Chapter Fifteen: The Children Part One

The moment Rashid finished cursing, I’m already primed and ready to go. Sword in hand, in a combat stance, all that’s left is to release my Aura.

I let it flow forth for a second, but faster than I can react Rashid is gripping my shoulder with bone-cracking force. I get the message and retract my Aura, I look over to the two unknowns and into the library, or what I assume it is.

Looking at the pair, I get a little unnerved. They look off, just different enough to throw me off, to put it bluntly there nothing like I’ve ever seen. I can’t tell what’s throwing me off about them though, whether it’s their skin that’s like bleached bone, their hair that’s so bright and silvery that it hurts my eyes just to look at, or those crimson eyes of there like the freshly spilt blood, I just don’t know, and frankly it’s starting to piss me off. Individually any of those traits would be eye-catching, but together it forms a very visible way of saying come at me at your own risk. I find it very inviting.

But even if Rashid wasn’t holding my shoulder in a death grip, I probably wouldn’t have the charge at them… probably.

Despite their thin frames, they both have this presence, no wait that’s wrong it’s that they have no presence or feeling at all around them, like it’s this void around them. And they’re very quiet too, I haven’t heard a heartbeat or breath since I got down here aside from Rashid and myself.

It’s very hard to tell how dangerous they are.

I look to Rashid with questioning eyes, but he’s focused hard on one of the pairs. I turn back to them and I notice despite them looking very similar, enough that I would bet money of them being relatives and then take back the money if I’m wrong, that they look different.

The one on the left is a guy, not very tall, well probably taller than most people I guess, and whip-thin, like despite the fact he’s an eerie fucker I’d bet that I could break him over my knee. His face is thin too, but it’s sharp, regal, and I guess fairly handsome. He’s looking over at us with his eyes seeming to be scanning us like we to him.

The other is a head shorter, and obviously a girl. With her silvery hair coming down to her shoulders, softer facial features than the man but still very similar, though her eyes are soft and round. The expression on her face is like many I’ve seen before when a younger lady is forced to accompany an older gentleman, bored, vacant, and more than ready to get this over. She doesn’t even seem to be paying attention to the fact we’re here. I don’t think she even notices that I’m checking out her very nice assets.

I straighten out of my combat stance but don’t sheath my blade. Rashid eases up on his grip and lets out a short breath. The thin man continues to gaze at us, and narrows his eyes at me with what I assume is murderous rage, most fathers/husbands/sugar daddy get a little murderous when I’m checking out their lady/daughter but most never are able to handle me, so hah I’d like to see him try.

Plink

A spike of what appears to be bone hits the ground and Rashid’s is holding a stake in front of me. Ah, ok I’ll stop perving.

The thin man looks to Rashid with narrowed eyes and says with a deep strong voice while pointing towards me. “Demon’s Warden, why have you stop me from disciplining that whelp?”

Rashid answers without putting the stake down, “I have a marked interest in seeing this boy alive or else we might all be living on borrowed time.” So he doesn’t plan on letting me die after all. I should have known you weren’t all bad Rashid. But, wait what’s that about borrowed time?

Rashid looks over at me with a smirk.

“Plus he’s a nice whipping boy.”

Well screw you too Rashid, and the thin man nods at Rashid. “But as I said before who in Mab’s cooch are you two? I don’t remember any of The Blooded living here?” Rashid's voice became deep and very cold, his body practically screaming violence and his Aura burst forth a spray of silver spreading over as far as my eye could see.

“Or that any made it past the border.” Rashid practically whispered with pure rage and hate.

I almost began to tremble under the weight of the Aura, but I let mine come around me and it became manageable.

The two Blooded though, had two very different results.

The man stood proudly with a sneer.

And well the girl, she, well kinda just fell down in a fetal position after trying to run away. The man stopped sneering after looking at her and shook his head and shame.

He gave her a kick and she shot up and scratched her head while looking very embarrassed

The man gave up on looking proud but still stood strong. He spoke “I am Lod Severus, and this is my daughter Cain Severus, we are,” He took a look at his daughter. “No, I guess I’m a warrior and scholar of the Off Worlders and I’ve come for the knowledge here.

Rashid, his voice still deep and cold, chuckles “Well I’m afraid that will create a conflict of interests, you see me and my protege-”

I raise my hand “When did I agree with being your protege? Oh, I’m Atlas-ow!” A strong blow to the back of the head sent me reeling and I look back at Rashid with annoyance.

A higher pitch and cheery voice came across the room “Hi Atlas Ow, I’m Cain Ow! Ow!” I looked over to see that Lod had hit his daughter over the head too.

“Sorry, about that but my protege here is a bit of an idiot.”

“Yes, I can see and I know the feeling, but I’m stuck with mine. At least yours will grow up.” Lod said while staring daggers at his daughter, who merely stuck her tongue out at him.

Rashid then coughs into his hand, “So back to the topic at hand, this will create a possible conflict of interest here, since I need some of books and knowledge here. So I’m afraid I can’t let you take any of these books, till I find what I’m looking for.”

Lod looks at Rashid with a severe, strong and conflicted gaze “I’m afraid that we can’t let you just take these books, they’re property of the Off Worlders.”

Rashid stares at him firmly “Really know, I could've sworn that the Ancients were the ones who wrote them, and you know not their mortal enemy.”

Lod shrugs “To victors go the spoils.”

“I don’t remember any actual victories.”

“You’re too young to remember. Besides, we’re alive and they aren’t.” He said the last sentence very seriously.

Rashid them summoned a devious grin to his face “Well if you say to victors go the spoil…” The threat clear in his voice.

Lod shook his head and said in a placating voice “No, no I would never wish to fight The Demon Warden myself, or risk my daughter.” His eyes wandered over to me “But I promise that if that my daughter gets harmed the boy will die.”

Rashid scoffs “I’d like to see you try.” With a feral grin.

I just realized something, how were they going to transport all those books? There must be at least a couple thousand shelves.

Lod returns an equally feral grin “Well I did say, I wouldn’t want to fight you myself but..” He snaps his fingers.

Defiled by the thousands come from the library.

These weren’t normal Defiled either, they’re bulking, massive and in shapes and forms that would give normal men insanity.

“I wouldn’t mind sending these guys at you.” Lod says smugly.

So that's how he was going to do it.