Alea
Seeing Elfrea in danger had sent me into a panic a lot more than I would have ever imagined it would have. The feral had been an inch from grabbing her when I told her to duck down so I could throw my dagger. We were lucky the one hit was enough to bring it down, but I wasn't so sure it would be enough. I took the dagger quickly from its skull and plunged the blade into its heart, twisting to make sure it wouldn't get up.
Ferals were tales from many years ago of those whose bodies couldn't take the transformation. These ferals would end up dead due to being killed or soon die off from their bodies breaking down. They were now myths that hid out beyond the wall, hunting through the vast forest for food, waiting to cross their path. These were stories that have been told to keep humans from trying to escape to find freedom from the vampires of Cana.
The creature I had slain was real and not a myth. It didn't even look close to a human anymore with its deep grey skin stretched over its bones. Its teeth were large and sharp, more animalistic for tearing into its prey. This creature was more of an evolved form of feral something that had been out in the deep forest, surviving.
These things hadn't been spotted anywhere close to the wall. I would have at least seen one before this if they had. Then again, this is the farthest I've ever made it on the outside.
Was something happening for them to move closer? I think to myself as I follow Elfrea through the trees towards the pond's location.
On our path to the pond, nothing seemed wrong; the only noises I heard were the insects, frogs, and our footsteps crunching the fallen twigs and dead leaves. The view of Elfrea in the moonlight, her silver hair shimmering, catches my attention from my thoughts on the feral. Now my thoughts were drifting to other places as I watched her hips swing side to side.
My eyes were too busy roaming her backside. I almost ran into her as she stopped walking. I caught myself quickly and walked up beside her to see that the tree line had opened up. The opening was a large field of wildflowers that coated the area where the trees circled. The large pond sat in the middle, and the moon high in the sky shone down on the water's surface. It made the water shimmer and glow, giving it an ethereal effect.
"This is beautiful," I whisper. I start to slowly walk through the field. I let my hands gently glide over the flower petals.
I look to see Elfrea make her way over to the pair of pants she had left. I didn't even realize that I had been staring until her red eyes met mine. Both of us quickly looked away, and I kept my eyes focused on the water.
Elfrea then spoke, "I can help keep watch if you want to wash up."
"I have been practicing with my heightened senses. I'm a little mad at myself that I didn't notice that creature earlier." She then added.
I turn to her and say, "Don't blame yourself, the most dangerous thing that's supposed to live around here is a dire wolf or a grey bear, or most commonly a venomous snake. Next time, you should bring a weapon; it also wouldn't hurt to learn how to defend yourself. Inside the wall, just because you are a vampire doesn't mean another won't try and hurt you." I say.
I then declined to go for a dip in the pond. The night was much too chilly for a night swim. I also didn't want to bare myself naked in front of Elfrea. I want the feeling to be that I didn't want this vampire to see me fully exposed to an attack. It was the thought of her seeing me and rejecting me.
These thoughts were so stupid and superficial, nothing I have ever worried about before. I was someone who only looked nice to keep up appearances, but never pushed further for more beauty. I was calm and collected, but with Elfrea, I became a tangle of knots inside.
Two parts in me yelled at each other over every thought I had about her. She was a vampire, but with her, I was starting to see past that. So I had to keep it buried, I didn't even know if she was into women.
I lay down in the thick grass and wildflowers and look up at the stars and moon above. Elfrea soon joins me, lying so close our shoulders almost touch.
"I used to do this on summer nights until I fell asleep, and Maria would have to get my father to bring me inside," Elfrea says.
Maria, a name she has spoken of before and always with a sad tone.
"Was she a friend?" I ask, hoping that I wasn't crossing any lines.
"Yes, I thought of her as one. She started working for my family when we were both fourteen." She replies. A servant she called a friend. I didn't think that was possible with all I have seen. If someone was lower than, they were treated as such. Then again, the vampires lost any humanity they might have once had. Elfrea was proving that wrong.
Then again, Elfrea has done a lot that other vampires haven't. I understand she could have the kind of immortality a rare few had, but how did she manage to survive on no blood for that long? She would have turned feral after not ingesting blood once the change happened.
I thought of how she looked when she first fell from the coffin, how her skin stretched tightly over her bones as if she had no blood within her. Could Elfrea's body absorb her blood slowly to keep herself together?
Thoughts swam in my head as I stared up at the sky. Elfrea's voice startles me when she speaks. "When will you leave?"
I turned my head to her question, then quickly turned back when I came face to face with her.
I had told her I could leave soon, but I had lied. It would most likely be at least a week, given how Hendrik wrote of the constant raids that were going on. A safe house owned by Hexerei had been taken over, and finding safety was slim. The Manor was the safest place I could be, even with the newly added feral.
I lied to her to see her reaction to me leaving her be. Her face had given me a frown, her red eyes saying, "Don't go". I was starting to understand that Elfrea's emotions were true and could be read on her face.
"I think I will be around for a while if that is fine with you. Things over the wall are riled up with looking for new witches. I will be getting some things sent to me, so I asked for more clothes, if possible, to help you out." I say.
My letter to Hendrik had only said my location, and I required rations, clothes, and maybe a blanket if possible. I asked about Cole and Christa, hoping they both also made it to safety. His reply was bittersweet, letting me know he can try to send me the things requested, but the whereabouts of Cole and Christa were unknown at the moment. In the box, he had sent some food rations and half my pay. I would get the rest once a drop off was made, and a bonus for the current protection of them.
"You can stay as long as you want to. I wish the manor were a lot more hospitable for you." I turn my head slightly to see her face turned towards mine, our eyes meeting. A smile spread across her face, a fang poking out from her lip, making me smile back at her. I fought the urge to lean over to kiss her red-tinted lips.
"Do you want to see something neat?" I suddenly ask her, trying to keep my mind straight.
"I would love to"
I sit up and pull a small pouch from my front pocket, pouring a few small multicolored gems into my palm. These were the only possessions I had from my mother. Along with a spell that casts a light through them, this could only be done at night.
With the gems in my open palm, I extend my arm in front of my body. I focus on the gems in my palm and whisper the incantation. The familiar warmth of magic flowed through my body and to my hand. Silver light shines from my palm through the crystals, projecting a wonderful scene of dancing multicolored lights. The lights surrounded us like fairies dancing.
Elfrea sat up, her eyes wide with excitement and wonder. Her smile turned into a large grin that spread across her face as she watched the lights.
"This is the most beautiful display I have ever seen!" Efrea squealed. Her excitement sent me buzzing with joy. When she turned to me, our eyes meeting, I found myself caught staring at her. The lights then flicker out, leaving the two of us only coated in moonlight.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it," I say, breaking the silence.
Elfrea's body then slowly starts to move closer to me. Our faces only inches apart, I start to move forward.
Snap!
We both move our heads in the direction from which the sound originated.