“Cherry and chocolate.” Pansy answered my unasked question before tucking into her own cookie. “And there’s more for tomorrow.”
I could face another day like this one if I knew I had a treat waiting for me at the end of it.
“Has Sage always been such a bitch?” I asked at length, keeping my voice low.
Pansy snorted, her eyes darting around as though she expected the witch to burst into the tent. “Yes. Don’t ever repeat this, but I think that’s why Granny likes her so much.”
“She’ll be the perfect replacement for the old cow.”
We descended into giggles, fuelled by sugar and exhaustion, until a harsh bark rang through the tent.
“Quiet!”
We fell silent, not daring to meet each other’s eyes. If I so much as glanced in her direction, I’d burst into laughter again. I pressed my lips together and laid back down, closing my eyes.
Before long, Pansy’s slow breathing filled the tent, and the last light of dusk faded into darkness, but tired as I was, I couldn’t sleep. Even though we’d chosen a relatively smooth patch of land to pitch our tent, I felt every lump in the ground, digging into my back. The air chilled as darkness swelled, seeping through my blankets and clothes, down to my skin, and strange noises filled the night. I told myself it was only woodland creatures, coming out in search of food, but I now knew exactly what creatures lurked in these strange lands. The thought of two tired witches standing guard was not enough to soothe me.
Inevitably, as the hours crawled past, I became aware of the need to relieve myself. I ignored it for as long as possible, unwilling to leave my blankets, but eventually, I decided that if I wanted any sleep at all, I’d have to take action.
Stiff and shivering, I crawled to the bottom of the tent, wrapped my blanket around my shoulders and pulled on my boots, before easing out into the night.
Our fire still burnt, and combined with moonlight, the glade was lit well enough to see by. Would it be enough to keep Maelgwyn’s shades at bay? I clambered to my feet.
At the edge of the camp, I found Meadow keeping guard. The shift had changed already. I’d lain awake longer than I thought. Ignoring the small stab of panic at how I’d survive another hike on zero sleep, I told the witch where I was going, showing her my dagger to prove I didn’t need an escort, and left the glade.
I didn’t travel far. I knew what lurked in the dark places of this world, and I had no intention of becoming anything’s dinner. Just out of sight of the camp, but well within earshot should I feel the need to scream, I saw to my business. God, what had I become? Back home, I wouldn’t even use a public bathroom, never mind this indignity. Now I was peeing in the woods on a regular basis.
With a sigh, I straightened and adjusted my clothes, peering over my shoulder for any hint of stalking monsters. If I was going to die, it was not going to be like this.
All was peaceful. No hulking beasts of flickering shadows waited amongst the trees. I looked at the branches overhead, just to be certain. Nothing. Nothing but stars winking between the gently swaying leaves.
The stars were beautiful here, even more so than back home. And there were so many. Was it the same universe I looked up at from the human world, or was everything different here?
Not that it made much difference. What was I planning to do? Find the North Star and follow it home like some pirate captain? I wouldn’t know where to begin.
I sighed but didn’t lower my gaze from the heavens. Who was I kidding? I was barely brave enough to go for a wee on my own, never mind run away. Besides, who would help the witches, if not me? Not to mention the small matter of the Blood Gate being infested with… something, some horribly dangerous creature.
“The stars make our own problems fade into insignificance, do they not?”
I yelped, spinning, to find Jacques the creep leaning against the trees I’d just inspected, his arms folded and eyes gleaming.
“We meet again, mademoiselle.”
Oh, for crying out loud. This was the last thing I needed. I glanced in the direction of the camp, my hand tightening around my dagger, hidden beneath the drape of my blanket. Jacques stood between me and the camp. Could I dodge him if need be?
“Where did you come from?” I’d scanned these woods in every direction, not seconds ago. Why hadn’t I seen him? A thought occurred to me. “Wait. Are you a fae?”
Jacques’ chuckle slaked down my spine, leaving a trail of ice in its wake. “Mon Dieu, no!”
Well, that was something, I supposed, but it didn’t slip my notice that he hadn’t offered any explanation as to what he actually was. I’d seen enough of this world by now to know he wasn’t human. Not with those pale eyes, bright as starlight, and the silent way he moved.
As though proving my point, he pushed away from the tree, straightening. The foliage beneath his boots didn’t so much as rustle. My grip on my dagger tightened. I didn’t want to hurt him, or anyone, but if I had to…
“You need not fear me, belle fille. I told you last time we met, I mean you no harm.”
“Well, excuse me for being cautious,” I hissed, irritation strangling my fear. “I’m trapped in a world where everything wants to kill me.”
“Not everything.” The way his eyes roved over me contradicted his words. I’d encountered enough men to recognise lust, but this was something different. It was the way I might look at a cheese board, shortly before devouring it.
A thought popped into my head. Not a very nice thought, either. I’d seen and enjoyed plenty of cringy teen dramas in my time. I knew about beautiful creatures who lurked in the night and looked at humans the way Jacques was looking at me. Like a meal.
“Are you… a vampire?” The words came out strangled by my too tight throat.
Please say no. Please, please, please.
The vehement denial I prayed for didn’t come. Jacques’ eyes lifted to mine, and his lips pulled back in a smile, revealing all those white teeth. No fangs, thank God, but that meant nothing. “Very clever, ma belle. Or should I call you Aliza?”
My already chilled skin erupted with goosebumps. “What did you call me?”
“Aliza. It is your name, is it not?” He nodded at the golden letter A hung between my collar bones.
I lifted a hand, shielding the necklace from his amused gaze, but what was the point if he already knew the truth? I may as well give up the act. What difference did a name make? I glanced to the camp once more. I’d been gone an awfully long time, hadn’t I? Why had nobody come looking for me? Had Jacques the vampire slaughtered them all, saving me for last? His human dessert.
“How do you know my name?” As I spoke, I looked back to Jacques, only he wasn’t where I’d left him. He was right in front of me.
My scream never made it out of my lungs. Fear clamped around my throat, squeezing tight, blocking all sound and breath. I wanted to run, I wanted to sink my cursed dagger into his undead heart, but my body did nothing. My legs locked, refusing to respond to the frantic orders of my brain.
Icy fingertips touched my cheek, and I sucked in a sharp breath. Jacques’ strange eyes flickered over my face, lingering on my throat. His nostrils flared, and he swallowed. I could almost see him salivating, but when his lips parted, it wasn’t in attack. “I listen, and I learn. You would be wise to do the same here, where plenty of things want you dead. But I see you listened when I told you to head south, and now you’re with the witches, on your way to save us all.”
