Bound In Blood (Bound In Blood - Book One)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

I returned to the gates of Glaravale with Scarlet in tow, an energetic spring in her step. Unsurprisingly, Marcus stopped us and immediately recognised Scarlet, forbidding her entry into the city.

"Aye, yer back? What d'ya think yer playin' at, eh?" he asked her aggressively, his hand on the hilt of his steel sword defensively.

"Calm down, Marcus," she told him. "I merely need to enter for but a moment and then I will be gone, I promise you. You needn't worry about trouble from me."

"Yer kind're all the same," he spat venomously.

"May I enter?" I asked him.

"O'course," he answered without hesitation. "Yer a good n' honest man."

"Then may I bring her as a guest? I'll keep her in check and you can trust me. It will be ten minutes at most," I told him. Marcus eyed me skeptically but ultimately, he knew he had to trust me due to the illusion I had cast upon him a while before.

"Make it eight minutes."

I nodded and took Scarlet by the hand and darted past him before he could change his mind. Once we were out of his line of sight, I took my hand away, brushing myself off casually. Scarlet gave me a funny look but merely shrugged.

"How do you know Marcus by name, anyway?" I asked her as we made our way for The Pig's Belly where Cassandra and Hamish would surely be waiting for us.

"It's quite a tale," she said heartily. "Let's just say that he was not pleased when he discovered that the woman he loved was something of a beast."

"Marcus loved you?" I asked her in bewilderment.

"At a time," she mused, staring at something far off. "That was a long time ago."

"And you loved him?" I could never imagine her falling for anyone. She was far too independent for any sort of commitment.

"Perhaps." She didn't say anything more on the subject.

We were quick through the door of the tavern when we arrived, ensuring that no one would recognise us for what we were, but on these cold nights, it was easy to travel through the city without worry.

Cassandra and Hamish were at the bar when we entered and turned to us simultaneously, examining Scarlet with intent. "So this is 'er, eh?" Hamish asked as we walked toward them.

"In the flesh," she answered, gesturing to herself. "I understand you're looking for passage to the college?" Cassandra and Hamish nodded. "Well I have just the thing you need and I'll even accompany you as far as I can."

"I don't think that'll be needed, lady," Hamish insisted. "I'm sure we can manage without ya." Scarlet appeared hurt but quickly regained her calm composure.

"I wasn't asking. I'm coming. And believe me, you'll need my help if you hope to get there in one piece."

"I've no problem with ya comin' along!" Cassandra said with a smile. "It'll be fun. Like an adventure from one o' those stories my ma used ta read me."

"Exactly," Scarlet agreed. "With the four of us, we shouldn't have too much trouble. Especially with Conner and I on your side. Believe me, you'll be glad to have a couple of nightwalkers with you," she told them. "Now, how are you two in combat?"

"I'm pretty good with me ole' steel mace," Hamish said proudly. "It's back in me home but I can grab it quick."

"Good. And you?" Scarlet asked a suddenly nervous-looking Cassandra.

"I, uh... I've never really fought nothin' before," she admitted.

"Well, so long as you can hold a dagger, it'll be enough," Scarlet told her, taking a small blade from her hip and handing it to the bar maiden. "And I suppose you'll use your fangs?" Scarlet asked me.