Winterskin (Book One of Wrath & Winter)

Watch the Skies: Part Two

Wooden cabins dot the perimeter like saplings intent on furthering the forest's reach. They start out as lone explorers, three cabins within five stones of each other. Then, eventually, they grow closer together. Coming close enough to touch until they're situated in a wide circle surrounding the jarl's massive longhouse and the raised dais that brought me there. An army of masterfully painted shields brace themselves against the longhouse's entrance.

Three steps. That's all it takes.

Matted hair collects in my fingers. Black blood blazed a trail from the outskirts to the town's center. Weaving past the well and the blacksmith's dying forge.

They're more of a formality, the three metal stakes punching through the cobbles before the longhouse. Once upon a time, they held many of the same things.

I bring my arm up. Staring back at me are the lifeless eyes of the creature that attacked me. I thought of taking it to the guardhouse. Letting the shieldsiblings see what they're letting play out there as they ignore Magni's warnings or send him on a never-ending gambit of errands.

But no. This is my kill. And I expect everyone to know it come the morning.

Of the three stakes spearing skyward, the middle one is the tallest. Reaching higher than the bowed roof of the longhouse. I'm not tall enough to force the vampire's head onto it, so I take the rightmost. Twisting the creature's head onto the stake until its jaw sags and a little black spear goes squelching out of the top of its head.

I wiped my hands on my trousers. Cracked my neck. Take the time to walk back home, to Gram's place on the outskirts.

There should be a fire peaking out of the little windows. One with enough heat to melt the snow from the roof and tickle me as I come closer. But it's out. Everything is out and a silhouette sits at the forefront. Back leaning against the splintered brown wood.

"Whose there?" I called, ax in hand. Skin bristling.

Orange light came to life in the span of a breath. The figure lit itself up. Stood. Elisedd's face matching my own, the idea of a fight making his broad shoulders seem broader.

Until they relax.

Montbereau seemed so quiet. So dead. "What are you still doing out here?"

Elisedd shook his head. Crossed his arms, extinguishing the flame once cradled in his hand. "Saw the Guard mobilize. Thought...maybe...,"

There's no way. I hadn't seen anyone—absolutely anyone—out.

Jutting my chin out, I grip my ax tightly, "That I couldn't take care of myself?"

Elisedd had seen it. How he died. What they had done to him. At the time, he didn't have to give us his remains. He didn't have to tell us anything about the death of some human on the edge of the black forest.

But he did. Gently.

Earning himself a promise that bound him to our family.

And it made my blood boil. "I'm not him." I pushed past Elisedd but stopped at the threshold. "I know how to handle them. I handled them...!"

He stepped closer. Brought the fire back. Peered at my face with a grimace on his own, "You're covered in blood."

"Not my own."

"Of course," a thumb across my cheek. This time, cold instead of tender, "humans don't bleed black."

***

Salut! Hope you're enjoying Winterskin so far =) I'm posting a little early because on Friday I'll be out of town (and far away from my laptop). Hope you love the early goodness!