Chapter 5

"Who is she?"

That one question is running in my mind for a few minutes now.

She just appeared out of nowhere in the middle of this battle. I watch in amazement as the woman singlehandedly murders Xanthos. With the chaos that's being created due to Xanthos's flailing while he's burning alive, I can't help but admire the woman who caused this. She's standing there silently and completely at ease as she watches Xanthos burn to death.

Only when Xanthos is lying in a heap of ashes on the floor does she break her focus from it and then looks around herself. A bit here and there and then she focuses on the witch, Xanthos's comrade. In a split second, she has another ball of fire ready at the tips of her fingers but Helena is faster as she throws the dagger at Fenris.

And after that, my goddaughter runs in full-fledged speed to catch a falling Connor.

God! This doesn't fail to amuse me. The boy had to put Catrina on the edge. Hmm... Maybe I am being hard on Connor. He loves Catrina. He loves Fenris too. I'll die for my best friend and all that shit.

You get me, don't you?

Then perhaps I should let the boy breathe instead of scaring him.

Hmm. Okay! But who's that witch.

I should've been the one to save Fenris with my speed but I guess I was too busy ogling the woman who happens to be his sister.

My near-future suddenly seems fuzzy to me.

"Dominic. Get her to the infirmary now," orders Sierra while trying to console a hysterical Catrina. My gaze is still focused on the woman as she pulls the dagger out of Connor's chest. She smoothly backs off before she is sprayed in Connor's blood. And then she disappears into thin air.

What's with this disappearing thing?

Trying to not think about the woman anymore, I pick up Catrina making sure that my touch doesn't hurt her and quickly rush into the infirmary. Reaching in time to see Connor being taken into the treatment area for Elder Fridolf to work on him, I set my goddaughter on the nearest chair and pat her head once while covering her with a blanket.

I do not know how to deal with women. The last one who cried in front of me died a few minutes later. And that was the last time when I ever had a meaningful conversation with any womankind. After that, I started feeding on males but never females.

Feeding became a necessity instead of fun. It couldn't be fun anymore as the woman who brought that emotion into my life was murdered right in front of my eyes by a fellow vampire.

And I couldn't save her. Neither could I avenge her. What a useless and hopeless mate I am.

"Dominic. I need you here."

Fenris's voice in my mind pulls me out of my thoughts. Looking at Catrina being consoled by her mother and brother I quietly move out of the infirmary and make way into the dungeon where Helena is no doubt being tortured for more answers.

"Oh, you are finally here," greets Nora as I walk into the groove of this dungeon. It reeks of blood, witch blood which is not at all tempting or tasty.

"So, what is it with the witch?" I ask as I walk beside Nora maintaining a steady distance between us. I am not a huge fan of witches because of their conniving nature. The witches and vampires both are species of psychic beings. Werewolves took over in their strength while witches took over their mental prowess.

We, vampires, have speed but we have psychic abilities too. More than that we have the advantage of being able to work without very less sleep. But we do need to sleep for a couple of hours a day.

Hmm. What have we got here today?

"The witch Helena. She's Kestrel's daughter, it seems and she was working with that Lance guy and Xanthos to make a special serum that would aid in making these females withstand rough sexual activities as well as to be able to conceive. Even when the male impregnating her is not her mate," explains Nora and with every word that falls out of her mouth, I feel my disgust grow for these rogues.

What's with this obsession with kidnapping she-wolves and torturing them like this?

The look of utter dejection on the females we saved last time is so clear in my mind. I feel nothing but disgust for these people.

"So, what do we do now?" I ask Nora just in time when we reach the cell where Helena's being tortured by Alcina. This witch girl is a pain in the butt but she's got a touch for pain. I try to keep her away as much as I can.

"We find out more about my sister from her," answers Fenris who's standing behind Alcina as she continues to play mind games with Helena. I watch in amusement as she plays with the black witch.

A real penchant to torture, she has.

"Yes, we need to find out when did they kidnap her because, from the looks of your sister, I do not think that she was kidnapped only last year. One year's torture cannot make her look... like that," I finally manage while glancing at Fenris.

He watches me for a moment and then nods his head as if agreeing with me. Looking at Helena, Alcina then manages to cut open the witches' cheek with an invisible knife while just waving a finger in Helena's direction.

"What did you do to my cousin?" she asks sweetly to the witch and the scene makes me want to just finish off the witch. I would prefer Fenris's torture method over Alcina's anytime.

"She was with us since she was a newborn," answers Helena, trembling in fear as Alcina looks at her with a blood-thirsty expression. Alcina is so engrossed in her torture that even Fenris pauses for a second to glance at her.

"What do you mean that my sister was with you since she was a newborn?" asks Fenris. Alcina looks at Fenris for a split second looking surprised a bit. I wonder if she was so into the torture that she forgot about the people surrounding her and the reason behind this torture.

If that's the case then I don't think Alcina is a trustworthy battle partner. A person who can zone out in the middle of the battle can get their partner killed and I am not going to allow anyone of my friends here to get killed because of this witch's kinks.

"Answer him," shouts Alcina while slapping Helena hard across her cheeks. The entire skin becomes red and a clear handprint is visible on the trapped witch's cheek.

