Bonded Souls

by Agnes H Hagadus

  There was a legend that between sire and their offspring, bonds so strong were formed that they could communicate through their minds. It hadn’t been recorded during Elissa’s existence. In fact, she had had to it read in the tombs where the clans’ history was kept of such a condition ever occurring.

  But for an immortal and mortal to share this kind of connection? Elissa sighed heavily at the thought of Devlyn ever discovering the bond they shared.

  Already Devlyn thought Cassandra was Elissa’s greatest weakness. And she would be correct in that assumption. Elissa had already proven it with how many times she had warned Devlyn to stay away from her.

  Another in many miscalculations Elissa had been making ever since she had met Cassandra. The whimper caused the immortal to check on her charge’s temperature. Cassandra remained cool to the touch. That much was a relief.

  Elissa closed her eyes. The next thing she knew she felt the tender strokes of her cheek. It was as if Andrea was attempting to comfort her.

  Andrea. Why had Elissa been thinking so much of her lover? The only one she had truly been happy with. The only one she’d allowed for while she had remained mortal.

  “I’m sorry you’re sad.” It was Cassandra’s voice not that of Andrea. Yet, there was a part of Elissa that heard her dead lover’s voice originating from the youthful lips.

  “I’m not sad.” Elissa felt the hand stop upon her cheek. It caused a deep-down yearning for a lover’s touch. Something she hadn’t had since Sarah was staked by mortals too long ago. “I’m just worried about your safety.”

  “If it’s my health, my head doesn’t ache as bad. My arm only hurts when I move it.” Cassandra moved said arm. She didn’t even flinch when the pain made it to her brain.

  Elissa smiled at the good bit of news. “I’m glad you are already feeling better. But when I say safety, it’s now in regard to mortals and immortals. Especially Devlyn.”

  “Oh.” Cassandra stretched thoroughly before snuggling once again against her friend. She was still exhausted. Yet she knew they would have to begin traveling soon. “I’ve never had anyone worry about me. Not really.”

  “You’ve got one for the rest of your life.” Elissa once again felt the conviction of her words. She had to change the subject. “I know where a wagon is. It needs repairing, but I’m capable of it. Then we’ll need some horses or oxen to pull it. It’ll be slower to move and more dangerous at night, but we need to keep supplies for you.”

  Cassandra felt bad. If it wasn’t for her, Elissa could travel freely. Yet, there was a part of her that felt special. For now, she would allow that side to dominate. “I can sleep some more if you need to get supplies. Or is it still too light out?”

  Elissa allowed her senses to overtake her. Daylight would fade in about half an hour. Then she could do what she had to so that they could travel. How far and to where were still to be determined.

  “There’s about half an hour left of day. Then I can move about more freely.” Elissa kissed the top of her charge’s head. “You need to drink some more. Maybe attempt to eat. You need your strength if we are to begin traveling in a night or two.”

  Without thought, Cassandra retrieved the waterskin. She slowly sipped it. After nearly draining it dry, she made her way to the burlap sack of food.

  The immortal’s eyes widened. She hadn’t told Cassandra where the food was stored. Elissa once again sensed there was something unusual about this child. It could further explain the connection she felt to her.

  Time seemed to fly by. It was time for Elissa to begin gathering the rest of what they needed for the trip. “You rest. Cleanup if you can. There are trousers and shirts in the carpetbag. If you do venture out of the cave, don’t go too far. There is a small pond to refill the waterskin. But no further.”

  Cassandra was munching on the stale bread. She didn’t even think to complain. She merely nodded and smiled. It wasn’t long before she was alone once again.

  The fear of being left alone was fading. Cassandra was beginning to believe she and Elissa would be together forever. It was clear they were friends already. Would they become more? Like family maybe?

  The thought warmed Cassandra’s heart. She used another of the waterskins to clean up the best she could. She moved as little as possible so that her head didn’t hurt too bad.

