I Am: Silver

Chapter 12

The journey was quick, and before I knew it the portal was opening and I could see our ledge, Tomas and Sapphire waiting with Knox, as well as-I gulped as I felt my throat solidify and our feet touch the ground. Letting go of Pegasus and Mum, I landed, stumbling a little as I regained control of my legs. As I straightened, two strong arms engulfed me in a bear hug, and I was a little shocked at Knox's display of affection. I knew it to be Knox, because Tomas wasn't that strong (but let's just make that our little secret), and Rydel definitely wasn't the hugging type.

Shit.

After Knox let me breathe, I let him go and meet Mum, both of them leaving immediately to tend to Finch. Mum picked up her bag of herbs and tools by the door as they disappeared into the mountain, chatting and laughing just like they'd known each other for years. Tomas became a little nervous, rubbing the back of his neck as he always did, fidgeting from foot to foot. Rydel crossed his arms, and looked at us expectantly.

"Well, do you not think I am owed some sort of explanation?" He asked. I gulped. His calm demeanor was scarier than his angry one.

"Ah, yes?" It came out more of a question. "Depends if I get thrown in jail." Rydel chuckled darkly.

"That thought never crossed my mind."

"You are taking this remarkably well." Tomas observed, looking about as nervous as I felt.

"And?" Rydel asked.

"Well, aren't you going to yell and scream at us, or something like that?" I answered with a question of my own.

"Why? The good thing is you both came back safe and sound, with the witch. Finch is going to be alright." He replied. I gulped.

"And the bad thing?" Tomas voiced my question.

"What, the fact you deliberately kept your plans from me and left without my consent, endangering yourselves and quite possibly the last dragon and only known Pegasus in existence?" Rydel asked, not even breaking a sweat at the long question. "No, no bad thing at all."

"Look, we're - I'm - sorry." I began.

"Damn right you are." Rydel interrupted. I continued:

"But I had too. I wasn't about to let Finch die when I knew I could do something about it." I said. "It's my fault, I convinced Tomas to come because he is a pushover-"

"-Hey!-" Tomas objected. I ignored him.

"-and I accept full responsibility for it." I finished. Rydel raised an eyebrow, and my eyes flicked towards Tomas. "Most of it."

"Alright. I accept your apology, and will let this slide. You did indeed find the witch, and for that I thank you. But, if I get wind of anything like this happening again, I will not go so easy. Capiche?" We both nodded gratefully. "Now get to Finch. I'm sure she will want to see you when she wakes up." But before we could leave, he warned: "Until the witch works her magic, don't listen to anything Finch says. She is not herself."

I was instantly worried at his quiet tone, and rushed down to Finch's room, Tomas hot on my tail. I opened the door and heard Tomas lock it behind me, and stopped in my tracks. The room was a mess. Papers were everywhere, tables were flipped, and the IV line that had been giving Finch human blood lay in shreds on the floor, dried blood everywhere.

There were claw marks everywhere, on the walls, roof, floor, indicating signs of a crazed animal. A cackle drew my attention to the bed, where the mattress was destroyed. On it sat Finch, only much worse. The vampire inside of her had taken over, a survival mechanism to ward off the frog poison, but it had nearly worn her down. Finch's hair was matted and stained with blood that was not her own, and her body was a spider web of dark purple veins that stood out from the rest of her indigo skin. Her claws were extended, but they were now like extra bones instead of the elongated nails I normally saw.