The Blood Witch

16: Some New Friends

~ Rhaenys Vissera, blood witch ~

Kai, Mithra, Haakon, Callidora, and I just stand there, staring after the space where Zunera was. She was just stabbed by someone. But who?

"We can track the portal," Mithra mutters, walking over to the space and twirling her hands in front of the space. Kai approaches her slowly.

"Mithra, we can't. We need to try and figure out how to get out of here," he says.

"Agreed," mutters Haakon. "Gods never do things like that for shits and giggles. We should be glad she's gone, because she would've wanted something else from us."

Mithra sighs. "I know we don't trust the gods. I really, really do. But she saved Kai. That means something to me."

He sighs and gently rests a hand on her shoulder.  "Mithra, we need to get out of the Darkscape, especially before the gods send something after us."

"I agree with him," says Callidora.

"Aye, aye," says Haakon.

Mithra turns to me then. "And you, Rhaen?"

I look at the others, then back to her. I understand what she is saying. I do. But... the gods are selfish. They're the reason we are here. But yes, Zunera and Krihla both risked it all to help us ....

Suddenly, a scream rips through the woods.

"Huh. That's new," says Haakon.

I turn and head toward the screams, only for Haakon to grab my arm. "No, Rhaen. We can't just run after every scream we hear."

But just as he stops talking, another scream rips from someone's throat. I shake Haakon free. "I need to go. I ... I can feel something. Something about them. They need help, Haakon. And besides, they could become allies."

"Or they could kill us all!" he protests. He rounds on the others. "Come on, tell me I'm making sense here!"

"You are," says Mithra.

"See?" Haakon turns to me. "She agrees with me, and —"

"I agree, yes. But if Rhaen is honestly feeling some kind of pull toward them, I cannot deny that that is something that happens and something that's big." Mithra nods toward Kai. "We should go with her. She might need help."

"Ah, fuck.... fine," Haakon grumbles. "Lead the way, Rhaen."

The five of us run into the thick foliage, the sky above lightening as day comes to the world. But the woods are dark, and we keep tripping over roots and branches. Until I see a flash of light in the direction we are headed. The five of us find the light once more, and head toward it. Another scream rips out, and I press myself to run faster.

Just then, a loud voice shouts out from the shadows of the trees. "Stop right there!"

We stumble to a stop. "We are here to help!" I cry, looking around for any sign of the person who spoke.

Suddenly, a tall Black man steps from behind a tree, a pair of serrated daggers in his hands. Amber eyes glowing with red energy, I realize that he's a vampire.

"We don't want to hurt you," Haakon says.  "We heard screams and Rhaen here was drawn toward them. Sorry, we are trying to tamper her desire to seek out danger."

"You truly want to help?" asks the vampire.

"That's why we are here," I say, holding my hands up in surrender. "I'm Rhaenys, and these are my friends. We can help you. Fates know that the gods won't."