Chapter 32: Book II: Chapter 12: Riot

Chapter 12: Riot

“Atop the highest tower, Saint Arka stood strong. Mighty in spell and steel. She brought her Bow to bear. Sacred Arrows flew, and with them came fire and purity. Demons broke on the city walls, cut down by its defenders. While the Unholy Lords of the Dark Host faced the Saint and her Wroth. By her hand did the Archdemon Rakroka the Goreborn die. Its flesh of iron and blood of flowing fire pierced by a shaft of Sunlight '' - From the Don Chronicle, dated roughly 619, Fourth Epoch.

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The definition of Paradise is something cultures and philosophers have disagreed over for eons. An argument Natalie Striga had finally solved, for Paradise is a bathtub. Laying in the warm soapy waters, she felt rejuvenated. Months of gritty travel sloughed off of her, and the caress of soap and suds was practically divine. Letting out a pleased hum, Natalie leaned back into the bath, letting her long black hair coil in the water. Staring up at the bathroom ceiling, the Vampire let herself float slightly in the sudsy tub. She was buoyant while projecting false-life but otherwise sunk like so much dead weight without it. An interesting phenomenon she’d enjoyed experimenting with.

Floating just so her face and the swell of her breasts stuck out of the water, Natalie exhaled and let the false-life drop. Sinking below the warm water and staring up at the sudsy shimmering surface, Natalie wondered if she could walk on the bottom of the ocean like this. A muted noise, distorted by the water, pulled her from the odd reverie, and she surfaced.

Glaring over at the noise’s source, Natalie remarked. “I’m not in much danger of drowning, dear Nanny. Can I please just bathe in peace?”

The Priestess, Mina, gave Natalie a cold look. “I was ordered to not let you out of my sight while the Paladin is away. Believe me, I have as much desire to be here as you do.”

Slipping forward, so she partially leaned out of the tub, Natalie raised a damp eyebrow. Sitting as she was, Natalie knew she was striking a seductive pose. The image of some nymph eager to lure people to their death. Mina blushed and looked away. Amused by this reaction, Natalie let herself fall back into the water. After hours of trying to strike up some sort of dialogue with Mina and utterly failing. Natalie had defaulted to just trying to get some sort of response out of the Priestess.

Taking a breath and drinking in the smell of lilies, Natalie sighed. The soap she was using was one of the last things Barnabas had given her. She’d always loved the smell of lilies. The wild mountain flowers grew plentiful around Glockmire in spring. Their drooping, tear-drop flowers a sure sign of life and plenty returning to the Dragon Tail mountains. Now they were a bittersweet thing to her. Conjuring up homesickness and visions of her own soul. The red lily field where she’d met a God.

As the water started to cool, Natalie got out of the tub. Driving Mina to cover her eyes and look away. “A little warning, please!” the priestess hissed.

Finding the towel she’d prepared, Natalie let out a snort. “If you are going to invade my privacy, then don’t complain about the consequences.”

Drying herself off, Natalie watched the Priestess squirm. As amusing as that was, Natalie was starting to feel a little bad for Mina. Having a glorified Nanny wasn’t much more fun than being a glorified Nanny. Perhaps she could try one more time to become friends?

Wrapping her long hair in a second towel, Natalie plopped down next to Mina. Sitting on the salon bench occupying one corner of the bathroom. Eyes still shut, Mina made an angry noise and fumbled with her amulet. Rolling her eyes and leaning back against the cold stone of the bathroom wall, Natalie chided the Priestess. “How many times do I have to say I’m not going to hurt you!”

Mina still gripped her amulet and said nothing. Getting up from the bench, Natalie started to pace. Clad in only a towel for her hair, she crossed the bathroom repeatedly. Her wet feet slapping on the floor. “If we are going to be stuck together, how about we try and make this bearable? We don’t have to be friends, but can you at least talk with me?”

Crossing her arms in front of herself, Mina let out an exhausted huff. “What do you want to talk about?”

Natalie almost slipped in a pool of spilled bathwater. She was so surprised. All words suddenly left the young Vampire. She’d been so busy trying to reach this point she’d not even considered what came next. Lips flapping like a beached fish, Natalie tried to think of a topic. The first thing that came to mind was Mina’s occupation.

“Why’d you become a Priestess?”

