Bonding Nameless (Bonding - The Ultimate Guide Book 6), page 10
The spider gains its legs, testing out the new feeling of its sleeping space. It seems to approve.
Everyone on the cliff freezes and I let out a shaky breath in relief. If I keep its attention it might not even notice them.
I jiggle the line and it turns in creepy slow motion to face me.
“That’s right, sweetheart. Come on.” I try to cajole it in a friendly voice but my tone is wrecked with horror. This is one of the worst ideas I’ve ever had.
Too late now.
It comes closer to me very slowly as if it’s scared of me. That’s a head trip.
Aodhan lets out a hoarse grunt and the spider spins around with its first two legs raised threateningly.
“Bad spider!” I yank the line and it stumbles back with a weird vibrating shriek. It rights itself and hops closer to me, the shriek becoming a complaining sound that reminds me of a child with its toy taken away.
“It’s ok. I’m not mad, just disappointed,” the words trail off in hysterical laughter. One of my hands presses helplessly to the top of my head to keep my sanity inside. It trots over to me with a speed that stops the laughter immediately.
When it reaches me it slides a little. This far out I haven’t woven the bonds together to create a steady surface. It doesn’t like that. Ironic for a spider.
It spins and sprays webbing all the way across and to my feet as I stare in horror. I’m counting myself lucky that it didn’t spray me too. My mouth was open.
“That’s one way to do it,” I squeak as I speak and it comes closer until it leans down so close I can see my miniscule form reflected eight times. Its jaws open, displaying fangs larger than my body. It rubs them both against me and for some reason I picture a Human ruffling the fur of a dog on either side of its head.
“G-good spider,” I whisper, my wide eyes staring back at me in multiples.
It draws away from me and I notice the guys have all gotten closer, weapons ready. I hold out a staying hand and they stop.
A heavy vibration rolls down the line I’m standing on, getting both of our attention. Sultry laughter flows towards us and I slide a few steps closer to the sound. I shouldn’t have bothered to lure the spider with me.
The vibration becomes a quake that starts unbalancing me and the spider. We both flounder around, trying to stay steady as Vendetta yells at me in Russian.
Déjà vu.
The spider lets out a shriek and hurries away to the source of the vibrations, spraying as it goes.
“So gross,” I whisper before a pair of arms wrap around me. I’m hiked under an arm as direction reverses and I’m hauled back to the cliffs.
“What were you thinking?” King snaps as he gestures for whoever is carrying me to hurry up.
I can’t answer as I’m bounced around and dropped to my knees on solid ground.
A form crouches in front of me and suddenly I’m being yelled at in Russian as Vendetta grabs my biceps and lifts me until our noses are practically touching. Then I’m lifted until my toes barely touch the ground, getting cursed and shaken as his volume rises and the madness in his eyes peaks.
“If you shut the fuck up we could all hear GV2’s dying screams,” I yell back and we both pause to catch our breaths.
His eyes flick past me and back, descending into confusion. I’m lowered to my feet but he doesn’t let me go.
“This should be good,” Ben winces.
“Right?” I say with a cringe as I try to face him. Vendetta isn’t having it though.
“This better be agonizing for her,” he hisses through gritted teeth as he glares at me.
“The venom messes up the nerve endings. You feel everything in high def as you liquefy on the inside. Then they just suck you dry like a tasty shake.” I try to assure him and pat his chest. I end up getting my hand stuck to him and I frown as I try to pull away.
The soft laughter cuts abruptly and I raise my finger with my brows up high in anticipation. Then a scream of absolute horror starts and begins fading away. I can’t contain my satisfied smile.
“Oh come on, you can catch her,” I try to turn as Ben laughs breathlessly, bent at the waist.
“You will die,” Mitri says as he watches whatever is going on down there. It sounds faint enough that I’m wondering if he can see anything at all.
“Death here is different,” I struggle to come up with an explanation but can’t quite pin down how to do it while making sense.
