The Fire Maiden's Desire Page 9

  “Well…it’s a Gorel,” Dave cringed as he said it and Rachel’s mouth dropped open.

  “What the hell is a Gorel?” Jack asked. Even Chuck looked scared. Was he the stupidest person on their team? This day was turning out horribly. Rachel was upset with him and now he felt like a moron.

  Rachel looked at him and smiled.

  “Most people haven’t heard of them. It’s no big deal, Jack,” she comforted. Was she done being mad at him? It sure seemed like she was trying to help. “They’re nothing to mess with though. If we do this and that’s a big if. You need to know what you’re getting into.” The look she gave him made his heart race.

  “Well then, let’s hear it,” he laughed nervously. He didn’t want to act too eager. He was feeling very self-conscious right now. What if he laughed too much? What if he stared at her too long? Would she get mad again?

  “A Gorel is huge. Like the Drahlbeere but umm, how would you describe it, Dave?” she turned to Dave and he looked perplexed.

  “You know how you’re kinda big?” he looked at Jack. Kinda big? Was he kinda big? Jack never really thought of himself as big. Sure Rachel had fed him well this last year and he had put on weight but he wasn’t big. “Well, compare yourself to Chuck’s dad. Then take it up another notch and add about two feet to its height. A Gorel almost looks like a giant fuzzy man and its arms would be as large as your chest. Well, maybe not your chest but mine,” Dave laughed.

  “Do they have claws?” Jack asked.

  “It’s a monster,” Rachel laughed. “Claws and fangs are part of the deal.”

  “At least it doesn’t breathe fire,” Jack looked around at them for a moment but when no one answered he got worried. “Does it breathe fire?” he begged.

  “No, it doesn’t breathe fire,” Rachel laughed louder. This was better. Picking on Jack, joking and goofing around. That was safe. That she could do. Although, lately, even this had caused her attraction to him to grow.

  Chapter 10

  After a few days they finally reached the cave. This far north it was starting to snow. The snow wouldn’t travel south for a few more weeks, maybe a month. Being near the ocean had its benefits but up here it was cold. Even the higher altitude was causing them some concern. Chuck and Dave had stayed behind at the small village because Chuck was short of breath and had near constant nosebleeds. The portly negotiator was not built for this type of work. Maybe the life of a monster hunter was not for him.

  Rachel climbed over the large rock at the base of the cave and stared inside. It was deep. She could smell the stench of musk and rotten meat. This was clearly the right cave. Jack stood below her, ready to catch her or rescue her if needed.

  “Anything?” Jack asked quietly.

  “This is it, that tip was right on the money,” Rachel said as she slid down the rock. It was nearly night and they had been traveling all day. Walking up a mountain was much more stressful than walking along a road. Even Jack and Rachel were worn out.

  “Let’s find a spot far away and make camp,” Jack offered.

  “Sounds like a plan. No way I’ll get to sleep with this stench,” Rachel laughed.

  They had bought heavy jackets for a silver each and were glad they spent the money. Jack was down to twenty silver with all the supplies and clothing he had bought but if this job worked out they’d all be rich. Rich enough to buy that draught for Rachel and still have money left. Maybe he’d buy her a fancy dress or even something more practical. With his cut of seventy five and the twenty he had, he could practically buy her anything she wanted.

  After about ten minutes Rachel felt they were far enough away to stay out of the monster’s path as it searched for food. It hunted at night so this was another reason to wait for daylight. Catching it while it was sleeping was another advantage they could use to outsmart the beast.

  “Would you like something to raise your temperature?” Jack asked with a smirk. He held out a bottle of home grown spirits he had procured at the settlement below.

  “Really? At a time like this?” Rachel expressed her disappointment and shook her head in disbelief then grabbed the bottle. “Of course, I would.” She smiled in a way that left Jack speechless. It was cute and seductive, did she even realize what she was doing to him?

  She took a big swig then started choking.

  “What the hell is that? Oven cleaner?” she continued to choke until Jack took a swig and had the same reaction which caused her to nearly fall over laughing.

  “Holy shit! It is oven cleaner,” he gasped as he tried to quit coughing. “Another?” he laughed and she took the bottle.

  This time the coughing was less but she still couldn’t drink it down without gagging.

  “Oh that’s bad,” she said holding her nose.

  “You’re telling me,” he laughed then took another swig.

  “That’s enough,” she said holding out her hands. “I’m feeling pretty warm.” She snickered and tried to get the fire going. Jack had piled up some sticks but they wouldn’t seem to light.

  “Perhaps we shouldn’t even worry about a fire,” Jack offered. He pulled out their bedrolls and laid them out on top of each other. “It will just go out. This snow is pretty wet.”

  “Yeah, I guess we’re back to the old days of snuggling for warmth,” she laughed.

  Jack remembered ‘the old days’ fondly as he put their packs against some rocks and then got into their bedrolls. It had been a long time since they’d had to snuggle for warmth. This was before Jack realized how he felt. Sure he had been attracted to her. She was gorgeous. Why would he not be attracted to her? The realization that he was in love with her would make this much more difficult, to say the least.