The way Mina bristled told Natalie that had been the wrong question to ask. Swallowing her embarrassment, Mina fixed Natalie with a bitter glare. Careful to keep her eyes fixed on Natalie’s red ones, Mina hissed an answer. “To protect people from things like you.”

Hate was in Mina’s gray-green eyes. Pure, righteous hate. Things finally clicked into place like a key in a lock. Swallowing dryly, Natalie nodded in understanding. “You lost someone, didn’t you? To a Vampire?”

Bolting up from her seat on the bench, Mina stormed out of the bathroom. “Put some clothes on. Not all of us are exhibitionists like you.”

Sighing, Natalie finished drying herself off and put on a freshly laundered dress and undergarments. As much as she loathed being stuck in the Tenth Temple, Natalie had to admit returning to the comforts of civilization was wonderful. Properly cleaned clothes felt like Seraph kisses on her skin. Even their time with the Shohgard pack had left little time for proper washing. Now cleansed, body and clothes, Natalie felt infinitely better. A joy dampened by Mina’s bitterness and Cole’s absence.

As she left the bathroom and entered the diplomatic suite's main chamber, Natalie wondered what the Paladin was up to. Hopefully, nothing too terribly dangerous. Just then, a knock sounded at the suite’s door. Pushing her still-damp hair back, Natalie answered the door. She found an incredibly nervous-looking Acolyte holding a package.

Trembling in his gray robes, the Acolyte’s eyes widened at seeing Natalie. Without a word, he shoved the package into Natalie’s arms and scurried back. Mina arrived then, face contorted in anger. “Don’t go answering the door, Vampire!” she snapped.

Looking at the package and the Acolyte preparing to run, Mina asked, “Zam? What is this?”

Zam clutched his hourglass amulet as he spoke with a slight stutter. “F-from the G-Guards. The p-p-pa-Paladin sent word and this to his prisoner.”

Ignoring her official ‘designation,’ Natalie unwrapped the package and found a trio of books and a note.

‘Natalie. I’m joining the guards in an expedition into the tunnels below the city. I don’t know when I’ll be back. Love you lots and enjoy the books, my treat. - Cole’

Smiling despite herself, Natalie looked at the Acolyte. “Thank you for delivering this!”

Natalie forced herself not to wince at the look of fright on Zam’s face. Her smiles, once a winning feature, now inspired abject terror. As the Acolyte scampered away, Natalie let out a pointless breath and shut the door. Looking over the books, the Vampire read their titles. ‘Guild Primer on Eastern Guyenne Wood Working.’ ‘Passionate Dawn’ and ‘The History of Vindabon and its surrounding region.’ Perhaps not what Natalie would pick but still a welcome gift.

Setting the romance novel and woodworking book down, Natalie took the Chronicle and sat on the couch opposite Mina. Flipping through the pages, Natalie asked, “Who did you lose to Vampires?”

After a long moment, Mina stopped grinding her teeth and answered. “Everyone. I’m a Marcher from a tiny village in the south. The Leeches used to raid us for blood, souls, and corpses.”

Getting the full ugly picture, Natalie winced. “I’m so sorry. How’d you survive?”

Shrugging, Mina shut her eyes and seemed to flinch away from a memory. “I hid in the cellar. Doused myself in garlic powder and stayed like that for three days. Until Morri and the other Restbringers found me. I’ve been with the Temple ever since.”

Keeping her nervous fingers busy with the book, Natalie said: “I lost my family and home too.”

Mina didn’t respond, her face only showing the barest flicker of surprise. So Natalie kept going, hoping to make a bridge between them. “My Mom first, then my Dad. Both were killed by Vampires. I had to leave my Hometown after I was infected. I couldn’t put them at risk. So I left with Cole and came here instead.”

Holding up a single pale hand, Natalie looked at her wrist; and the shriveled black veins under the skin. “I’m a monster. I know that, Mina. I just… I just want to be a nice one. The power in me, it's evil. But maybe it doesn’t have to be used for evil?”

Finally breaking her silence, Mina scoffed at that. “An apple seed doesn't grow into a pear tree.”

Shrugging, Natalie responded. “True, but maybe the apple tree will be a Gildcrisp, not a Crabapple.”

