Half of Ruby

Chapter 39

"Come back, you coward!" 

Ember's breaths came in gasps as Betty dove after her, crashing through the undergrowth as her dagger glinted under the light. 

Mendax shot over the rubble as his sleek shape skidded down the street. Ember shot a look over her shoulder at Betty, who cursed as she stumbled over her skirts. Not daring to throw her blade, the blonde waved her fist at Ember as she descended upon her. 

The rat shot right, nose twitching. Ember's breaths came in gasps as they sprinted down the street. 

The house of the Ombretroix Coven, paint peeled and flowers a wild tangle of green and brown, shot into view, and her eyes widened. 

One danger behind, and one danger in front. Mendax lunged towards the steps, paws propelling him forwards with unnatural speed. 

"Get inside," he hissed, spittle flying from his fangs. "I'll fend her off." 

Without bothering to question him, Ember banged the front door open and skidded into the hall, crashing to the ground as she tripped over the doorstep. Behind her, Mendax let out an unearthly screech, flying towards Betty as she screamed. 

Ember laid on the ground, fingers curled against the cold wooden floor, as she took deep, ragged breaths. Outside, a thud struck the ground. 

I'm back here for the second time. 

No, the third. 

She took a deep, ragged breath, peeling her face from the floor and looking around. 

The hall, though lighter than it'd been the last time she'd visited, remained eerily dark. She swallowed as she pictured the three emaciated skeletons of the Coven situated around that dark pool of souls, skeletal hands clutching one another. 

I could just...wait for Mendax to deal with Betty and then leave. I don't have to go to them—

"Child. We know you are there." 

Ember gasped, stumbling against the wall as the voice, tauntingly smooth, slid down the hall towards her. 

"Come, child. We await you." 

She shook her head. "I...n-no. No." 

"You cannot say no to fate. Come, child. Come." 

Ember's fingers left the wall as she stepped towards the dark, gaping hole of the living room across the hall. 

"Come here." 

Ember spluttered as light flickered through the house, illuminating the cavern. 

"We meet again." 

Corva's scarlet eyes carved into Ember's, glittering like twin rubies. 

"Come, sit down." 

"I am not here to make a bargain," said Ember, raising her voice. "I do not want to sit." 

Corva's eyes flashed. The lake of souls in the center of the room churned as the raven atop the altar let out a screech. "Do you not want to prevent your death tonight?" 

"I do not understand. I'm going to die when my power is exposed. That just happened; Betty caught me talking with Mendax." 

"You need answers to your questions. You do not know who you can or cannot trust." 

Ember gritted her teeth, glaring at them. "I do not need answers." 

"That was not what you told me."