A new update for our fantasy horror series, Scars. Khy-kala returns to Allona with Jilene in tow, however this is less of a setting for an introduction and more avoiding an otherwise inevitable confrontation. Meanwhile, Justir receives a letter from an old friend.
In the excerpt below, we show the lengths Khy-kala’s prepared to go to protect Jilene. For the full story, check out the link above!
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Kevac narrowed his eyes as Khy-kala came down the stairs to breakfast. The little man was up early today. “There’s something different about you,” he said as he cut the yolk out of his eggs, dicing it up in the genteel mannerisms of a nobleman.
“Is there?” Khy-kala ordered pork sausage and bacon, sitting at the table.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’d gotten laid.”
The elf snorted.
“Don’t laugh. A man notices these things. You’re not so different from us humans.”
“There’s no need to be insulting.”
The small man chuckled, stroking his chin. “It’s nobody around here, that’s for sure. See, I’m thinking that maybe you took a liking to some fresh-faced farm boy or,” he clutched at his chest. “Oh, this halfling’s heart couldn’t take it if it was some sweet, tender prairie flower that you’d plucked. In fact, that might even explain the interest in housing-”
“I’m sorry,” Khy-kala said, tilting her head towards the human. In an instant all levity had vanished, her voice losing its normal oddly melodic inflection. “I didn’t quite hear all of that. What were you saying?”
For one of the very few times in his life, Kevac didn’t have an immediate response. Khy-kala had gone perfectly still, such that he wasn’t even sure she was breathing. Her hands were laid over one another on the table, but her claws were eking out of their sheathes. The hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end. He didn’t know what had changed, but Kevac’s well-honed survival instincts could tell that he’d crossed a line he hadn’t realized was there and he’d best jump back over it.
“Nothing,” he amended. He picked up his cup and pretended to inspect it. “Don’t mind me, bitey. They must have forgotten to water the wine for breakfast is all.” He took a scoop of porridge. “Between the hour and the drink, I suppose I’m just rambling. Let me get the meal in and that’ll do for that.”
Khy-kala nodded slowly, still staring at Kevac. His heart rate had spiked and she could see a few beads of perspiration on his forehead. Though he often liked to play otherwise, he was a smart man. His nosiness might be an asset to the group, but she didn’t want him looking into her affairs. A warning would only make him try harder to circumvent her, so he had to believe his life was in imminent danger.
If she were honest with herself, it was.
~
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