Sacrifice in Blood

Chapter 9: Severus

"Shh they'll hear you...Are you insane?" Miriam exclaimed, her eyes wide.

Probably.

I moved to get out of the bed and I almost fell over, my legs were so weak. Zach and Miriam helped me steady on my feet. I was still in my dress from the initiation ceremony; the once beautiful green dress was now torn and covered in dirt and blood.

"What a beautiful dress." Miriam said quietly and I laughed;

"It was beautiful. Thanks. Can't say I recommend it for taking on vampires though" I joked.

"I have some spare clothes," Miriam said, gesturing to a duffle bag in the corner of the room that must have been what she packed for her camping trip months ago. "You're welcome to them." She offered, kindly.

"There's a small makeshift bathroom through there where you can wash up," Zach added, gesturing to a side room of the tent-like infirmary.

"Thank you." I said, grateful.

"It's the least we can do." Miriam said, smiling sadly.

Yes. Leina you should probably see to personal hygiene before you attempt to take on the world.

I thanked them again, convincing them I could make it to the bathroom without falling over. It was a free-standing old fashioned bathtub. The room was bare and lit only by small candles scattered around. It was as if I had gone back in time; no indication of the era.

I debated the likelihood of one of the vampires barging into this room to attack. Those creatures could be right outside, these fabric tent walls wouldn't stop them if they wanted in.

But on the other hand: I feel so gross and there's a perfectly good bath waiting for me.

Well. If I died at least I would smell nice, I thought sarcastically.

I quickly stripped off my dress. Ava's good luck charm must have fallen off during the fight. My heart ached; I missed my best friend and I could have definitely used some good luck right now. I removed my new pentacle necklace carefully and got into the tub that was already filled with water. It was barely luke-warm but I didn't care. I took a deep breath in and let myself relax. The water was heavenly.

For a moment I forgot my troubles and the current precarious situation.

Think Leina, think! I willed myself as I began to scrub my body, removing all the blood and dirt. I was still amazed by the rapid healing ability I had acquired. You could faintly see little scratches and scars; the only reminder of my then life-threatening injuries.

I subconsciously reached for my phone and realised that it, of course, was nowhere near. I had left it with my things at Bridget's house during the initiation ceremony. I sighed, sinking lower into the bathtub.

How by the great Gods and Goddesses are you going to get out of this one Leina? Minutes passed and no sudden revelation or epiphany made itself known.

I was a hostage of the children of the night. Those feral vampires were just outside these tent walls, I could hear loud voices nearby. My heart rate rose when horrible graphic images filled my mind of what being a hostage of these vampires could entail.

I pulled out my hair from what was left of the beautiful hairstyle from my initiation. Some celebration that had turned out to be. Happy Initiation Leina. I washed my hair, making sure there was no longer any blood in my red hair.

I got dressed in the fresh clothes Miriam had left for me; a pair of black denim shorts and a loose lacy top that sat low on my shoulders. Thankfully Miriam and I wore the same size clothes.