The Reaper's Wicked Obsession-Chapter 204: For A Life Or Favor?

They put up a war of glares, Kraven with his vexation and Isadora with her stubbornness.

"Hmm..." he mumbled, briefly rubbing his underjaw where his scar was. "What would it take for you to not be angry with me?"

’Gods!’ she thought. ’It seems an apology is an unknown language for him.’ She sighed, releasing her hands.

"Don’t do this again." She began. "As a couple..." She cleared her throat as her cheeks heated. "Decisions are made together. Right?"

Kraven licked his lips, intrigue blooming in his gaze. "Together." He tasted the word in his mouth like it was a strange phenomenon that just occurred, yet he welcomed it.

"Give me stillroot without my consent again..." she said through clenched teeth. "I’ll make you regret it."

"How are you going to do that, love?" he countered.

She smirked, mirroring the one he had. "Trust me, you don’t want to know."

"Come on, love. Indulge me." He tried to touch her again.

Isadora repeated her action, but this time she grabbed her bag and walked away, leaving Kraven’s hand hanging in mid-air.

Kraven huffed, tightening his fist. "Point made."

~♧~

Hearing incoming footsteps, Logi turned his attention toward them. A grin caught his lips. "About time."

Isadora’s cheeks got warm because it felt like she was suddenly under a watchful eye.

The tower was too tall, there was no way Logi could have heard them, right?

"Hope we didn’t keep you waiting," Kraven mused, placing his palm against her ass. "We were... busy."

Isadora flinched at the touch but didn’t dare turn to him—her only comeback was a sharp slap to his hand.

Luckily for Isadora, no one caught that because she did it discreetly. Yet, the feel of Kraven’s burning gaze and appetite for revenge told her she had instilled his wrath.

"It’s a good thing you’re here," Logi’s words were a saving grace. "I’d like to introduce you to our newest guide." He pointed to Thornfoot, weakly seated on the chair, offering them a half smile. "He’ll lead us to the Serpent’s Tower."

"The Serpent’s Tower?" Isadora voiced, stepping forward.

"Thornfoot here was lucky enough to be summoned by Aric to his humble abode. Selling Isadora wasn’t the only business he had made with our huntsmen."

Thornfoot shrugged. "It was good business... not until he ensured force to get what he wanted. I’m just a pawn in his book."

"You’d go against Aric?" Isadora questioned. "You’d help us? Those who tried to kill you?"

"You saved me. I could only return the favor."

"You’re mistaken, old friend," Kraven’s gravelly voice seized their attention.

His loud footsteps followed as he walked to the table and leaned against it. "You’re living on borrowed time."

Thornfoot shivered. "I-It’s not wrong to do something good right before I greet Daudi, is it?" he mused, but his smile wavered.

’I’ll do anything to stay alive. If you want Aric, then you’ve got him,’ he thought internally. ’All I’ve to do is deliver the package.’

"I don’t trust him," Isadora declared.

"None of us do. But he’s the only chance we’ve got. What do you think, Kraven?"

"I think I should skin him alive," he replied with a frown.

Logi sighed, turning to Thornfoot. "May the gods have mercy on you. I’m certain you’re smart enough not to try anything funny because if you do... I’ll kill you. Kraven isn’t the only one you should worry about."

"I’m aware." He giggled, but it was a humourless sound.

"I should heal him. The last thing we want is him dying of bloodlust along the way." She faced Kraven.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I-I figured you’re not too pleased by this."

"I’m not, he gets to live longer."

"Kraven..." she began, holding his gaze with such intensity that it exuded silence into the enclave.

"Go ahead, heal him..."

She sighed in relief, but that was only short-lived.

"Not enough to erase the mark," he mused. "I want that imprint as a reminder to finish what I started."

She froze at his words, unable to tell which disturbed her most, his need for blood or the perseverance to continue his torture.

Composing herself, she walked closer to Thornfoot and summoned her weaves.

~♧~

They sailed to an Isle. The location of some Serpents Thornfoot gave passage to do business.

Logi mentioned this was needed to solidify their mission to infiltrate the Tower.

The wind blew against Isadora’s features, and it wasn’t as cold as she hoped, signifying that Heartmoon was slowly coming to an end. freewebnoveℓ.com

The scent of the sea was incredible, yet it did nothing to soothe her nerves.

Being here was a reminder of what almost happened the last time she sailed the sea.

She mindlessly stroked against her bracers, where the pirate rune tattoo was covered.

"Do not worry, milady."

Isadora turned to the voice, it was Thornfoot standing in a corner.

He pushed off the barrel and walked to her. "As long as that rune is covered and not seen by any sea folk, you’re safe."

"It’s thanks to you I got this," she said sternly.

She loathed him for selling her off, but at the same time, she didn’t blame him. He was just a greedy Fae.

"Ah... I beg your mercy. In the seven gods’ name, I wouldn’t have done it if a life wasn’t threatened."

"I’m sure you wouldn’t," she replied sarcastically. She knew nothing of him and doubted he had anything as close to a conscience.

He clearly took over a fallen business and made it back to what it is now. She applauded his creative mind, but as a person? Not so much.

Thornfoot giggled, snorting, and spat into the sea.

Isadora grimaced at this, disgust curling through her. "I know your type... greedy, ambitious."

"I remind you of Dashwell?"

Isadora flinched at the mention of his name, but she kept her composure. "Why are you really helping us, Thornfoot?"

"Why else? For my life."

She nodded slowly, her expression said she didn’t believe a word he said.

"That’s why I’m your prisoner, aren’t I? You go down and I follow." He shrugged. "The more reason to be honest, don’t you agree, milady?"