Just like with Saria before she’d made her decision.

  I threw caution to the wind, and reached up to caress her face. She didn’t flinch away from my hand, and more than that seemed to melt against it. I leaned down to brush her lips with mine. I wanted to devour her lips, but the soft brief kiss was enough to tell her how I felt, and how much I would miss her.

  She smiled, and then bit her bottom lip as if to stop herself from claiming a more lingering and heated kiss.

  “Bye James, see you soon. You too Saria,” she said the last as she turned from me.

  Saria snuggled into my side as the door closed and I missed Karana already.

  “How was it with Oceana,” she asked curiously.

  I tilted my head, “Fun, incredibly pleasurable in a unique way, I’m sure she’ll join us all often in the future.”

  Saria went up on her toes, and kissed my neck, “But? I heard a but.”

  I smiled, and looked into her eyes, “It will never be as good as you, or Regina. The pleasure was mind blowing, but it lacked the deep intimacy of our love bond. Physical pleasure is only half the equation in making love. At first, I thought I’d get my heart mixed up with hers, but her inability to love makes that very unlikely. She’s sentient, and no sexual toy, but she’s not a warm loving woman either. Even unrequited love requires some empathy on both sides, and she has none. Her being in my mind might have something to do with that too, I’ll never be able to forget or lose sight of those facts.”

  Saria melted against me, “I love you James. There you go surprising me again, most men wouldn’t give a shit about that. You’re right of course, she’s an intelligent being who deserves our respect, and we’ll share our bed, but the connection is limited.”

  “How are your people after the battle?” I changed the subject.

  She replied, “They’re okay, morale could be better, but it helped that we won. The worst of the grief will pass in the next the few days, for now they’re diving into their work, as I’m diving into you.”

  I smirked, “Isn’t it me driving… I mean diving into you?”

  She smiled, “Maybe, if you stop making me wait. Regina won’t be gone forever, and we can talk over dinner.”

  I scooped her up and headed for the bedroom.

  “Yes maam. Oceana?”

  She nuzzled my neck, “Tonight, when were all in bed, I just want you right now. I’ve been thinking about pleasuring myself on your fat cock all day long, and knowing what you were up to while I checked on the patrols just made me want it more.”

  She might have wanted the intimacy of just the two of us, but she was back to her usual wild self that evening. She rocked my world, riding me from above hard and fast. The intense predatory passion of my petite elf would have been scary, if I didn’t know how much she loved me. As it was I got lost in her blue eyes and the faux delicate beauty of her tight body and exotically beautiful face.

  “So, I wanted to show you something, and get your opinion.”

  Both Regina and Saria looked curious, as I put a blade of grass in the middle of the table. I also grabbed a metal fork, and I placed it about three inches away.

  Then I triggered the magic within it.

  Two things happened at first, a small zephyr started to form above the blade of grass, a tiny miniature circle of wind. The second thing that happened is the fork was dragged along the table toward the blade of grass. About ten seconds in the zephyr was really moving, although it was tiny, about three inches high, and maybe an inch and half wide.

  The blade of grass exploded in fire, a very small explosion, which turned the whirlwind into a fiery tornado of death. Okay, maybe for a bug it would be a fiery tornado of death. It also singed the fork. After about another ten seconds, the air and fire imploded and a tiny breeze of air shot out in all directions.

  I said, “I’ve been thinking of ways to add defenses. That’s what I came up with.”

  Regina grunted, “Wasn’t that kind of small?”

  I nodded, “The size of it is dependent on how much magic is channeled at once.”

  Regina nodded dubiously, still not understanding.

  “To a great extent, the amount of magic someone can channel depends on the how many cells the body has to draw magic from this world. Did you know that every blade of grass in the large field the enemy camped in last time is connected? Grass is like… like Saria’s armor, it’s all one big organism in a way. So now imagine the size of the whirlwind of fire, if that entire field of grass is channeling magic for it?”

  Her eyes widened in understanding.

  “The fork?” Saria asked.

  I shrugged, “Armor and swords, the earth magic I used will pull them all to their deaths by their own equipment and weapons. I figured if I modify one blade of grass for every ten square yards, it would do a whole lot of damage. Each of the smaller air funnels of fire would be thousands of times bigger than the one I just made on the table. It we were lucky, it could kill their whole invading army before they even start attacking. It also has some intelligence to it like the suit, and it will be bonded to me personally. We don’t want it to get out of control and spread.”

  Regina asked, “What about that thing in the end?”

  I smiled, “The implosion and release of air? Twisters tend to be unpredictable, and I feared they’d continue on their own steam once the magic ran out. The last thing we need is several tornados of fire to enter the forest or even move into the city. Better they self-destruct at the end.

  Saria shook her head, “We need to tell Jaren.”

  I sighed, “Actually, I was hoping to convince Karana to take credit for it, and it’s not a guarantee, so maybe we can hold off on that until she gets back?”

  Saria asked, “Why?”

