The Curse of Sunderwood

Chapter 5

There were moments I almost didn't think I could go on. The ache in my shoulder would subside for a while and then a wave of agony would wash over me as if I were being bitten all over again. I regretted my decision to keep going during the pain and even considered turning back, but as soon as I felt better enough to walk, my resolve returned with my strength. I always thought of Jean. I saw her face in my mind as she smiled at me. I remembered the sadness in her eyes as she recalled her lost love. I felt the need to bring her home – to bring us home.

Dunlan insisted on checking my wound each time I had to stop. He would peel back the bandage and frown. Into the afternoon, the monotony combined with the pain got on my nerves.

"Dunlan, stop it. It hasn't changed in the last hour."

His face scrunched up as he inspected my shoulder. "I want to see how fast the black is spreading."

Glancing down I could see the veins running from the bite. They were like black spiderwebs weaving and stretching to my collar bone. "Looks the same as it did this morning."

His frown intensified and he didn't answer me.

"You said that weed pulled most of the poison out. Why should it come back?" I asked.

Dunlan shook his head, "It's not coming back. What I couldn't draw out is still in there, but it's going to spread all it can."

He replaced the bandage and I gritted my teeth as daggers ran across my skin. "Can't the weed like keep it there?"

"No, it's losing its potency. I doubt I'll find another one in this forsaken forest."

Standing up, I took a deep breath. My body shuddered but I pressed on.

"So how did you know about this weed thing?" I asked, trying not to think of the pain.

"My mother. She taught me a thing or two about herbal healing and tea. Those sorts of things."

I raised an eyebrow, "Tea?"

Dunlan flashed me a smile, "I learned a lot from her just by watching. But there were only two things she told me about women. I won't bore you with the first, but the second is: when in doubt, always make a woman tea."

A sound echoed between the trees and we halted. It was a howl. Dread boiled in my stomach.

Assuric jumped to the ground. "Evening has not come, but the forest grows dense. The heart is an hour from here. I will lure away the pack while you travel."

"You're our guide! How are we supposed to find it?" Dunlan asked what I was thinking.

"Walk northwest and follow your nose. The air will feel foul and dismay will fill your mind."

Another howl sent a shiver down my spine.

Dunlan glanced at me and surveyed the brush, "We might not have a choice."

"Do not stop to rest!" Assuric hissed before vaulting into the air and disappearing above the leafy ceiling.

...

The air was musty, the trees hugged closer together, and I was uneasy. Something nudged at the back of my mind, telling me to run away. We were on the right track.

I could tell Dunlan was uncomfortable. He kept looking around and didn't say a word. The longer we walked, the deeper his frown.

The buzzing started in my feet and soon it was all over my body. We were close.