"I do not know how but mother once told that Queen Eva died in the underground dungeon of Adrian's castle. She had your witch sister in her arms when another witch found her in the woods and then teleported her to your grandfather's castle," answers Helena while looking at Fenris.

She has a pleading expression on her face as if that's going to get her out of here alive.

However, the news that she just discloses is very much a surprise. I never in a million years would have thought that Xavier was successful in kidnapping Eva and her daughter. Does that mean that I was in the same dungeon where the Queen was once trapped?

Before I can question anymore, Fenris asks her about it.

Helena shakes her head and then whispers, "I don't know much. But when Xavier attacked the castle, he cornered your father and from what I have heard, the cavern in which he found your father was covered in blood and lots of fluid. On inspection, he realized that the Queen had birthed another royal offspring. That's how he told my mother to find the Queen and end her fast. When they found your mother, she had your sister with her. The Queen died when the King was murdered by Xavier because of blood loss and the hollow created by the broken mate-bond. That's how we had your sister, Dusty with us from the time she was born."

Dusty?

The entire story is so sad and horrifying. It just shows how cruel Xavier really was and how low Kestrel had stooped to deceive her own coven member.

I turn my head and glance at Fenris to see his eyes watering a bit as he digests this news. Not wanting to hear any more from the witch and completely sure that it's the only thing that she must be knowing, I nod at Fenris. In return, he nods too and as Alcina is already watching us, she delivers the final blow to kill Helena.

I watch as Alcina brutally finishes off the enemy witch all the while relishing in her blood-lust.

"That's enough now, Alcina," orders Nora causing the younger witch to step back and leave us. She is covered from head to toe in Helena's blood and she seems to be satisfied as she teleports out of the dungeon.

That one is a weird witch.

It's a completely different look on Alcina. All the time she's like a jolly teenager going around playing pranks on everyone. And now, she was this blood-thirsty witch, hell-bent on torturing her enemy.

Shaking my head a bit, I turn towards Fenris who appears to be deep in thought.

"So, your sister's name is Dusty," I speak as no one seems to want to speak. At my words, Fenris head jerks up and his lips lift up in a snarl.

"She's no longer Dusty. I'll give her a new name if that's all it takes but I won't tolerate anyone calling her Dusty," growls my wolf friend and I completely understand his rage.

"I agree."

I watch as Fenris calms down a bit. Shaking his head, a bit and then running his palm through his head, he pulls at his hair. It's an amusing habit of his, I must say.

"Let's go and see Catrina. I need to be there. I am equally responsible. I should've been more alert. Her presence just surprised me-"

"No need to explain yourself, Fenris. Connor did what anyone must have done. I should have done it but I was equally surprised to see your sister," I confess hoping that I am not misunderstood.

"Okay. Thanks, but I need to see Catrina. I need to reassure her," he says and then walks out of the dungeon.

~~~

Her scent is strong here. Sniffing the air, I cannot resist the shiver that runs through my spine. The scent is tantalizing somehow.

So familiar. The blood has a different scent from that of Fenris even when she's definitely his blood sister.

Why?

Is it her blood's scent or is it something else?

I need to find out.

With the decision made, I spring through the dark woods in the search of Dusty.

I do find her and when I see her, I feel like it's the Goddess herself bathing at the banks of river Luna. She's naked but I can't see much of her skin.

It's pearly white that much I am sure of. I watch, bewitched by the beauty of this girl as she rubs her fingers through her hair, removing the dirt and soil from it. I watch as the darkened strands of hair become clean and shine under the moonlight.

She's like an ethereal princess. A princess, so otherworldly yet so closed off from the world. It's like she doesn't at all know about this world and its evils.

Or maybe she does and that's why she's so quiet.

I almost feel like she's the quieter version of her.

And at that thought, I unintentionally let my presence be known to the girl.

She stills and then waits for me to walk out. I do. Slowly walking out of the woods, I watch the girl closely to check her emotions.

"Who are you?" she asks the question and her voice slips through my skin and melts into my blood causing it to flow faster. It's like she's slowly awakening my senses. It makes me unsettled. To know that this stranger of a woman makes me think of her as if she's my... No!

I had my chance and I lost it because of my own mistake. I am not worthy enough to have a second chance.

It's just this girl's quiet nature that makes me curious. That's it!

Trying slowly, I push into her mind and as I suspected she builds her barrier to protect her mind and her emotions.

She protects herself but she opens me bare to her as she very expertly gauges my emotions. I am a little too late to guard my emotions but I do, just in time to not let her see my darker emotions. I do not wish to scare her with them.

I am older, more experienced and hence, have a darker edge to all my emotions. Having them hidden from all my friends and family will keep them safer and that's my only intention when I hide my emotions from Dusty.

Well, at least if I keep telling myself that, maybe it'll become true!

"Do not attempt to cross me."

She's scared!

There's a faint tremor in her voice and the hair on her skin has raised, not due to cold but due to fear. She's immune to the cold to a little extent that much I am sure of otherwise she wouldn't have been able to go in that water let alone bathe in it.

Her fear makes me blink and I move back on my approach. Today's not the time for conversation, I realize.

It's time to make her trust me. And then I'll decide if she's trustworthy. She should put her guard down for me to analyze her true nature.

Is she a wicked witch like Helena?

Is she a good witch with a wicked streak like Alcina?

Or is she a pure witch?

"Go away, male," she whispers once again making me realize that I haven't disclosed my name yet. Will it be a wise decision to let a witch know my name?

But what harm will she do to me?

I have only met her now.

"My name is Dominic. I was unsure if I should disclose my name to a witch like you but then decided to give this a try," I finally tell her.

Looking at her surprised face and the expression of pure confusion, the image of her face flashes in front of me. I blink once, pushing her image out of my mind and start removing my shirt.

This girl should not be able to endure the freezing water for such a long time. Yet she does. Is it because she looks like a fire witch?

So many questions I have. But I can't ask them. The only person who can ask her is Fenris. Deciding to make her go to her brother so that he can help her out, I unbutton my shirt and keep it on the snow-covered ground.

"It's getting cold. Put that on and go to Fenris. You can follow my scent trail if you want. He's your family," I whisper and then point at her dirty rag of a dress. "Burn it with your fire. It stinks."

Her scent is soothing somehow and I wouldn't want that rag of a dress to cover the scent now that I've known the peace it brings me.

After a long time, I finally feel that I am not a failure.

