Thunders Fate Book One: Nightmare's Delight

Chapter Seven

Genesis

My fingers danced across the keyboard typing and clicking away from the information that littered my screen. After we had come back to the cabin I wanted to do some research on this Vlad King. 

I searched through the databases, there had to be something on him...nothing. I groaned in frustration, slamming my hands against the desk I stand and stretch. The lack of progress was really starting to get to me. I slipped on my green hoodie, and a pair of black leggings. Leaving my room I make my way to the kitchen, coffee...maybe even a high caffeinated tea might help. 

Silas and Elysian stood in the kitchen, both wearing similar clothes as the day I met them. Each had a cup in their hand and a plate of fruit in front of them. Their heads turned up to see me, soft smiles pulling onto their lips. Their gazes heated my skin, the feeling more pleasant than I was expecting or used to. 

“Any progress?” Cedric asked from behind me. I squeaked and spun around, my hand clasped over my heart in shock. He and Alex were both in sweats and nothing else, their skin glistening with...water? Sweat? I’m not sure but either way...they look delicious. 

“Nothing, Eric hasn’t sent over any other files yet,” I sigh as I move over to the coffee pot. I pour myself a cup then load it with vanilla creamer. Once satisfied with the sugar concoction I take a sip and hum in appreciation. This is exactly what I needed. 

“Where were you two?” I asked, looking between Alex and Cedric. 

“Training, we have to shift every now and then to keep our abilities up.” Alex grinned before fixing himself a cup of tea. I admired the men around me, they each had something that made them stand out, and evidently, it called out to my bird as well. She ruffled her feathers and cooed in appreciation at her newfound mates. Electric danced at my fingertips, her excitement clear through our bond, it was getting time for me to shift again myself. 

An idea popped into my head. Setting down my cup I waltz over to Elysian, his steel-blue eyes lighting up. Elysian leans back in his chair, a grin spreading on his lips. “What can I help you with?” 

“Mind keeping me company in the woods today?” Cedric and Alex scoffed behind me. I shot them each a glare. They’ve had me to themselves for a while, and I was itching to get to know this elf better.  

“I’d love to,” Elysian cleared his dishes before taking my hand and reading me outside. We walked a good way into the woods, but not far enough that we’d be outside of the wards I set up. Stopping at a clearing I release Elysian’s hand and walk backward. Slipping my hoodie over my head, Elysian chokes out a groan. 

“What are you up to sweetheart?” Elysian's voice rumbled. Without answering I finished stripping my clothing, placing it all into a pile beside a rock. 

“Have the others seen you like this yet?” His voice was thick like honey. 

“No, they also haven’t seen me like this,” I shifted into my bird. My feathers were a shocking grey plumage. The tips of my wings were a pure white that faded into my grey. Two long feathers curled back behind my head accenting my beak and steel eyes. I cawed and fluffed my feathers. It really did feel good to shift. So often I kept my bird hidden, her beauty going to waste. I often refused to shift unless absolutely necessary. Too often people have tried to tell me to get off the field after they see me, and to avoid that I resist shifting around people I don’t trust. 

I took off into the sky, swooping low and high, but most of all simply enjoying my altered form. Elysian watched me from below, his plump lips spread into a wide grin. I flew low to perch myself on a nearby branch. My bird wanted to show off for her mate, and show off she did. She ruffled her feathers and gave a low caw. 

“Is that right, sweetheart?” Elysian chuckled as he strode towards me. His hand reached out slowly and dipped my hand under his palm. 

“...beautiful,” He whispered, stroking my head in long soft strokes. I rubbed my head against his palm, the calming feel of his touch soothing my bird. 

After shifting back and pulling on my clothes I turned to a red-faced Elysian. I couldn’t help the giggle that slipped past my lips. The tips of his ears were tinted a light pink causing me to laugh even more. 

“Are you alright?” 

“Yes...I’m not used to shifter nudity. Back in the elvish empire, we were raised with modesty. We are always clothed and are only nude around our mates.” He explained his eyes refusing to meet my own. 

“I see, well you work with four shifters. You’ll have to get used to it.” I tutted. 

Elysian and I walked back to the cabin, hand-in-hand. His company was calming, the aura around him was a consistent flow of serenity. Elysian released my hand, his arm instead of going around my waist to pull me into his side. 

“Thank you,” He whispered as he pressed a kiss to the top of my head. 

“For what?” I asked, glancing up at him. 

“For showing me your bird. She’s magnificent. I’ve been working with Silas for three years and we have yet to come across a resurrection bird such as yours.” He explained. 

“We’re not common, Thunderbirds that is. You’ve got plenty of Phoenix’s though, they come in quite the abundance.” I joked. 

“Do you ever wonder where the others went?” Elysian’s question caught me off guard. It was something I was often trying to avoid thinking about. Of course, I wonder if there are others and if they are hiding out. But the twist in my gut tells me I shouldn’t pry, that I should just focus on the here and now. 

