Page 32 of The Lost Child

“A draken? Surely not. And—” She stopped short, seeing Nerissa in my hands. “What isthis?”

“Alkdama!” Meruse interrupted. “He brings an injured blood witch. I know nothing more,” She waved a dismissive hand toward the other sea witches, who were watching silently from the water. At her dismissal, they disappeared, swimming back out to the deep sea.

“Our tribe is in your debt,” Alkdama intoned seriously.

Meruse grinned. “Just how I like it.”

Alkdama’s attention turned toward me and at the exact same moment, a wave of agony flooded my body. It took me by surprise, but I was used to pain. I grit my teeth and ignored it.

My patience was growing thin. I didn’t understand what these witches were talking about, but they were ignoring Nerissa’s limp form in my arms. I didn’t realize I was growling until both of them stopped talking and instead stared at me.

The pain flared again, and nearly brought me to my knees.

“What treasures you’ve brought me,” the dark-skinned witch mumbled. “One lost sister half-dead and a blood-cursed creature whose species is supposedly extinct.”

Meruse gave a half salute, and dove back into the waves.

“Come, draken. Let’s see what the fuss is over.”

* * *

They were getting pissed at me, but I didn’t care.

I was surrounded by dark-skinned women; the blood witches, they called themselves. I refused to let go of Nerissa, fearing that if I did, these women would overwhelm me with their numbers and magicks.

I wasn’t losing track of Nerissa again.

They brought me to a ramshackle village full of huts and females. I’d never seen so many in my entire life. If the master found them, he’d take them all, and likely sell—

No. The master wasn’t here. And he wouldn’t come here. I’d kill him if he did.

Another bolt of pain shot through my body at the mere thought of the master. I grunted and stumbled, falling clumsily as I stubbornly held onto Nerissa, curling her into my chest so she wouldn’t get hurt.

“You see?” Alkdama argued, gesturing at me to all the others. She marched up and got right in my face, an easy task since I was on my knees. I snarled and bared my fangs, but her eyes were level with mine.

“Stop being stubborn. She needs more care. So do you, as a matter of fact. Give her over.”

I panicked at the thought. These witches wouldn’t just help. No one helped another for nothing. No one did that except Nerissa. Only she was kind. Only she was good. I didn’t know what a blood witch was, but I was afraid of these women.

“Draken,” Alkdama snarled again, but it only made me clutch tighter to Nerissa. This witch was threatening me. They all were. I lowered Nerissa to the ground and stood over her on all fours. My wings flared high, and my spine spikes shot up along my back.

“Remove him,” Alkdama ordered.

Ah, finally they showed their true colors! I knew I could trust no one but Nerissa! I leaned over her, prepared to fight for her. But the witches didn’t look like they were going to attack me. Instead, Alkdama slit a line down the inside of her arm, bleeding freely. She started chanting words I didn’t understand, and soon enough all the witches were doing it with her.

Magick! I panicked, and rushed at the nearest two witches. If I could kill them before they work their magick, I’d save both of us! I leaped forward with my claws, and the first two scattered. Alkdama kept chanting, though shooting me an annoyed look as her lips moved.

I turned my attention to her, knowing she was likely the strongest, and the biggest threat. I roared and ran at her.

She finished chanting the split second before I could bury my claws in her soft throat. Something in my chest jerked me back hard, and I tumbled over myself to land flat on my back. The force of the impact stole my breath, and the other witches were gone, running. I flipped over to my stomach, ignoring the pain in my body. Three of them had a grip on Nerissa, dragging her away. I bellowed my fury to all of them and tried to get up.

And fell. Alkdama towered over me, her hands glowing and outstretched above me.

I couldn’t rise. All I could do was watch as they took Nerissa away from me. I tried to get up, but it was as if my body was trapped in another place that traveled only half the speed of this one.

I couldn’t rise.

They were taking her from me. She was helpless and couldn’t fight back. I’d never see her again. Pressure built in my chest, and my rage only grew. With a ragged scream, I pushed back against whatever force held me down. I screamed and screamed, regaining control of my body one muscle at a time. Alkdama started shouting, sweat dripping down her face. I’d shred her to pieces as soon as I could rise.

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