"What, you think I'm afraid of your uniform?" The imp got loud and snappy. "I'm not afraid of you! It's fifty pieces of gold, or you walk wherever you need to go!"
"This is robbery, old imp! These may be good horses, but I wouldn't give you more than twenty pieces for them. And that's if I'm feeling generous," Bijarki held his ground.
"Then walk!" the old imp snapped and moved to go back inside his little cabin.
"Please be kind, sir," I heard Anjani purr from my side. "We're just trying to get to the River Pyros in time."
My head felt light, and my whole body tingled as a heatwave poured through me. She'd turned on her succubus nature and aimed it at the old imp.
I was downright collateral damage, based on how badly I suddenly wanted to kiss her and lose myself in her.
I felt Bijarki's arm grab mine and squeeze tight, enough to help me focus. Judging by the smirk on his face, he knew exactly what Anjani was doing. I then looked at the imp and understood. The creature looked smitten. His eyes had softened and a goofy smile slit his face from pointy ear to pointy ear. He was certainly responsive to Anjani's charms.
"You're heading down to the river, you say?" he asked, his gaze devouring her.
I couldn't stifle the tension rising in my chest. My hands balled into fists at my side. I was ready to knock the old imp out if he so much as moved a finger toward Anjani. Bijarki's fingers dug harder into my flesh, keeping me tethered, and I was grateful.
"Yes, good sir, and my feet are tired. I just want to get to the river before sunrise," Anjani replied. "Can't we settle at twenty pieces of gold, please? We still need some money for food and shelter where we're going. Surely a handsome imp such as yourself doesn't have the heart to leave a creature like me stranded."
Her voice was honey, and it did all sorts of things to my brain. I stilled, my mind imagining her engulfed in my arms, that sweet voice beckoning me to let our bodies and souls merge into one. I needed a few deep breaths to return to reality.
"Twenty pieces of gold it'll be then," he told Bijarki. "But only because you've got this gorgeous creature here with you! I don't want her feet to suffer!"
Bijarki nodded and gave him the money, while Anjani dropped a kiss on the old imp's forehead. She put the reins on the horses.
The imp seemed to melt, smiling like a lovesick puppy and watching as she took the horses out and put the saddles on them one by one. He didn't even bother to put his money away. His fistful of gold hung by his side.
"I think we should travel with her more often," Bijarki muttered next to me, then addressed the imp. "Thank you, sir. You've been too kind! May the Daughters smile upon you!"
We got on our newly acquired horses and moved toward the exit. I felt Anjani's succubus nature shut itself down, leaving me with my usual longing for her in its wake. The emptiness was just as unbearable but somehow more manageable. She was truly a force of seduction. I was putty in her hands. I couldn't blame the old imp for giving in so easily.
My mind froze as we passed a group of creatures-tall and slim with pale white skin and black eyes, wearing long gray robes and hoods.
"Don't look at them," I heard Bijarki say too late.
I made eye contact with one of the creatures and blanked out completely.
Next thing I knew, we were out of the market, our horses trotting farther south toward the River Pyros. The jungle was dark and silent around us. I looked over my shoulder to see the marketplace we left behind, several yards back.
"What just happened?" I asked, realizing that I'd lost a few good minutes since I'd seen those hooded creatures.
"Those were Maras you made eye contact with," Anjani replied with a smirk.
"They looked rather strange," I said, remembering the paleness and full black eyes.
"They're very dangerous if you cross them in any way. They have impressive mental abilities. They do not read minds, but they can sneak into your head and play tricks on your thoughts. What did you see while you were out?" Bijarki asked.
"What do you mean I was out?"
"Your mind pretty much shut down. You were stunned and quiet with eyes wide open, as if paralyzed. It's what happens when a Mara enters your mind. Most of the time, they implant the nastiest of visions and bad dreams, so you might be in for a rough night," he replied.
"I didn't see anything. I just lost some time from the moment I made eye contact to the moment I asked you what happened," I mumbled, looking over my shoulder.
"We'll have to keep an eye on you tonight, just in case."
"Just in case?" I asked with an increasing sense of alarm.
"Don't worry, the effect doesn't last for long. You only looked at them for a second or two. You'll be fine!" Anjani interjected.