by Gwynn White
“Sir, I cannot leave the door open,” he said, eyes flickering back towards the only source of light.
“Of course,” said Liam, dismissing him with a gesture. “Lock me in if you must, but I’m not going anywhere.” The mystic moved closer to Viola, sliding the plate and pitcher near her. She looked at him with pleading eyes, as if still waiting for permission to drink. “Go on,” he urged. “This is all for you.” She went straight for the water, gulping greedily as it spilled from the corners of her mouth.
The guard stepped out, the room going dark when he closed the door. Seconds later it opened again, the same guard holding the lantern that was just outside. “Knock on the door if you need anything,” he said, eyes flickering to the plate on the floor. “More water, food, anything at all, sir.”
“Thank you, lad,” said Liam. “Now go back to your post.” The door closed again, although this time the room flickered with the soft light of the lantern.
Viola began coughing, her throat chilled from the cool water. “Easy there,” said Liam, patting her on the back. “Take your time. There’s plenty more where that came from.” He lifted the plate containing two kinds of meat and a side of cooked potatoes. Given the quality of the food, Liam couldn’t help but wonder if the guard had swiped this from the dining hall above. Good lad... “Try some of this.”
She carefully lifted a strip of meat with her fingers, moving slowly as if he might snatch it away at any moment. Nibbling at first, she soon inhaled the strip and went for another. Liam placed the plate on her lap and leaned back against the stone wall. The coolness felt good given how stuffy it was in here.
His intent was to give her some much-needed food and water, then hopefully have a nice, long talk. So many questions he had. But the results of staying up for two days straight were really taking a toll. Their talk would just have to wait until another time. He would just rest his eyes for a few minutes, then return to his room. He felt the weight of her head press against his shoulder. Within seconds her slowing breaths were coming long and heavy. She must have felt safe and secure with the old man for such deep sleep to find her so quickly.
“Yes,” mumbled Liam, his heavy eyelids fluttering. “I’ll stay here a few more minutes, then I must go.”
“Well, isn’t this sweet?” came a familiar voice cutting through the haze of sleep. Liam stirred, eyes opening slowly as he started to get his bearings. It didn’t take long for him to recognize his surroundings. Still sound asleep, Viola’s head lay across his lap. “It seems the little freak has clung to a father figure,” said Alaric, looming over them. He leaned down close, nearly nose to nose with Liam. “Or am I mistaken? Perhaps it is...more than that.”
“You monster,” Liam hissed softly, trying not to waken her. “What kind of man deprives a young girl of even the most basic necessities? She was practically dying of thirst when I found her.”
“A necessary evil,” Alaric said, reaching down to tap her on the head. “I needed to see how far her condition had progressed.”
“What condition? What are you talking about?” asked Liam.
Ignoring Liam’s questions, Alaric tapped her head again. She squinted, swatting at her head as if chasing away a fly. “Wake up, Viola.” Blinking, she slowly sat up while wiping sleep from her eyes. “I do believe it’s time for you to leave,” said Alaric, turning back and making his way back towards the door.
“Wait,” she mumbled groggily. “You mean I’m free to go?”
Alaric glanced back over his shoulder wearing a tight-lipped smile. “I said it was time for you to leave. I never said you were free.” The moment he stepped out, a large shadow moved to take his place. The hunter loomed in the doorway, now dressed in his full-body battle suit.
Liam rose to his feet. Viola clung to him, her face buried in his shirt. “I assume this is the deal you spoke of earlier,” he said, not intimidated by the hunter’s presence. Liam was plenty dangerous in his own right, and had no intention of backing down, even to one of the hunter’s reputation. “I’m afraid I cannot allow you to take her. Go back to the land you came from, Owen. Leave in peace and that shall be the end of it.”
The hunter stared blankly for a long while, his hard, chiseled expression completely unreadable. “Aye. I’ve no quarrel with you, Liam,” he said at length. “But I won’t hesitate to kill you if you try to stand in me way. Alaric’s word is final. I need no authorization from you.” His gray eyes fell on Viola. “We leave in two hours. That is plenty of time for you to get cleaned and prepare for travel.” He spun away from the door, leaving it open.