The next few hours we spent researching manananggal’s and learning from the materials Eric had sent over, although it wasn’t much to go off of. With what we’ve found so far, I can tell they’re terrifying creatures. I also see why they’re mistaken for vampires, everything is so similar...minus the maiming and leaving bodies unrecognizable. I sighed, leaning back in my chair. I glance around the room at the men. Alex was working with Silas, their heads buried in a mountain of books while speaking in hushed tones. Elysian and Cedric were looking at their tablets typing away and stopping briefly to exchange information. 

Cedric glanced up from his tablet, his eyes capturing mine. For once I allow myself to get lost in his eyes. The mystery behind them, but the softness that spreads throughout them when he looks at me. Cedric winks before diverting his attention back to his tablet. 

“We’ve been at this for some time now,” Alex broke the silence. 

“Why don’t we head into town and check out the area, hmm?” He suggested. 

“We’re not here for games Alexander,” Cedric scolded with a frown. 

“No, no, nothing like that my grumpy friend. It’ll be wise to know the layout of the area we’re working in. That way, we’ll have a leg up on the manananggal.” Alex explained. 

“That sounds like a wonderful idea, we can stop and get food on the way.” Elysian agreed. Silas and I nodded in agreement while Cedric frowned and reluctantly agreed. 

We all changed into more casual clothing. I wore a white T-shirt and black shorts and converse, Elysian was in dark wash jeans and a blue button-up. Silas wore grey cargo shorts and a black T-shirt. Cedric wore a red t-shirt and grey sweats, and Alex wore light wash jeans and an orange t-shirt. We filed out of the cabin, Cedric stopping to lock up briefly, and climbed into the jeep. Once again I was forced into the back, Alex on one side and Silas on the other. 

“Do we have any idea of what to eat?” I asked from the back. 

“Anywhere will suffice as long as they have vegetarian options,” Elysian said. He glanced back at me and chuckled. 

“Silas and I are vegetarians. Since our people work so closely with nature and woodland creatures we find our morals to rule them out of our diet.” He explained. I nodded in understanding. 

“You heard the man Ceddy, find us food!” I cheered from the back. Cedric groaned at the nickname. 

“Must you?” He asked, his thick accent coming out. 

“I must,” I insisted with a grin. 

After driving around for a while Cedric parked the Jeep on the edge of town at the diner where we first met. It was a little past eight o’clock and it was starting to get dark. The diner was practically empty except for a few stragglers and people seated at the counter. One of the waitresses approached us, her long blonde hair touching just above her hips. Her face was caked in thick foundation and red lipstick. Her eyes drifted over my men, sending my bird into a frenzy. She didn’t like how she was looking at them....not one bit. 

“How are y’all doing tonight? How many?” She batted her heavy eyelashes at them. Shoving through Cedric and Elysian I stood in front of her, she had a good few inches on me but that didn’t mean that I would be backing down. She glanced down at me and I could see the scoff getting ready to come out of her mouth. 

“Table for five please,” I smiled sweetly at her. An arm made its way to wrap around my hip. The hand squeezed and my nerves began to relax. The girl's eyes drifted to the arm around me, she frowned. 

“Right this way,” She sighed, turning and walking towards one of the larger booths towards the back. I glanced up at Alex who’s arm had wrapped around me. I gave him a small smile as we followed the others towards the booth. The booth was crescent-shaped with red leather seats. Cedric stepped off to the side signaling for me to slide into the middle. Alex and Silas flanked my sides, with Cedric and Elysian on the ends successfully closing me in. 

“Can I get y’all started on some drinks?” The leggy blonde asked. 

“Water for me please,” I ordered. 

“Make that water for the whole table,” Cedric corrected. The others nodded in agreement. 

“Ah, add a milkshake onto that too, won’t you dear?” Alex added. Unconsciously my hand slipped onto his thigh and squeezed. Alex stiffened under my touch, his breath catching in his throat before he cleared it and gave the girl a shaky smile. 

“Right,” She gave us an odd look. 

“Here are your menus,” She sat them in front of us, making sure to expose her cleavage as well. 

“I’ll be back in a few to take your orders.” She winked and sauntered off, throwing her hips out a little too far. My lip turned up in disgust, my bird cawed in my head. She wanted nothing more than to show that female who’s boss and the mistake she made with her attempt at flirting with my mates. 

“Come now, Darling,” Alex started. He leaned closer to whisper in my ear. “If you keep that up I can’t promise I’ll behave myself.” Shivers made their way up my spine, the feeling of his breath against my neck was sending goosebumps over my skin. 

“Don’t get her riled up here, Alexander.” Cedric scolded. 

“Why not? I like to see her squirm.” Silas chimed in as his hand gripped my thigh, his thumb rubbing circles into my bare skin. Need began to build in me as Alex kissed my neck and Silas played with my thigh. Slapping them both away I glare. 

“Knock it off,” I grumbled. The table breaks out laughing and I grumbled even more under my breath. Stupid Men.

“What do we have here?” A sickly sweet voice caught our attention, the laughter replaced with tense silence.