NIGHTS OF HALLOW-Chapter 248: Caught In-between

★AN: Forgive me for not updating yesterday. I just want to wish everyone a happy valentine’s day! (⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠)⁠♡

A ghost of cold air washed over Perdita’s skin, goosebumps gracing her body as her heart continued to race in her chest.

"Go stand at your position and ready yourself," Sthena’s voice cut through that terror crawling into the skin of Perdita.

The Witcher bowed, swiftly turned on her heels, headed in another direction, and left the duo.

"This place feels too dangerous. I can smell the magic; it’s too strong and old." Perdita murmured, brows creasing in worry. "How long are we going to walk?" She asked Sthena, glancing at him as yet another cooing of the owls resounded.

"We are almost there." Came Sthena’s calm voice that somehow added to the worry of Perdita. Whenever he was this calm, there was always something brewing under the surface.

Sthena continued to speak, "I must warn you, you may see things that might gore you out, getting suddenly attacked and tricked by them, as witches might be involved. You must stay vigilant and always by my side. Do not believe or say anything."

"Feels like I voluntarily sought to be sacrificed by following you," Perdita mouthed. She should have stayed back. But no, she needed to be here. It will be a good ground to practice the spells and magic she has learned.

"Do not be scared, I am here with you," Sthena assured her, squeezing her cold hand. He told her, "Do not hold back if you are attacked."

Soon, they came upon another clearing near a house that looked like a hut at the far end. Everywhere was eerily quiet, save for the constant coos and chirps of the birds. The fog continued to wrap around the place in its thickness, cold biting into the skin, and the ground damp. The smell of old trees that creaked wearily as though they might fall any moment brought a knotting feeling in Perdita’s chest.

"Sneaking around, you think you won’t be found?" A voice suddenly sounded behind Perdita, immediately turning her body cold and making her heart tumble in her chest. A cold metal, which she noted to be an axe, pressed firmly to her neck as she turned to face who it was.

Her breath stilled, hands by her sides gripping the skirts of her dress, as she stared at the oddly looking eye colour of the man before her. The skin of his face bore a darkened scar across his eyebrows down to his lips, giving him a dangerous edge to his look.

Why isn’t he dropping dead to the floor?! Sthena would have—fuck! Perdita cursed under her breath, realizing Sthena was nowhere to be found. Where did he go?!

"Who are you?" The man questioned, his voice thick but at the same time hollow, creeping down her skin.

She parted her lips to speak but, remembering Sthena’s instruction not to speak, immediately clapped her lips shut. Heavens save her today.

The man’s eyes narrowed more than they had before on seeing Perdita stay mute. His hand holding the axe pressed harder on Perdita’s neck, and her heart hitched when the sharpness slit her skin open, drawing blood.

"Humans," the man spat. Always curious but under the slightest pressure can be broken. His words were laced with venom that his eyes held looking at Perdita. A look of confusion crossed his features when the smell of Perdita’s blood wafted to his nose. "Who sent you?!" The man demanded, stepping closer to her, eyes darkening with rage.

Perdita tried to shake her head, but the coldness of the axe made her keep her neck still. She drew her hand forward, but it unknowingly appeared as a threat to the man whose grip pushed tighter on her neck.

Panicking, Perdita waved her hand, attempting to communicate she meant no harm when all of a sudden she saw the man’s eyes slitter like that of a snake, jagged teeth appearing, and his claws elongated.

"You are no human!" The man sneered, his stance taking a stronger posture. He had caught how the injury on Perdita’s neck had healed on its own, which had confused him, as he had thought she was a human.

His hand shot forward, and he caught Perdita’s blood on his finger and slipped it into his mouth, tasting her blood.

Oh no. She whispered to herself in horror. This wasn’t going as planned. Where the damn was Sthena, who said she should stay by his side?!

"You are a vampire!" The man spoke, realization and confusion in his eyes. His voice was skeptical as he said, "But you are more than that. You taste like a witch also. Are you..." The words of the man died in his mouth when the realization hit him. Then a sly smile slid across his face as he continued speaking.

"You are more useful alive than dead. You do not have the slightest idea where you walked into. I will—"

The man was not able to finish his words when, out of nowhere, he was pushed back with an incredible force, his back colliding with the bark of the tree, and a crack echoed from the impact.

Perdita dusted her hand while rubbing her neck where the axe had been. She said, in between fearful intakes of breath, "Forgive me for not introducing myself earlier, but you made a grave mistake of wanting to abduct me."

The man winced in pain as he slowly stood from the ground. He twisted his body, snapping the broken bone back in place as it began to heal. This time, Perdita could see his eyes glare at her in fury. He spoke through gritted teeth.

"Your wishful thinking keeps telling you that you can escape me? This is no ball dance, fair vampire-witch lady." A scoff let out through his mouth as he slowly sauntered towards Perdita. "I should have known with your green eyes, you were the one. Where have you been all this while? And your brother? I am sure I will enjoy using you to the fullest."

"Make sure to save some pride for yourself when your body crumbles to dust," Perdita retorted, backing away as the man approached. She needed to end this quickly and look for Sthena.

Perdita’s gaze quickly went all over the place looking for a possible distraction. Her eyes caught a bat sitting atop the tree, and a thought clicked in her head. Why not use this bat? She thought. It had been the same one that almost flapped its wings on their faces earlier.

She raised her hand, ready to command the bat; however, as if sensing her intention, it flew away with a shrieking rasp, making Perdita curse at it.

A sneering, demeaning look danced on the curved lips of the man as he regarded Perdita, enjoying the moment of her misery as his mind raced on the thoughts of what his clan of witches would gain from her, especially her powers.

"It seems you haven’t been learning about your abilities? How about you come and I teach you willingly?"

"You should be grateful your lowly self got to meet me rather than having those wishing thoughts," Perdita spat, her words jabbing the ego of the man, and his face turned into a scowl.

"We shall see if your claws are as sharp as your tongue!" He barked, whispering spells as he charged towards Perdita.