Chapter 32 （Caleb）Gypsies
Chapter 32 (Caleb)
Gypsies
I stayed awake all night, feeling full from all the blood I’d drunk that evening. Werewolf blood wasn’t as satisfying as human blood, but it would do. I still felt energized.
I watched, amused, as Summer swore and tried to untie her bonds all night. She was a fighter and smart enough not to shift and break her bones. I liked that about her. I was sure her blood would taste good.
Finally, when the birds began to sing at dawn, she collapsed and fell asleep. I waited to see the steady rhythm of her chest rise and fall. Having struggled all night, I knew she’d sleep for a few hours before waking up.
The fire was out, but the sun’s warmth would soon warm the cave. I now had plenty of time to make my way to the village. I flew, enjoying the breeze on my face.
It seemed only a few minutes had passed when I caught sight of a small gypsy camp. These nomads were masters of commerce of all kinds. I’d find what I need there.
I landed nearby and walked the rest of the way. Despite the early hour of the morning, the chickens were already out, and children were distributing grain. Tents had been erected, as well as temporary shelters. Horses drank water, tied to trees, while the carts they pulled were left on the ground. The adults eyed me warily while the children ran. They had a simple way of life, and I suddenly felt nostalgic at the thought of my modest home. Suddenly, I couldn’t wait to finish this job and get some rest. All I wanted was to finish my contract, pay my debts, and start my life again. My deal with the goddess was problematic. I’d need to find a way to get out of it.
“Would you like your fortune-telling traveler?” asked an old lady with dozens of rattling bracelets. She smiled widely, spreading her teeth, a gaping hole where she lacked some. Her long, thin white hair gave her a mysterious, evil air, and I moved away.
Continuing on my way, I met three men who came to meet me. One asked, “What are you doing here, stranger?”
I replied politely, “I’m here to do business with you. Where are your merchants?”
The men point to a cart on the right. There, I found solid chains and food. After negotiating a fair price, I returned to the cave with my purchases .
Summer was still sleeping, her long black hair tangled. There was a wild beauty about her, and I wondered if it was because of her wolf.
I approached her quietly. I undid her bonds, lingering on the traces left by the ropes on her skin. My head pulsed, and for a split moment, images appeared in my mind: the forest full of life, animals running through the grass, the sun setting over a lake. I shook my head. I had no idea where these images had come from.
I bound the werewolf with the chains, infusing my movements with my vampiric powers, taking care not to wake her.
Around noon, she finally stirred, the sound of chains scraping against the rocks.
“What the . . .?” she asked when she realized I’d replaced the ropes.
“Ah, there you are, awake at last, little wolf,” I said with a smile. “I took advantage of your sleep to make some small modifications.”
“Let me go,” she demanded again. “How can you do this? You have no heart.”
I laughed at her comment. “With the number of people I’ve killed, if I had a heart, I’d have sunk into despair a long time ago. The heart is weak.” She was young, I’d guess, in her early twenties. She was inexperienced. But when you lived several centuries, you learned how things work.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” she added.
I got within inches of her so fast she shrieked. She had no idea what I’d been through. She didn’t know how my heart had been destroyed when Sophia died .
“You have no right to assert this,” I whispered, biding my anger. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“You’re wrong,” she retorted. “I know way more than you think.” I ignored her and walked to the entrance of the cave. I picked up the food and laid bread and fruit at her feet. Summer looked at me, surprised.
“Eat,” I ordered sternly.
“Why would I do that?” she asked with defiance.
She was getting on my nerves. “Do you always have to be so hot-headed?” I asked. “You need to eat to stay alive.”
“What do you care if I’m alive?”
“You’re right. I don’t,” I replied coldly, but something in me disagreed. I was shocked to realize I wanted her to stay alive.
“But then . . . Why don’t you kill me?”
I didn’t know the answer. Ever since I met her, I stopped being able to think straight. Was it her sweet jasmine scent or the fire in her eyes?
My head fogged again. Summer’s gaze was still heavy, waiting for me to answer.
“Shut up and eat,” I ordered.
This conversation was over. I had enough of it. I needed fresh air. I walked towards the cave entrance, leaving the woman to eat alone.
? Several days had gone by. Strangely, I hadn’t had the chance to drink Summer’s blood yet. I wanted to—I craved her. But somehow, it never felt like the perfect moment for it, if that’s even a thing. But I intended on tasting her soon. I would know when the moment is right.
Summer never missed an opportunity to tell me how much she hated me, and I took great pleasure in arguing with her. Something about that little wolf triggered me to a degree I couldn’t understand. Our squabbles ended in monumental battles that threatened to explode every time.
I’d leave her in the cavern without fearing she’d leave, as the chains still bound her. I went to the pack and finally found Nathan’s location. He was at the Alpha’s house, which was rather inconvenient. I’d have to face the whole pack if I wanted to get my hands on him. I could probably take them all on, but it would be a pain in the ass to do so. It was simpler to wait for him to come out of there. He’d be alone and easier to kill.
I had enough to worry about with Summer. Her presence was preventing me from thinking clearly. But I had to admit that the more time passed, the more I appreciated her presence. Maybe keeping her was a good idea.
“Summer,” called a man’s voice.
Summer’s eyes went wide, as well as mine. Who the fuck was this? How had he found her? Summer struggled in her chains, screaming, “Mario. Is that you?”
I grunted and hurried to Summer, muffling her mouth with my hand. But it was too late. I could already smell the scent of the werewolf coming this way.
I hid in a corner of the cave and waited for him to approach. Soon, a tall man appeared at the cave entrance. He had short black hair and a mustache. He carried a crossbow over his shoulder. His red shirt seemed to glow in the setting sunlight .
Summer screamed, “Mario! Don’t come near. It’s a trap!”
But the man didn’t listen. He ran to her. “Oh my gosh! Summer. We’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Summer cried as Mario tried to undo the chains binding her. “Mario, don’t. You need to leave,” she urged him.
But the man didn’t listen—not that it would have changed anything. I couldn’t let anyone know she was here.
The man didn’t even notice me when I approached. “If you were smart, you wouldn’t have come here,” I said from behind his back.
The man dropped the chains and turned around. He gasped when he saw me and pointed his crossbow my way. I chuckled.
“Too slow,” I whispered as I grasped the crossbow in one hand and his neck in the other. The man didn’t even have time to react that my teeth were in his neck. He tried to break free, but I overpowered him easily. Summer cried as I drank the man’s blood, pleading, “Please spare him.”
I released his body once it was limp, blood still dripping on my chin. I turned my eyes to Summer. I whispered, “This is what awaits anyone trying to find you.”
“How can you be so cruel as to kill people from my pack in front of me? I hate you!” she spat angrily through her tears, but I ignored her.
I grabbed the werewolf’s body and flew a few miles into the forest before dropping him . I hoped this would stop more werewolves from coming to the cave.