I grit my teeth as sharp pain shoots through my senses, but I endure it.
This isnt the first serious wound Ive had.
By the time she finishes fifteen minutes later, Im drenched in sweat, my clothes sticking to my body, and Ive torn up my lower lip from biting it, but its truethe sharp pain from the beginning has faded.
You need to leave this on for a few days, and youll heal, dont worry, she explains, wiping her forehead tiredly.
Thank you so much, Laila.
I dont know how to repay you...
7m just returning your kindness, she smiles, and I return the gesture out of courtesy.
By the way, get plenty of rest, Celine.
Tonight, well pass near the place you want to go.
You need to be ready to run into the forest.
Inod, thanking her again.
I finish the broth and lie down to wait for my chance while the caravan continues on its way, the wheels rattling over the dirt road.
Laila stays with me for a while, and when we stop again, nowat night, she gets off and signals for me to stay alert.
Mia, be ready in case we have to shift, I tell my wolf, though I really dont want tofinding clothes scattered everywhere after transforming is never pleasant.
Peeking through the animal skins that serve as the carriage door at the back, I listen to the voices of the warlocks and their laughter around the campfire.
---- They re preparing their meals when suddenly, footsteps approach, and the skin flap is pulled aside abruptly.
Come on, Celine, quick, Laila whispers, glancing nervously behind her.
Ijump off the carriage without a second thought.
The wound on my thigh still burns, but I try to ignore it.
She grabs my hand, and crouching low, we move swiftly through the shadows of the carriages, hiding behind one of the large wheels.
A few meters ahead, I see the edge of the forest.
Wait.
She pushes me back, and we crouch in the darkness, waiting for the patrolling sorcerer to pass by.
Now, Celine, she whispers.
We hold hands and run toward the forest, diving into the protection of the trees.
We run a good distance until she stops, breathing heavily, looking back to make sure we arent being followed.
Phew, I dont have the same stamina as werewolves and vampires, she says, clutching her chest.
You shouldnt have risked coming with me.
You could have just pointed me in the right direction, I reply, feeling a little guilty for having doubted her good intentions.
Tts fine.
I can say I went out looking for herbs.
By the way, heres your mended and somewhat clean clothes, the cloak you were wearing, and some foodtake it just in case.
She hands me a bundle she was carrying, and I thank her again.
Keep going straight in that direction, and you should reach your people.
But be carefulvampires are patrolling everywhere, she warns.
The next time we meet, warlocks will rule this Realm, but you ll always be our friend, she says confidently before hugging me goodbye.
I dont say anything, just nod.
How could I explain to her that Queen Gabrielle is very much alive and already preparing her successor? Finally, I turn around and head in the indicated direction, all my senses on high alert.
I blend into the night and pray that I find my people soon.
sek LAILA She left without suspecting anything? My father was waiting for me at the edge of the forest near our caravan.
Yes, yes.
That wolf was quite cautious.
Honestly, Im glad I hid the spell well enough and even managed to infect her wound while she was unconscious, I say with a smirk.
J mixed it into the water I used to clean the infection.
Can you feel the link with the control spell? My father closes his eyes, and the magic stirs around him.
When he opens his eyes again, they glow with an intense golden hue.
Yes, yes, its coursing through her blood, he says before withdrawing his scrutiny from Celines body, returning to normal.
Tts better not to alarm her.
The spell is still fresh; we need it to spread deeper into her system, into her mind, before her wolf detects it.
Shes bound to encounter a vampire patrol soon.
Its time to break camp and get out of this dangerous place, I say as we move to inform ---- everyone that the charade is over.
When the time comes, well control her, and that woman will open the castle doors for us.
You did well, my little witch, my father ruffles my hair, and I smile smugly.
Theres an unspoken rule in this Realmwhoever controls the castle controls the Dark Realm.
And my clan of warlocks will be the next monarchs.
Ican already picture myself with the crown on my head.
Iran swiftly through the underbrush, my long braid swaying with my movement.
Foxes darted out of their dens, searching for nocturnal prey to hunt, while all sorts of insects made strange noises as I passed by.
The forest was coming to life, and soon, amidst its sounds, I also heard voices but not the ones I was looking for.