Mina didn’t seem to have an answer to that and just hung back in her chair. Snuggling up into the couch, Natalie started looking at the history book Cole had supplied. Much of it seemed to be copied from older texts. Being a stew of ancient lore, historical analysis, and anything else the author could cram into the pages. Natalie guessed the book was more meant for academics than casual readers. Still, it was better than staring at the wall or Mina’s brooding face.

Pulling a strand of errant hair back, Natalie perused a section on the pre-Imperial origin of Vindabon. How the city was founded by an early tribal confederation in the late Second Epoch. Eventually, growing into a major trade hub protected by a Dragon. Only to be conquered by the Sidhe during the Third Epoch. Then becoming the regional capital under the Old Empire and surviving its fall. With Vindabon becoming one of the founding states of the Holy League and its eastern economic heart.

Pushing more stray hair away from her face, Natalie made an annoyed sound. Looking over to the nearby dresser, Natalie noted her hair clip. Running her fingers through her long black hair, Natalie made a decision. “Hey, Mina, can I ask a favor?”

Gray-green eyes snapped open, and Mina looked at Natalie, tension clear in the Priestesses shoulders. Getting up from her spot, Natalie gestured at the hair clip. “Could you help me put my hair up?”

Confused, Mina went over to the clip. Plucking it from the dresser she looked at it quizzically. “This is silver?”

Nodding, Natalie started pulling her hair back into a bun. “It burns my skin. Can you help me?”

Holding it up to the glowstone light, Mina unfolded the hidden blade and raised an eyebrow. “Interesting weapon. Why not replace it with something, not silver?”

Seeing the clip always brought a surge of emotions to Natalie. Intense and contradictory flashes that made her chest throb. The warmth of her mother’s hugs and the coldness of her death at Petar’s hands.

“My mom gave it to me. Cole normally helps me with it.”

Clicking her tongue, Mina went back to Natalie. “No sudden movements, Natalie.”

As she felt the familiar weight of the clip settle into place, Natalie remarked: “I think that's the first time you’ve used my name.”

Mina made a non-committal grunt. “Maybe you have a point. Maybe I should give you the benefit of the doubt.”

Beaming, Natalie turned to look at the retreating Mina. “Thank you, you don't know how much that means to me.”

Mina went back to her chair and idly fingered her amulet. “I’ll give you some rope. It’s up to you to make a noose or not.”

Smiling despite herself at the morbid metaphor, Natalie shrugged. “I can’t expect much more than that. Just allow me to earn your hate on my own merit.”

Something almost like a smile flashed on Mina’s face for an eyeblink. Gesturing to the book she held and the others sitting nearby, Natalie offered: “If you wanna read any of them feel free.”

Mina glanced at the torrid romance novel, and her nose wrinkled. “The Paladin really got this for you?”

Slightly confused, Natalie asked, “Is it really that bad?”

An airy snort escaped Mina. “Very much so. It's the type of shameless erotica no good scrivener will even think of copying. So, of course, copies of it have been floating all around the city.”

Picking up the woodworking text and sitting down on the opposite end of the couch Natalie was on. Mina let out an annoyed sigh. “A woodworking manual? Really? That’s almost violently masculine. Seems to me Sir Cole missed two shots out of three.”

Clearing her throat, Natalie contested that remark. “Ahem! Some of us like woodworking.”

Eyebrows raised, Mina looked to the book and back at Natalie. “You carve? Really?”

Like any good artist challenged, Natalie moved to prove herself. Getting up from her seat, she went to her pack and pulled out the amulet she’d carved. Holding it by its dire-boar leather cord, Natalie gingerly showed it to Mina.

Gently taking the amulet, Mina looked genuinely impressed. “An Hourglass? Invested with faith? You made this?”

Nodding, Natalie smiled. “It's yew from my hometown. I’ve got to be careful with it, but I hope to eventually use it like a restraint.”

A confused Mina looked at the amulet and then at Natalie. Sighing, Natalie readied herself. Gritting her teeth, she snatched the amulet from Mina. Fingers gripping the cold yew. Instantly her hand went numb. She could still move the digits, unlike when Cole’s amulet touched her. But it still was an uncomfortable experience. With shaky, uncertain fingers, Natalie put the amulet around her neck.

