Smoldered Flames: Part I of the Edonia Series

Eros

Strobe lights cast down on the dance floor like lasers. Bodies gyrating to techno music, their perspiration cloying the air. I breathe deeply, inhaling the lustful aroma of my would-be prey. A pretty little bombshell winks my way, beckoning me with her sharp blushed acrylic nails. Her keen green eyes held slitted pupils, and her lithe, but curvy build, was an attractive trait. The female shifter’s desires were simple: complete domination, and utter humiliation. In another life, I would have fallen into her arms willinging. I would have had a delightful fill from her orgasmic release, and went on my way. But I crave a different meal. One that is out of my reach.

I pick up the smooth glass filled to the brim of bronze liquor and throw it to the back of my throat. I wince against the burn of Dragon’s Vitriol as it tumbles down to the pit of my stomach. No human can consume this deadly concoction, for it comes from a rare venomous species of dragon long forgotten.

Seafarer’s Way was a seedy club by the cliffs of a small town in Balendros. I’m waiting on a certain someone who owes me a favor. Broderick’s court is held in Sanomalis. It is well known as Snake’s Garden by highborns. No one can be trusted. No Lords or Dukes. No Barons or Visconts. King Broderick embraces chaos. He turns a blind eye when small-scale skirmishes occur. Vampiric nobles offing other nobles due to offense to gods’ honest truth, or a simple insult. It’s barbaric.

Daxter stayed behind to catch up on rest. Out of the two of us, he’s the one affected the most without our beloved Valeri. The boy’s skin turned cold with pallor. He doesn’t eat, sleep, or bathe himself most of the time.

After we roamed the streets of Central City and came up with nothing, we departed from SU. Each of my connections have led us on a wild goose chase. Normally, I wouldn’t chance traveling across Edonia from a bit of information, but we were grasping at straws. I believe this contact will be a legit way to find our mate and bring her home.

There. Sitting at the far end of the wooden bar, was my contact. He was inconspicuous against the growing crowd. His thick index finger circled the round glass of liquor, gazing at me. He nods once in my direction before stepping off the bar stool and walks to a dark hallway. I follow behind at a distance. The music becomes muted the deeper I go down the hallway. My eyes are well adjusted to the darkness, and I again inhale scents around me, and smell the faint smell of barley and booze.

A hand juts out from a doorway to my left, and it tries to snatch my person. I dodge out of the way and whirl around to face my opponent. Another male follows the first. They wear red floral scarves atop their heads, and form fitted clothing. The first male is a potbellied one who pulls out a wicked looking dagger. The second male is a little fit and carries a small sword.

The pot bellied one darts the dagger forward, and I grab his wrist. I then take my knee to his elbow and I hear a sickening crack before I slam his body to the wall, leaving a dent. He crumbles to the ground, not making a move. I feel the change in the air as the second male attempts to sneak behind me. He arcs the sword over his head, but I don’t give him a chance to complete the motion. His movements are too slow and predictive. I jab him in the throat. The sword clatters to the ground as he gets hold of his throat in agony. I snatched his head and jammed my knee into his face. Scarlet rivulets steadily flow down his face and he collapses to the floor. A slow round of applause resounds against the walls and the lights flicker on.

“The Mighty Eros Lamius. Straight from Broderick’s loins. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

I turn to meet the mismatched eyes of my latest contact. “Borus! I’ve come to collect what is due.”

He sucks his teeth in dissatisfaction. “Of course you would. Well don’t just stand there, come inside. Grab a bit of ale. Tell me your troubles and we will see what I can do.”

***************************

Borus’ office was compact with old books stacked on a broken desk in the catty corner to the left. A small bar cabinet sets off to the right as soon as you walk in. another door stands in the middle of the wall, I assume it leads to a bedroom. It’s confirmed soon enough by the sounds of pleasure coming from it. Borus gives a crooked smile when the sound is reverberated once more.

Borus walks to the bar cabinet and serves himself a drink. He then offers one to me. I kindly decline.

He settles into a large worn desk chair. “Please, have a seat.” I seat myself in another worn chair. “Tell me what’s happened?”

“I’m sure you’ve noticed how on edge everyone is nowadays.” I start.

Borus nods his head slowly. “Yes, yes. Since the Crown Princess of Faelios is in enemies’ hands, each species has placed the blame game on one another. Fights are breaking out. Hell, I even had to break quite a few in my establishment,” he wags a finger my way. “You know that I’m a lover, not a fighter.”

I laugh gently.

“You didn’t come to hear an old man grumble. You seek information, yes?”

“Correct. What do you know about this potential threat?”

“It ties in with the disappearance of the wolves.”

“How?”

“Let me tell you a little story.” Borus reaches for a pipe and lights it with a match. The sharp scent of clove and sweetened jasmine permeates the air. “The Fae lived on a distant island far from humans. Once they were overpopulated, they flooded the already inhabited lands of man by making multiple dimensions within the atmosphere. As you know for thousands of years the Elves and the Fae were at war for territory. Or it could’ve been a love story turned rotten. Who knows?”

He shrugs his shoulders humorously. “Anywho. After a rocky peace treaty was placed, they became a united front. Now, everyone knows how much of a challenge it is to enter Faelios. And those that do, never are seen again.”

Borus draws in a lungful of the herbs before continuing. “When a criminal is deemed too vile, or monstrous for punishment, the Executives send the prisoner to the royals of Faelios. And yet again, they are never to be heard from again.”

“What is done to the prisoners?” I ask, leaning forward in earnest.

The old man pulls a drawer open and gets an old map out. He then hands it to me. It’s a map of Edonia. The land overall was shaped like an over-crescent moon with jagged edges. Down south is Sanamolis, Balendros to the east, Aetheia to the north, with Central City overlapping territory, and lastly Faelios to the west. Dozens of islands -small and large- dot the outer parts of the map.

Borus’ eyes weigh down on me.

“Are you saying..”

“That one of those islands holds the key to finding the Crown Princess.”