The Vampire Who Loved Me

Chapter 14: Condemned

Months had passed without so much as a thought about the Ministry. We had set up camp in a cave and had been hunting the animals further in the forest. The food I bought worked well as traps but it was running out. 

That's when I decided it was time to head back to the town. 

I had just left the shop with a smile on my face when I caught myself running against the wall. I knew. It was them. I looked around to see whether they had noticed me or not. 

I was lucky but Luke was about to walk right towards them. 

I looked around before darting across the road and pushing Luke back around the corner and pressing him against the wall. 

"Wow Lizzie. If you wanted me you could have just asked!" He winked. I covered his mouth with my hand.

Whispering in his ear. "They are here!"

He tensed instantly. 

"You sure?" He asked quietly.

I nodded checking carefully back around the wall. 

I pointed in the direction we should walk and we quickly set off in the opposite direction towards the trees. We risked everything. 

"Oi!"

I froze and turned slowly. 

"Sorry. Excuse me. You forgot this." The shopkeeper was holding out my bag. 

"Oh brilliant, thank you." I smiled.

I waved as we turned and hurriedly walked away. 

Once in the trees we took off faster than the human eye could see and we got to the cave and packed up. 

We headed further on into the trees. Heading in the general direction of the river which lead to the next town. 

We came to a divide in the trees and had to cross a road. 

There was no cars so we rushed across and ran deeper into the forest. The darkness was growing and the trees seemed endless. Although it was just me and Luke I felt watched and as I stepped over a fallen tree I froze and grabbed Luke's arm. 

I could sense something. I wasn't sure what but I felt it. I looked around and Luke did too. 

"What's wrong?" 

"I can feel something," I turned around to face in front of us again. "Or someone!"

I looked up and saw movement. I reached for my crossbow. 

I aimed it at a high rock in front of us just as a dark figure dropped down. Landing gracefully on one knee and foot. His right hand on the floor. He looked up and snarled before standing up and smartening out. 

He then smoothly dropped down to the rock below and began to walk through the trees towards us. As he did more figures appeared from behind the distant trees and rocks. 

The main figure dragged his nails across the harsh bark and he looked at his nails before looking into my eyes. Directly into them despite the distance. I inhaled deeply and Luke grabbed my arm. 

The figures stopped but the main one continued. He stopped in the shadow and waited one long sweet moment before stepping out into the light of the moon through the tops of the trees.

I stepped back. Lowering my crossbow for a moment. Only a moment though before raising it again and standing my ground, 

I looked at Luke, concern and confusion across his face. I turned back to the man and almost gasped. He was closer now. Close enough to see his features.