gently crackle of the fire a small comfort as we’re handed a couple of mugs of strong liquor. Brunella takes a long swig from hers, whereas the smell knocks me sideways, so I choose to place mine on the grass.

“It just came out of nowhere” she whispers, her focus firmly on the fire.

“One minute we were talking and the next- “Bru chokes back a sob and I wrap an arm around her.

I listen as she speaks, pausing intermittently to wipe away a tear.

Kel had sought her out to try and clear the air. But as is usual with the pair of them it had resulted in a heated exchange of words, unable to lay their emotions aside long enough to communicate.

“He held that monster back as long as he could” she recalls “Its attention seemed to be focused on me, and he kept drawing it away before it would circle back to me once again. I… I was frozen” she whispers, hint of shame apparent in her tone.

“I could barely move; I was so frightened. Not just for myself, but for Kel. For all the words we left unspoken- “tears roll down her cheeks again and she takes a moment before speaking again.

“Kel didn’t care” she says, eyes firmly in front, watching the embers of the fire.

“I said some… truly dreadful things before the attack, Laurel. But he protected me like he was…”

I cuddle her closely to my side “Like he’s your mate?” I offer gently.

Brunella nods, tears flowing freely. “Yes”.

Our embrace is halted by Ayris’ approach. Low slung trousers hug his hips, his torso bare; streaked with sweat and blood. Brunella darts to her feet, eyes pleading as she looks at him. Ayris takes her hands in his and smiles warmly.

“He’s going to be alright” Brunella’s strangled sob of relief fills the camp and the twisting feeling that has been coiling in my gut begins to unwind.

“He is in rough shape, but with some rest and care from the healers they are optimistic that he will be just fine”.

I cradle Bru in my arms and she folds into me, her body relaxing as she cries much needed tears.

“See?” I whisper “Everything is ok. Now stop blaming yourself”

She nods, before her head whips to Ayris.

“Can I see him?” Ayris nods, smiling warmly.

As we hand off Brunella to the healers, Ayris takes my hand in his and brings it to his lips.

“Are *you* alright, my little velatha? You took a nasty tumble- “

“I’m fine” I answer honestly “Just some scrapes and bruises.

A look of concerns mars his features for the briefest of moments before he guides me back toward the warmth of the fire.

“Let me take a look. The patrols can do without me for a short while”.

“Patrols?” Ayris nods.

“We have to make sure the area is secure. Those creatures came from nowhere and we cannot risk them surprising us again” He looks sombre, and I run a hand through his hair to prise him from his thoughts.

“You’re annoyed” I state, as he kneels before me, inspecting my knees for injuries “You hate that you feel like they almost got the advantage”.

Ayris sighs. I can sense the truth of my statement as his feelings of worry and shame filter through the bond.

“You can’t know where the enemy will strike, especially when they’re monsters whose master can wield portal magic”.

Ayris kisses my hand, and I can sense my words soothe him to a certain degree.

“We have scouts on rotating patterns and eyes in the sky. But if a portal opens that’s out of your control, my love. All of us understand the dangers of what we’re doing”.

Ayris gratefully accepts a bowl of warm water and cloth from one of the men and begins cleaning my wound. He does it with such reverence and care that I can’t help but smile.

“So, the… *flames*” Ayris interjects, eyeing me curiously. I shrug, not really knowing how to address it.

“I’ve been sensing a stronger pull of my abilities of late. I can’t explain it, but I just… *knew* I could do it. That I *had* to do throw everything I had at it to keep everyone safe”

Ayris squeezes my knee thoughtfully.

“And that is exactly what you did. You single handedly took out one of those monsters. It sounds like your powers are really coming into their own”.

I nod, unsure.

“You’re frightened of it?” Ayris questions.

“Not frightened… Just worried that they’ll continue to grow and change. I don’t know where it’ll all end” I answer honestly.

“Where it is meant to. These abilities are yours alone. Embrace them, my velatha. They have saved not just your life, but other peoples’ as well”.

I nod, feeling more settled as I sense him speaking his truth through the bond.

“So how is Kel?” I ask

“He’s in bad shape, but luckily with his shifter healing abilities he should make a full recovery. He was fortunate that the creature managed to miss all his vital organs”.

I nod, relieved to hear he’s doing well.

“He was asking for Brunella before he fell into sleep”.

I nod, unsurprised by this. Despite being unable to hold a civil conversation, its clear they're besotted with one another.

“She was distraught, she was convinced it was all her fault”.

Ayris shakes his head.

“They are mates, whether fated or otherwise. Yet neither seem capable of acknowledging it”

I nod in agreement, aware of their past relationship from what Bru had told me. And of how Kel had broken her heart.

“She can’t let go of the past. It still hurts too much” I reply and Ayris nods.

“We shifters are good at pushing away the ones that mean the most to us” he replies, his eyes locking with mine. His face filled with genuine tenderness that makes my heart melt.

I rub the scruff lining his jaw and press my forehead to his as I whisper.

“Lucky for you, I pushed right back”.