“Liam!” Viola said, still gripping the mystic’s shirt, panic in her eyes. He leaned back against the stone wall, feeling beaten once more. The hunter’s words rang true in his head. He was indeed outranked by Alaric, and therefore had no say in the matter.
Years of built-up frustration boiled in his blood. No matter whether he was right or wrong, it always ended this way. Alaric would always be free to strike bargains under the table, to kill the innocent and do whatever he wished.
The mystic pushed off the wall, eyes jetting open. “No,” he said. “I will stand by no longer.”
“I don’t want to go with him,” Viola pleaded, face buried in his shirt.
Gently, he managed to separate from her. Her chin is his hands, he gazed into her tear-streaked face. “Do you trust me?” he asked. She nodded her head up and down. “Then you must do as I say. Go with the guards and get cleaned up as he instructed. I promise I will not abandon you.” Again, she nodded. What choice did she have?
Liam left the cell, guards flowing in behind him to fetch the girl and get her ready. “Two hours,” he mumbled to himself as he went up the steps. So much to do and only two hours to do it. He hurried back to his lab and bolted the door behind him. His eyes swept across his vials and beakers, glancing at his many books that had proved useful throughout the years. These decisions were going to be painful.
He opened a backpack and began stuffing it with his most precious belongings, books mostly, along with some rare components from his trunk, things that simply could not be replaced. With only a little space left in the pack, he left the lab and went over to his sleeping quarters. He filled the rest of the space with spare clothing, then threw the pack down near his bed.
Throwing back a side curtain, he entered the chamber attached to his room. He sighed, gazing down at the weapons he didn’t dare leave behind. It had been many years since he had served in Redwater’s army. He picked up a sheath and belt housing his old long sword, and strapped it around his waist. “I hoped I’d never use you again,” he whispered down at his blade, clicking the buckle. “I still cling to that hope, although it now appears to be nothing but a fool’s hope.”
It the opposite corner stood a gleaming white staff, so clean and bright it looked to have been recently polished. In truth, it hadn’t been touched in more than a decade. The handle swirled with intricate designs, so many yet each vastly different from the one below it. The top portion was carved into the likeness of a goat skull, its two curled horns twisting back. The eye sockets each housed a shimmering white gem. With all its teeth on display, the goat skull almost looked to be smiling.
Grabbing the staff and pack, he headed back into the hall. Time was of the essence, and he had made a promise to someone—someone who was clearly unique and special. Even now he still didn’t know her story, but none of that mattered. How could such a being exist by accident? Liam had learned long ago to trust his instincts, and something in his heart urged him to see this through. The pull was strong, and he refused to ignore it.
Striding down the hall, he heard a call from behind. “Going somewhere?” Alaric accused.
Liam stopped, eyes fixed straight ahead. “I’m leaving,” he stated plainly. “My time in Redwater has run its course and there is nothing left for me here.”
“Enough with this foolishness,” Alaric said, his footsteps drawing nearer. “Is this about the freak girl? Bah! Le
t it go. Her body is diseased, yet for some reason the hunter has shown quite an interest in her.”
“She is not diseased,” Liam corrected, spinning back to face Alaric. “Her blood mix is rare and special. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“A mutant, then?” Alaric questioned, not particularly interested in what she was, or was not. “What does it matter? You didn’t want me to have her executed and I didn’t. And now she’s leaving with the hunter. She is no longer our burden. And as far as what his baffling interest in that creature is, I don’t know nor do I care. In exchange for her, he’s going to investigate the attacks. Don’t you see? His services now belong to the city of Redwater! I don’t know what fate shall befall on our neighboring towns, but I can only assume we are safe now. Once our enemy realizes Owen Dunwich serves the city of Redwater, they won’t dare advance a second time!”
