The Marked Hosts

Contessa was on her knees. She didn’t remember falling. Asamee gripped her shoulder while darting his gaze between her and something across the cave.

Contessa’s skull felt like steel as she lifted her head to Cezon.

Immense blue and black wing sat in his back. His hands ended in claws. Most of his clothes were torn. Patches of silver scales lived through his golden skin. His hair turned deep black.

Cezon stirred. The wings disappeared. His claws became normal hands. Asamee raced to him before Contessa could stop him.

Cezon disappeared. She couldn’t see or sense him. He appeared in front her. His eyes were an unnerving shade of blue. They almost glowed. He touched her face. His fingers felt like ice. Contessa always found his appearance agreeable. Now, he was magnificent.

Cezon smiled, revealing a few sharp teeth on opposite sides of his mouth.

Contessa couldn’t look away. What was wrong with her?

I’m glad you approve. Cezon said to her mind. See, nothing’s changed.

Cezon leaned his head to the side. “You’re mad at me.”

“I’m not. How do you feel?”

“I don’t feel any different.”

That wouldn’t last. A Sencil lived inside of him.

“Cezon, you’re cold,” Asamee said, touching Cezon’s hand. “Are you ill?”

Cezon turned to Asamee. “No. My body will always feel like this.”

“We need to leave,” Contessa said. “We’re not safe here without Sencil Thir protecting the ice.”

Cezon took one of the bags. “Your sister and the triplets are packed and heading towards us. We’ll meet them and then head for my car. My family left it here for me. You need to see your Sencil. They’re dying.”

He called Sarisha “your sister.” Cezon ignored Sarisha’s presence unless forced to interact with her. Then, he treated her like a thing.

Out of everything, why did that make a mess of her mind?

She caught a light blue and black sword attached to his hip.

“What’s that?” she asked pointing to the blade.

Cezon didn’t look where she was pointing.

“All of Thir’s power couldn’t fit. He divided it between me and this weapon.”

A dull buzzing sat in her ear, so small it sounded far away. It needed to stop. She didn’t need the distraction.

A small hand tightened around her. The buzzing lessened.

“We don’t have time to stand around,” Asamee said. “It’s not safe Conta.”

He walked away, pulling her along. Contessa jerked him around to look at her.

“You are too close to the ground to be giving me orders,” she said.

Asamee smiled. He headed down the hall. Contessa allowed him to lead. She didn’t know if he got the point. She didn’t have time to deal with this child and his arroganc