Chapter 10 #4
I nod as Jodelle eyes her wearily. I can’t blame her; if a man approaches her, I will probably slam him to the ground, unable to contain my emotions.
Caria carefully touches my wrist, and I wince in pain as she takes hold of it.
“I can fix this if you’d like?”
She looks at me, acting as if Jodelle is not even present, and I know it’s purely to piss her off.
“How?” I ask.
She takes a dagger hidden underneath her clothes. It's lined with crystals I am not familiar with, and the handle is fine leather. I see the blotches of blood on it—a ritual knife.
“This is a dagger I use for my blood magic. Don’t worry,” she laughs. “I will only cut myself this time, and not you too. My blood will mend your bones if you trust me.”
“I do,” I say without hesitation.
Caria uses the dagger and slides the blade into the palm of both of her hands, cutting her delicate skin.
She puts the dagger back where she took it from and takes my wrist into her bloodied hands, the air filling with a metallic odor combined with hints of vanilla, the scent of her blood, I conclude.
“This will hurt a little,” she says, starting to chant in a low voice.
I watch in fascination as her blood starts to spiral around my wrist; as she recites the exact wording over and over, it starts to intrude through my skin, causing it to sting.
I bite my lip as her blood seeps into my body, the sting becoming a strong ache as it travels through each layer of my flesh.
“FUCK!” I scream loudly as her blood starts to set my bones, piecing the fractures back together. Splinters are pulled out, agony taking hold of me. I want to throw up from the pain, but I can’t move until she finishes; her blood magic keeps my wrist straight.
“Almost done, baby,” she murmurs.
I stare at her, not missing the caress in her voice, and she winks at me.
“What did you call him?” Jodelle asks furiously.
“A baby, you know, a big baby, because he can’t take a little pain,” she says smugly.
I shake my head, the pain becoming less as my bone is healing back into one piece. When she’s done, I twist and turn it; my wrist functions like it never happened.
“Thank you, truly, thank you, Caria,” I say.
“Of course, you’d do the same for me,” she responds.
Irritated, Jodelle pulls me away from Caria’s gaze, not expressing any form of gratitude for healing my broken bones.
Again, I am torn between logic and emotion: one tells me there’s no need for her to thank Caria, as she’s not her friend, just mine; the other feels a distaste for her behavior.
Even if Caria’s not her friend, she’s mine, and as my partner, Jodelle should at least have some decency and manners toward those who matter to me.
Particularly to those who have saved my life and now cured my injury by breaking open their own skin.
It was a strange sensation, allowing witch powers through the surface of Aurum.
Her blood trickled through my flesh, then warped and reformed my bone structure, her essence mixing with mine.
Her blood has such a sweet smell; it is the first time I've been able to distinguish anything besides the typical metallic tang.
The male witch watches the entire ordeal, not moving one finger as if he is frozen in time.
He watches her every move as if his peculiar eyes are shackled to her being.
He is probably the better option for her; besides, I am connected to Jodelle, my soulmate Harlot had called her.
I don’t believe I fit with a Blood Witch anyway, one that’s part of the deadliest of the covens.
Eight of them are left after the war Caria had mentioned, eight covens of Blood Witches, each with their own talents and hunger for blood—the blood they extract in their own unique ways.
I look at the stranger who’s part of Caria’s life, and I can’t help but wonder which coven he belongs to and if they are destined mates of some sort.
If Jodelle could, she would stare Caria to death; her eyes are slits as she tracks every movement of her prey. A shadow creature, feline it appears, jumps on Caria’s shoulder and hisses at Jodelle, snarling with its bare, sharp teeth.
“There, there, Hako, leave the silly human alone; she’s not worth your energy,” Caria says, soothing the shadowy animal.
My curiosity gets the better of me as I look at the shadow beast for the first time, able to see one up close.
It’s intriguing and peculiar-looking at the same time.
A dark color covers its skin, approaching black, and its fur seems fluid, flowing as it moves.
Its tail split into three, full as a fox’s tail, each one moving of its own accord.
The ears are large, with big plumes, and out of proportion to its head, almost making it look sweet, but the sharp double rows of teeth, like a shark, and its pointed claws make it clear it is not to be messed with.
It moves with a graceful fluidity as it balances itself on Caria’s shoulders.
The creature bumps his head against hers.
“Is he yours?” I ask in fascination.
“He’s as much mine as I am his. Shadow beasts choose their own partners; they are not ones to be contained, but a very pleasant familiar overall.”
She smiles as she scratches the beast under his chin, a loud purr following.
“So… he chose you? Can they choose… anyone? Or is this for witches only?”
I’m unsure where my interest stems from; perhaps I see an ally in such beasts, an ally to help me kill my sister, especially now she’s bonded to that freak.
I touch my wrist unconsciously at the thought of what occurred only a few hours ago.
The Umbra went straight through the magical barrier and didn’t even bat an eye.
His skin was completely intact. He truly stood above all creatures and the magic of this world, which frightens me.
“Yes, Fynn. Shadow beasts can choose whoever they like, and if you oppose them in any way, they will take your life. Vampires, Blood Witches, and humans, the beasts, don’t differentiate, except for the Umbra, of course.
They will never choose an Umbra due to the power imbalance, as they cannot kill one of those if they deem it necessary.
Hako found me while I struggled with my shadows; he ensures they behave around me.
They are mysterious creatures with even more peculiar powers. ”
She chuckles at the memory, and I see the male witch's lips also curve upward. How long have they known one another?
“Well, Fynn, I’ll leave you two by yourselves. If you need me to heal you, or you just want to talk, be like Hako and find me,” she says with a wink.
She walks off with the Shadow beast lounging on her shoulders, the male witch immediately joining her as she goes outside.
DIARY ENTRY:
I have gotten under your skin with the whole loophole thing, haven’t I?
I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m reveling in it all.
And the fact that it scares you means there’s a possibility.
We will find it. We are destined to be a happy family, not one followed by sorrow and death.
Did I already tell you how much I hate you? I hate you.