Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Shane nearly fell to the ground after dropping off his last load of wood. His muscles were twitching, and his joints hurt. A growl from his stomach reminded him that he desperately needed to eat. His parched mouth prayed for him to drink as well.

“Water first,” he muttered.

Taking a moment to recover, he watched Rai bring in the doe. She was dragging it by its hide, while keeping the sectioned meat safe.

Stopping at the firepit, Shane waited as she set up the wood before touching the dry branches with her finger. A small flicker of flames lit up the room, and for the first time, he could see without the little bit of light coming from outside.

Pulling out three steaks, she set them on the rock ledge around the firepit. She then glanced at Shane and patted his leg before heading towards the pantry.

She does care, Shane thought to himself. And all I’ve done is make a fool of myself. A fool that she has to put up with.

Shaking his head, he gritted his teeth and got back to his feet. His legs felt like jelly, but he still forced himself to walk into the pantry. Off to the right, Rai was busy smoking the meat, which was odd to see.

Her hand hovered over the pile, and she was giving off a low heatwave and plenty of smoke. It was all directed downward over the sections, making Shane frown.

That’s an interesting way of doing things. Shane shook his head. He didn’t want to voice anything, lest he distracted her.

Instead, he moved to the water and kneeled. Cupping his hands in the cool liquid, he brought some to his mouth. A needy groan escaped him as the crystal-clear water refreshed his lips and tongue. Unlike the city water, this was pure and filled with a mineral taste. Something he hadn’t had since before the world fell.

A giggle came from behind him. A moment later, two hands were wrapped around his chest before Rai pressed her chest into his back.

“Your food will be ready soon,” she whispered.

“The last time I had a woman cook for me was the day before my dad drove me out of the city.” His small story lacked the joviality of before, making Rai squeeze him.

“So, you can be serious,” she said.

Shane chuckled. “No, not really. I just wanted to feel your wonderful chest press against me more.”

Scoffing, she smacked his arm. Pulling away, she went back to her meat.

“Where are you going?” Shane spun and pointedly stared at her retreating tail. “I thought you wanted to rub your scent on me?”

“I’m not going to rub my scent on you when you’re so filthy,” she said.

Sniffing his armpit, he winced. “Do you have magical deodorant? I could really use some. Also, clothes.”

Glancing up from her tail, he found Rai glaring at him. “I’ll show you a plant we can make into deodorant. Or at least something that will help you with your stench.”

“Hey!” Shane pouted, he even stuck out his lip and everything. “Is that any way to talk to your new lover?”

“Lover? Did you hit your head recently?” Rai asked.

“Probably hit it a few times when you carried me here. You weren’t exactly gentle.” Dipping his hands into the water, he brought up another mouthful.

“I was too!” Rai growled.

“Was what?” Shane asked.

“Careful!”

“Yet you bit into my body and made me lose more blood than I probably had in me. Speaking of, how did you heal me?”

Rai continued to glare at him. “Now you are asking me? You didn’t care earlier.”

“No, I always cared,” Shane said. Flicking the water from his hands, he dried them the rest of the way on his vest. His fingers snagged on a few of the holes, making him frown. Sighing, he turned his focus back to Rai. “But it doesn’t really matter. I was healed, I helped you, and now we are a happy family.”

“Since when have we been a family?” Rai snapped.

Shane lowered his head. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a family.” His whisper barely left his mouth.

Rai snuck up on him again. “I didn’t mean…”

Shane shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. I can smell the steaks, and I better eat before I die.”

Rai backed away, and Shane hurried out to the firepit. The steaks were sizzling, but far from being cooked all the way through. Holding out his hands to the flames, he realized that he couldn’t feel their warmth.

“Interesting,” he muttered to himself.

Part of him wanted to play with the flames, but he didn’t want to push his body at the moment. He didn’t know how much energy he actually had for something like that.

Half an hour later, the steaks were ready. Picking up one of the steaks, he found that it didn’t burn him like he expected. Grease ran down his fingers before dribbling down his elbow. The succulent scent of meat made him salivate as he prepared to bite into his lunch. Dinner? He wasn’t sure.

