The Witch's Love ( Book I of The Witch Duology )

Chapter Ten: Victor

My eyes blinked open when I felt someone shaking me. The bright morning light hit my eyes when I strained to see the person calling me. I expected it to be Irina; but awareness and tension rode on my nerves when I saw Alfred's troubled face instead.

I jumped up on my feet, my muscles were drowsy. "What the hell are you doing here?" My voice was still groggy from sleep. I looked around and what I had expected was neatly nourished to me, "Where's she?" I demanded as I reached for my sword. To my utmost fear, it was not there.

"Listen to me first." Alfred held up both his hands in front of him, as if he was afraid I would break his face with one punch. Well, I certainly can.

He continued, "Father sent us here."

"Whose father?"

Alfred grunted, "The Church's. He wants to have a talk with you."

My head was not yet clear properly, "I asked...where is Irina?"

"Would you listen?" He was frustrated, "Father wants to have a talk with you. He is considering the matter. The law will be altered. James and I came here with two more guards and when we reached here, we saw she was shivering with high fever. We immediately sent her with James for treatment. Just two seconds before did she leave. Now you have to come with me."

I chuckled, "You think I'm gonna buy that, Sir?"

"You cannot buy that, kid." He said matter-of-factly, "It's the truth. So you must accept it."

I thought for one second. I couldn't remember Irina ever told me that she could even cure diseases.

I looked at Alfred. He had the wound that I had given him on the previous day. It turned out to be a mere scar with the skin swollen around. He had another guard with him.

I nodded just for show, "Okay. Give back my sword. And then we can go."

He frowned, "I don't have it."

I sighed, "I believe you and will go with you. Isn't that enough? Now give me back my weapon, it's none of your property."

"But I can't give what I don't have."

Before I could ask myself to control I was already grabbing the little man by the collar. There was shock and then madness in his eyes.

I said through clenched teeth, "You either listen to me or get your quirky little ass broken!"

The other warrior grabbed my shoulder and peeled me off Alfred, "He is not lying." He said in a calm voice, "It wasn't here when we came. Maybe James took it away with him."

I glared at him, "What on earth would he do with it?"

The warrior fluttered his hand in the air, "That's not our business. We came here to take you lovebirds." I did not miss the sarcasm on the last word. He held my arm, "Let's go."

I walked out of the shed with them. There was not really any other option. I could run, yeah. But where would I go running? Alright, I would have gone to the Church by myself. And was that not the place these two men were taking me to?

I exaggeratedly freed my hand from the light grip of the warrior and turned to untie my horse.

"We already have a carriage." Alfred suggested.

I laughed, amused, "I'm not a king." Before completely taking the piece of leather out of the grill I gave one overly polite look at them, "And do you think it's really human to leave a wordless animal to die here alone?" I turned away again and retraced the loops Irina had given before she had tied the knot, said, "I cannot afford that." When the harness was out I turned to face them again and patted the animal, a sly smile tugged at my lips, "He really helped me a lot. Us, rather."