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Her story had come around and not in a good way.
It was tragic.
Four months back, when the weather was warmer, Irina Adamescu never would have imagined that she would return to the place where her nightmare first began, hovering over the stream at the backside of Castle Dimitrescu with a bamboo rod in her hand.
The Duke, with whom she had spent the last four months, waiting in the altar area, had sent her out to catch dinner. Her luck had improved at least, as she already had six fish in her basket; it was enough, but Irina wanted to catch one of the two rare gold fish in hopes that the Duke would make Sarmale de Peste (rare fish Sarmale); fish stuffed cabbage rolls. He talked about them so often that she craved a taste.
Irina began to sing "Yearning for Dark Shadows" beneath her breath as she waited. Her eyes turned curiously to the castle; it was too quiet. Strangely, since Miranda left, the Lords went into seclusion. It was almost like the four of them had abandoned the village, but Irina knew better because the mold was still inside her. She could hear the voices more clearly, the eerie calling of the Megamycete as it begged to become one with her.
Some nights it was unbearable; sleep didn't come easy. And sometimes, on rare occasions, Irina would black out and come to clawing at the frozen earth as if she was trying to dig down into the cavern where the Megamycete was located. She was terrified but other than tying herself down at night, there was no cure.
Irina wasn't sure how long she had left.
"Hello, sorrow. Because of you, I am ––"
A sudden but far away howl interrupted her. Strange. The inhuman wails started last night; she heard them beyond the gate in the eastern part of the village. It was haunting, and the worst part was that Irina knew what was making them, the Lycans. But what were they doing in the village? Perhaps they were always lurking about in the shadows and until now, she wasn't aware.
Irina just hoped that no one from the village had been killed. She had witnessed their strength. If not for the enhancements, Klinge would not have been able to kill the Lycan; its speed and aggression were not to be taken lightly.
The rod in her hand jerked forward and Irina turned her attention back to the stream to see that she had a bite. Grinning, she set the hook and to her relief, the fish had not gotten away. It began to fight back, thrashing in the water, but Irina pulled the fish towards her with the rod and began to reel it in.
Once it was close to the shore where she was standing, she noticed its gold color. An air of triumph consumed her. Irina did it; she caught a rare fish. She grasped it behind the head once it was out of the water and removed the hook, then she put it in the wire basket with the others.
Gathering her gear, Irina walked towards the camp, taking the cavern back. She hurried over to the carriage where the Duke was sitting and lifted the basket in childlike glee.