Not bothering to wait for Rai, he tore into his steak. Juice exploded over his taste buds, eliciting a moan of happiness. He only chewed a few times before swallowing, nearly choking on the delectable food. What it lacked in seasoning, it more than made up for with char and a smokey taste.

It hit his stomach a few seconds later. Cramps exploded in his abdomen as the first substantial food in days settled into place. Nearly dropping his food, he braced himself with one hand as he started to tip.

Rai was there a moment later, pulling him up. “Eat slower. Chew your food completely,” she said softly, but urgently.

Shane nodded and let himself sit still for several minutes before trying again. This time, he bit a smaller piece off the steak and chewed as much as he could before swallowing.

“Good,” Rai whispered. “Take as much time to finish that steak as you need. We still have hours left in our day.”

“Aren’t you going to eat?” Shane asked, giving himself another break.

“No,” Rai said. Pinching her nose after sniffing him, she added, “I don’t eat often, and I don’t need to eat at all now that we are bonded. But that is something I can explain after you eat. Now eat.”

Shane frowned at her backing away, clearing sniffing him in displeasure. With a small laugh, he focused on the order she just gave him. It was the perfect time to mess with her again.

“What’s so funny?” Rai asked.

“The last time a woman told me to eat, it definitely wasn’t food that I was eating.”

Rai froze, and he laughed harder.

“I know where your mind went,” he said. “And you’re definitely right. That is exactly what I was saying.”

Shaking her head, she sighed.

“This one time during spring, I was sitting with Mary, and like the teens that we were, we started experimenting. Back then, we didn’t have much to do otherwise. Of course, it didn’t last long. Old Marge caught us and chased us away with a broom handle.”

Rai snickered, clearly picturing the scene. Coiling a few strands of hair around her finger, she looked him up and down before asking, “Were you able to pull your pants up at least?”

“Nope!” Shane chirped. “I ran like a bat out of hell to get away from that broom. I did go back later to collect my clothes, which had been cleaned and set out for me.”

“Old Marge?” Rai asked.

“Yeah,” Shane said softly. “Mary and I continued to fool around after that, but we stayed indoors. That is, until some bloke knocked her up, and we had to stop.”

Rai didn’t say anything.

Biting into his steak, he chewed slowly.

“Did you leave anyone behind?” Rai asked after he swallowed.

“Jeremy,” he said. “He just turned eighteen, and we ran together for years. More than once, we kept each other alive when one of us was injured or sick. He was the only one I could rely on.” Sighing, Shane hung his head. “I hope he’s doing okay.”

Rai touched his arm. “We’ll go back for him. Just give me some time to train you.”

Nodding, Shane took another chunk out of his steak.

Rai wiped the grease from his chin. Leaning in, she rested her head on his shoulder, making him tense.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Comforting you,” she whispered.

“Why? Did I do something that needed comforting?”

Rai shook her head but didn’t move.

Shane continued to tense as he frowned. What is she doing? He tried inching away, but her hands latched onto his arm and held him in place.

“That’s enough,” he muttered. “I don’t need you pitying me.”

Rai didn’t respond.

Sighing, he continued to eat his steak. When he finished his last bite, he said, “My dad used to cook the best steaks. Over the years, I craved his cooking but came to accept that I’d never have decent food again.”

“Did the steak help?” Rai asked.

Shane touched her hand. “It did. Thank you for hunting. I can feel energy returning to my body.”

“You have two more,” Rai said while sitting up. “Don’t eat them just yet. We have to bathe first, and I want to give your stomach time to settle.”

Nodding, Shane closed his eyes and rested.

“No witty story?” Rai asked.

“Nope,” Shane whispered. “Just living in the moment. I have a beautiful woman on my arm, and for the first time in years, I can look forward to food each day.”

Rai let out a slow breath. “I promise that you’ll be able to eat regularly now.”

“Thanks, Rai. I mean it.”

Sitting up, Rai stretched her arms over her head. “Let’s get going. The river won’t wait for us.”

Shane chuckled. “No, I can’t imagine it would.”

Shane watched Rai roll her eyes before getting up. Turning, she brushed her tail across his face before giggling. “You get to wash this.”

