The Price of Blood [ONC 2024] {SHORTLISTED}

Chapter Eight

I can't move. 

I don't know whether to run toward Caelen or as far away from him as possible. On one hand, this is the man I've been travelling with, a man I've grown to trust. One the other... 

I manage to scramble to my feet and I scan the area around me. The flames are spreading around the clearing, smoke clouding the air. I ignore the sting in my eyes, unsure if it's from the smoke or something else, and stumble toward my aunt and cousin. 

I can't focus on Caelen now, not in the middle of all this. 

I manage to find a path through the flames sweeping the area and finally reach the crowd around my family. Most of the poachers are backing away from the growing flames and they don't try to stop me from approaching. 

I kneel down next to Sav, unconscious in her mother's arms. "Will she be okay?" I ask. 

Adella turns to me, still pale. "I'm not sure," she says. "I managed to somewhat cushion her fall, but her bones are weak. I can't tell what kind of injuries she might have suffered." 

"And you?" 

"I'll be fine," Adella says, giving me a reassuring smile. "I can take care of myself. I still have no intention of flying, and one short use of my wings won't cause much damage. Did you find the blood?" 

I feel my cheeks get hot as I realize I completely forgot about our main reason for returning. 

Adella sighs. "Go check if Rory has it," she says. "The poachers don't look interested in fighting right now, and I can take care of Sav by myself." 

I nod and dart back over to where Rory is lying on the ground. They're starting to regain consciousness, so I hurry to check their pockets, carelessly tugging at the fabric. I fumble through the contents of their pockets as they start to open their eyes, and I finally feel the cool glass of the blood vial. 

Rory's eyes open and I scramble away, clutching the vial tightly. I glance down for a moment, just long enough to confirm that this one has the blood, its silver sheen glowing in the rays of sunlight streaming through. 

I can't let myself get tricked again. 

Rory pushes themself up, lunging toward me faster than I can react, and before I know it I'm back on the ground, wrestling to keep the vial in my grip. 

Rory manages to pin me down, grabbing for the vial I'm clutching close to my chest. I manage to twist away for a brief second, trying to get to my feet before Rory knocks me over again. 

I lash out at their legs, managing to trip them up. Rory crashes to the ground and I start to crawl away, but they grab ahold of my ankle, pulling me back. 

I kick out again but this time Rory is ready. 

They pull me back, my chest scraping against the ground. I bite my lip to stop myself from crying out. 

Suddenly, their grip loosens and I manage to pull my leg away. I whirl to face Rory and see Caelen yanking them back. 

That's the second time he's saved me. 

I glance back at the vial I'm clutching, double-checking it's the right one before I hurry back over to my aunt and cousin. Sav is conscious now, clutching her side, and I try not to gag at the sight of all the blood. Adella looks toward me expectantly, and I shove the vial in her hands, not wanting anything else to do with it. 

I glance around the haze of the clearing, squinting through the smoke. Most of the poachers have retreated, and only Rory remains standing, looking almost limp in Caelen's grip.