  When it came to putting on the trousers, it felt different. Cassandra had always been forced to wear dresses. After wearing them for a few moments it began to feel natural. Hopefully she could continue to wear them. After all, Elissa wore dark leather pants. Why couldn’t she wear trousers?

  Cassandra decided it was time to refill the waterskins. If she could do that, it would make her feel less guilty of being such a burden.

  The night was illuminated by stars and moonlight. For this, Cassandra was grateful. She hadn’t found a torch or lantern before leaving the cave. She had never been the best at seeing at night.

  As if on cue, Cassandra tripped. She found herself spiraling down the slight embankment that would lead her to the pond. A great big splash seemed to echo throughout the night.

  Cassandra wondered if there was anyone or anything near that would have heard the noise she had made. She didn’t have to wait long.

  Yellow eyes were glowering at her from the bank of the pond. A low growl could be heard. Cassandra began to shake and it wasn’t from the cold water that had her soaked to the bone.

  Once again, Cassandra felt her mind reaching out to Elissa. Once again she found herself hoping beyond hope that her friend was by her side. Instead, she was facing a wolf.

  Chapter 8

  Cassandra remained as still as she could. She had never been allowed to roam very far from the orphanage. And she had never roamed after the sun had set.

  Now, Cassandra was facing a wild animal. She had faced down, with Elissa’s help, a vampire. It gave her a small measure of comfort. But only a small one as she’d had a sword in her possession at the time.

  The wolf’s fangs were showing as the eyes grew brighter. Cassandra could sense it meant it was preparing to strike. What was a girl to do?

  Reaching out slowly, Cassandra discovered a damp branch. It didn’t feel all that heavy but maybe it would be enough so that she could ward it off. But for how long?

  Elissa hadn’t been absent that long. Not that Cassandra had a good sense of time. It wouldn’t work for her to call upon her friend once again. Though she was doing it anyways.

  Just as the wolf decided to strike, Cassandra made it to her feet. She wielded the branch with all the might her ten-year-old body could muster.

  The wolf whimpered as it was struck. Cassandra waited to see if she needed to strike again. The wolf lay still. She didn’t know if it was dead or merely stunned.

  Not turning her back on the wolf, Cassandra chose to fill the waterskins. She would need to change her clothing when she returned. Regrettably.

  Cassandra noticed the wolf wasn’t breathing. She sighed heavily. She hadn’t even killed a fly or mosquito before. Since she was in relative safety, she decided to wash up. A fire could be built in the cave to help her keep warm and dry her clothes.

  Another whimper from the wolf caused Cassandra’s attention back to the injured animal. The eyes were still yellow, but they had lost their glow. It was as if the creature was begging for her help.

  Placing the filled waterskins by the tree, Cassandra cautiously approached the wolf. As she slowly closed the distance, she realized the wolf was just a pup.

  “I’m so sorry.” Cassandra knelt before the baby. The wolf flinched when she reached out for it. “Let me take care of you. I know you were just trying to survive. Not unlike me.”

  The wolf didn’t flinch when Cassandra attempted to touch it the second time. It was as if it knew she had been acting in defense and wouldn’t intentionally harm it.

  “That’s it.” Cassandra noticed the blood originating from just behind its ear. “That must have hurt. Again, I’m so sorry.” She
took in its size. “I think I can carry you. If you let me.”

  As gently as she could, Cassandra picked up the wounded animal. It emitted a tiny growl, but she thought it was because it was in pain.

  As Cassandra cautiously made her way back to the cave after having retrieved the waterskins, she couldn’t help speaking soothingly to the injured animal. “Your head probably hurts like mine did. Still does a little. I’ll never be able to make up for harming you like I did.”

  The sounds of the night didn’t penetrate beyond Cassandra’s focus on the injured pup. “I’ll take good care of you. Just like Elissa is taking such good care of me.”

  It didn’t take long to return to the cave. Cassandra glanced around. There didn’t appear to be any footsteps or anything out of place. Not that she would know.

  “Come on.” Cassandra continued to speak to the pup as if it understood her. She placed it on the blanket that was most worn. It curled up on its right side. “I see you are a girl. Maybe I should name you. Raven. Not sure why, but I like the name. There’s a poem about it. But I don’t remember it.”

