Chapter 17
September 14th, 2029
Jace POV
"What do you mean he hasn't come back too?" I snap, voice sharper than I intend. A headache's already forming at the base of my skull.
We're at the edge of the canyon, and after days of marching, it's finally led us to this jungle. The trees here are tall, thick, and claw toward the sky like they're trying to strangle the light. There's a heavy mist in the air, and the humidity clings to my skin like a second layer of sweat.
We always send scouts ahead—it's protocol. Standard safety. But this is the seventh scout that hasn't returned. And that is not normal.
Especially because our scouts aren't just soldiers. They're ability users—people with superspeed, shadow-walking, enhanced senses. They're trained to escape.
And still, nothing. No signal. No return. No bodies.
Worse, our mana heat-sensing trackers are useless here. In the canyon, it was simpler. Rock and ruin. Against the centipedes, we could track their movements through tunnels.
But here? This forest is teeming with life. Birds, bugs, flora that pulses with ambient mana. Every scan overloads with noise.
Too much life.
Too much to hide a predator.
"I'll be going. We can't afford to lose any more scouts," I say, jaw tight.
Whatever is causing them not to come back—I don't know. But I haven't met anything yet that can survive my attacks.
"I'm coming with," a voice says from behind.
I turn toward it. Avery. Of course. Sparkle looms behind him like some demonic shadow, glowing eyes locked on me.
"That's not neces—" I begin.
"I'm sorry, do you have a speed-related ability?" he asks, folding his arms.
I grit my teeth. "No."
"Exactly. It'll take you forever on foot. It'll be faster with me. We'll take Sparkle."
I pause, scanning his expression. He's serious. Determined.
"Understood," I say.
I make quick preparations—assign secondary command, relay updated protocols, and issue final orders before returning to where Avery waits, leaning casually against Sparkle.
He sees me approach. Without a word, he turns, and Sparkle lowers her massive head, letting Avery climb on effortlessly.
I take another step closer.
She growls.
Avery pats her neck. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. Do this for me."
Another step. Another growl.
"Sparkle..." he says gently.
Finally, she goes still.
I exhale and climb up behind him.
She's enormous. Her back is wide—honestly feels like I could lie flat across it like a mattress.
No wonder he sleeps on her.
The moment I settle in, she rises, muscles bunching, and begins to move.
"Hold me, if you don't want to fall off," Avery says without looking back.
I hesitate.
Then she jumps.
Instinct kicks in, and I wrap my arms around his waist.
The world becomes a blur. We're moving fast—unnaturally fast—bounding from trees, tearing through underbrush, the wind slicing past us. Greenery whips by in streaks.
Eventually, the disorientation fades and I become aware of something else.
My fingertips.
They're pressing into his waist. Skin-to-skin.
It's... electric.
His waist is small. Lean. Muscular in a subtle way. Firm but soft in places I shouldn't be thinking about.
Goddamn it.
The proximity is unbearable.
And the scent.
Coconut.
It's overwhelming—rich, warm, and somehow edible. Like summer. Like temptation.
Unable to help it, I tighten my hold just a little more.
For stability.
That's what I tell myself.
But my racing heart says otherwise.