CH. 5: Run, Witch, Run!

What was that?

What creature would think that a witch's blood is tasty?

No one.

Our blood is toxic to all -- both good and bad creatures. That is why our blood is our most powerful weapon. It is with our blood that we create illusions, barriers, potions, and curses. So to find something ... or someone ... who would want my blood ...

Shivering at the notion, I squeeze myself amongst people and try to get as far as possible from the Durian vendor.

When I think I'm far enough, I stop to catch my breath. My hands are both on my knees as I forcefully inhale the chilly air of Yakor. With my heart slowing to its regular rhythm, I stand up and check my surroundings. Yellow and blue lanterns light up the streets and the children's musical laughter are almost in tune to the melody of the harps. There are dancers and singers and jokesters and everyone has smiles plastered on their faces.

But instead of catching the merriment of the moment, all I can feel is dread creeping up from my toes to the tips of my fingers. My Aunt's voice echoes in my ear, hissing her warning, "Go back, Andromeda."

The children's voices are also starting to morph in my head and I'm hearing them chant, "Tasty, tasty ... " again and again in their tiny annoying voice.

The elderly woman stands among the crowd and my eyes zeroed on her just as hers are focused on me. She flashes me a slow lazy grin.

And then suddenly she's inches away from my face.

I stumble back and fall painfully on my backside.

No one seems to notice us.

"Let me taste some more," she whispers in a raspy voice. Giggling, she takes tiny steps towards me.

I crawl back. "Get away from me."

"I want your blood. I want your flesh. Give it to me!" She lunges.

I raise my hand. "No!"

A loud horn booms in the distance. The elderly woman vanishes into black feathers. Still shaking from fear, I exhale a breath of relief and focus on locating my exit. The people around me rejoices. The parade is finally about to start.

My feet aches to move and the more I stay here the more I yearn the security of my hut. A gust of wind blows my hood away from my face and my hair flows straight to my eyes. Cursing, I swipe my hair away and spin around so the direction of the wind would be against me.

But that's when I find two pairs of emerald eyes looking straight at me.

"You ..." Prince Sorien frowns and scrutinizes me. "You're that girl with Hegar. Why were you running?"

Why is he here? "Why did you follow?"

"Because you're running."

"Uhm." What the heck?

"Hegar said you wanted to see the parade. And now you're running away from it."

I can only stare at Prince Sorien. Adrenaline is still high in my system and my resolve to go home is increasing by the second.

"Who are you and where are you from?" he demands, his expression inscrutable.

With a feigned gasp, I drop to my knees with my forehead pressed on the ground. "I'm sorry, Your Highness. I'm just a servant who escaped my masters so I can watch the parade. But I'm afraid they might notice my absence by now so since the parade was delayed, I no longer have time to stay here. I must return to my masters."

"Liar."

I look up at him with my mouth agape. No one has ever caught me lying before. Even with the most obvious lies, people just seem to buy it.

He squats down and his lips curve into a malicious sneer. "You dare lie to me?" He reaches out and cups my chin, angling it up to an uncomfortable level. "Who are you and where are you from?"

Hik! Hik! I'm trapped! What is this stupid Prince doing here? Isn't he supposed to be in the parade?

I meet his eyes, my mouth quivering. If he kills me here, I'll be the youngest witch in our line to die. Aunt Agitha, my mama, and my grandmama will be so ashamed of me when I meet them in hell.

His expression changes and his rough hold on my chin loosens. But he doesn't let go. Instead his hand moves up to my cheek.

"Are you scared of me?" His eyes roam my face for seconds before going down to my bare neck and the hidden promise of my chests. He chuckles and stands up.

"I'm keeping you," he declares.

What?

Whaaat?

"Hegar."

"My Prince," Hegar responds.

Wait. When did he? How did he just suddenly appear behind the Prince?

"This lady you found ... She's coming back with us to Gazaar."

"Yes, my Prince."

With one last smirk at me, the Prince struts back to the tent, the people instinctively moving out of his way.

Oh, crap.

"I told you to stay where I left you," Hegar says.

"But there was this woman who said my blood is tasty," I hiss. "You get it? Our blood is never tasty."

Hegar narrows his eyes. "You bled?"

I cower at his stare. Bleeding carelessly is considered stupidity. "Well, yeah. There was this fruit and it pricked my finger."

Hegar shakes his head slightly and looks at me like someone would to a disobedient child. "You really shouldn't have left your domain."

I flick my hand, dismissing his nagging. "Who is she? Or what is she?"

"It may be a gargoyle."

I knit my brows together. "What's a gargoyle?"

Hegar's coal black eyes bore into me and suddenly my tongue twists inside my mouth.

"Mmmh!" I mumble helplessly.

"Follow me," Hegar says.

My whole being urges me to go to the opposite direction. But with my tongue in a cherry knot, I have no choice but to follow this he-witch who is far superior than me. And besides, I may be safer if I'm closer to him. I brave a glance back. The gargoyle is no longer visible but I can feel her eyes on me, giving me a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. Adjusting my hood back and keeping my head down, I follow Hegar silently.