  “Make sure to use the bathroom please. I don’t want to be woken up because you have to piss in the middle of the night.” She looked at him deviously then kicked off her boots and slid under the covers. “Ha! I get the inside!” she yelled triumphantly.

  “You little sneak,” he replied but truthfully he didn’t mind. He’d let her take the side without the gap. The buttons held the bedroll together, for the most part, but a breeze, especially in a storm like this was inevitable.

  When Jack returned Rachel was starting to feel the alcohol and so was Jack. Her tolerance for it was much less, even compared to Jack she was a lightweight.

  “You’re not gonna get weird like the other day and get mad at me?” Jack asked as he kicked off his boots and got under the covers. The alcohol gave him confidence to ask the question he normally wouldn’t.

  “Noooooo,” she said, clearly feeling the alcohol. “I wasn’t mad.” She playfully slapped at him and missed. “Woah, that stuff is strong,” she giggled.

  “Just like we used to do it,” Jack instructed and Rachel rolled over to face away. Jack squeezed in behind her and put his arms around her.

  “Do you think about me?” Rachel asked. She wasn’t sure why she asked it. It popped into her head and just fell out of her mouth. She really had no tolerance and it was showing.

  “Yes,” he replied suspiciously.

  “I mean really think about me?” Rachel asked. She figured as long as it was out there she might as well.

  “Yes, I think about you,” Jack replied. He wasn’t going to offer anything but if she asked, he’d answer.

  “Good, cause I think about you too,” she replied.

  Jack hugged her tighter and her sounds of contentment made him slightly uncomfortable. He felt so warm, maybe it was the alcohol or maybe it was her. Either way, it was nice.

  Rachel yawned and snuggled against him, making more sounds that drove him crazy. Before Jack knew what happened, she fell asleep. He’d missed his chance again. Why had he offered her that drink? This would have been so much better with her wide awake. They could have at least snuggled for a while.

  Jack laid there trying to sleep and as his eyes drifted closed Rachel rolled over and faced him. She was asleep but she was mumbling something. He couldn’t understand
it but then she started kissing his neck. What the hell was he supposed to do?! She was clearly sleeping. Just as he thought he couldn’t take any more she nuzzled against his chest and stopped. The sounds she made kept him awake for at least another thirty minutes. Every time he’d start to drift off she’d make another noise that drove him nuts. It sounded like she was having a dream about sex. Whoever the lucky person was in the dream, he desperately wanted it to be him.

  In the morning he woke to Rachel across his chest. Her capped head was all he could see. She stirred a little and he kept still. This was so wonderful, he’d stay here for hours if he could. Rachel stirred again and looked up at him with sleep in her eyes.

  “Morning,” she said with a smile. She looked up at him and caught the purple in his eyes. She really needed to figure out what made them purple. It was very attractive. She lingered, staring into his eyes and didn’t want to move.

  “Morning,” he smiled back. This was sheer torture. She was innocently saying good morning and all he could think about was kissing her. He really was an asshole, wasn’t he? And a jerk, he couldn’t forget that one. Oh, and a moron. Why not just keep em coming?

  Rachel kept staring at him and the purple faded. She felt herself frown and nuzzled against his chest.

  “Not ready to get up yet,” she giggled. “It’s too warm.” It was a lie, just like all the rest but this one didn’t hurt him. In fact, it protected him. If only he knew the thoughts going through her head. The dreams that had both plagued her and excited her all night long. Just sleeping next to Jack was torturous and wonderful. She smiled as she thought about the dreams.

  Jack brushed the hair out of her face. Her cap had slid while she slept. He’d lay here for hours with her if she wanted. The monster wasn’t going anywhere. Hell, it was probably asleep right now.

  “I suppose we better get ready,” Rachel looked up at him and pouted.

  “I guess,” he sighed.

  He started to get up and she hugged his chest tightly.

  “I miss this,” she said and then started to unbutton the bedrolls. For once, she didn’t lie. For the first time in quite a while she told Jack the truth. It was a harmless thing and she truly wanted this to happen more often. She liked sleeping by Jack, it felt natural and calming. He never made a pass at her and he seemed to enjoy it almost as much as she did.

  They got their boots on and Rachel made oatmeal, without the fruit, while Jack packed everything up. Their plan was to leave the packs at the entrance, only taking necessary items with them. They had no idea what was inside the cave but the less they had to worry about the better. If they had to make a hasty retreat, at least their supplies, food and extra clothes would be waiting outside.

  After eating they headed back to the cave and started inside, each armed with their sword and a dagger on their belts. They each grabbed a torch from the bag, soaked it in the home made spirits mixed with an oily substance and then headed inside.

  Around the first bend they started to hear the Gorel breathing. The snow had drifted into the entrance but by the second bend there was no sign of snow, only rock. The beast’s breathing got louder as they got closer. It sounded like it was sleeping. After the third bend they could see it.

