Shadow Princess

Chapter-Seventeen: The Witch & Seer

Callista pants as she comes close to the wall, her hand pressing against the blistering surface. The sun heats her skin as she struggles to get air into her lungs. Smoke still filled her lungs from a few hours ago, making her hack as she walks away. The escape didn't seem real, the last week and a half being bound to them, having no way to escape. It was as if the smoke wanted her to escape, to confuse the vampires as it swirled around them. The wall beside her grew boiling hot where it feels like it was cooking her hand. She yanks it off and presses it against her shirt.

Callista is in the town that once was a ruin when she first got a glimpse. It is busy with people going between buildings and homes as noon hits. Groaning, she shuffles forward through a mob of people, but eyes quickly dart to her. She begins to realize she is in a whole kingdom of vampires. As she walks, their eyes stray to her, but then go about their business. Confused, she continues on, hoping no one stops her. A child and a woman step in her way, causing her to come to a rough stop.

The child's eyes are a pitch black and bares his fangs at her. Callista stumbles at bit, the sun still disorienting her. The woman grins and reveals her fangs as well, alerting a presence at her should. A teenage girl with bright green eyes smiles at the woman and then focuses on Callista. Wariness bursts through the depths as she stares at Callista. Once the woman is done studying her, she leaves, gesturing to the teenager and shuffling along her kid.

She stands there, by the wall, her eyes taking in the surroundings. Callista couldn't tell before, with the males she traveled with, but here, where they do not have to hide, humans litter the place. Most have leashes and collars, bite marks covering their necks and wrists. She shudders, the humans are being used as a blood bag. Exactly what Julius called her.

An unruly feeling goes through her, like her blood became fire. Gasping out, she doubles over, facing a street that goes straight to the wall that goes further into the Kingdom. House of various times line the road. Shuffling on her feet, Callista stares at the street, getting weird stares at the people milling around. Another shock goes through her body, making her step forward. It fades. Her chest tightens and she waits, the feeling a little slower to come. When it does, she walks a couple paces forward, the feeling fading. Terrified, she continues making her way on the road.

The houses sat very closely together, like they are made from the same foundation. As Callista walks deeper, they became more tattered and broken. Windows are broke, with half doors. A young girl, approximately eight, stands at a door that is completely gone. A dirty teddy bears hangs limp in her hand, pointing toward the ground. Her eyes glitter brown, but she lunges, they turn black. Callista flinches, still walking in the same direction. The girl came to an abrupt stop as a bulky chain circles her ankle. She snarls, foam slowly drippling down her chin.

Walking faster, Callista comes to a stop in front of a black mansion, with boarded up windows. Green serpents wrapped around a staff is etched into the door of the mansion. It is eerily familiar and yet, she was drawn to it. The door swings open as if inviting her in. A sign stands in the yard, in bright red paint. WARNING: Those who enter beware, witches are not as nice as they seem. Witches?

Her body seems to have a mind of its own and takes a few steps forward. Having no other choice, she allows it and enters the dark doorway. The door behind her swings shut with a bang. Taking in a shuddering breath, she makes her way through the dark halls, the only light a doll at the end. Its eyes glow a bright yellow, illuminating a few feet. Wrapping her arms around herself, she absently rubs her upper arms in distress.

An icy wind blows around her and her teeth chatter from the cold. A hand wraps around her arm and twists her to face it. A perfect shadow, with no face or features swirls in front of her. Callista screams, trying to pull away, before gets yanked back.