The Reaper's Wicked Obsession

Chapter 28: Enticed By A Mannfae

"We should leave at midnight, we’re still trying to shake off the serpents," Rav said amidst the loud cheers because of the two performers grabbing the attention of the entire place.

"One of his goons could be here," his eyes sweep the place suspiciously.

This was an outlaw land, any danger could emerge but at the same time, it was the best place to hide temporarily because of how overlocked things were here.

It wasn’t like your usual town where crimes were banned but here? It was welcomed—every person in this Isle was the Realm’s most wanted.

Kraven was drowning in his fourth cup of ale and not paying any heed to Rav’s words. He was left disturbed by the voices barking in his head—just his inner thoughts frustrating him to no end.

It was louder than ever after having a wound to his head.

"What’s with you?" Rav broke the ice and this seemed to bring Kraven back to earth, he gave him his usual signature wide grin and brought his silver eyes to him—so distant and dead.

"That’s enough ale" Rav reached to take the cup away but Kraven moved it out of the way, swiftly. A warning look in his eyes.

"Nothing is wrong with me," he countered.

Rav sighed out a heavy breath. This was not the right time or place to talk about this but Kraven seemed to be in the mood for chaos. He’s always in the mood.

"Are we just going to ignore that the shadows keep acting out? The first was an accident but the second?"

Kraven chuckled deeply. "You know how it is. I’m a weaver who cannot control his powers"

"Yes I do," Rav replied with clenched teeth. "The seal is weakening. Which is not good"

"Which is why the sooner we get back the better"

Rav understood this but the idea of it meant risks. He can’t stop thinking about the idea of enforcing the seal.

"Your lifespan will shorten greatly" he said. "Who knows what greater effect it’ll have again"

"Leave that for Logi to decide"

Rav sighed. "We’ve been gone for five winters. The others would think we left for a greater means, how would they react when they find out we took a field trip"

"This journey was more important than greater means,"

"Then confide in me, Krav, if it is a secret then so be it"

Kraven leaned back on the chair, rubbing his jaw. "You have no idea about the gravity of telling you, not because I do not want to trust you with it. It is far deeper than that"

Rav gulped at his words because he wasn’t amused but spoke seriously.

"The only thing I can tell you is this," he said. "I’m more inclined to kill her. Maybe I want to or not, it could be the shadows again"

"Well we knew your powers were always a curse from the beginning," he said, drinking and grimacing at the burned taste.

’The place serves shitty ale’.

"When we get back" Kraven began. "Isadora will face The Hunt"

"What?!" Rav exclaimed with wide eyes. He can’t be serious but taking a second look Kraven was not making a joke. "You kidnapped the poor girl only for her to go through all that? You’re not thinking straight!"

"I am," he replied with a smirk.

Rav ran his hand through his hair in distress. "I’m starting to think you’re really insane"

Kraven shrugged. "I’ve always been"

"It would be hard on her, she won’t be able to handle it"

"What she needs is survival"

"Alda! She could die!"

But his words did not shake Kraven at all.

"I never thought I would see the day that the Reaper will become enticed with a mannfae, of all the things this? Is it her abilities that grabs you so?"

"Yes," Kraven replied. If he thought that way he wouldn’t burden him with questions anymore.

"Isadora was right then"—he said, shaking his head—"You would use her as a weapon." He didn’t sound pleased by the idea.

Rav had spent a moon and a half with her and she was nothing but a sweet innocent girl caught in their grasp and condemned by the Realm just like them. He felt nothing but pity for her.

Isadora got down the stairs, freshly bathed but no new clothes were given so she worked with the one she had before.

Her eyes swept the cheering crowd before landing on the two outlaws, they appeared to be having a heated conversation.

Like the gods saw more reason to torment her, Kraven’s gaze flashed to hers.

Breaking the eye contact, Isadora slowly made her way to them taking her seat beside Rav who suddenly got up and left without saying a word.

Confused and worried, Isadora watched him until he was nowhere to be seen.

Her heart skyrocketed in her chest as she faced her food on the table and then spared a look at Kraven.

"Did you take it off?" he asked with that smile back on his lips but this time it seemed more forced making the look in his eyes more unhinged.

"Why did you give me a dagger?" she asked.

His silence told her he didn’t want to answer her question.

Huffing she looked away to dig in her food because of how starved she was—sighing at the tender taste of chicken meat, this food was glorious, quite the opposite because this place looked rundown. Their food was quite good!

Kraven watched with unwavering attention as Isadora gobbled the whole thing, he wasn’t disgusted by her eating habits but instead intrigued that she didn’t bother to consider what he thought about it.

Slowly he moved his plate to her and she eyed him with a stuffed mouth.

Isadora pondered his gesture but said nothing of it and took his plate too.

"Eat well, love" he coaxed.

Isadora took the cup but sniffed it first to make sure it was water before gobbling it down.

"Where are you taking me?" she suddenly asked.

"Aren’t you going to fight me for your freedom this time? I’m expecting a banter and a reason to discipline you"