Shapeshifter, Fae and other Inconveniences

Chapter 4

Panic overflooded my system having to deal with Fae was pretty much every shifter's nightmare. Though they normally wouldn't attack my species for no good reason. 

Hectically I tried to pull myself out of the ropes my hands were tight up with. Clenching my teeth I pulled harder, but my efforts only ended up tightening the ropes even further. I could feel my blood supplies get cut off the skin around my wrists was by now cut open. 

The smell of burning cloth suddenly hit my nose the screams around me had slowly started to subside either the shifters managed to flee, or they were silenced using other methods. Since I couldn't make out the iron like smell of blood, I hoped for the first option, but it could just as well be the smoke that was blocking my nostrils. Since the tent I was held in was separated from the others I was praying to be spared from being burned alive. The fire would surely not burn for long anyways thanks to the previous rain.

 As I continued to unsuccessfully try to loosen my shackles I could hear muffled voices in the distance. It seemed as if the unwelcomed guests had started searching through the tent's bevor setting them aflame. Judging by the footsteps it must have been about five Fae in total plus their horses. There was no way I could escape five well trained Fae even if I where to use my magic. On the other hand, there was also no way I would just give up like that and let myself get captured in their hands. My best option now was to simply remain silent and hope they would simply overlook my slightly hidden tent. I would have to worry about actually getting out of here later on. 

Slumping back down to the floor and evening out my breath I listened to the footsteps of the invaders. And indeed, it sounded as if they had started to regroup and would soon mount their horses to leave the raided campsite. Hearing the trampling of hooves I already felt myself on the safe side being left undiscovered. 

Unfortunately for me my hopes were crushed just as fast as they were formed when I realised the horses where not moving away from me but rather going in my direction the sounds increasing the further the distance was closed. "Sir it seems we've missed one tent!" the voice of a young man announced. "Halt the horses!" An older sounding voice commanded in response. "Faolyn you go check out the tent!" My mind flooded with curses which I were desperately trying to hold in, of course luck was never on my side! A Fae, supposedly the one called Faolyn, got down his horse and started making his way over to me.

 A clean fresh smell invaded my nostrils leaving no room for doubt that it was really a group of Fae that had raided the campsite. Anxiety flooded my system I did not want to get captured by this particular species. Completely overtaken by fear I started wildly pulling on my ropes deepening the cuts on my wrists until I could feel warm blood flowing down my hands. I heard the curtains of the tent being pulled to the side and then someone stepped inside.

 "Uhm Sir, there is another shifter in here." Faolyn informed his superior after a moment of silence. "Just shoo it away so it can follow the other ferrets!" The elder sounding Fae barked back. Faolyn slowly made its way around my shackled form coming to a halt right in front of me before crouching down and taking in my appearance all the while keeping a safe distance as if he feared I could lash out and bite him. My ears where pulled completely back and downwards I bared my teeth at him with a snarl hoping I could distract the Fae from noticing the fear that had crept its way up into my eyes. "Sir, this one does not seem to be part of the ferret shifter pack."

 Faoyln said with a slight confusion in his voice. His eyes went down to my back most likely taking in the sight of my pathetic escape attempts which only left me with open wounds on my wrists. I was watching his every move very carefully. He had a very pretty face with smooth skin and round lips. I guessed his appearance to be around my age though that didn't really say anything about his actual age. His head was full of dirty blond curls that hung into face which was plastered with a serious observant expression. His bright brown eyes shoot me a look that resembled something like pity such feeling towards a shifter from a Fae took me by surprise. Catching me of guard I nearly missed the slight squinting of his eyes and the glint of curiosity that followed directed towards something on my arm.

 "Sir, I have found something interesting in here you might want to see this." I could hear grumbling and a loud sigh bevor his superior reluctantly started making his way over to the tent. Unconsciously my growling grew louder just like the fear spiking up inside of me. Next to Faolyn who gestured towards my arm a tall broad Fae crouched down. If he were human, he would most likely be in his forties with dark brown hair which contained wisps of sliver grey. His chin and cheeks were covered in beard stubbles adding to his aged appearance. The most remarkable feature of his face where the deep black orbs that were studying my arm. 

He lifted his head my eyes meeting his black ones. I could distinguish an ugly scar just underneath his right eye bevor averting my eyes not being able to tolerate his gaze. 

"We will be taking her with us." What!?

In shock about what he just said I inhaled sharply my face went rigid. Sure, I didn't expect them to just let me go without some insults or a few questions but them taking me as a prisoner? What benefit could I possibly give them. They couldn't have possibly found about me being a hybrid, could they? 

That's when I realised what it was, they had been studying so carefully. The curse which was imprinted on my arm. My cloth must have accidentally pulled upwards while I had been desperately trying to free myself. A curse could only ever be casted by a witch. And witches were rare even rarer than the shifters. The curse on my arm was an obvious sign that I had met one of these very rare creatures. 

So, it was the information that I held which would be of use to them. 

I was so lost in thought that I hadn't realised Faolyn taking out a dagger directing it towards my wrists he cut open the ropes that had previously been tying me to the pole. Pulsing flooded my veins finally supplying my hands with blood. 

Watching Faolyn put his weapon away I initiated one last pathetic try for freedom. Jumping up I decided to make a run for the tents entrance at least I would have not given up without a fight. However, having been tied down for so long and misjudging my lack of energy my legs were unable to carry my weigh.

 Stumbling I crashed right into the bigger Fae that had acted swiftly to block my path to the exit. I saw the elbow swung in my direction out of the corner of my eyes bevor I was hit with a brutal force on my head. Falling for which felt like eternity my vision blurred and darkness consumed me.