Act of a Demon: The Dark Bloods - Book II ✓

Chapter 22 - Acceptance's Absolution

22.

Acceptance’s Absolution

“Let me go!” Reyna snarled.

Mundus felt her squirm in his arms but he tightened his grip. “Reyna, lis—”

He saw her fist heading towards his face. He made no effort to dodge it. Perhaps that would subdue her rage and he could finally secure her attention, but when Mundus heard the crunch of his jawline, he regretted his decision. Reyna punched harder than Radi.

He let her go and she stepped away from him, the tendrils of her blue armor weaving around her. They seemed to braid together faster now.

“Reyna.” He tried again though his fractured jaw made it difficult for him to speak. He healed himself up while Reyna manifested a blade in her hand.

He sighed. He was going to have to force her to listen.

Mundus Teleported behind her, but she was able to keep up with him and whirled to the area he appeared. He could not help but feel proud of her. She had learned well and had grown quite powerful, but it was getting in the way of what he wished to do at the moment.

He reached for her wrist, belonging to the hand holding the blade, but Reyna twisted away from him. It was what he was hoping she’d do. Mundus’ other hand shot around her waist and he pulled her against him.

“Stop doing that!” she grunted.

Mundus was able to secure her wrist during her distraction. Her armor felt like glass against his palm but he knew it wasn’t as delicate.

“Reyna, I demand you listen to my words,” he said as calmly as he could.

She scoffed. “Yeah. You have proven to me you’re so trustworthy.”

“You remain unaware of the situation.”

Reyna stopped struggling and craned her neck to face him. “You’ve got to be kidding me. There is no way—”

A white light beamed from Mundus’ side and Lina appeared before the two. Her hands were balled up and her face held a scowl with the ferocity of a child.

“No!” Her exclamation was so sharp it froze Mundus and Reyna.

He eyed her. Her bravery was escalating along with her sudden outbursts from her weapon.

“Master’s human has to listen to what Master has to say! Master’s human must. Master speaks the truth! This one pleads Master’s human to do so,” Lina said, her tensed stature loosing with each word.

“Lina,” Reyna said but looked up at Mundus as if expecting him to lash out at her.

He instead released Reyna and crossed his arms. Lina’s unexpected appearances were not completely useless. So far.   

Reyna stepped away from Mundus, glancing between him and Lina. The Spirit eyes still held their pleading stare.

“Master’s human,” Reyna repeated what Lina had called her. “I don’t know if I want to listen to your Master if you call me that. You can call me Reyna, you know.”

“Human Girl?” Lina suggested.

“Better I guess.”

 The Spirit nodded. “Then this one asks Human Girl to listen to Master. Please!”

Reyna looked down as if contemplating Lina’s words but her face showed surprise. She stomped her foot on the ground.

“Brick?” she said and looked around.