  Cassandra retrieved the rags Elissa had left in case her young charge had been injured. “Hope she doesn’t mind me using these on you, Raven.”

  With tender ministrations, Cassandra cleaned the blood from behind the left ear and from the face. “I think the bleeding has stopped. You are like me and probably need to rest. And you need to be warm. Stay here.”

  It took Cassandra around an hour to gather stones to contain the fire and enough firewood to last the night. The only problem she faced was starting the fire. She remembered how Elissa had rubbed two sticks together. It was worth a shot.

  By the time a fire had started, the pup was sound asleep. Cassandra yawned. She seemed to be sleeping a great deal since meeting Elissa. But then, she’d never had so many adventures.

  Cassandra settled on the ground next to Raven. She covered both of them and allowed her eyes to drift shut. Her thoughts just before sleep overtook her were directed to Elissa. To let her know she was safe. And that she had a surprise for her.

  ()()()()()()()()()()()()()

  The wagon had been farther away than Elissa had remembered. At least it had been in better condition. It only needed two front wheels. One had been attached to the back of the wagon. It meant she had to search for another before it was ready to be used.

  It meant another trip to the village. Elissa hated how long it would keep her from her charge. She would be lucky to return to the cave before daylight.

  Nothing would be done standing around sulking. Elissa smiled to herself. She hadn’t really been sulking. She had only wanted to return to her charge sooner than she was to be allowed. Returning to the village had a positive. She could locate oxen or horses to pull the wagon once she had it repaired.

  After Elissa had made it to the village and to where she knew wagons were repaired, she had this overwhelming sensation. It was, once again, as if Cassandra were attempting to call to her for help.

  It caused Elissa to pause in what she was doing. It wasn’t the out and out terror she had sensed when Devlyn had been after Cassandra. But there was fear emanating from her young charge.

  What did Elissa do now? Did she continue to repair the wagon and obtain animals to pull it or did she make certain Cassandra was all right?

  Elissa was only a few feet outside the village when the sensation changed. The fear was gone. It was replaced with sorrow and regret. Did Cassandra still need her now?

  The vampire shook her head. Elissa made a choice. It was one she hoped she wouldn’t come to regret. Hastily, she made her way back to the building that housed parts for wagons. It was a larger village that would have an actual place that would build wagons.

  This time Elissa didn’t care if she found a way to repay whoever owned what she was taking. Three wheels, along with grease and other things that might wear out or need replacing during their travels was confiscated.

  Elissa would make another trip back to the village once she had the wagon repaired and ready for travel. Then the question would be which did she prefer oxen or horses?

  As she secured the two spare wheels to the wagon, Elissa felt this peace wash over her. She wasn’t certain what it was, but it felt like it originated from Cassandra.

  The vampire shook her head as she made her way to the village. Hopefully it would be for the final time. Hopefully, they would be on their way the next night or two. It would depend on if Cassandra was well enough to travel.

  Before Elissa procured the animals required for the wagon, she decided it was time to feed. This way she could be far enough away from Cassandra and the villagers she should not have to fear her animalistic side remaining.

  Elissa used her speed. She was now two miles from the village. She had headed south of the plantation and village. Not only wanting to protect the mortals, she didn’t want to run into any of her kind. Her heart was not into a fight at the moment.

  This could be good practice. Elissa closed her eyes. She allowed her vampire instincts to take over her. The scent was upon her before she was even ready.

  Deer. Female. Not even two years old. Azure eyes darkened to violet at the thought of the kill. Five hundred yards away. Just a few steps and she would have the lifeforce she needed to live for eternity.

  Fangs were exposed. A growl escaped Elissa. It nearly caused the deer to make her escape, but the vampire was faster. She sank her teeth into its neck.

  The lifeforce flowed over Elissa’s tongue and down her throat. It was so much sweeter the younger the animal that sacrificed itself for her. For that’s how the immortal chose to think of it. Another sacrifice so that she would exist longer.

