Descending Darkness(23)

“Oh, I don’t think it would anger me right now. In fact, I might enjoy it.” I know that I wouldn’t, but Larkin doesn’t need to know that. Coming back to this compound brings back too many memories. I have to really focus to keep my mind from traveling back to that time.

Larkin rolls his eyes at me, but says, “Well then, we’ll see what he does when we get back.”

“Just making sure you know what you’re doing,” I tell him as I wait for Kyril to come over here. Larkin gets up on his knees and peeks over the bush.

“Psst, over here,” he whispers. I start calling my magic to me, that way I’ll be ready when he is here.

A tall man crouches down behind the bushes and reaches out to greet Larkin. “Hey, man. How’ve you been?” I throw up the shield around us.

“Not bad. You?” he asks him.

While Larkin is talking to this man, I get a good look at him. If Emma was here, she’d be drooling or already in a large puddle on the ground. I’m on the verge of that. Kyril has about the same height and build as Colton. With warm, tan skin that appears to glisten in the sunlight and dark wavy hair that meets his shoulders, it takes a lot of will power to keep a girly sigh in. I follow his broad shoulders down and….meet a bare chest. A very muscular bare chest. He is shirtless. Why is he shirtless?

“Ryanne,” I look away from his shirtless body and look over at Larkin, who’s shaking his head at me. I quickly snap my mouth shut. I was obviously caught staring at this man’s chest. I glance over at Kyril and find a pair of brown eyes staring back at me in amusement.

“Sorry,” I mumble and look down at the ground, suddenly becoming interested in pulling random blades of grass. I can feel a blush rising on my cheeks. Kyril and Larkin laugh at my reaction. Awkward.

“Ryanne, this is Kyril. Kyril, this is Ryanne. Kyril’s been giving me little pieces of information about what Dravin is doing. He’s the reason that we were able to get into the compound to rescue you, Colton, and Liam.”

“Really? He was the one who gave me the note?” I ask Larkin. When he nods, I turn toward Kyril. “Thank you.” If they had gotten to the compound any later, it may have been too late for me to heal Colton. I don’t know all the rules about healing someone after they die, but I’m sure you don’t have much time.

“You’re welcome. I don’t agree with what Dravin’s doing any more than you do, but I don’t have an easy way out at the moment. Dravin hasn’t tried to kill me yet,” he looks over at Larkin, “so I’m just doing little things that may be of help.”

“We really appreciate it. Just don’t do anything that will get you in trouble. Saving one Gadramick is enough for me.” I glare over at Larkin who gives me his arrogant smile.

“I’ll do what I can,” Kyril laughs at our interaction. Larkin and I bicker like siblings. He is annoying, arrogant, and possibly more stubborn than I am, but I trust him completely. He won’t do anything that will hurt me intentionally. “But the reason I wanted to talk to you is to warn you.”

“I already know that Dravin is looking for me,” I tell him.

“There’s more. Dravin’s incredibly pissed at what happened last time you were here. He’s no longer going to try and get information out of you. He’s going to try and take your magic. If he can’t, he’ll just kill you. Obviously, he would rather get your magic because it will make him much stronger. However, he just wants you out of the picture because you’re his only real threat.”

Stay away from Dravin. Got it.

“One more thing. He knows that you rescued Natalie and Conner. He needs Natalie because like you, she can push her magic out which means that it can be separated from her body and she’ll still survive. He wants more magic, and he’ll get it from anyone he can. Make sure to keep her safe.”

Natalie can push her magic out too? So, that’s why Natasha attacked them. I knew she wouldn’t do it just because; she had to have a reason. I’ll talk to Liam and Bragden. Maybe Bragden can protect her.

“So, Dravin will try to get Natalie too? He’s not just trying to get my magic?”

“Dravin wants magic. He’ll get it from anyone and everyone. Though, he wants yours the most. You have more magic than any of us. If this shield wasn’t around us, they’d know you were here. Those of us who are trained to sense magic can sense yours. It’s very strong. Just be safe, okay? Dravin needs to be stopped.” It is so weird hearing a Gadramick telling me to stop Dravin. He looks toward the door. “I have to go. I’ll get in contact if I find out anything important. Just stay low for a little while. They don’t know where you are, and it needs to stay that way for now.