Despite pulling hairs off his face, Shane smiled. “That, I can do!”

***

Rai draped Shane’s arm over her shoulder as she led him to the river. Her senses were going wild at the smell coming off him, and a wave of nausea was making her head spin.

“I’m going to have to scrub you down with herbs,” Rai grumbled. Scanning the area, she tried to spot what she needed for his deodorant.

Stolen novel; please report.

Shane laughed. “Going to baste me while you’re at it? Plump me up for an evening roast?”

“That’s not a bad idea.” She laughed with him. “At least I would have a peaceful night without listening to you blather on.”

Shane tremored against her body, his legs nearly giving out. “I could sing for you instead,” Shane offered. “Maybe I can sway your heart enough to let me sleep with your tail.”

Rubbing her face with her off hand, she asked, “What is with you and my tail?” Despite herself, her tail was swaying in happiness.

Stepping over a fallen branch, he said, “It’s fluffy and soft. Do you know how many soft things I’ve felt in my life? Apart from women, that is.”

Shaking her head, she groaned. “I do not, but I have a feeling you’re going to tell me.” Reaching a few rocks, she helped guide him across, his legs shaking with each step.

“Yes, I am!” Shane chirped. “Being here with you reminds me of my stuffed bear from back home. His name was Arnold, and I slept with him every night. One day I tried washing him, but he just became soggy and unbearable. Mother had to throw him in the dryer after wringing him out. That was the only night I slept without him. I had nightmares that night.”

Rai bounced Shane enough to adjust her grip on his body. “I’m much softer than a teddy bear.”

Shane smirked. “Prove it.”

“I’m also warmer,” Rai claimed with a smirk of her own.

Shane chuckled. “I noticed I don’t feel heat anymore. The fire didn’t burn me.”

“You also shouldn’t feel the cold anymore,” she said. “My essence will regulate your temperature perfectly. One of the perks of being my pet.”

“Your pet?” Shane scoffed. Stepping partly away from her, his lips quirked up into a troubling smile. “It’s the other way around, lady. After I’m done pampering you in the river, you’ll be begging to be by my side.”

“That’s a lot of talk for someone who can hardly walk,” Rai shot back. Pulling him close once again, she slowed their pace.

“I can walk just fine. But being held by you is the best thing to happen to me in weeks.” His trembling legs said differently.

Rolling her eyes, she let him win the argument. “We still need to talk about the vial.”

“The green one?”

“No!” Rai growled. “The red one.”

Shane snapped his fingers. “Was that the one I mixed with the green one and made the super cool yellow one?”

Rai paused, bringing them both to a halt. How do I explain that I know who his buyer was? There’s only one vial she would want and we’ve both been hunting it for years. “The red one is pure Descendant blood. If someone were to drink it, they would warp their body into something of pure power. The downside is their rage would be uncontrollable. If we don’t get that vial back, your city will be destroyed.”

“How much time?” Shane asked, his tone serious for a change.

“We have enough to train you. If you gave it to the woman I expect, then she won’t use it until a grand event is going on.”

Shane started to walk again. Weaving around a tree, he staggered as his foot hit a root. Recovering with a hiss of pain, he asked, “Why would someone want to do something like that? What do they gain?”

Rai kept pace with him. “They would remove the competition for resources. This world has very few farms, and the cities share most of the harvest. Also, the resources from your destroyed buildings can help another city grow.”

Rai could feel Shane tense against her body. When she looked up, his teeth were set in a grimace.

“You didn’t know,” Rai said softly. “And I’m going to help you get it back.”

Kicking a branch out of the way, Shane winced. “I thought I was supposed to be stronger with your bond. All I can feel is weak and pathetic.”

Shifting the branch out of the way completely, Rai helped Shane cross over a few rocks. “Your body was taxed heavily when I bonded to you. There was a chance you wouldn’t survive. When you wake tomorrow, you’ll feel better.”

“I was sick the day before your kind came. My mother told me the same thing. Except when I woke up and started my day, the apocalypse happened.”

Rai brought them to a stop. “Do you hate me for what happened?”

