When the Moon Shines Red [Part 1/2]

3. To Deal

Left huddled on the floor, Serkis rocked himself back and forth. His older brother's premonition echoed menacingly in his psyche. It would for a long time, no doubt.

Swallowing, he slowly rose to his feet. He glanced toward the ceiling, sensing Sueiry on the second floor and fast asleep. Now was the best time to leave, though he couldn't go far.

He manifested the dagger and its belted scabbard in his hand. Now that it was sheathed, it didn't sting as much. He stared at it.

Why are we here? he articulated to Jasck.

Because she is one of ours.

He slowly nodded. It made sense but still didn't settle with them, not anymore. Not after what Boogellooen said—no, warned.

But it was their duty as gods to protect their own. To protect those who gave them power, those who revered and worshiped them. It was a natural part of a god's existence.

Over the many epochs, they had kept their witches safe from other deities and beings that tried to eradicate them. They never had a reason to go so far as to protect a single one of them before.

What made this different?

He frowned. "She wasn't even calling us," he whispered.

No, but she's like that other one...

His face twisted into a pained scowl. "Dammit, Jasck, we agreed never to speak of her." He dismissed the similarities, lifting his hat from the floor to don it. "There's something else, anyway. If we don't take care of this, the rest of our people may be next."

He recalled the hunters dressed in white. Whoever they were, they were given a tool—or tools—to hurt them. He could only imagine what it would do to a Dark witch.

Nodding in an attempt to convince himself, he disappeared from the house.

He reappeared outside, observing the building. It was a small old two-story house perfect for one person. The outdoor's crisp autumn air helped him clear his thoughts, and he suddenly took note that Sueiry had yet to choose a familiar. There was much she had to learn, and he couldn't deny the idea of having a pupil was...interesting, mortal or not. Perhaps if he thought about it this way, he could focus more easily.

Content, he moved to sit in the rocking chair on the porch and shut his eyes.

* * *

The sun hadn't yet broken over the horizon when the sound of the door unlocking and opening brought his gaze to his right. The dark brown door went ajar, and a single brown eye and part of a face peeked out. He softly scoffed with amusement, taking a deep inhale of his cigarette.

"Oh, hello." Sueiry opened the door entirely, revealing she was wearing a long, fluffy black robe over her equally long midnight nightgown. "I thought you might be out here."

"Did you now." He turned his head forward, letting his eyes close.

She made a soft sound. "Good morning." Her footsteps were soft, and he slanted an eye open to see her approach by a few steps.

He grunted as he yawned, fully closing his eye.

"You didn't sleep?"

"I didn't." He stretched his legs out and laced his fingers together. "I don't really need to."

"Then why do you yawn?"

"Good question." He didn't answer it.

"I see..."