Threads of Fate

Chapter 17 ~ A Never Ending Loop

    Tissaia heard Azael leave but barely registered it until Kaius drew a shuddering breath and his trapped hands pushed against her. A quick glance at his face told her he wasn't intending to try to attack her again, so she let go.

    But he still didn't seem like himself. His eyes were glazed and unfocused, a few random shivers still racking his limbs. His head twisted towards her brother and his features crumpled into pure fear and desperation.

    Talarion took her vacated spot in a heartbeat and Kaius practically melted into him, bracing his forehead on his shoulder while Talarion's hands skimmed over him, searching for any injuries they might have missed. "Are you all right?" Her brother demanded. "What did you see?"

    Kaius's breathing turned ragged once more and his whole body began to shake. "I think Azael already figured it out," Tissaia answered quickly. The last thing Kaius needed was to panic on top of recovering from the vision. "I'll go with him. You stay here so he won't be alone."

    Talarion barely nodded, one of his hands curling into Kaius's hair while his other arm wrapped around the male firmly. "We'll come find you as soon as he's able," Talarion said. "I don't think we'll be safe here much longer."

    "Fangs," Kaius whispered, catching both of their attention. "Blood and fangs. That's all I could see. Blood and fangs. Blood and fangs. Tearing at me. Ripping me apart. So much blood. So many fangs. They were...I couldn't..."

    Talarion hushed him gently. "You're safe, Kai. I swear on my life you're safe." Kaius lifted his head, his eyes abnormally glossy, and his usually warm, youthful features were drawn and gray. Her brother's scarred hand cupped his cheek. "You're safe," Talarion repeated.

    "Does he even recognize us?" Tissaia murmured.

    "He will. Go. I don't want you on your own for long."

    Tissaia nodded and started towards the door. She glanced back when she reached it though, worry overwhelming her once more. Kaius's face was hidden in her brother's neck, and Talarion had pressed his cheek to the top of his head. His eyes were closed, a mixture of relief and concern twisting his features.

    "Talarion?" Kaius whispered, and something loosened the tension gripping her chest. "Please tell me I didn't hurt anyone."

    "You didn't," her brother lied. "Are you all right?"

    His voice fell faint. "No. I saw them. Saw them tearing into me. Into all of us. Into you," he broke off with a choked sob.

    "I'm here, and you're safe," Talarion murmured. "I'm not going anywhere, Kai."

    If they said anything more, Tissaia didn't hear it. She was already running down the hallway, stopping only to grab her sword, bow, and quiver out of her room, then raced out of the house.

    She left the village with a rush of wind, placing her back in the depths of the forest. Only a few rays of moonlight broke through the dense treetops. She drew a deep breath, picking out the strongest traces of Azael's scent, and began following it.

•༻☽☾༺•

    Azael crept through the trees, keeping his body angled low and a dagger held firmly in his grasp. Raxys remained sheathed for now, but was within easy reach should he need it. So far he hadn't picked up any traces of the Blood Fae, but he continued to lay his trail.

    With any luck, the Blood Fae would pick up on it and follow it south towards the Treis River. That would take them in the opposite direction of the Une River where they would be headed, and hopefully once they cleared the forest the Blood Fae would not follow.