“So you offered her in exchange for his service?” Liam questioned. “Another innocent sacrifice to buy you more time?”
“No!” Alaric protested, then paused to think. “It wasn’t like that at all. In fact, he is the one who inquired about her. He was already aware the girl was in captivity.”
“And how would he have known that?” Liam asked suspiciously. “He’s not from anywhere around these parts.”
“I don’t know! I don’t care!” Alaric blurted, fed up with what he felt were unimportant questions. “People talk in this city. He may have caught wind of a rumor or two. Does it matter? He works for us now, and that’s all that counts.”
Liam stepped forward, glaring down on Alaric. “You forced her to suffer for no reason. Why would you have given such immoral orders?”
Alaric sighed. “It was at the request of the hunter. Something about seeing how far it had progressed. I don’t even know what it is. Now please, Liam, put your things away and let’s have a long talk. Surely you don’t really mean to leave Redwater.”
“Old friend,” said Liam, managing a smile. “You have proven to be a spineless serpent of a man. I will not work for you another day. Without me here to assist in hiding your corrupt practices, the people will soon see you for the fraud you truly are. You will be striped of power, possibly even executed the way you have done to so many others. I care not what happens to you.”
Alaric bared his teeth, closed fists trembling with anger. “I am a noble leader,” he growled. “I am a great man!”
“No,” Liam whispered. “You are not. Your father was a noble leader. Your father was a great man. You...are a scheming, spineless drunkard. And a day is coming when you will pay for your countless atrocities.”
Alaric took a deep breath, fire blazing in his eyes. “I, Lord Alaric Bournfred, dismiss you from my service,” he hissed, each word soft and dangerous. “Now get out of my sight.” Liam dipped into a low, mocking bow before continuing on his way.
Chapter Four
Viola lifted her pale leg from the warm, soapy water, a cluster of suds still clinging to her ankle. It felt like ages since she’d had a proper bath, and the water felt good. Relaxing. Running her hand over her knee, down and across her inner thigh, she slowly lowered her leg back down beneath the surface. Tilting her head back, she dipped her white hair. It spread out wide like the bloom of a flower, water circling her face and covering her ears. She remained submerged for a long while, listening to the underwater echoes.
She was stalling, of course, her mind working feverishly on how she might escape her predicament. There were no windows in this room, and the only door was guarded from the other side. Mind drifting, she couldn’t help but think about what might have been. Ethan had been executed for harboring a criminal, yet the criminal herself had been spared for some reason. All in all, she felt lucky to even be alive, let alone sitting in a warm bath.
She didn’t care what happened to Ethan. She hated him, and was glad he was gone. The admission made her feel guilty, yet she couldn’t deny her true feelings. But now what? Was she truly better off now that he was gone? Had she only exchanged one set of problems for another? This...Demon Hunter...was going to take her away. To where? For what? Perhaps she was going to be a slave all over again. The only difference would be she’d have a different master. Her mind raced as she tried to take it all in.
There came a light knocking on the door. “Hurry up in there,” someone said from the hallway. “It’s time for you to go.” The door opened and one of the guards entered, holding a towel in one hand, folded clothes in the other. Embarrassed by the male intrusion, Viola sank into the water. Surrounded by bubbles, her face was the only thing still showing. With hardly a glance in her direction, the man placed the items on the stool next to the tub. “You have two minutes to get dressed,” he said. He left, closing the door behind him.
She could hear muffled voices just outside the door. “Did you get a good look?” asked one voice, snickering between each word.
“A good look at what? A corpse?” replied the other voice. She recognized it as the man who was just here. “From what I hear, dead bodies are more your type, Gilin.” Laughter followed the cruel exchange.
She winced at the hurtful remarks, suddenly feeling very foolish. Of course no man would look at her that way. Pulling herself up from the tub, she gazed into the steamed mirror on the far wall. Even through the blurred reflection, her ghostly white skin and dark red eyes were plain to see. She wiped away a tear before it rolled down her cheek. I won’t let them see me cry. Snatching the towel, she dried off quickly, then shook out the clothes they brought.
