CHAPTER 63: CH 63: TAKING ACTION- PART 4

The cool hand on Kana’s eyes shifted gently, gliding down the side of her face and brushing over her waist.

A soft voice followed, calm and commanding, yet unmistakably familiar.

"Don’t open your eyes just yet."

The voice murmured.

Kana obeyed. She didn’t want to see anything. Not the broken bodies. Not the beast’s blood-covered claws. Not the horror she had survived by pure luck—or maybe divine protection.

She felt herself being lifted, strong arms cradling her close, a bridal carry that rocked her gently as her surroundings moved.

The warmth of another body and the scent of delicate incense filled her senses. It was comforting, almost too comforting. Her nerves were beginning to settle.

She knew that voice now.

High Priestess Jenna.

In the distance, muffled by smoke and silence, she could hear another voice—Evaya’s, calm but clipped, as she received orders.

"Take care of the rest. Remove any trace. Make sure nothing is left behind."

Jenna commanded.

Kana didn’t want to know what they meant by "the rest."

She tuned it out, clinging to the fading warmth of safety and the softness of the High Priestess’s robes. The dread in her chest was still there, but it had dulled to a low ache.

Eventually, the sound of movement and footsteps gave way to quiet stillness.

"We’re here. It’s safe now. You can open your eyes."

Jenna said gently.

Kana already had. Her lashes lifted slightly as she lay nestled in a small, dimly lit dwelling, tucked into soft cushions with warm blankets pulled over her.

She blinked as her eyes adjusted, taking in the flicker of a lantern on the wall and the faint scent of herbs in the air.

Jenna sat beside her, her usually pristine robes slightly wrinkled, her posture relaxed—but her sharp eyes were on Kana.

Not with suspicion, but concern.

"I’m sorry. I should’ve known Rudy would act like this. I thought... I thought he would wait longer, or at least follow some code."

Jenna said at last, her voice low.

Kana didn’t speak.

She wasn’t angry. She wasn’t even crying. She was just silent—shocked, emotionally gutted, and not sure what she was supposed to feel anymore.

"I knew bringing you into my circle would make you a target. But I didn’t expect them to try and murder you in broad daylight. That... even I didn’t expect."

Jenna went on.

Still, Kana said nothing.

Her throat felt like it was wrapped in cotton.

"I want to make sure you’re okay. Let me check you over. Even if nothing looks wrong, you should still receive emergency healing. Just to be safe."

Jenna said gently.

Kana gave a small nod, unable to find the strength to argue.

But when the High Priestess leaned forward and gently pressed her lips against Kana’s, she gasped in surprise.

She could feel the soft pulse of magic flowing into her—warm, radiant energy spreading through her chest and limbs, clearing the smoke from her lungs, mending tiny injuries she hadn’t even realized were there.

It started as a soft and gentle kiss, but then Kana felt a swipe of tongue against her lips and she gasped in surprise.

The high priestess took that chance to map Kana’s mouth out with her tongue before she pulled back.

Kana tried to take in a deep breath but the high priestess did not allow her that respite. Before Kana knew it, her face was grabbed and a tongue licked across her lips before licking inside her mouth.

The gentle and coaxing pressure was no more and instead, there was a burning passion that threatened to consume her whole.

High priestess Jenna was consuming Kana and if not for the fact that Kana’s was always sitting down by now, she would have collapsed. Her legs had no strength to hold her up.

Jenna pulled back slowly, her lips curved in a teasing smile. A string of saliva connected the two people who were kissing just seconds before.

If not for the magic Kana felt entering her body, she would have felt that the high priestess was taking advantage of her.

"You taste good,"

High Priestess Jenna said softly.

Kana’s face turned red instantly. She blinked at her, stunned, heart racing faster than it had during the attack. It took her several seconds to even form a coherent thought.

"I—I... what was that?"

She finally managed.

"Direct contact is the most effective method of transferring magic. The more intimate the contact, the stronger the bond—and the more efficiently magic flows."

Jenna explained matter-of-factly.

She tilted her head slightly, her tone dipping with amusement.

"Though it’s a pity I can’t do more at the moment."

Kana’s mouth opened. Then closed. She had no idea what to say. Her brain had short-circuited.

Thankfully, the door creaked open at that exact moment.

Evaya entered the dwelling, her armor stained with soot and her expression unreadable. She nodded once toward the High Priestess.

"Cleanup complete. No evidence left behind. No witnesses."

She reported.

"Perfect. Then let’s return."

Jenna said, her mood instantly brightening. She turned back to Kana and brushed a lock of hair from her face.

Kana blinked again.

"Return... to where?"

"To the temple, of course. High Priest Rudy will be so happy to hear the good news."

Jenna replied.

Her smile widened. Kana didn’t need to ask what that ’good news’ was.

She, Jenna, and Evaya were still alive.

And now Rudy would have to act like everything was normal—while knowing that his assassination attempt had failed.

______

Kana sat in stunned silence as Jenna stood gracefully, smoothing the folds of her robe like nothing unusual had happened.

The firelight danced across her features, softening the sharpness of her eyes—but Kana knew better now.

Behind the elegant robes and gentle voice was a woman prepared to go to war.

She hadn’t seen Jenna like this before. Not truly.

Evaya remained near the door, silent and watchful, her presence a steady anchor in the room.

Kana felt like she should say something—ask questions, confront Jenna about what she’d done or what she’d seen—but the words wouldn’t come.

Not yet.

"We’ll move soon. But for now, rest. You did well, Kana. Surviving that... calming the beast... you should be proud."

Jenna said, turning back toward her.

Kana swallowed.

"The beast. It... it was hurting. I just wanted to help."

"And you did. Which is exactly why they wanted you gone."

Jenna said warmly.

That made her stomach twist.

"People like you—who change things just by existing—frighten those who’ve lived too long in power. Rudy can’t stand the idea that someone might shift the balance."

Kana hesitated.

"...Is that why you’re helping me?"

Jenna met her gaze, calm and unwavering.

"Because I dragged you into all this. Did you forgot why you are here?"

Her answer was simple—but not evasive. It carried a weight that Kana didn’t fully understand yet.

Before she could respond, Jenna turned to Evaya.

"Escort her when she’s ready. But don’t rush her."

Then she walked to the door, her presence lingering even after she stepped through.

Kana leaned back, exhaling slowly.

She didn’t know what she’d stepped into—but she was certain now that it was far larger than she’d realized.

And far more dangerous.