Dragon's curse

chapter forty

I lost him, I lost the only man that I thought understood me for who I really am and I don’t even know what to do any more. Jeff… He died from a stab wound to the side and lost too much blood, Count tried to save him. I-I didn’t even get to tell him that I was in love with him, that I wanted to spend more time with him. He made me feel like a normal person, not a monster or a person that was cursed but just a normal ordinary human girl. We are supposed to be bringing his body to the council when we drop off the prisoner and Jaff off at the counsel of the monster hunters of the court system.

Jaff stayed up most of the night, he could not sleep that night as the sun slowly rose up in the sky. Ash slept soundly as he slowly left the motel and got the horses ready for the day in only an hour. Suddenly, Count came walking out of the motel and quickly saw Jaff tightening the straps of the satils. He walked up to Jaff until he was only a few feet from him and quickly stopped walking. A wave of nausea filled Jaff as he suddenly started to lose his balance, count quickly caught him as he started to fall over to the ground from exhaustion.

Jaff said in a short and exhausted breath, “I’, alright.

Count quickly asked in a concerned voice, “Did you even get any sleep last night?”

There was a long moment of silence before Jaff replied, I will get my horse ready for the road and help you three get to your destination.”

Jaff said slowly, “You…You don’t have to do that, I am still able to ride a horse.”

“I aperintly do need to come with you and I will come with you, no if ands or buts about it alright. Look at you kid, you can hardly keep your eyes open let alone stand on your own two feet.” Said Count sternly as he brought Jaff back into the motel.

He quickly brought him to his room and carefully laid him down on one of the beds with ease. Count then walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him as he walked down the hallway and out of the motel. He quickly walked down the road to a small, red barn and walked into the barn as the hinges squealed as the door opened. 

Count asked as he poked his head through the doorway, “Hello, is there anyone here?”

A voice came from the darkness and replied, “Count, is that you? I’m sorry, I have to work in the dark right now. The horse I am working on has to stay in the dark and she is very sick.”

Count smirked as he came into the barn and asked “I need a horse to travel for an unknown amount of time.”

“I see… I think, hang on a second, I just need to get… this… latch.” Said the vice that was hidden in the darkness.

Count sighed as he asked “Do you need help James?”

James replied “There, I have a nightshade horse ready to go for you and as a boness, you can keep her.”

“Thanks, I owe you one.” Count said as he walked over to the wall that was surrounded by darkness. 

James asked with curiosity, “So, why do you need the horse anyways?”

Count replied “I am going to close the motel for a little bit so if anyone asks…” 

James interrupted “Yea, yea. I know, tell them that you are out of town because of family matters. Don't worry about it but do you know how long you will be gone by any chance. I really don't want to tell your sister that you have disappeared for a certain amount of time.”

Count said in a slightly guilty voice, “You may have to because I don't know how long I will be gone for but trust me, it is important.”

James smiled as he said while handing the horse over to Count, “Be safe on your travails and who you travel with.”