Children of Blood ✔️

Chapter Two

"Me?" I call out raising an eyebrow, my arrow still pointed at the man.

He steps out into the sunlight from across the creek. His strong and rugged features stand out like a soar thumb. His tall stature and set shoulders tell me he's a man of power and used to getting what he wants. His shoulder length deep brown hair is halfway up as the scruff on his face comes close to forming a short beard. Dirt settles in the creases of his face and his dark long sleeved shirt is stretched by his chest. He's larger than Luke but are both a similar height. His eyes are daringly pale— ice blue. A long sword attached to his back and a bold scar is stretches from his ear to his chin highlighting his cheekbone.

"Your friends are quite the bunch," he smirks as his eyes roam my defensive figure while twiddling a dagger.

"They aren't my friends," I growl pulling back more on the string ready to let go.

"I'm calling your bluff," he takes a few steps forward entering the creek.

I fight the urge to take a step back and to release the string. Instead I scowl, "That's your second mistake."

"And my first?" He stops as the water rushes around his ankles.

"Stalking me."

The man scoffs and keeps walking, "Your mistake was killing my scout."

I scrunch my brows and adjust my aim, "What are you talking about?"

"Three weeks ago you killed my archer," the man raises and eyebrow and strolls to through the creek, finally reaching my side.

He must be talking about the archer who shot
at Adam, my jaw clenches and I quickly move my bow just to the side of his head. I release the arrow and the man doesn't flinch as the arrow grazes the tip of his ear— exactly where I aimed.

Instantly, I snap a new arrow on the string and point it to his chest, "Come any closer and I won't miss."

"I don't doubt it," he says bringing his hand up to his ear to touch the blood. He flips the dagger back into his sheath, "I've seen you train... it's impressive. Blindfolded and you'll still hit the centre."

"What do you want?" My arm beginning to shake from the adrenaline rushing through my veins.

"I already told you, I want you."

"Why?" I ask.

"Because," the man takes a few more steps closer, "I need a new archer and you killed my last one."

"And why would I want to do that?"

"Because if you don't your friends will disappear."

"I'd be careful who you threaten," I growl as he takes one final step, his chest against the tip of my arrow.

"Go see them for yourself. I have people," he says before grabbing my arrow and pulling it off the string.

I don't move as he pulls it off the arrow shelf, "I'm calling your bluff."

"Call it all you want," he sighs and moves to my side sliding the arrow into my quiver attached to my hip. Slowly he leans in and rest his lips on my ear, "but if you get back and your sister Izzy isn't there... I told you so."

I bring my bow to my side and jab the end of it into his gut before running towards our camp. He flinches at my hit as my feet fly swiftly over logs and I duck under branches without heaving for air.

As I reach the camp I burst into the cave wide eyed, "Izzy!"

Adam and James look up confused as they loom over a hand drawn map. "She's out obtaining berries," James stares at me, "What is going on?"