Felix Let Loose (The Slayer Book 2)

Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen

The Serum

It was many hours they waited. Whatever had happened in the manor had died down now, and everything was silent as the night wore on.

Sumaey continued to watch.

'You won't find him there' came a voice.

The others turned to see the witch coming towards them through the trees.

Behind her was Waltz, and he was badly injured.

'Waltz!' Sumaey cried, rushing up to him and embracing him.

'Ow' Waltz moaned feebly.

'I'm sorry' Sumaey let go of him quickly. 'Are you alright?'

'Are you all ok?' Waltz asked back.

Sumaey stared at him wide-eyed for a moment, before breaking into a smile, tears of joy rolling down her cheeks.

'You're worrying about us?'

'Are you?' Waltz groaned through gritted teeth.

'Yes. We are all fine.'

'I'm glad' Waltz grinned, blood and gashes over his face. 'I would hate it if things were not absolutely peachy.'

Sumaey turned to see the witch standing over Spirit, who recoiled away from her.

'Such a fascinating creature' the witch uttered to herself.

'Don't hurt him' Waltz grimaced. 'You said you wouldn't.'

'Don't worry' the witch replied shortly, moving away from him towards Graham, then Loxus, looking from first one then to the other, the cat had run away. 'I am done here. I have gotten what I need. Oh, and here is the serum' she said, pulling it from nowhere and tossing it to Waltz who caught it in his hands.

'Nice guild' the witch said in a level tone. 'Quite a collection you have.'

She gleamed cruelly for no apparent reason.

'Goodbye Waltz' the witch said excitedly. 'I'll see you next time.' And then an instant later, she was gone, in the blink of an eye.

'Yeah' Waltz grimaced. 'I'll be waiting.'

'Waltz...' Sumaey whispered.

'Let's get out of here' Waltz said to them all. 'This quest is finally almost over, but first I need to rest.'

*

*

A short time later, Waltz lay on a bed, resting on his back.

They had travelled a short distance from the manor to the town nearby, and rented a single room in a small inn.

They all gathered here now, and it was crowded, but it was dry and warm. Outside it was raining, and there was a chill in the air.

Sumaey tended to Waltz's wounds now. His body was mostly naked. She washed his wounds with warm water from a bowl. The cloth Sumaey held was already stained pink.

'Does it hurt at all?' Sumaey asked him.

'Of course it hurts' Waltz groaned. 'My body hurts all over.... but the good news is.... that I can still transform...if only for a short time. The witch gave me that power. We don't have a lot of time' Waltz breathed. 'We have to be quick. We need to find the fiery bird again before...'

'Before what?'

'The witch had only given me access to these powers for a short time' Waltz said. 'I...we cannot stay here tonight, we have to move quickly. I just...needed to rest for a short time. My injuries... I feel so exhausted....'