Page 10 of The Demon of the Wood

“What a rotten thing,” she said out loud, anger lacing every word. “He’s the one who saved me, and he is the one they will blame and call evil.” What an ironic thing that the demon was the one of the kindest males she had ever encountered.

Melina heard a rustling and turned in a circle, frantic to see what it was. Nothing emerged at first, then a squirrel bounded around her, and she let out a shaking laugh, continuing on her path, though she imagined eyes watching. No, she was just letting her imagination get carried away.

She followed the river, for no reason in particular except that she could refill her water. She snacked on the food, her head feeling clear for the first time in a long time, her hunger sated for once. Her legs were heavy and tired, and she needed to rest. A cave entrance appeared near the river, and she decided it would at least shield her from the wind. Wind that was blowing wildly now. She looked up at the sky, only able to see a bit through the trees. Storm grays colored the sky, and she groaned. Her luck was absolutely perfect. She hastened to the cave. Inside was a little pool of water that fed from the river, and a skylight cast a broad beam shimmering on the water.

She needed a plan, but what could she do? If she had a map, or a way of finding one, then she might go to another village and try her hand at finding a job of some sort. She thought of how Gregory had treated her, though. How he’d called her a whore and assumed he had a right to her body. She was alone in the world with no ability to truly defend herself. She pulled out the dagger and examined it. Even with this, what good would it be? She frowned, gripping it tighter. She had fended off Gregory at first. Perhaps she could do it again. And in another place, they wouldn’t assume she was a whore. Would they?

She walked back out of the cave, only to see a series of snow flurries coming down in drifts. An icy fear sliced through her. This was going to be a dreadful storm. She couldn’t travel in it like this. She walked back into the cave, looking around forlornly.

“Am I going to die here?” she whispered, a sob escaping her.

Water splashed, startling her, but there was nothing, and she let out a shaky laugh. She had nowhere to go, no plan, and now she was imagining things.

“Wonderful.”

five

Kaemon

Kaemonhadwatchedthewoman trudge out in the snow. The fur of the cloak almost weighed her down and puffs of smoke swirled as her warm breath hit the icy air. He knew an abused creature when he saw one, but what could he do? She had called him a demon as if the word was a curse and he’d seen in her eyes the fear, the repeating word ofmonster.She may hate her abusers, but she hated him more. He couldn’t blame her. He’d thought those things about himself enough times, too. Should he follow her? No, he decided against it. He didn’t want to frighten her further or she would bring Hunters back for fear of him stalking her.

Instead, he grabbed his bow and went into the forest to patrol. He didn’t want the men from the night before to get any ideas, so he’d need to shore up the traps and trip wires he had in place. They would alert if any Hunters came through.

The humans of Nemus were non-magical and much smaller than the demon folk. He understood their fear, even if it was oft misplaced. They were easy prey for the evil-minded magical beings, many of whom were the main ones who came to Nemus to do as they pleased. They were the powerful ones here, which was an attractive thing to the ones who only wanted power, and often they were criminals running from their own retribution back on Medeis. So, humans had formed the Hunters Guild, where they trained and were equipped with elven made armor and weapons.

The sky was dark, and snow began falling heavily. A bad storm was coming through. He hoped Melina had made it back to Thon already. A noise made him whip to the side, bringing his bow up swiftly, holding his breath. He frowned, lowering it.

“Don’t sneak up on me, Silenus,” he said, testily.

The satyr flashed him a wicked grin, his light skin pink against the cold, his blond locks falling in graceful waves about his bare shoulders. Bone white antlers rested on his head, decorated with chains and beads.

“You haven’t killed me yet,” Silenus said with a shrug.

“Yet.”

Silenus laughed, the sound like a clear ringing bell. “Kaemon, I saw the oddest thing, then had the oddest conversation with a nixie.”

Kaemon gave Silenus a dull look and kept walking, knowing the satyr would follow him. Silenus had a knack for dramatics, so he no doubt would hear some grand tale that didn’t even happen.

“Well, do you want to hear it?” Silenus asked.

“Not particularly, but I have a feeling you will tell me anyway,” Kaemon responded, coming to a tree and locating the trap. He set about inspecting it and Silenus stood beside him, cocking his head to the side, his long ears, covered in a soft tuft of warm golden fur, slanted down as he blinked curiously at the trap.

“You’re paranoid,” Silenus said.

Kaemon gave him a sharp side glance. “I have good reason to be. Does the Guild hunt you?”

Silenus shrugged in acquiescence. “Anyway, Kaemon dearest, I saw a human woman wandering in the wood, talking to herself.”

Kaemon’s hands stilled on the strings of the trap.

Silenus held a smug visage. “I thought you’d be interested.”

Kaemon focused back on the trap and got to work, not taking the satyr’s bait. “I know of her. She was attacked last night. I helped her and sent her on her way back to Thon.”

“Aw, a regular white knight,” Silenus cooed, and Kaemon gritted his teeth. Many people found satyrs charming and fun. Kaemon found this one grating. Like the sun at midnight. Cheerful, yes, but not what he wanted at the moment. “Anyway, she wasn't headed toward Thon.”

Kaemon pursed his lips. “She's lost, I suppose.”

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