Night and Fire

Chapter 14

Draely got ready to fight, but Gavryn didn't come at her. He went past and stood in front of her, sword in hand.

"Rysku, get her out of here."

She frowned, "What's wrong?"

"Witches." He looked over his shoulder at her. "Go."

"Like hell I am." She stood next to him. "They're here for me."

"I know."

She whipped her head towards him.

He shrugged. "I took it upon myself to learn everything there was to know about you these couple of days."

She gave him a fake smile, "How thoughtful of you."

"Didn't seem like you were going to tell me anything that was real." He smirked. "You're a terrible actress by the way."

She narrowed her eyes at him but couldn't help the small smile that crept on her lips.

"There is nothing I can say that will get you to leave, is there?"

She grinned, showing him her iron teeth. "You learn fast, Ashryver."

"I learned the hard way."

She raised her eyebrows.

"So many impatient females in my family." He explained then faced the woods. "Here they come."

Two witches came out from behind some trees.

"Told you I smelled dead witch." The black haired told her blonde companion as they smirked at them.

"You're not dead," Draely said. "Yet."

"How many of your own have you killed, Draely?" Asked the one with black hair, she had brown eyes, fair skin and like Draely, she wore leather clothing and boots.

"Oh, now I'm one of you, aren't I?" Draely laughed without humor.

The witch looked her up and down as if she was nothing more than dirt. To them, she was less than dirt, an abomination like they have told her so many times.

"You are half witch, are you not?" The beautiful witch stepped closer to them. "Aren't you tired of running and hiding and killing?"

She was.

Oh, she was so tired of it all.

"What if I told you that I can get the others to accept you as one of our own?" The witch said.

Draely narrowed her eyes at her and glanced at the blonde who was looking at Gavryn who stood by her side. She glared at her then turned back to the other witch.

"Sorry. Not interested."

If she'd been faced with that same offer many years ago, she would have been thrilled and accepted without a second thought.

After the war, witches who didn't join Queen Manon meant they were enemies and were forced into hiding. Two of those witches made it their mission to recruit those who didn't join the Queen of the Wastes and called themselves the Rogue Witches Clan.

Very fitting.

So it happened that the witch standing in front of Draely was the daughter and future heir of the Rogue Clan.

"Let's say I believe you and they do accept me as one of their own." Draely said. "What do you gain from it?"

"Nothing."

"Why should I believe you would help me without gaining anything in return?"

"Because I want to help you."