Starlight and Blood

CHAPTER 3

Va'ir couldnt believe that she was able to squeeze through the window. The wood had splintered against her skin digging into it. Sure to leave angry marks but she couldn't find it in herself to care. Even now as she ran through the woods she was grateful. Did she know where she was going ? No. However she knew one thing.

She had to get Away from the children of the moon. She shook the memories of the stories the shaman in her village would tell to the young. Stories of the children of the Moon. There were many different kinds.

The spirit beasts.

The nightwalkers.

And the bone collectors. Those were the ones that were the scariest. She couldn't be caught by them. Not again.

The earth cooled her burning soles. The musk and pine assault her nose mixing with the earthy tones of rock and soil. The hum of crickets did little to calm her. The snap of each twig cause her heart to go into overdrive.

She skidded to a halt. Her heart racing and lungs aching. Everything looked the same. Tree. Rock. Leaves. She panted. Calm. Deep breaths. She needed to calm down. Inhaling, she slowed her breathing. Her heart rate follows suit. She reopened her eyes.

The canopy of the trees above let little moonlight in. Casting sliver rays of light to littler the forest floor. The forest's scent filled her lungs, but instead of calming her, it heightened her anxiety. How could she be calmed? She couldn't. Not with every chirp of a bird. Every twig she snapped. Every single sound made her feel like prey.

"Stars of the night lend me your light." She whispered. Warmth filled her belly and moved through her veins and into her hands. Her finger tingled. Stardust gathered at her wrists. It crackled and pooled like fire sparks. A creature was born from her magic. It shimmered like a comet leaving a trail of silver sparkles in their wake. The small creature zipped excitedly through the night. The light following behind spreading around the darkness.

"Please little one I know you are excited to be alive but help me." She whispered trying to appease the creature. It stopped for a moment, shimmering as it flittered around her head. It's form looked to be a mixture of fae and horse. It mattered not though.

It darted off into the forest leaving a trail of light and hope in its wake. She followed behind it through the thick trees for minutes. The branches tore at the cloth around her legs. It was a wonder how anyone could even get through the dense foliage. Her fingers gripped the base of a skinny tree as she took a breath. After a bit longer she stopped.

The creature dimmed before zipping towards her and merging into her chest, filling her with warmth. She gasped from the sudden impact. It was quiet. Too quiet. And the behavior of the creature let her know she was in immediate danger.

The wind howled, bouncing off of the bark of the trees and echoing. Forcing a stray lock of hair up into the wind carrying her scent through the leaves. They shook in warning. Her eyes casted up. For a movement she held her breath. Hoping from tree to tree trying to catch what wasn't supposed to be there. The light of the moon casted even more shadows against the branches. All for the dark spot centered near canopies.

Silence fell.

When had the birds stopped their call? When had the crickets gone silent? Now all that could be heard was the rustling of the leaves as the wind shook them. The rushing of the blood flowing to her ears. The drumming of her heart in her chest. Then... A heavy thud echoed behind her as branches groaned. The shift and vibrations made her shiver.. The ground shutter. Leaves scattered around them. She turned—and saw him.

"You are far from home, little human." it spoke while approaching her.

She stepped back.

"She smells of another horde." Another spoke from the shadows. She tensed. Changing her directions. The hair on her arms tingled.