Vendetta’s hands drop away from me but I’m still stuck to him. I try to pull myself away and grunt as I strain with my full body.
“You bound us all back together,” Peace points out with a smile.
“You’re welcome,” I grumble and keep pulling.
“With spider webbing,” King adds on with a look of disgust.
“That can’t break,” I prop a foot up on V’s hip and start pulling back with all my weight.
I choke on a gasp as I feel a phantom fang pierce me. Her screams echo around us, much louder and filled with terror and agony.
My body convulses as the venom begins its work but my smile is grim as I bite my inner cheeks. I want to hear every bit of her agony. My nerves misfire and I hang from the webbing on Vendetta’s chest as I grin up at his enraged face.
“Worth it,” I manage to get out. Vendetta’s serial killer smile spreads as he tilts his head to listen and then dizzying darkness sucks me under.
04. Separate Ways
I wake in a cocoon of warmth, disoriented in the darkness. Smoke settles over me as a male huffs and the smell of mint makes my eyes close as I realize where I am.
I’m on my side with Mal in front of me, breathing softly above my head as my face turns into his chest. His arms are around me with the pillow from Ben’s room cuddled between us. It was sweet of him to let me keep it despite the scent ‘polluting’ his bed.
His tail lifts, scales glimmering in the low light as my eyes adjust. Then it drops limp to the bed that sloshes Mal up against me. I have to bite my lip to keep my laughter inside.
That means King is the one wrapped around me from behind. His face is nestled between my shoulder blades with his pillow poking the back of my head. His arms tighten around me convulsively and he tries to curl up. As if he can sense it, Mal’s hand lifts and drops heavily onto King. They both still again.
How am I awake and they’re still passed out?
I settle between them, trying to relax my body so I don’t disturb them. Any sleep is good sleep as long as they aren’t in my head, right? It also allows me a chance to piece together what I learned this time.
I can’t bond with Kimi.
The thought makes me sadder than I thought it would. He’s wormed his way into me even without the connection.
If I do, GV2 is definitely going to appear and that will be it. The end of Beatrice whether he kills her this time or not.
I can feel Sparky’s sorrow and my own mixes with it to lower both our moods.
Does this count as a Buddy System traitor act? I’m deciding this to keep us both safe. Somehow, I don’t think Kimi is going to see it that way. Maybe if I get a hand puppet?
I press my face in between Mal’s pecs as I sniffle, trying not to let this affect me as hard as it is.
Kimi is insane, he can find a better boo no problem…. That doesn’t sound right and somehow makes me jealous.
I hate emotion.
King shifts forward and I’m suddenly feeling claustrophobic. I put a hand up to Mal’s ribs and try to gently push to get a little more distance.
His skin is so warm. I barely remember the days when his heat was too much for me. My fingers slide over a few scales and I manage to pull my head back far enough to see them. It doesn’t feel creepy at all which surprises me. There are tiny scales riding over his ribs so tightly knit together it feels like supple skin. I stroke across it over and over with wonder. Tactile addiction unlocked. They’re so pretty too, glittering in the dim light.
He huffs and grumbles and my hand freezes.
I need to get out of here so I stop getting distracted. I have things I need to accomplish.
I twist my torso to get a little space between Mal and me. King obediently tilts and gets stopped by something. Shit, I forgot about his wings.
Ok, strategy one is a no go.
I end up shimmying down. It’s a feat in the molasses bed. At one point I come face to face with Mal’s cloth covered crotch and swallow hard. It’ll be ok, I handled Aodhan after all. Are there exercises I should be doing for this? I need to look into that.
A leg shifting to try and cover me forces me to move faster until I drop off the end of the ‘mattress’. I continue my slide down and straighten a few feet away.
They’re both still asleep.
I get to my feet and notice my socks and shoes are missing. And my pants. And my bra. But my shirt is still on and so are my panties. My version of PJs and theirs is obviously different.