  “Because word will get back to the king if it works, and I want him to think it’s some kind of new mage spell. I don’t want him to suspect what he’s truly capable of, he’s enough of a monster as it is. My grass idea will be under my control, and will be protected from falling into other hands, but there are a lot of similar things I could do where that wouldn’t be the case. Am I being overly cautious?”

  There were things, I could build grenades out of fruit, or reed guns that would use earth magic to fire something similar to bullets, or organic ballistae, or staves that throw fire. I wouldn’t do that though, because I’d lose control over it and couldn’t guarantee they wouldn’t fall into the wrong hands.

  Did that make me a control freak? Or wise? Maybe a little of both, but I didn’t want innocent blood on my hands due to my inventions falling into evil hands, and that meant I controlled my organic inventions and no one else. Even the upgraded suits were protected, only my family had them and could use them.

  I didn’t even want a healing invention out of my control, although I wasn’t as sure about that.

  Saria tilted her head, “Maybe. I don’t recall any flesh sculptors doing what you do so easily. It took hundreds of years for one of ours to perfect our armor, and you made it better in less than a day. That said, showing him what’s possible might be the trigger that allows him to feel his way through it. I’m okay with waiting for Karana to get back, I’m sure she’d take credit for it in public.”

  I nodded, “It’s also a one-time trick, like the paralysis spell Karana used. An enemy mage will be unlikely to detect the magic until I activate it, and by then it will be too late. But if the king sends another larger force, they’ll camp farther away, or on the dirt where grass used to be, it won’t grow back in ten to fifteen days. Or they’ll burn it out, in other words they’ll be too wary to fall for it again.”

  Regina nodded, “I get it, we may not want to use it if they send a thousand, if in another fifteen days they wind up sending fifteen hundred more.”

  “Exactly, he might not, that would only leave him two thousand to defend against Gritor if Sera moves to attack, but he might chance it if he’s angry enough. As I see it, we’ve got to beat him one or maybe two more times before he has no choice but to back off. It’ll take him a long time rebuild the army, at least a generation.”

  I knew he could conscript bodies into an army, there were plenty of people in Desal, but without the magical war talents it wouldn’t be a very effective army. To get more of those, he’d need to wait for the next generation to grow up. I didn’t think he’d be able to grant them magic like I could, he didn’t have my understanding of DNA.

  Saria nodded, “So when she gets back we’ll bring her in on it, and then we’ll let the council decide if we want to use it this time. Or save it against a third attack that may or may not materialize. It’s a gamble, either way.”

  I replied, “He could also send fifteen hundred, or even two thousand for the next attack, in which case we should do it because there won’t be a third.”

  Saria nodded, “Any other inventions?”

  I sighed, “Not really, not that I’ve actually worked on. I’m trying to figure out a way to make a healing one, that can’t be twisted and used to extend the torture or pain of others. Not sure if it’s possible, or even if the benefit of lives saved might be worth that price.”

  Regina said, “Maybe. People are mostly healthy, disease isn’t a big problem. Physical injuries aren’t that common either, outside of battle and war.”

  Saria replied, “That’s true enough, although for the elves it’s a little different. The unwary don’t last very long in our forest, they also get hurt, disfigured, or even lose a limb. The fae can be fickle, and there are other magical dangers in the forest.”

  I nodded, “Maybe I’ll think about something to help there? The elves don’t torture their weaker members either, I wouldn’t have to worry so much about them twisting my invention.”

  Saria nodded, “It’s not a huge problem, but it happens.”

  Regina changed the subject, “Are we going to check out the citywide meeting?”

  I nodded, “That might not be a bad idea. I hope they vote someone else in.”

  Regina tilted her head in question.

  “When the elves leave, that will just leave Saria and Jaren on the council, and he can withdraw that invitation. Three councilors will be more balanced, two isn’t enough.”

  Saria nodded, “Good point, but Jeran was talking about designing a whole new government, so he won’t be in charge much past when we win the city’s freedom. In his own words, he’s a general, not a politician.”

  Yeah, that last part seemed a lot more likely now with the magical grass land mine idea…

  Chapter Eighteen

  The night air was cool but still, and the sky was full of strange stars. Not that I needed that reminder to prove I wasn’t on my Earth anymore. Ten elves materialized out of the darkness as we left the keep and shadowed us as we walked down the street. That grim reminder told me Saria feared possible assassination, not that I needed that reminder either.

  If the king managed to take me out, the rebellion would be a lot more hard-pressed to succeed, and their chances would go way down without me around to heal during the battle. The escort didn’t bother me all that much, because it meant Saria and Regina would be safer as well. Hopefully, once the king had lost I wouldn’t be on the hunted list anymore, because the elves would be going home.

  Somehow, I thought that unlikely, I’d have to stay on my toes, and continue to depend on Saria’s experience. I was hardly trained to pick out assassins. Oceana would no doubt pick up some of the slack once most of the elves went home too.

  Despite the logic and need of it, I was still less than sure about setting up a mine field of deadly magic, and then activating it when the king’s soldiers were encamped. I wondered if my soul could bear that many deaths, assuming it even worked as well as I thought it would.

