The Beast And The Blessed

Fifty-Two: Joselin

Joselin's P.O.V.

I placed my hands in my back pockets, admiring the view as Natalie and I approached the small pool of water. The normal crystal blue water was murky and dark, showing that someone or something had just been active and disrupted the stillness and peace of the natural hot spring.

It was only a few miles away from the city, but the time it took us to go there was twice as long as normal as we enjoyed a leisurely walk.

My morning had started at lunchtime when Natalie rang the doorbell, something I was tempted to have Tobias uninstall. Even though I would never admit it, her visit to ensure I was okay meant a lot to me. I was right in choosing her as a friend.

It also meant that I had slept the day away, missing my morning meeting with Killian to go over the day's agenda and the million other things I had to do each day. I was behind on my work already, but now it has impacted others, which bothered me.

Yet, Natalie insisted I take the day off and walk with her. There wasn't much of the day left, so I agreed. By the time I had gotten out of the shower and dressed, it was into the early afternoon.

Still, she ushered me out of the house with a bagel in my hand, insisting fresh air would do me good.

I sat on the large rocks, slipping my shoes off and dangling my feet into the water below. I knew there were creatures in there, some that would love to drag me into the water to watch me drown, but it didn't bother me. We had a mutual appreciation for each other, and they kept me alone as long as I threw them some food now and then. Delicasies, like a fresh liver or a heart, if I wanted to spoil them. A whole body if they were starving.

'Tm surprised you could pull yourself away from your mate for this long." I smiled at Natalie, wanting her to see I was only joking. She crossed her legs, observing the three-foot-long waterfall across the spring that led from the larger hot spring above. This one was smaller but deeper.

I watched as the water began to settle until I could make out two glowing pale-blue eyes below, watching and waiting.

I looked over my shoulder at the guard filling in for Tobias, making it clear that I was speaking to her before returning to the creature.

I didn't know or trust the new guard as much as the others and wanted privacy. ’You, fetch a rabbit." The creature blinked. Its double eyelids closed one at a time, overlapping before showing the glowing blue again. I corrected myself. "Make it a deer, and be fast about it. I want it to still be hot when you return with it."

fear as she took off to

was no big deal. If he didn't knock me up by now, it wont happen until next month. Plus, I was really worried about you." Natalie said, leaning back on her palms

I will be fine,’ I muttered, angry that Rona was not

it's a curse? What if you're pregnant? You've been tired. Your appetite has changed, and the lightheadedness... it makes sense." Natalie said, trailing off as the creature disappeared.

the threat to his queen, but he couldn't see it.

was far-fetched, but now that it was

magic fade." I said, waiving my hand dismissively at the idea, and bit back a smile as George made a noise that sounded like a mix of a choke

make it impossible." Natalie insisted as she patted

to it." The healers had gotten their hands on me countless times, but they couldn't touch scar tissue and healed damage. They could only fix what was currently

facts. Maybe you should let the doctor run their tests to see what's happening." She shrugged, smiling softly as she leaned back. "Can you

my blood." All humor was gone from my voice, and I felt a shift in the air as something rubbed against the

a close eye on the water until I

but sounded uneasy as she slid back another few inches until

bother responding to her. She was right. How could I justify killing Rona when

her shoulders in a fireman carry. She tossed it onto the ground beside me, and I glanced at the body as

him," I said to Natalie as I pulled a pocket knife out and sliced open the stomach with little difficulty. Still

'he'?" She rose to her feet, stepping back as the water became more violent, splashing on the

the water. His head was the shape of a dragon with a long snake-like body. The curious part was that none of it was solid. It was the same color as the water it lived in, and without being

the liver in his large mouth, his massive pointed teeth puncturing the organ and sending blood to spray out and hit the

I didn't have to pee, I do now," George grumbled, his eyes wide in shock before Thomas hit him, and he regained his composure, standing with his back to us to examine

now, we can get there in time for dinner.’ Natalie said, dusting her butt off as I bent down and pulled out the heart. As I tossed it into the air, the creature shot out again, and George let out a sound of

into the water. "How hungry are you, boy?" His eyes blinked at me once, and I nodded. "George, do me a favor and