Trying to fumble around in an unfamiliar dark room doesn’t go well for me and I am this close to giving up when a choked cry comes from the bed.
I spin, ready for an adversary, and find King curled into a fetal ball around Ben’s pillow as the sound comes again. Tiptoeing closer shows his tear-stained cheeks and my heart cracks at his quiet suffering. He can’t get away from his memories even without my messed-up dreamscape.
Wait. I can help with this. I’m such an idiot.
I kneel on the mattress behind him and scoot him forward into Mal. I have to put my hands in between his softly feathered wings and his lower back to carefully shift him closer. It’s scarily easier than it should be.
Mal’s arm drops around him naturally and tangles in feathers as I sigh in relief. The presence of his mate makes the crying stop but the sound comes again. I lean over him, stroking his hair out of his face.
“No more nightmares, princess. Shh,” I whisper and send out a wave of contentment, just like he feels with Mal now that things are better between them. I mix it with his melatonin and a dash of extra serotonin to boost his mood and force a deeper, more relaxing sleep.
He groans softly as his body relaxes fully and he lets out a snuffle that makes me choke on a laugh. I’m trying to be quiet as I get up because I need to get out of here and let this laugh out or I’m going to suffocate. The damn mattress is trying to suck me in.
“Kinz.”
My eyes snap to Mal’s. There’s a reflective light overlaying his pupils, showing me exactly where his face is.
“Sorry, go back to sleep,” I wince and start backing away faster.
“Your service. For easing him,” he rumbles sleepily.
I give him a confused look. “Of course.”
I see the faint gleam of sharp white teeth as his eyes close again and I do the same thing for him, manipulating his body’s natural sleep inducers to get him into a deeper sleep as well.
They’re both snoring as I tiptoe out like a thief.
I let out a low sigh of relief as the door softly latches behind me and straighten to walk like a normal person around the corner.
Ben is standing in the middle of the hallway in a pair of low-slung sweats and I suck in a sharp breath.
“I’m sor-”
His words are cut off as I race to him with my new super speed and climb him like a tree.
“You’re back,” I breathe out with relief. I know I saw him in my dream but seeing him in the flesh means a lot more to me.
His arms wrap around me and hold tight, just like I wanted.
“You aren’t mad?”
“What? No! Of course not sunshine. You kicked her ass. I’m so proud.”
“You are?” He sounds so surprised that I chuckle.
“I am. You’re the best thing to come out of Leng.”
“Except your new spider bestie,” he grumbles and I give a soft laugh.
“It’s so gross.”
“Effective.”
“And gross.”
“It probably loves you now.”
“Say what?” I draw back with a horrified grimace.
“You fed it and gave it a web, baby,” he points out with a disturbed look.
“I did not think that through at all,” my eyes widen with dismay.
He winces and nods. “It’s a male though so I think you’re good.”
“How is that a good thing if it loves me?” My voice cracks as terrifying images run through my brain.
“He’ll leave you alone. You’re female. You could eat him after sex.”
I gag a little, not gonna lie.
“We should name him.”
“Are you insane?” I hiss.
The entire time we’ve been talking he’s steadily moved down the stairs towards the dining room with me clinging to him. He makes it seem so easy.
“Coffee and then we’ll debate. I like Rex.”
“We are not naming that thing!”
He sits down in a chair and leaves me straddling him.
“Skipper?”
“Stop it or I’ll name him Asparagus.”
He lets out a loud laugh and I glance around to see if it woke anyone. All of the lines say everyone else is asleep, even V and Peace somehow. Only Mal, King and Mike are deeply sleeping though.
“We need to be responsible with all our adopted pets. You already named Kimi and…” He trails off as my face falls from teasing to serious.
“I can’t bond Kimi.”
He gives me a slow blink. “I didn’t veto him but I do have concerns.”
“In the dream every time a reincarnation bonded him it made GV2 rise.”
“She’s already rising,” he reminds me.
