Black Blood

Chapter 1

I stand in the dark courtyard, standing against a broken stone. I shudder as the wind comes at me again, and I tug my black cloak closer to me small, wirey body. Kara repeats her question, stepping a few feet closer.

"I will not ask this again, Etheday." She pauses to smile evily. "I can kill you now -- quick and painless." The vision of the volcano comes back to me again, and I shudder harder.

"Or, like I showed, I can let you fall into the Sacred Volcano to die a slow, painful death. It's your choice, pupil."

I looked from her face down to my boots. If I let her kill me now, I wouldn't get freedom. I needed the freedom. And I needed it now.

Without a word, I turn away from her and break the stone into tiny bits with a blow of my fist. She wouldnt see which direction i was running in. They fell like ash from a woodland fire, and that's what I wanted. Even though blood is running down the front of my fist where I'd struck, I ran.

The castle that I've been living in for four years flew by in a flash. Soon I reached the forest. I couldn't go to the birch tree I always went to - Kara would be there. I couldn't go back, that's for sure. There was only one way to go.

I carefully put one step in front of me, scanning the ground for traps set for the werewolves. I shudder as I think of them seeking me and bringing me back...

Etheday, you're a strong and smart vampire. You can do this. Put your fears aside and RUN!!!!

Even as I realize I had no where to run, I did. The forest here was like the back if my hand, and it was Kara's too. But I knew my teacher better than she knew me, and I could escape. Or at least I hope.

I continue trekking, tripping over moss and hidden rocks. But I made progress, and I didn't smell a werewolf. But then again, vampires' sense of smell wasn't as good as it could be.

I stop as the dark forest grew almost pitch black. I pause under a large tree and allow myself to relax a bit and think.

If I continue north, I'll reach the Peaks. There I can hide and risk freezing.

I shiver as an ice - cold wind struggled through the underbrush and thick branches. Kara is trying to pull me out. But she wont be able. I was stronger than her.

I start a small fire, and force myself to stay awake as the darkness crept in. Eventually, my eyelids droop and I feel myself drop into         light sleep.
                                                         
                                                         ~~~~
I wake with a start as a stick crunches behind me. I reach for my knife in my belt, roll over to face the noise, and force my breathing to remain slow and steady.

I wait. Nothing comes out. Was it just my imagination? Still, I hunker closer to the soft dirt and continue watching.

Morning comes. Or at least, what I think is morning. The light gets more brighter, and I stand up. I stomp out my fire and continue north.

The forest was beautiful in the rising sun light. Through the gaps of the trees, sunlight filtered through, illuminating the plants to a dark magenta.

I stop, dead in my tracks. The stick cruncher again. As far as I know, there is no monsters in this forest. However, there are werewolves.

My knife was in my shaking hand, and I steady it with my left wrist, something I learned to do in the past.

Soon, a figure appears in front of me. In the morning light, I could see his face was sharp and his eyes were looking at me. His ripped shirt and jeans were black.

For a moment, we watch eachother. He takes a step foward, and I take one back. He sighs and drops his gaze.

"Look, Etheday. Kara is after you, and I know how to help." I stare at him, distrust lingering in the air.

"Look, werewolf." I bare my fangs. "I don't need your help. Now why don't you just go back to your little doggy friends and eave me the hell alone." That cake out better than I thought. My voice didn't shake like I thought it would. 

Pain filled his face and he slowly shook his head and looked at me again.

"Etheday, we are the same. Alone and unwanted. We could be a team, take down Kara together." His eyes presented pain. Real pain. Real fear. Maybe he was trying to help?

But I still shook my head. "How do I know I can trust you?"

He paused, his eyes questioning.

"Here." He quickly took a knife from his boot and cut his wrist. Black blood slowly dripped down his hand.

"Now you cut yours and we'll do a blood bond." I looked at him, my green eyes reflecting off of his deep blue.

I nodded cautiously and cut my wrist. I couldn't help but wince as searing pain shoots up my arm. but it ceases. We put our wrists together. His wrist was hot and I felt our blood mix together and I shiddered. I hear of people doing this in the past, meaning that if they were to break their promise, the other would have permission to kill them since a part of them was the liar. But then again, that was a vampire myth. Hopefully it meant something different to werewolves, because I'd he betrayed me, I was out.