“I don’t know,” Shane whispered. “For so long, I wanted to be one of the Marked so that I could put an end to your kind. I wanted to avenge my parents and rise above being an urchin. Now I find myself indebted to a Descendant and attracted to one even more.”

Squeezing his side, Rai ushered them forward. “You’re stuck with me now. I never had someone that I could count as a friend. But I feel surprisingly comfortable with you. Considering I grabbed you on a whim and begged for you to take my essence.”

Shane chuckled. “I thought maybe there was something special about me. Maybe I was the chosen one to save the world. I could be like the heroes of old and smite evil with my trusty sidekick.”

“You’re my sidekick, I’ll have you know.” Giggling, she added, “Although, I’ll let you be in charge at times.” Her tail brushed across his back on its own, making her wonder what exactly was drawing her to him. Why do I feel like living before him was hollow? We’ve barely known each other for a few hours and I want so much more from him. Until I figure it out, I’m going to keep teasing him.

“Which times?” Shane asked with a grin.

“You’ll have to wait and find out.” The sound of water reached them as they passed the next set of trees. “Almost there.”

Shane didn’t say anything as they walked the last of the path. He still wore a stupid grin on his face, and all Rai could do was smile as she wondered where his thoughts were taking him.

The bank to the river was gradual, and the dirt was soft. Grass and wildflowers dotted the area, giving off a fragrant scent that went perfect with their coming bath.

“Strip!” Rai ordered.

“You first!” Shane snapped back.

Rai shrugged. “Okay.”

Letting go of his body, she dismissed her clothes and stood before him as bare as when they first met. She watched Shane’s eyes roam over her, and she smirked.

“Like what you see?” she asked.

“Yes,” Shane said unabashedly.

Rai could feel her cheeks heat as she glanced away. “Your turn.”

Shane hurriedly discarded his clothes. When Rai turned back to him, she looked him over in turn. Despite being frail at the moment, he was not as skinny as she thought. He had a firm chest, and his legs were toned from running all the time. His arms needed a little work, but his stomach was nice, even if it could use more definition. If only his face wasn’t so gaunt.

When Shane stepped up to her, she stiffened. “What are you doing?” she whispered.

“Offering you my hand so you can help me into the water.” He smiled.

Looking down, Rai found his hand outstretched. Taking it, she led him into the water. “Stay in the shallow area, and you’ll be fine.”

“Can you walk in front of me more often?” Shane asked.

Rai froze. “Do you have no shame?”

“Nope!”

Rolling her eyes, she pulled him into the water. “Sit here and scrub. I’m going to go get the herbs we need. They’re nearby.”

“You should sway your hips as you leave. That’ll help me recover,” Shane suggested.

Scoffing, she used her tail to hide herself. “Start scrubbing!”

***

Shane watched Rai walk away, hiding her butt with her tail. He stared anyways.

What is wrong with me? he asked himself. Am I that much of a teenager still? Even the girls in the city didn’t have me acting this way.

Shaking his head, he started scrubbing. The water—which should have been cold—felt amazing against his skin. All around him, the clear liquid began to turn brown as he removed weeks or even months of filth from his body.

Looking down at his arm that had been soaking, he gasped. “My skin is that white?”

A laugh came from a few trees over.

“Shush, you!” he shouted.

Dunking his head under the water, he held his breath. I wonder how Jeremy is doing. He’s likely heard about what’s happened already. He’ll have gone to ground until the Marked are done scouring the slums.

Running out of air, Shane came back up. Dirt ran from his hair, dripping down his cheeks.

“I’m disgusting,” he grumbled.

“Now you’re getting it!” Rai shouted.

“Aren’t you supposed to boost my confidence?” he shouted back.

“I think I boosted enough of you before I covered myself. You can live with that.”

Looking down at his waist, Shane shrugged. “She did do that…”

Normally the cold water would calm him, but not this time. Sighing, he distracted himself by scrubbing more of the dirt from his body.

“I really need those herbs,” he mumbled.

The splash of water made him look up. Rai was striding towards him once again, a large handful of green leaves in her grasp.

“Stay still while I scrub you down,” she said before grabbing his head.

Giving in, he leaned into her chest. “I haven’t had someone wash me since I was a baby.”