The tan shirt and black pants were rather dull, but perfectly comfortable. They gave her a gray, hooded travel cloak that buttoned at the collar. This could certainly be useful for hiding her appearance. Once dressed, she went out into the hall where several guards were waiting for her. Whatever private joke they had going on this time, their snickering ceased when they saw her.
“I’m ready,” she said, her red eyes locking onto each of them in turn. Each looked away, wilting under that eerie gaze. She liked seeing them fidget nervously, but in truth, it only served as a reminder of how different she was. How different she would always be.
“Our mounts are watered and ready to go,” said Owen, tossing two leather bags down at Xavier’s feet. “Take these down, and make sure they have the wagon ready. I don’t want to stay here any longer than necessary.” Without a word, Xavier slung a bag over each shoulder and left the room.
Owen had begun lacing up his black boots when he heard the door open again. “I’m not big on long, mushy goodbyes, mystic,” he grumbled without looking back. Giving the laces a final tug, he turned to face Liam. “That’s why you’re here, right? Already, you miss my pretty face,” he said with an open-mouthed cackle. Liam saw for the first time that the hunter was missing quite a few teeth.
“That title no longer applies to me,” Liam stated, his face hard as stone.
Owen stopped his cackling, but a mocking grin remained. “Oh, I see,” he said with a shrug. “But that still doesn’t explain why you’re in me room. Why don’t you go to the local tavern and see if they need a mystic? Perhaps you can entertain the local drunks for a few copper pieces.”
“Careful, hunter,” Liam warned, knuckles tensing against his white staff. “I did not come here to listen to you joke of my lost status.”
“Then why are you here?” he growled, no longer grinning. “I’ve no time for your games old man. If you’ve something to say, then say it so I can be on my way.”
“Tell me what you know of Viola,” Liam shot back. He watched Owen’s eyes carefully. Reading others was one of his greatest talents, and now was a good time to display that talent.
“So the thing has a name,” Owen replied, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Not much to tell, really. I heard a few rumors about a captured witch or demon, and I wanted to see it myself. I assure you she’s neither.” A knowing smile reappeared on his face. “Then again, you already knew that.”
“I did,” Liam admitted. “Yet, somehow
you already knew she was in captivity before you reached our city.”
“I did,” Owen also admitted. A long silence followed, the two dangerous men sizing each other up. “I know a fool when I see one,” Owen continued. “Tricking Lord Alaric into believing she was simply diseased was easy. Soon after that, I bargained to take her with me in exchange for investigating the recent attack. A fair price, I’d say.”
“You deprived her of food and water for a full day,” Liam shot back, still angry at that fact.
“That had nothing to do with tricking Alaric,” he assured Liam. “That be a real test. I needed to see how her body would respond to a lack of sustenance. Tell me mystic, what better way to prove whether or not she be able to control her laberath blood?” Owen asked. And there it was. Liam’s eyes went wide, stunned that the Demon Hunter was even aware of what she was. He had greatly underestimated this man. “Seeing as how you still be alive, even after sleeping next to her for several hours, I can safely assume it has not overtaken her human side.” Another long silence passed.
“It seems that you and I share a secret,” Liam admitted, finally breaking the silence. “You asked why I came to you. I no longer have a place to call home. Therefore, I wish to travel with you, your apprentice, and Viola.”
“And why would I agree to that?” the hunter sneered.
“Because whatever it is you’ve gotten yourself into, you are in over your head. I know you think you’re invincible, but sooner or later you will require my services,” Liam reasoned. “As you can imagine, I have a lot of questions about your true reason for being here. But for now, it’s clear to me you have an objective. I am aware of your reputation, but you should be aware of mine as well. If you and I are not on the same side, then it stands to reason that you are my enemy. And that would be bad for both of us.”
The hunter’s smirk reappeared. “Are yea done?” he asked, arms folded across his chest.