  The wide main avenue was lit with many torches and lanterns, and the street was filled with people facing the keep. The road was filled with human guards as well, and we walked up behind Jaren who was facing the crowd with his back to us. We stopped about fifteen feet short, we weren’t going to be a part of the decision at all, and we didn’t want to be a distraction.

  A shadow slipped out a nearby alley, and the elves tensed for a moment, and then relaxed as they made out the figure. I still couldn’t see who it was until he got closer and removed his hood.

  Saria dipped her head slightly in respect, “Krenum.”

  Krenum nodded back, and then grinned at me. We’d come to somewhat of an understanding since that first night he tried to tear my face off, mostly thanks to Karana. I’d miss her over the next ten days, I already kind of did.

  “I see you had the same idea I did?” he asked in a low voice that wouldn’t reach Jeran, much less the large crowd past him. I barely made it out, but to the elves I was sure it was more than loud enough.

  Saria nodded, and said tactfully, “It makes sense to know what our human allies are up to.”

  Krenum looked in my direction, and a sly yes left his lips.

  I smirked.

  That was unfortunately true. The majority of the freed humans in the guard appreciated the elves and their help, and Jaren was a huge supporter of our temporary alliance, but the humans in the main part of the city were much warier and suspicious of the previously enslaved elves. The last thing we wanted to see was an elven bigot get elected to the council, and cause waves between the races in the city.

  I’d never had a bad reaction to the elves and knew the truth about it through my power. The light and dark elves may be described as the evolutionary equivalent of first cousins, and humans were like… evolutionary third cousins to them both. In addition to the attraction I’d felt for Saria, I did get that fight or flight feeling in the back of my skull at first, the sign of meeting a different predator species, but that feeling had gone away with familiarity as I got to know her. Now her alien graceful predatory movements just… excited me, and I ignored it in the other elves around us.

  It also went both ways, some of the elves had warmed up to me besides just Karana and Saria, especially the guards who saw me every day, but some were still wary. Though… that may have simply been the unfortunate reputation of flesh sculptors these days.

  Most humans wouldn’t bother getting past that feeling. In a way I supposed it was the king’s enslavement and orders not to fight, that allowed the enslaved humans to get past it. One good result out of a horrific and evil act. It allowed the races to be united at least temporarily for a time.

  We all turned forward as Jeran began to speak.

  “Good evening, I know it’s late and we all have an early start in the morning, so I won’t keep you too long. We discovered today that Coren was the one responsible for the torture and rape chambers and passageways beneath the city. He has been killed. I have two things to say to you tonight.

  “First, we need you all to choose a new representative for your district of the city. Coren must be replaced to give you a voice both in the defense of this city, and for which direction the city moves in as far as development. I won’t allow another abuser to take the position, or bully you into making them your choice, so that’s going to happen tonight, right now, while your protected by my guard from unsavory influences.

  “Second, I need you to believe in your new council and the guards around you. I know that’s not easy, and it’s asking a lot, but if you know of other abusers in this city I’d ask that you come forward. They will be dealt with. We are also looking for information on the missing farm families on three of the surrounding farms. We haven’t found any signs of foul play, perhaps they just headed back west, but if anyone knows anything about it please step forward and speak to one of the guards about it.”

  He paused a moment.

  “Our enemy is the king, and his tyranny will end if we work together. Does anyone have any questions?”

  We were at least thirty feet from the front of the crowd, so it was hard to make out their faces and if they were behind Jaren’s ideas. These people were all here because they’d wanted to get away from the strict authority in the main cities in Desal, trust in government was always hard for people like that.

  The silence dragged on for a few moments.

  “Alright,” Jaren said, “Nominations?”

  There was silence again, and I could see people looking around at the people around them.

  One man shouted out, “Tam!”

  Another man, presumably Tam, shouted back with derision, “Fuck off, Dace!”

  Nervous laughter rippled through the crowd.

  Another voice yelled, “Tam!”

  “Who is Tam?” I asked curiously, his voice and name kind of rung a bell, but I couldn’t see his face, nor match it in my head with the name.

  Regina squeezed my hand, “He’s the owner of the Inn, remember?”

  “Oh, right.”

  Several voices started to yell out Tam’s name. Eventually the whole crowd started chanting Tam’s name. I wondered if it was because he sold them all beer, and everyone knew who he was. Regardless, I remembered him now too, thanks to Regina’s reminder. The battle, he’d been an irascible man, but also quite helpful when we’d set up in his inn. He was in his late forties, six foot even, with brown hair and hazel eyes. He was in shape, with an average body type, no doubt from hard work.

  Jaren held up his hands and crowd quieted.

  “Tam, be at the keep at dawn, you’ve been elected by general affirmation. I assume you have staff to handle the inn for a few hours each morning?”

  Tam yelled back, “I’m an inn owner, this is fucking crazy.”

  Jaren laughed, “Well Tam, you know the people, you know what they bitch about into their beer mugs and would like to see change. I’d say of everyone here you’re probably the best choice.”

  I held back a laugh at the grumbled curses.

  Tam said in an annoyed and disbelieving voice, “I’ll be there.”

  Krenum chuckled quietly and shook his head in amusement.

  “See you in the morning.”