by N. M. Howell
“Interesting,” I whispered as my eyes wandered across the paper.
I studied the outline of the castle, the labels on each separate sector, and committed the path to memory. It looked like there was a village beyond the shifter colony. If I could sneak out before dawn, no one would hear me…
“Sadly, our food source has been limited due to their location,” Draven continued.
“Are they blocking you from getting food?” I asked.
He shook his head.
“Not quite. It's just been a battle for land. But that's a tale for another night. I'm afraid it's time for you to tuck in, little miss,” he announced.
With a sigh, I leaned back against my pillows and waited as Draven fluffed them. He planted a kiss on my forehead and then stroked my cheek lovingly, offering me a warm smile to keep for the evening.
“You will make a phenomenal fang,” he said.
“You think so?” I asked.
“I know it,” he replied.
After another forehead kiss, he wished me a good day and then left the room, leaving me alone with the dim light from the lamp on my bedside table and the map laid out on my thighs. I looked over the markings.
Guard your thoughts, Riley, I told myself. It's going to be a long day.
Chapter Eleven
The last slither of daylight peeked from behind the curtains and illuminated the floor, striking the vanity with every last ounce of strength it had. I watched it slowly fade while clutching the paper map to my chest. I didn't get much rest. The sleep I had succumbed to was filled with demonic wolves who chased me perpetually through the forest. When I had finally fallen to their mercy, I had awakened.
It was nearly time.
The golden rays dimmed and I jumped into action, quietly moving about the room to collect what few items I had. I would need to feed as soon as I left in order to prepare for the long night ahead. I already had a packet of squirrel's blood that Draven had left behind tucked away in my satchel where it was carefully wrapped in a cotton cloth. I patted it gently.
“You'll have to get me through the night,” I whispered.
A creak came from the other side of the room. I turned abruptly with my dagger in hand, ready to face whomever might have entered my room unannounced. No sound came but the clock from the mantel, ticking away the diminishing daylight. I had to move fast.
I heaved a sigh of relief and slipped my dagger into my pocket as I walked over to the vanity. I wouldn't need all this make-up on my journey. It was nice while it lasted, but it was just another reminder of my humanity. I picked up a black ribbon and tied my hair back in a braid to keep it out of my face. A pesky lock fell over my forehead and I tucked it behind my ear, examining my pale features.
I had gotten even paler since feeding on animal blood. The thirst kicked in faster this evening, much faster than usual, alerting me that I was eventually going to become immune to that, too. I met my gaze in the mirror and gulped.
“Come on, Riley,” I whispered. “Don't get caught up here.”
After swallowing the knot in my throat, I grabbed my satchel and slung it over my shoulder. It felt light.
Perfect for running.
I checked my pocket for my dagger one last time and eyed the light seeping behind the curtain. It was fading faster now. Once it dimmed sufficiently, I quietly opened my bedroom door and peered around the corner. The halls were empty and no commotion came from the neighboring rooms. I took that as my cue to bolt.
I flew past the portraits lining my hallway—the hallway I would soon leave behind for good—and sprinted towards the servant stairs on the west side of the house. They were smaller, more cramped, but excellent for avoiding the main coven masters. Sirus came to mind suddenly. I frowned at the thought of his disappointed gaze, his thin nose pointed up towards the heavens with disgust. He would growl at me for such insolence, but I had no other choice.
He gave me no other choice.
I tripped over my own shoes and tumbled down, my satchel flying from my shoulder and nailing the left wall. I froze. A quick glance revealed no one had heard the drop, so I grabbed my satchel quickly and sped down the rest of the stairs.
The front door was within reach. I held my hand out to touch the knob, imagining how cold it would feel between my stiff fingers. It would feel like ice, but it would also feel like freedom. I grinned the closer I drew. When my fingers wrapped around the knob, I shoved my body against the door and collided into a body on the other side.
I collapsed to the ground and my satchel went flying in the opposite direction.
“You fool!” I cried while scurrying to retrieve it.
The hooded figure grabbed the satchel and held it up. His free hand rose to drop the hood from his face, revealing himself as Adrian.
“We keep running into each other,” he announced. “It's as if we were meant to do this.”
I shook my head.
“Not this time,” I stated firmly.
“And where are you going at this hour? I don't suppose Draven sent you to collect any herbs this early in the evening,” he said while gesturing towards the disappearing orb at the edge of the horizon.
The light barely touched us. It was fading quickly as the sun descended, causing the courtyard to glow an iridescent red. My eyes remained focused on Adrian.
“I can't lie to you,” I said. “But I also can't stay.”
“What are you talking about? Why wouldn't you want to stay?”
I looked away from those piercing blue eyes. That betrayed gaze stung my heart, pulling at the strings that had mended its torn spots. He was trying to get a rise out of me with those eyes and I simply couldn't fall for it. I couldn't afford to fall for it.
“You know exactly why I can't stay here,” I replied rigidly.
“But everything was pointing in the right direction. You were doing so well,” he insisted. “I don't get it.”
“There's nothing to get other than the fact that I refuse to take a human life,” I continued. “I wouldn't dare put you through seeing me burn at the stake. I care too much.”