~~~~

"Why are you half-naked? Don't tell me you've been trying to release the frustration of this battle in the human village?" asks Sierra as she walks into her home with me following behind her.

"No, I didn't. I met Fenris's sister bathing in the river and decided to lend her my shirt," I whisper while raising my hands up in surrender. Sierra's narrowed eyed gaze sometimes scares me.

"Oh, goodwill, huh?" she asks and her sarcasm is very clear from her sentence.

"Come on. Have you ever seen me flirting with any women around here?" I spit out and immediately regret it when she takes a step back.

"Look, Dominic. This is a very fragile moment for all of us. Our emotions are high because Connor's just out of operation and Catrina's still on the edge. Fenris is frustrated due to this. And finding his sister has put him on edge too. In this situation, if his sister is roaming around the woods with your shirt and scent then it's going to give out the wrong hint."

"I agree. That's why I told her to come to Fenris's house. Maybe if she comes here, you can lend a few dresses," I try to explain. Sierra nods her head and then takes in a deep breath, trying to push out her exhaustion. I completely understand that she's on the edge because of her emotions as well as her mate's distress.

"Let her come. I will try to persuade her to stay," she says finally and then walks upstairs and into the nursery where baby Selene sleeps peacefully.

I envy that child sometimes.

A moment later, Fenris walks into the house and pauses on the threshold to look at my half-naked state. I know exactly what he's going to say next.

"Fooling around in the village, are we?" he asks and then goes toward the built-in bar inside his home. Opening a bottle of hard liquor, he pours it into the glass and takes a huge sip.

"I am not, trust me," I reply back and take a seat on the sofa in front of him. Watching me take a seat, he also walks to sit in front of me and then offers a bottle of blood wine.

"Where did you find this?" I ask as I accept the bottle and take a sip before sniffing it.

"It was there at my parents' cabin. I just brought it here. Considering that it was in my father's personal bar, I think that it's good, so here it is."

"Yes, it is, pure human blood and wine. A good mix," I praise and gulp down the liquid. At least I wouldn't have to go and feed on a human male for the next 10-15 hours.

I wonder who was Fenris's father's vampire friend?

"So, tell me. What brings you here and not beside Catrina?" he asks, straight on the point and I sigh. I am just waiting for Dusty to arrive here so that I do not have to answer anything but the girl is late or perhaps she just didn't believe me.

I wouldn't blame her if she didn't.

I am nowhere connected to this mess. In fact, this is a witch and werewolf matter. I shouldn't interfere yet something tells me that I need to interfere here.

"I scent someone."

At Fenris's words, I perk up and hope that it's Dusty. The wind blows outside the cottage but I am able to hear everything clearly. The baby's heart beats as it sleeps peacefully and the mother's little movements as she settles beside her child. I ignore them as my focus is on the person walking around the house.

It is Dusty.

"It's her," says Fenris as he gets up from his seat and walks out of the house. I follow him in the hopes that this doesn't backfire on me.

The moment Fenris sees his sister dressed in my shirt, I feel the change in his emotions. The undercurrent of anger swirls and comes to the forefront as he jumps to conclusions that aren't even true. I might have poked my nose in something that's not my business but it needs to be done.

My instincts are the ones controlling me.

"Dominic! Do you care to explain why my sister is covered in your shirt?" he snarls at me and walks toward me, looking me in the eye. His eyes have turned black and I fear that he might lose his trust in me when I haven't even done anything wrong. Yet.

"I can explain, Fenris. I was just passing by and saw her. I helped her. That's it."

"I sense that you are hiding something Dominic," he growls.

"That's because I was bathing at that time and he just gave me his shirt to help me cover my body. He even advised me to come here so that I can talk to you," whispers Dusty.

Was it necessary to tell him that I almost saw her naked?

Pray for my life!

~~~~~

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