Dragonfae & The Soul Catcher by H. C. Brown Page A

arms and legs and I’m not nibbling on leaves.” She turned and gave Lumos her best wicked grin. “How do you know that I’m not going to turn into an old hag and suck out your soul?”
    “Because, my little butterfly, you belong to me.”
     

Chapter Seven
     
     
     
    After sleeping under the stars for three nights, they rose at daybreak, and Lumos turned the wagon onto a well-worn cart track to travel north. As they climbed higher along the rutted cart track, the late summer sun did little to heat the cool wind blowing down from the ice-capped mountains. Lumos had noticed a subtle difference in Thalia this morning. The witch often leaned against him, but today she allowed her hand to linger on his thigh. After a gentle mind probe, he found Thalia had managed to build a fragile barrier around her concious. In consequence, the horrific nightmares she had suffered without mention had lessened. He never spoke of the heart-rending cries she uttered in her sleep. He hoped one day she would confide her night terrors to him, or, perhaps, come to him for comfort.
     Over breakfast, the witch had laughed at Lumos’ silly jokes and the sound had come like music to his ears. Perhaps Thalia had at last decided to trust him or had thrown off the Magus’ influence. The change in her had convinced him that the Magus had used dark telepathy to induce Thalia’s insecurities in an effort to keep her under his control. This knowledge left Lumos with another score to settle. Although the witch had trembled at the thought of meeting the Hag, she no longer flinched away from his touch. In fact, Thalia often touched him, pushing hair from his eyes, or brushing crumbs from his shirt. He glanced down at her delicate fingers. The heat from her palm seeped through the thin material of his pants. He smiled. The thought of holding her close and kissing those full, soft lips sent heat pooling in his groin. His cock filled, pressing hard against the front of his pants. Gods, he would scare her off if she noticed his desire.
    Clearing his throat, he turned to her. “Would you hand me the water flask?”
    “I see smoke ahead. Is that another village?” Thalia turned to get the water flask from behind the seat and handed it to Lumos.
    “Aye, I can smell bread baking. We will spend the night there to rest the horses. Mayhap we’ll find a nice, comfortable tavern to sleep in.” Lumos took the flask and sipped the water. “I think we should sell the wagon and buy another strong horse. This journey has taken longer than I envisaged. We can’t expect Albert to carry us constantly. If we have another horse we could move more swiftly.”
    “I’d say buy two more horses and spread the gelding’s load. We will need all the supplies we can carry. I’ll buy a basket big enough to carry Brew. He won’t be able to keep up with us in the snow.” Thalia formed a ball of black fire in her hand. “I’m ready to meet the Hag. Are you sure this won’t kill her?” She let the spinning ball evaporate and grinned at Lumos. “Or are vampires immortal, too?”
    “Yes, they are to a degree. Well, I should say they are the living dead. They can be destroyed by decapitation but not by dark fire.” Lumos smiled. “Only the gods are truly immortal and those beasts of the Underworld.”
    Lumos turned to Thalia. Her gaze reflected every emotion, and, with deep regret, he recognised the pain she held within rising again to the surface. He pulled her close. “I’m proud of how many magyck spells you have mastered in such a short time. Don’t worry, you will easily control the Hag with black fire. She’ll give up the information we need for a taste of my blood. Vampires are always hungry.”
    “It’s not her I’m worried about. In truth, I fear what will happen next in my life. I’ve no idea what the future will bring for me. I’m alone in this world with no means of survival. Where will I go after you are free to return to Drakka?”
    “I’d hoped