The Rose Anthology

Baby Save Me (Darkfantasyreads)

The castle was a sight, especially with the crescent moon graceful overhead behind its pointy towers. Tall arched stained glass windows, stone palisades on walkways connecting one tower to another. Those were manned by patrolling sentries in pinesteel plate. 

It's little wonder what they are protecting or rather who. 

The supposed saviour of the known realm dwelled inside the castle walls. I wonder why he isn't out there saving the realm instead of hiding. 

The soft winds in the quiet night brought the promise of trouble. The oppressive silence was loud with the presence of its inhabitants. The wraiths of Neverimm dwell in the silence of our world, so the priests say, and Rose found enough truth in it. 

Rose exhaled and leapt into the air, when he was clear of the tree cover, he shifted into a company of bats. An hundred wings flapping discordantly as they flew in a trailing arc over the castle. They circled the castle, before diving into the dark corners of the castle's shadow. The vampiric rat-like creatures hissed and chittered as they took form into a dhampir. 

Rose cracked his neck. No matter how many times I do it, I still can't get used to it. 

He kept to the shadows discreetly, his eyes and ears watching and listening for company. After half an hour of wandering and avoiding a couple of stoop-backed priests, he happened upon a door. It would have been like every other he'd passed save for the fact it had a series of locks and chains. 

Rose pressed his ear against the cool iron door, listening for any sound on the other side. There was, soft and concordant. A human. You would think with this many locks they were keeping the devil himself in chains inside. How to get in?

Breaking that door would surely alert every sentry on the castle walls not to mention those within the castle, worse they might happen upon him before he had managed to make an opening. He had one good option. 

At the end of the hallway was a stained glass window, he pushed it open, slowly to prevent the hinges from creaking their protest. 

The crescent moon was still splendid in her graceful arc and silver light as he hovered to the window of the heavily locked room. The windows were locked from the inside much to his irritation, forcing him to result to an old trick. 

Tap. Tap. Tap. His claws clicked against the glass, hoping it drew the attention of whoever or whatever was on the other side of the window. 

It did after several taps. He pressed himself against the side as the window was pushed open. Rose whooshed into the room. 

Wide, confused eyes rested on him as he relaxed against the door. He, however shared the sentiment, for Rose was equally confused. 

Maybe I have the wrong room. Wait…

Dark hair, hazel eyes, a scar on both eyebrows. No bloody way. 

“Who are you?” The boy asked. Boy, the boy, the supposed saviour of the world was a boy. He barely looks twelve! 

“What's your name boy?” The boy didn't answer immediately, hazel eyes studying Rose with a piercing gaze. 

“Shanti Ali.” Damn. 

Rose pressed his pinched the bridge of his nose. At least now I know why he isn't saving anyone.  “They didn't pay me enough to worry about this. I need a drink,” he muttered. 

“Well, Shanti,” he said, “the world needs you. My clients think it does anyway.” 

Shanti looked at his feet. “I do not understand,” he said in clipped aristocratic tones.