“You don't care,” he accused. “You only want to protect yourself, but trust me when I say you won't survive three hours out there by yourself.”
“Oh, you really think so?” I asked heatedly.
“I can tell by your demeanor that you're ill-prepared for this trip. Even your bag weighs less than the thoughts skulking around in your brain about me and my family,” he asserted. “Your pompous attitude won't save you in the forest, my dear.”
“I take that as a challenge,” I said proudly.
“If only that worked for you before. If only we knew that believing in you wouldn't work. Perhaps then you would have become the proper fang you're supposed to be,” he said smugly.
“Nothing could make me a proper fang, not even you,” I rebutted.
“I was at your side for every difficult part of your journey. You never even thanked me for the work I've done,” he claimed.
“For pleasing me? For pushing me towards something I didn't want to do? You comforted me, yet you also pressured me to do what I didn't want to do,” I growled.
“For your health, Riley!” he cried while tossing the satchel to the ground. “This is for your health! If you don't feast, you will die. It’s as simple as that.”
I shut my eyes as he yelled, taking every word as a stab to my gut.
“I know what I have to do. I know I can survive on animal blood alone. It's going to work,” I asserted. “And you can join me if you want.”
“Join you?” he scoffed.
“Yes, don't you love me?” I asked. “Sirus said—”
“Love you...” he whispered while shaking his head. “There's nothing to love about a vampling who denies her own function. You realize that by leaving, you’re hurting this coven. Your life is no longer solely yours, you know. You belong to us.”
And just like that, he twisted the knife that he had verbally plunged into my
gut. I swallowed the tears that threatened to surface, too proud to allow him the honor of seeing me cry. He didn't deserve my tears. He didn't even deserve my disgust. None of them did. They were all just holding me back from discovering something new.
“I didn't choose this. I was hurled into the darkness without warning, my fragile body suffering through every wretched sight in this dump,” I explained. “I refuse to participate in a world that didn't care to ask me for permission.”
“We saved you,” he growled. “And you have done nothing but disrespect us.”
“I gave you a shot, Adrian. I tried,” I said.
“No, you didn't,” he whispered while looking down at the ground. “So, it brings me no joy and no sorrow to sound the alarm.”
I reached out to stop him, but his mouth was already wide open. A sort of croak erupted from his throat and escalated into a high-pitched wail, echoing throughout the courtyard. I looked up towards the castle. Curtains shifted about and pale faces followed, peering down into the courtyard with curiosity.
It was time to run.
Chapter Twelve
I bolted from the courtyard without my satchel and took the dirt path that led to the maze. I sped past the entrance and weaved my way through the bushes, darting around cement benches and porcelain statues. I knew this maze by heart. I was positive I could make it through to the other side without being caught.
A slew of voices rang out behind me coupled with growls. The witch hunt was on, and I would likely be slaughtered upon capture. No stake for me. I would be torn to pieces by the mob in search of my insolent soul.
I ducked under a set of bushes and came out on the other side. The woods loomed menacingly in front of me while reflecting that last few rays of dusk. I quickly glanced behind. The mob was closing in on the other side of the bushes and I had to steel my mind lest Adrian read my thoughts in order to follow my mental imprint. I looked forward and took off, disregarding the sinking feeling in my gut.
Darkness fell over me beyond the tree line. I huffed and pumped my legs faster, my chest heaving as I hurled over a rotting branch. I hiked my skirts higher to propel myself faster, but I couldn't seem to elude the growls coming from behind. The further I ran, the darker it became, and I squinted in heated desperation to see.
My boot hooked under an unseen rock and hurtled me through the darkness. I plummeted to the ground, the fall knocking the wind out of me and forcing me to remain still. I raised my head but immediately dropped it when I heard voices. The sound of boots crunching through brush made my heart skip a beat and I covered my mouth. I heard them shuffle closer.
“Can you see anything?”
“No, she must have ducked down somewhere.”
“Sirus isn't going to be happy about this.”
“Nobody is happy. She could potentially ruin the coven with that fat fanged mouth.”
“If we don't find her, she'll likely fall prey to the wolves.”
“One can only hope.”
The voices faded out and I breathed a sigh of relief, sitting up to check over the rock that had caused my tumble. I watched two figures dissipate with the darkness. They were walking away. As soon as they were gone, I rose and sprinted. Everywhere I turned was dark. Though my eyes had adjusted, I could still feel the black night pressing in on my fragile shoulders. They bore the weight of decision. They held it up timidly on two shaky legs. My run slowed to a light jog and I looked up towards the sky.
So much for having a map, I thought. I still remember which direction to go. All I need to do is find the north star… There!
I broke into another sprint and didn't stop until I reached a clearing. A pond sat in the middle, reflecting some of the twinkling stars above. On the other side of the pond was the path that would lead past the mountain and then I could potentially reach civilization. It had been months since I had seen another human, likely longer than that since time seemed to stand still in that castle.
As I approached the pond, I heard the crackle of branches and a low, guttural growl. I gasped and clutched my skirts. My wide eyes scanned the trees to look for whatever creature might be lurking in the darkness. Though I had lost the vampire coven with relative ease, I would likely have to face a new danger—the werewolves.
