The Venatrix

Chapter Five

My skin feels like it's on fire. My stomach feels like it's in knots. Werewolf territory is about a mile ahead and I'm so thirsty. This girl is a walking blood bag at this point. Her features have disappeared. All I see is veins. Which one could I get the most blood from? When she tries to talk to me it just sounds like muffled water. I must really strain to listen and understand what she is trying to say.

Something else is eating at me. I feel like we are being watched. No, I know we are being watched. I glance around and can't locate the potential threat. My senses are extremely dull compared to normal due to my thirst for blood. Fuck, if they were to attack there is no way I could protect us both in this state. 

"Hey kid is there any way you could get someone's attention from within the territory?" I ask. 

"I'm honestly surprised that they haven't come to investigate. We are really close to the territory line and with all of the vampire attacks they should be on high alert."  She says with genuine concern. 

I remove my gun from its holster and rack the slide. The girl spins around to look at me. It's almost as if she's saying, "You can't be serious." Even with my dulled senses, the closer we get I know that the danger isn't wolves. They are under attack. 

"Alright kid, here is what we are going to do." We are going to take one step over the territory line. Then you are going to scream as loud as you can." I ordered. 

"Why?" She asks. I reach down and flip the on switch on the flamethrower. If I am going to risk my life to fight in this state then I'm going to mow them down with everything that I have.

The second we walked over the territory line; the girl looked at me. I gave her a swift nod confirming what I wanted her to do. She takes half a step away from me tilts her head back and lets out a shrill high-pitched scream that makes even my ears ring. I pull her back. 

"Stay close to me." I order as we start quietly moving through the territory. The first thing that I quickly noticed was there is not a lot of forest cover past the line. Which means we are basically walking targets. The second thing that I noticed is there isn't a soul in sight. Either we aren't far enough in, or they have been captured in the few minutes since we got here. 

Black spots fill my vision. A sharp pain shoots through my skull. I know this feeling all too well. Its blood lusts. I'm starting to lose it. I am going to have to feed soon, or I am going to kill someone. 

"Hey kid, I need your help." I whisper. 

"I have a special condition. It's why I went into Retirement." I said lying through my teeth. 

"What kind of condition?" She asks. 

"When I get tired or overworked my vision gets fuzzy, sounds are muffled, and my nose feels stuffy.  so, I can't smell. It messes up my accuracy and I have a hard time telling who my true opponent is. I need you to make sure I don't shoot someone who is a part of your pack okay?" I explain, hoping that my lie is enough to convince this child. 

"Okay, I'll do the best that I can." She says, sounding rather unsure of herself. I don't like putting my trust in a kid but it's my best option. 

We walk for what feels like forever before I sense anybody. When I do, it feels like at least forty plus people. I hear what sounds like pleading and crying. 

"They have captured my dad, brother, his beta and his gamma. They have them on their knees with their hands behind their heads. They have their hands around their throats." She whispers. 

"Where is the rest of your pack?" I ask. 

"I don't see any women or children. All of the other warriors are tied up." She says.