  The Gorel was gigantic. It must have weighed between five to six hundred pounds. It looked sort of like a man but it was covered with fur. Its teeth were long and sharp, nearly two inches in length. Then they noticed its claws. It had claws like the Drahlbeere only they were on the end of its humanlike fingers. This creature would be able to wield them much more skillfully.

  Jack crept up on one side while Rachel took the other. Rachel tripped on a rock as she got near and the sound woke the beast. It shot up and roared at them. As terrifying as the Drahlbeere’s roar was, this one was twice as frightening. It was lower and shook their chests as the creature turned to Rachel. It swung its massive hand at her and she dodged. Jack stabbed it in the leg to get its attention and it lunged for him. Jack adeptly sidestepped and the beast crashed against the cave wall. It quickly got its bearings and charged again but not at Jack. Instead it decided Rachel was smaller and it could take her out easier. Rachel readied herself and thrust out her sword just as it swung and she caught it in the chest. Her aim was a little off, not hitting it in the heart. The creature’s momentum ripped the sword from her hands and she was thrown sideways. She smashed against the cave wall and Jack rushed to her but he wasn’t quite fast enough.

  The Gorel stabbed through her thigh with its massive claws just as Jack reached it. He severed its hand but the damage was already done. The beast turned to Jack and Jack forgot to be afraid. Rachel was in trouble. She was the only thing that mattered. He slashed at the creature and cut it three times across its chest before its other hand slammed into him. He was thrown away but got to his feet and charged the beast before it could take another swing at Rachel. The creature raised its remaining hand, intent on stabbing her through the chest but Jack reached it in time. Before the beast could start downward with its claws Jack removed its head.

  Jack picked up Rachel and the head then raced out of the cave. Rachel’s leg was bleeding profusely. He wasn’t sure how much damage had been done but a dark cave was no place to tend to her wounds. When he finally reached the cave entrance he sat her on the edge then slid down the rock to retrieve his pack. After making his way back up the rock he pulled open his pack and pulled out the home made spirits and his knife. He looked at Rachel’s leg closely and then at her grimaced face.

  “There’s part of the claw stuck in it. This is going to hurt,” he said.

  “It’s bad isn’t it?” she groaned.

  “No, it’s just the tip of one claw. You got lucky,” he answered but his voice didn’t give her confidence. He was far too upset.

  “If it’s just the tip of a claw why are you so worried,” she asked trying to laugh.

  “I’m going to have to cut it out. It’s buried in your leg,” he replied and her face mirrored how he felt.

  “Give me some of that shit,” she ordered and held her hand out for the bottle.

  “Good idea,” he replied and handed it to her. When she handed it back he covered the blade of his knife and then poured a little on her wound.

  “Fuck that hurts!” she yelled, squeezing his leg with her left hand.

  Jack pulled the belt from his waist and handed it to her.

  “One more,” she panted and he handed her the bottle once more. She took a large swig and then coughed. She started to hand it back and then changed her mind. She took another large swig and smirked at him through the pain. “It really fucking hurts.”

  “No need to explain. Drink the whole bottle if you need to.” He looked at her and waited. She took one more swig then handed him the bottle and put the belt between her teeth. She nodded then screamed as he stuck the knife in. He dug for a second then put his fingers in and grabbed the edge of the claw that was sticking out of her leg. She screamed loudly again. He quickly pulled and, thankfully, it came out in one peace. He splashed a little more of the spirits on her wound and she let out another scream. This time it was a little softer. He grabbed one of his shirts and tore it, making a bandage. He wrapped it around her leg then put all the stuff back in his pack and picked her up.

  Jack tossed the Gorel’s head down by the packs then he carefully slid down holding Rachel. He tossed the head in his pack and grabbed her pack as well. He struggled down the mountainside with two packs and Rachel. Part way down Rachel started to calm down as the adrenaline left her system.

  “You know you’re awesome right?” Rachel asked, clearly drunk. Her head bobbed as Jack hurried down the mountainside.

  “Yeah, the best sidekick you ever had right?” Jack teased and kept running. He was starting to run out of breath but Rachel needed a warm room and a real doctor.

  “What the hell are you talking about? You killed that thing,” she slapped Jack on the shoulder and giggled. “Maybe you’re the hero.” Her giggle turn
ed into a laugh.

  “Nah,” he said. He couldn’t talk much, he needed to save his breath for the run. They weren’t even half way back yet. His pace slowed. He couldn’t keep up this pace. Walking quickly would actually get him there faster than sprinting and resting.

  “You’re so umm what’s that word?” she put her finger to her chin and pretended to think on it. Jack looked at her and she threw her arms around his neck. He had to stop so he didn’t tip over and she pulled him in. She kissed him passionately. Thoughts raced through his head as the feeling of utter joy filled him. Was this really her? Was this because she was drunk? When she was finished kissing him she looked up at him. “Sexy, that’s the word.” She bit her lip and stared up at him.

  “You’re drunk,” he laughed, hoping that she’d deny that it was the alcohol.