Nothing appeared on the other side of the pond and the trees remained still, even when a phantom breeze whipped about the bottom of my skirt. It fluttered the fabric briefly before tumbling away into the distance. The smell of patchouli lingered. I chalked it up to my encounter with Adrian who, though I was fond of him, had proved to be nothing more than a cog in the machine.
Another branch snapped, much louder than the first. I stalked my way around the pond with my eyes fixed on the trees, bracing myself while procuring my dagger from my pocket. I pointed it towards the trees.
“Be warned,” I called out. “I am not afraid to fight.”
A growl responded from my right and I darted towards the path, listening with horror to the frenzied animal chasing after me. I sprinted between the trees, took an immediate left, and watched the flash of fur rush past me. I leaned against the bark of a tree. My heart was pounding against my chest and my blood rush feverishly through my limbs. The ends of my fingers and toes were swollen with hysteria as fresh blood pumped from my neck through my legs.
I think it's gone, I thought hopefully. It looks like it's gone.
As I leaned against the trunk of the tree, I felt it buckle and creak. I heard a huff come from above. When I looked up, two yellow eyes stared back at me from one of the branches. The growl that followed prompted me to sprint again, leaping and skipping my way down the path. I didn't bother to turn. I knew the creature was biting at my heels. The anticipation was daunting—at every turn I expected to be snapped in half—but I found myself slowing as I neared a cave and listened to the empty sounds from behind.
I turned to face the ominous woods. The trees stood silent, glaring back at my dilated eyes as they scanned the surrounding area for the danger that had been perceived. Was I going mad? The creature wasn't there. Nothing was there. Not a sound came from the baneful trees. Their branches hung together like curtains, guarding the secrets behind their foreboding leaves. I took a sharp, shaky breath and then turned towards the cave.
The entrance gaped wide open, like a mouth waiting to chomp down. It looked menacing compared to the trees behind me, but I stepped forward regardless of its sinister appearance. I could have walked around the cave, perhaps stepped aside from the path, and made my way around the looming mountain. I wouldn’t have a hope of losing the vampires that way, though. And the risk of staying out past daylight was too great. I halted in my tracks at the opening of the cave. My heart thundered in my chest as I weighted my options.
But my curiosity was peaked.
A chilly wind swooped in and caught me off guard, pressing me forward towards the opening of the cave. It looked warmer inside. Without hesitation, I stepped over the threshold and wandered down the lengthy tunnel. It grew deafening silent as I walked along, pressing my hand to the solid, moist wall to keep myself steady. The air smelled damp and acrid, I could almost taste the air on my tongue as I sucked in a breath. I took careful steps to avoid falling into a pit. It was easy to get hurt in this kind of darkness. It was so thick that I choked on its density, taking shallow breaths the further I descended into the mountain.
I heard clicking. Alarmed, I stopped in my tracks and pointed my dagger around in the darkness. I wielded left and then right, hoping to catch whatever it was by surprise. But I was merely cutting through concrete silence. No other sound except the clicking came from the cave. My laborious breathing rose into a heated panic as I realized I had turned myself around. I couldn't find the wall. The cave suddenly felt much smaller than it had before, practically turning itself into a coffin.
More clicking erupted from behind me. I turned around and around, but my eyes hardly focused on anything in the dark tunnel. It didn't feel like I was alone anymore. I rea
ched out my hand and collided with something furry, causing me to hop back and squeal.
“Who’s there?” I called out.
A snarl responded and I dropped my dagger, hugging my shoulders to keep myself safe.
“You have wandered into dangerous territory, little fang,” growled a gruff voice. “And unfortunately, we're going to have to show you what we do to wandering fangs that threaten our pack.”
“I come in peace,” I called back. “I promise I wasn't trying to harm you. I was being chased through the woods.”
“You imposed on our territory,” the smooth muscular voice continued.
“That wasn't my intention. I was trying to get around the mountain. I haven't fed in hours and I'm very dizzy, but I refuse to drink human blood. I need a bird or a raccoon...” my explanation faded as I felt my head swirl. “Please...”
Wordlessly, I went limp and hit the ground.
Consciousness returned slowly and painfully. Cold stone walls dripping with moisture swam in and out of my vision as a massive figure dragged me across the rough ground, tearing my clothes and slicing open my skin. Too weak to fight, I closed my eyes and let the darkness claim me again.
The brutal slap of icy water forced me into a painful awareness. A crude torch cast flickering shadows across the walls of a rough cavern. Four hulking forms circled me, discussing my fate.
"Kill it," one voice barked harshly.
There was a grunt of agreement.
"Wait," another one argued. "Question it first. We need to know what the hell it's doing on our territory."
A third figure waved its hand at me, disgust obvious in the gesture even in the gloom. "Look at it, it's barely alive. I've never seen one so frail."
Fear forced my voice past the weakness of my body. "Please, don't kill me."
"It speaks."
I thought it was the one who had spoken first.
The shadows flickered wildly as another person carrying a second torch joined the group, this man larger and more fierce-looking than the rest. His presence made me tremble, my body shaking uncontrollably.