“Don’t get used to it. This is a one-time thing,” Rai stated.

Closing his eyes, he sank into her embrace as she rubbed the leaves against his head. Starting with his hair, she removed the dirt and massaged his scalp. From there she moved to his ears, face, and neck before sliding down to his chest.

He wasn’t sure when he drifted off to sleep, but it only felt like seconds before Rai shook him.

“I need you to stand up so we can get your legs,” she said softly.

Glancing at her face, he found her smiling lovingly.

“If you keep smiling like that, I’m going to fall in love with you,” he said around a yawn.

Rai’s face turned crimson, but her smile didn’t falter. “Good to know.”

Chuckling, he stood up and took the leaves from her. “I can manage the rest. Why don’t you soak for a bit.”

Nodding, Rai lay down in the water until it was up to her chin. Closing her eyes, she relaxed.

Shane only watched her for a moment before washing himself. The first place he wanted to clean was his special area. But he of course wasn’t going to stop just there.

Over the next few minutes, he scrubbed down his legs and butt before ending with his feet. After throwing the leaves downstream, he rinsed himself off by dunking under the water again.

He didn’t know what was in those herbs, but he smelled as fresh as he did when he bathed at home. It had been fifteen years since then, and he could feel the emotions building up in his eyes.

When he sniffled, Rai’s eyes shot open.

“Are you hurt?” she asked, concern in her voice as she moved towards him.

Shaking his head, he whispered, “No. Just processing.”

Rai took his hand and pulled him into her. “You smell like the forest now.”

Chuckling, Shane felt himself relax. “I thought I was supposed to smell like you?”

“That’s tonight.” Rai giggled before spreading her legs and pulled his back against her chest, making him sit.

Closing his eyes, he took in the sound of the bubbling water that gently streamed past him. The soft scent of cinders and smoke came off Rai as she rubbed his shoulders. He focused on his back and her hard yet pliant muscles pressing against him.

“I feel weird,” he said.

Rai touched his forehead. “You don’t have a fever. You shouldn’t even be able to get sick anymore.”

Shaking his head, he smiled. “I’m just feeling emotions that I didn’t know were possible in this world.”

Rai rested her hands on his chest. “Is this that different for you?”

“Yes…”

“You’ll never be alone again, Shane. Even if we’re separated, we’ll be able to communicate. And when you rejoin the humans, I’ll be right there beside you. Hopefully as more than just a Summon.”

Shane closed his eyes. Reaching up, he covered her fingers with his own. “Just give me a few minutes, and I’ll go back to being a pain in your ass.”

Laughing, she shook his body before resting her chin on his head. “I can already picture how much you’re going to hate me come tomorrow.”

“Kung fu training?” he asked.

“Nope. Running, running, and even more running. Followed by stretching and a full-body workout. We won’t begin sparring until your body has put on some weight.”

Sticking out his lip, he pouted. “I was looking forward to pinning you down though.”

Smacking his chest, he could feel her shake her head. “You’re horrible. Does your little head do all of your thinking?”

“Most of the time, yes,” Shane admitted. “I’m twenty-one, you know, and the days I could get away with it were the most enjoyable in the city.”

“Do you have any more stories of Old Marge?” Rai asked.

He found her change of subjects amusing, but gave in. “When I first came to the city, before they had even built the walls, Old Marge gave me shelter. She gave a lot of us shelter. But we were emotional wrecks. Most of us were between the ages of four and six with a few older kids sprinkled in. She fed us as long as she could, but eventually we had to find our own way. Little by little, we trickled out into the city and started stealing for food. The old paper currency was still a thing at that time, and it was easier to steal out of pockets.”

Rai sighed softly. “I can’t imagine what you went through.”

Shane continued, but not before he grabbed her hand. “When the world switched to metal coins, it became much harder to steal. We had to settle on trash and what we could get from stalls. Somehow, we found a way to survive. Most of us helped the younger kids until they learned what to do. There were many times I took a beating just so the four-year-olds could get away. I had my first broken rib when I was seven.”

Squeezing his hand, Rai lent him strength.

“It wasn’t all bad. Old Marge helped us during winter by sewing blankets and putting up shelters in the alley. She even accidentally dropped coins around our temporary houses to keep us going.”