"Celine, dont go that way, theyre Vampires!" my wolf warned, and I came to an abrupt stop, looking around for a way to escape without running straight into an ambush.
Hey! a shout jolted me back into action, and I bolted to the right, following my instincts.
Once again, I was being chased, and this time, those men were much faster than the ones beforethey seemed like elite Vampires.
With my wounded thigh and several of them close behind, it was obvious Iwouldnt get far.
The wind howled past my ears when suddenly, my nose caught the scent of decay and something ancient.
"Veer left, quickly, Celine! Or we shift!" Mia warned me, and I always trusted her instinctsshe was rarely wrong.
Stop, witch! they shouted.
It seemed they had mistaken me fora sorceress.
You idiot, cant you see how fast she is? She must be a hybrid! insults ---- followed.
Just because part of me was vampire didnt mean they would show me any mercyto them, only pure blood mattered.
My boots sank into the soft grass.
I could hear them just steps behind me, and as I was about to shift into my wolf form, the tall iron fence of what appeared to be an ancient cemetery blocked my way.
Without hesitation, I leaped and climbed the rusted fence, which swayed and creaked dangerously but didnt give under my weight.
I was nearing the top when Mia growled at me.
"Jump to the other side, quickly! Theyre going to chain you again!" I threw myself over, landing heavily on the ground before rolling to my feet, facing them from the other side, baring my fangs, and hissing threateningly.
My senses kept searching for an escape, scanning the surroundings between the old trees and the moss-covered, lonely graves.
The atmosphere was eerie, yet I hadnt expected to see the sheer terror and shock on the faces of the three vampires chasing me.
They didnt even attempt to climb the ancient fence.
I took a step back.
If they tried, Id run againat least now I hada moment to gather information.
Tm just a traveler.
Im not involved in your war, I dont care about it.
Let me leave in peace, I said, not holding out much hope.
How can you cross the forbidden lands? What kind of spell are you using?! yelled a blonde vampire with long hair and a beautiful face, like most vampirescold and cruel like the rest.
T have no power.
I dont know what you re talking about...
Dont play dumb, you damn hybrid! Are you conspiring with the warlocks? Max...
the dark-haired vampire, who seemed to be the leader, stopped him from his outburst.
Truthfully, I had no idea what they were talking about.
Fine, if you say youre neutral...
in the end, were not savages.
Lets go, I won't waste more time on a woman of no importance! But Claus T said lets go, are you deaf?! I watched them leave, not entirely convinced.
I considered asking them about the werewolf army and where they were stationed, but that would put me directly in their sights.
Werewolves werent welcome here either.
Sighing, I looked back.
The white mist thickened, and the temperature dropped, but I had few options.
My leg throbbed from the frantic run; I needed to rest.
On alert, I walked through the cold, dirty graves, covered in vines that eroded the stones and moss that obscured the inscriptions.
An owl hooted in the sky and then perched on a branch of an old willow tree that seemed to weep with the night breeze.
I thought it was the only thing mourning the nameless souls buried here.
Where was this place that even those vampires didnt dare enter? Ipassed beneath the tree and felt a strange flutter.
I raised my hands to shield my face when a shriek and flapping wings echoed above me.
---- Bats.
I followed them with my eyes, tilting my head back as they rose into the sky, and I was left in shock.
Up there, on the mountain, far away, stood the massive, imposing castle of the Dark Realm, shrouded in mist as if hiding from prying eyes.
Well, Idont see whats so special about it.
Its just old rocks.
I was there for a few days, and I didnt like it one bit, I scoffed, not understanding this realms ridiculous logic.
Isearched for an old crypt and stepped inside despite the overwhelming stench of death.
I sat behind the closed door and looked at the stone coffin in the center.
Beyond that, darkness stretched out, but I could see there was no immediate danger.
Iclosed my eyes, setting my small bundle beside me, hugging my knees, and pulling the heavy hood over myself.
I only meant to rest for a few seconds, but whether it was the cold or exhaustion, I ended up falling asleep.
sek NARRATOR In the deepest, darkest, and oldest dungeon of the Crimson Castle, vampiric red eyeslike the purest ruby, like fresh blood drawn straight from the veinsopened to the night.
Aprey that smelled of pure ecstasy was near, and tonight, it would go hunting.