Two figures stood under the rain, their gaze carried tension in the air. Ryles stood looming over seraphina who didn't even shrink in fear—instead there was this unlabeled gleam in her eyes.
Her hands were locked firmly in Ryles hold without any chance of moving. Witches had sensitive noses and his scent drowned her senses.
She had somehow twisted her body to now face him, his chilling gaze didn't bother her one bit.
" Where's Raven? " She heard his low yet hard voice.
His words had barely registered in her head, all she could hear was the pleasant hum of his voice that radiated heat towards her body.
" I'll tell you.... " She purred, her limbs moved with a serpent like grace, one leg curling around him, pulling him closer without a word.
He didn't need to be told twice. As soon as he saw those dilated pupils of hers, he knew what she was up to.
He used one hand to lock her in place then his other hand crawled slowly up her back, then towards her nape drawing a sleezy smile on her lips.
His expression remained stoic. Then, suddenly,he grabbed her hair. She thrashed, groaning in pain. Her true form threatening to reveal itself.
" Where's Raven? " He questioned again, his eyes had hardened—Slowly dilating in anger.
" I.....I... " She stammered, growing weak as her eyes kept switching from that of a mortal to one of a witch.
Ryles was merciless, he knew seraphina. Though she was stupid, she wasn't one to act recklessly unless she had done something that affected her greatly.
And something told him they were hunting the same prey hence the reason for her to lie to him.
He heard a small slow chuckle. It was the witch in his merciless grasp.
" How did you figure out that it was a lie? " She questioned, her skin now shedding to reveal it's true form. She needed food, ones that had warm blood circulating within them.
So she had indeed lied...
Ryles thought as his hand slowly tightened around her neck, seraphina didn't even fight back. His guess must have been right, she had exhausted herself doing something he had no idea about.
She definitely hadn't succeeded else she wouldn't be out in the storm rage hunting. But she was in a very bad shape, it would be a lie if he said he cared—just needed her to spit out where Raven was hiding or if at all the kid was alive.
A loud yet painful whistle peirced the air and both Ryles and the mischievous witch froze.
That whistle was a signal to alert mages.
It seemed the prey that escaped earlier had ran his mouth.
Ryles thought to himself before he immediately carried seraphina in his arms, at the flash of lightening Ryles had left the spot where he stood earlier.
With seraphina in his arms.
Almost immediately two mages, dressed in their outstanding deep blue uniform appeared at the spot.
It was exactly where Ryles left just now. Both mages shared a look before the other bent down to see what was on the forest floor.
A yellow glow ignited in his eyes as he skimmed through the small grass beneath his sturdy boots. The rain wasn't on their side as it kept destroying everything they needed to track witches but there was something his eyes caught.
He immediately brought out his small dagger, using it to pick up the small shred of material on the forest floor.
His colleague craned his neck to take a look and their eyes met once again in realization.
That was the shedding of a witch, There were indeed witches close by.
Words weren't needed as both gave a nod before disappearing from sight. They had a lot of cleansing to do before their kingdom became hub for witches.
*****
She opened her eyes, not knowing where they were. All she knew was that Ryles had saved her, even though he didn't look happy—he didn't leave her there to be caught by the mages.
Her love and greed for power was far greater compared to that seductive pull she felt towards this man.
It was the reason why she had hid Raven's whereabouts from him. But now that the prey had proven useless, without it's stone to steal she had no need for it anymore.
She saw his strong back facing her. He seemed to be staring at the moon before turning towards her.
She smiled, biting her lips but the Ryles she knew no longer existed. His playful side had long vanished as soon as he messed up his last mission.
He grabbed her by the neck, hurling her to the other side of the room. Seraphina hissed, exhaustion leaving her body as she turned livid, teeths baring and all.
He really seemed to enjoy throwing her about and she hated it so much.
But his chilling look stopped her from trying anything stupid. It finally clicked that indeed finding Raven was very important to him.
But why??
If only seraphina knew that his life literally depended on this.
Ryles just stood there staring at her till her defensive stance relaxed a little. This very scene further convinced him that witches were very much alike with animals.
His steps slow but heavy, as though crushing the dirt beneath his feet.
" I paid you....to do something so simple seraphina " he took another step, and she instinctively stepped back.
" Ryles, listen.... " But he didn't listen, witches were Cunning and he would rather tutor the answer out of her rather than listen to her spew more lies.
It was a small needle, but it contained slim poison, the only thing witches were allergic to. It made their skin burn terribly with so much pain regardless of the amount.
Not even high ranking mages knew these. If Ryles knew this then she was really in trouble.....
He wanted to know it all. There must be a reason she was also hid it from him, witches were greedy and he was sure she found something of value.
Which meant Raven was still alive...