Chapter 217
Elowen
I woke to the sound of hushed voices just outside my door. The pain in my abdomen had subsided to a dull throb, manageable compared to the agony of hosting the demon. My hand drifted to my now–flat stomach, fingers tracing the neat stitches where the sorceress had extracted the creature.
A strange melancholy filled me as I stared at the ceiling. I should have felt relief, even joy at being free of the parasite that had been slowly killing me. Instead, I felt an inexplicable sadness, as if I lost something precious. Tears welled in my eyes before I could stop them.
The door opened quietly, and Kaius entered. He stopped when he saw I was awake, his amber eyes assessing me carefully.
“Are you feeling steady?” he asked, approaching the bed.
“Good enough,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “How soon can I get out of this bed?*
“Soon enough. The sorceress confirms you’re mending, but rest is non–negotiable. That thing nearly drained you dry.” He sat beside me, his weight making the mattress dip slightly.
I nodded, suddenly finding it difficult to meet his gaze.
And speaking of the sorceress, expect her shortly,” he confirmed. “She needs to confirm the healing is taking properly.”
We fell into an awkward silence. There was so much to say, yet the words seemed caught in my throat. My mind felt clouded, memories of the past days fuzzy around the edges. I remembered making the decision to remove the demon, remembered my fear of the procedure, but the details were strangely elusive.
“Kaius, can I ask you something?” I said finally, needing to break the silence.
“Go ahead. His expression was carefully neutral.
“You paid a visit to the Storm Wardens pack, right?”
“I did. His caution was evident in the clipped response.
“And my mother… did you happen to see her there?”
Something flickered across his face–reluctance, perhaps. “We talked, actually.”
“Kaius. What aren’t you telling me?” I knew him well enough to sense when he was holding back.
“Nothing important. She seemed… fine. Perfectly pleasant.” The obvious lie made me raise an eyebrow.
“Oh, please. That’s the worst lie you’ve told all week. What happened?” Despite the seriousness of the conversation, I found myself almost smiling at his poor attempt at deception.
He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. “Okay. She warned me to stay away from her family–I’m guessing she meant you; also, the slap had been impressive for a woman her size.”
“She hit you?” I couldn’t hide my shock.
Let’s just say she made her feelings crystal clear. And honestly? I probably deserved it.” His acceptance of her anger was surprising.
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‘I’m so sorry… I began, feeling responsible for the conflict between them.
‘I should be the one apologizing; I just can’t seem to stop doing things the wrong way. The genuine regret in his voice caught me off guard.
“Stop it. I made choices too. Bad ones. Blaming you was easy, but it wasn’t right. I need to own my part in this mess. This felt important, though I couldn’t pinpoint exactly why. A vague sense of guilt hung over me, something beyond just blaming Kaius for my transformation.
I pushed the feeling aside, focusing on more immediate concerns. I’m scared, Kaius. What if this… ‘procedure… doesn’t work? Or
worse?”
“Trust the process. He reached for my hand, his touch warm and reassuring. “The sorceress is more capable than you realize.”
Before I could respond, the door opened again, and Frost entered, followed by the sorceress. Her milky eyes seemed to see through me rather than at me, her ancient face unreadable as she approached the bed.
“Is there something I’m missing?” Frost asked, looking between Kaius and me.
“Nothing at all.” Kaius’s response was quick, perhaps too quick. Another mystery to add to the strange fuzzy spots in my memory.
The sorceress moved to my bedside, her gnarled hands surprisingly gentle as she examined my stitches. “Healing well, she murmured, more to herself than to me.
I believed that Kieran had already informed you what being a ‘turned one‘ entails. I was wrong–gods, I hate being wrong,” she stated, her voice dry as old parchment. “His deception endangered you. Survival is possible, but only if you adhere to the code.”
“What code?” I asked, glancing at Kaius who seemed as puzzled as I was.
–
“Simple principles, girl. Remain unseen. Avoid attracting attention. When the thirst takes you – and it will be discerning. The wrong vessel can be your demise. Humans are generally safest; easier to remain anonymous.”
I stared at her, horrified by the casual way she discussed murder. “Hold on. I have no intention of hunting anyone. I’ll eat normal
food.”
“But you aren’t a normal one.” Her milky eyes fixed on me with uncomfortable intensity.
“I won’t hurt anyone for my pleasure, ever.” My voice was firm, though the memory of Kaius’s blood on my lips haunted me.
“Noble words for a fledgling.” A ghost of a smile touched her lips. “Revisit that sentiment in a hundred years, when eternity stretches thin and mundane. Diversions become… necessary. Trust an old woman’s experience.”
!
“Fine,” I said, voice tight with resignation, not wanting to argue further. “Your ‘code‘. Whatever. I agree.” The thought of living for centuries, watching everyone I loved grow old and die while I remained unchanged, was too overwhelming to contemplate right
now.
“Good. Now let’s get to work.” She turned to retrieve a bag she’d brought with her, pulling out various items–herbs, vials of liquids, and an ancient–looking book bound in dark leather.
“Is that… the book of spells?” Frost asked, his usual composure slipping as he stared at the tome.
“Yes, it is,” the sorceress confirmed, opening it to a page marked with a ribbon. “This would help with the pain,” she added, mixing something in a small bowl.
Is that like some kind of pain reliever?” I eyed the concoction warily
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“That, but much more effective. She approached with the bowl, holding it to my lips. The liquid was bitter, making me grimace as ! swallowed.
Almost immediately, a strange warmth spread through me, pleasant and soothing. My limbs grew heavy, my thoughts clouding as the potion took effect. I was aware of Kaius moving closer, his expression concerned.
“What is happening to her?” he demanded.
“Soon, she will feel nothing, the sorceress assured him coolly, moving to prepare more items from her bag.
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