“I mean rise as in, hand me an energy drink, let's get some killing done, point of no return, rise.”
“I like one of those three things.”
“Energy drinks?” I joke weakly. His grossed out look makes it worth it.
“He’s going to take the news well,” Ben deadpans and sinks in the seat with a defeated groan.
“I know,” I whisper sadly.
“He might kill you if he gets pissed off enough.”
I shake my head at his grim tone. “No. He can’t convince a dead chick that he’s the perfect Hubby, can he?”
His eyes meet mine, filled with incredulity. “I should have kept you in the Bowels longer. That was not the logic I want to base a decision around.”
I shrug and a tiny finger taps my hand. I look down and a brownie holds up a coffee cup that’s steaming. We smile at each other as I take it and sip with a contented sigh. They’re getting braver, walking so close to Ben.
He watches it hurry away with narrowed eyes. “I was a feared creature before I mated.”
“Is the old ball and chain dragging your street cred down?” I bat my lashes and he scoffs.
Before he can complain anymore I fill him in on what he missed. He nods along thoughtfully as I speak.
“I need one of those rings,” he grumbles with a sneer.
I pause and take in his disgusted expression.
“Yeah, you getting infected would be an extremely bad call.”
“You’re already wearing one, right?”
“Yes,” I show him and he nods, satisfied.
“Never hurts to be cautious.”
“That’s true,” a dark voice comes from the doorway and I look up to see a grumpy, glowing eyed Aodhan watching us.
“Caution can be a great thing when it’s actually applied to a situation,” he continues as he makes his way to his seat.
Ben gives him a lazy look of disinterest but I feel the tension in his body. I get the feeling I could be tossed across the room so he can attack at any second.
The stare off is intense enough a brownie walks through the doorway, sees what’s happening, and turns to walk away without breaking stride. Take me with you.
I don’t know what to say to get these two to actually get along at this point.
“What time is it?” Blurts out in desperation.
They both glare at me for the interruption.
“We need to get the locations of the armies out and stuff. Lots of things to do. With you two separated and not killing each other.”
“I’m surprised the feckin’ spider isn’t here to back you up,” Aodhan snarls and I cringe.
“Please don’t send that out into the realms. If it comes true he’s sleeping with you.”
“He?” Aodhan asks with a single brow raised.
“Rex.”
“I said no,” I snap at Ben and he gives me an innocent look.
“So we agree on Skipper?”
“Fuck no! We are not naming that thing,” I shout, aghast.
Aodhan starts laughing and doesn’t seem to be able to stop.
“F-Fergus is a strong name.”
“Not you, too!”
“Hear me out,” Ben focuses on Aodhan, ignoring my tantrum. “Webber.”
Aodhan tries to look thoughtful as he rubs his chin but his lips are shaking to try and remain serious. “It sounds fairly accurate.”
“Right?”
“I hate both of you,” I mutter into my coffee.
“We’ll all vote on it,” Ben starts before he’s interrupted.
“Vote on what?” Mitri asks as he takes his seat. I never saw him enter and I do a double take.
“I need more coffee for this.” My complaints are reflex. Inside I’m so relieved they’re joking around instead of beating the shit out of each other.
“The spider’s name. What do you think it should be?”
Mitri stares at Ben without expression as the brownies set up breakfast for us all.
“I say Webber,” Ben insists and Aodhan nods.
“It’s a fitting name.”
“Whatever you choose,” Mitri focuses on his food without any further comment.
“That’s three, Bees,” Ben grins at me as I glare.
“That was a halfhearted I don’t care if I ever heard one,” I point at Mitri.
“Who’s Webber?” Mike asks innocently and I come really close to throwing my cup at him.
“Her pet spider,” Aodhan says offhand and starts eating with a grin.
“Awww, I love spiders!” Mike smiles really wide at me as if we’re having a moment. I want no part of it. “Can I see it? I bet it’s all cute and fluffy.”