  Elissa cleaned her lips before allowing her fangs to retract. It was how she always fed. It was to calm her animalistic nature. One she would keep hidden for as long as she could from Cassandra.

  Thoughts of Cassandra caused her animalistic nature to recede faster than it normally did. Elissa couldn’t help smiling at the thought.

  The next step was to prepare the deer. Once again, she would have Cassandra cure the meat. They could either use it for her charge’s needs or even trade it for goods down the road.

  After placing the prepared carcass in the back of the wagon, Elissa made her way one last time, she hoped, to the village. She would check the stables before checking elsewhere for animals to pull the wagon.

  There were six horses and four oxen in the stables. Elissa knew oxen were more reliable and could feed easier. But she would love to have a horse that she could ride. She wouldn’t even need a saddle.

  Feeling guilty for taking the animals without leaving anything in return, Elissa didn’t hesitate in herding the three animals toward where she had left the wagon. Two hours to daylight. She would have to hurry back to the cave.

  Elissa hitched the oxen to the wagon before tying the horse to the back. She seated herself on the bench. The sun was beginning to threaten to overtake the horizon. She snapped the reins to get the oxen moving.

  The scent of smoke assaulted Elissa the closer she made it to the cave. Perhaps Cassandra had taken it upon herself to start a fire.

  If Elissa still had breath, she would be able to see it now that the temperatures had dropped overnight. “Whoa.” It took a moment for the oxen to halt their forward progress. As soon as the wagon had stopped, the vampire bolted from the wagon.

  The blanket still covered the entrance to the cave. Cassandra’s natural scent mixed with the smoke scent Elissa had detected earlier.

  There was something else. Something that was causing the immortal to become nervous. It had been many moons since she had smelled this particular animal.

  When Elissa pulled back the curtain, tiny growls greeted her. Cassandra had her arms wrapped around the wolf pup. The yellow eyes were warning the immortal to maintain her distance.

  Elissa shook her head. It appeared as if there were now two charges for her to care for. One she knew depended on h
er without question and another she would have to work to earn its trust.

  Chapter 9

  It had been a week since the unlikely trio had been traveling. Limiting their time to night and the wagon, they had traveled only a hundred and seventy miles. It gave them distance from the village, and more importantly, from the clan.

  Elissa remained ever vigilant, especially during the daylight hours. At night, Raven was Cassandra’s watchdog. The vampire didn’t have to worry about her charge with the young pup around.

  There was one thing Elissa wanted for Cassandra that she couldn’t provide for her young charge. That was a mortal education. It would mean settling down somewhere. How far away was far enough? And would the new village accept her as guardian?

  “You’re worried.” Cassandra entered the wagon from the back. They had moved off the trail about fifty feet so that they would be difficult to be detected. She made certain the flap was securely tied after Raven had followed her into the wagon.

  “I’m always worried.” Elissa ruffled her charge’s hair. She earned a cute little growl from Raven. “You can still be turned into a fur coat so I’d watch it if I were you.”

  Cassandra giggled as Raven growled and huffed. She then proceeded to turn around three times before settling at the young girl’s feet. “I don’t think she’s all that afraid of you.”

  “I seem to be losing my reputation. I wonder who that started with?” Elissa attempted to glare at Cassandra. Her eyes even turned red and her fangs showed. It only lasted for five seconds. Any longer and the vampire feared she would not be able to contain her natural impulses.

  “I have no idea what you are referring to.” Cassandra leaned back against the bag of flour Elissa had purchased for them. It allowed the young mortal to bake fresh bread every few days. It was a real treat.

  “Of course you don’t.” Elissa also leaned back. There was less room than when she had first packed the wagon. But it was a good thing. Their supplies would last for a good month, if need be.

  There was silence among them as Cassandra retrieved the latest deer meat Elissa had provided for her. Sometimes the young girl couldn’t help thinking what her friend did to the deer. Most of the time she pretended it was hunting, just like her papa would have done had he remained to take care of her.