“She sounds sweet,” Rai whispered.

“I’ll never be able to repay her for the trouble I caused or the help she gave me. But I’d like to think, being with you will maybe guide me to a chance to help her if she needs me.”

Rubbing his chest, Rai said, “I’ll help you as best I can. But we should get going.”

Shane looked towards the dimming sky and nodded. His stomach was starting to growl again and with what Rai was planning, he’d need to eat more. Much more.

***

Rai sat near the fire, watching Shane eat his last two steaks. They were very well done, but he didn’t seem to mind.

He’s sharing so much about himself, she thought to herself. Should I share something about myself? Would that make him feel more welcome?

Opening her mouth, she was stopped by Shane raising his hand.

“I’m tired, Rai. It feels like I ran a marathon today while carrying a fifty-pound baby. Why don’t you show me the bed.”

Rai smiled. “That’s a pretty wild comparison.”

Shane chuckled. Reaching out, he touched the flames, only pulling his fingers away when he had a palm full of fire. “Everything about this day is wild. From stealing that vial to running from the Marked. I can’t forget running into you and our traipse through the forest. Then our bonding.”

“You make it out to be a bad thing,” Rai said.

Poking the flames, Shane said, “I never really knew what to think of the Marked. They were always the protectors of the city against Descendants. They also went out for supplies to keep us going. The normal guards were useless, but I never wanted to get on the wrong side of the Marked.”

“They have their purpose.” Rai reached into the fire and pulled out her own handful of flames. “We’ll talk more about why they were created another night.” Glancing at his hand, she added, “It seems you found a liking to your fire essence. What can you do with it?”

Shane shook his head. “I don’t know. I didn’t even know I could grab it until I stuck my hand in the fire. Part of it feels natural, but untamed. It feels like there’s no end to what I can do when I have fire in my hands.”

“There’s a limit,” Rai told him. “As our bond grows, you’ll be able to do more for longer.”

Without looking at her, Shane asked, “How do we grow our bond?”

Closing her eyes, Rai tossed the fire back into the pit. “We have to connect and determine what kind of relationship we want with one another. We’ll end up loving each other eventually, but what form that loves takes is up in the air.”

“I already know which path I want to take,” he whispered.

Rai felt herself tense. What is he thinking? Does he want the same kind of bond I want?

“When you share your scent with me tonight, I’d like to remind you that I won’t be able to help much. I don’t think I have the energy.”

Rai laughed softly. “That’s fine, Shane. We won’t be having sex. I just need to apply my scent to you for the next few weeks until I know you’re safe.”

To her surprise, Shane slumped. “Oh.”

Rai’s eyes widened. Did I just screw up?

She touched his leg, making him tense. “You don’t have the energy for that tonight. Rubbing his leg, she gave him her best smile. “I’m not opposed, but I won’t have sex with you just so you can have fun. I want a meaningful connection.”

Shane tossed the fire back into the pit. “I deserve that.”

Rai watched him get up and walk towards the bedroom. She knew she needed to follow him, but she was starting to realize how much he hid below the surface. He honestly wanted a connection with her.

Getting up, she followed.

When she reached the bedroom, she found him lying on his side on top of a pallet of hides. His arm was being used as a pillow, yet he was shivering, and it wasn’t from the fact he was naked either.

Reclining next to him, she dismissed her clothes and scooted closer until her chest was against his back. “Shane?”

“It’s fine, Rai,” he whispered. “I’m just tired.”

“Then let me help you fall asleep.” Pulling on his shoulder, she made him lie on his back. Resting her head on his chest, she draped one leg over him. “Do you want my tail?”

With a weak laugh, he nodded.

Smiling, she sat up and turned so her back was to him. Lowering her tail, she rested it on his chest. This will still work to spread my scent. And it makes him happy. Shane ran his hands through her tail, sending pleasure through her body. I’ve never had someone fluff my tail. Now I see why he wanted to touch it so badly.

Smiling, she ran her tail up and down his body until she heard his breathing deepen and his hands fall to his side. She stayed like that for several minutes before turning and tucking herself into him.