It felt like someone had yoked her to a boulder. Putting her arms out to steady herself, Natalie let out a long pained hiss. A mixture of light-headedness, numbing cold, and crushing exhaustion hit her. Uncertainly, she flopped onto the couch. After a few painful moments, Natalie pulled herself upright and leaned back against the soft fabric of the seat. Baring her teeth in a silent effort, Natalie grabbed onto the necklace’s cord and pulled it free. Feeling her body return to normal, Natalie dropped the amulet onto the couch next to her.

As her limbs stopped shaking, she gestured to the medallion. “The idea is if I start to lose control, I can put it on and be slightly more dangerous than a drunken kitten.”

That actually pulled a chuckle from Mina. “Clever, did the Paladin bless the amulet for you?”

Shaking her head, Natalie smiled. “Nope, all me. Master Time has plans for me. I dunno if they are good plans, but they exist.”

Mina went silent at that, and Natalie was afraid her semi-blasphemous statement had undone all the progress she’d made. To the young Vampire’s surprise, Mina asked, “What's it like to talk with him?”

No rage or zeal was in those words, just genuine curiosity. Looking at the amulet lying on the couch between them, Mina elaborated. “When I pray, I get this sense… This cold but beautiful power. Sometimes I get flashes of emotions or suggestions. But… I’ve never communed with him. Never actually speaking to an aspect or avatar like you have.”

Natalie tried to put her experiences into words. Something that proved surprisingly difficult. “A shepherd I once knew told me a story. About one time during spring, he and his flock got lost. We had a bad storm and worse fog that covered the whole valley for a week. He took his flock through a pass, trying to get up and through the mountain gap. But because of the fog he didn’t know exactly where he was going. So he kept climbing and climbing.”

Shutting her eyes, remembering the story she’d heard a dozen times, Natalie continued. “Well, eventually, he found a strange lump of rock, and beyond it, the path seemed to start sloping down. Confused and uncertain of where he was, the Shepherd camped on the lump.”

“The next morning, the fog cleared, and he realized why he hadn’t found the mountain pass. He’d accidentally climbed an entire mountain next to the pass. That lump of rock was the peak. He just couldn’t see it.”

Looking at Mina, Natalie got to her point. “I talked with the lump of rock. Because I couldn’t see or even comprehend the mountain.” Grimacing slightly, Natalie thought of her meetings with the Angler. “As for personality. The aspect I met is kind but also sort of condescending. Which I guess makes sense if you are a God. I think he wants what's best for us; he just views us as… limited.”

Digesting that, Mina said. “Thank you.” then, a beat later. “You sound like Morri. That could have been one of his sermons.”

Snorting in amusement, Natalie rolled her eyes. “No, I sound like Cole, who probably sounds like Morri.”

After that, they fell into idle chatter about a dozen different topics. None particularly complex or world-rending in depth. Which suited Natalie perfectly. Cole wasn’t one for small talk, and Natalie had started to miss it. She craved the inane mix of gossip and stories that most people talked about. A quirk Natalie attributed to growing up in an Inn and Tavern.

By the fifth or sixth hour, since the message from Cole, Natalie was starting to get antsy. It was getting late, and she hadn’t heard anything more from him. Rationally she knew some sort of mysterious subterranean expedition was bound to take time. But that didn’t stop Natalie from worrying. Mina sat nearby, flipping through Passionate Dawn, trying to hold in laughter at the romance book's dialogue. Getting up from her spot, Natalie started to nervously pace. One of the few expressions of stress her undead body could do without complaint.

Looking up from the book, Mina remarked. “I told you, the Warrens are complicated. It will take time to do whatever they are doing.”

Clicking her fangs together, Natalie groaned. “I know, but I still worry. What if they got lost or stuck?”

Setting the crass novel down, Mina gave Natalie a serious look. “I’ve worked with Captain Iron-Teeth and Warden Cat-Eyes for years. They are good, capable people. With a Paladin’s help, I don’t think anything less than a Demon or Dragon will stop them.”

Grimacing, Natalie remarked. “Knowing Cole’s luck, I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if they ran into both.”

Scoffing, Mina brushed away the concern. “This city is safe. I know life is dangerous in the Blood Duchies, but it's different here. Not every shadow hides some monster or threat.”

Raising an eyebrow, Natalie reminded Mina: “You are literally talking to a Vampire. And the City Guards are currently hunting some monster that’s ripping people’s hearts out.”

Frowning, Mina looked back at her book. “Good point. But still, have some faith; things will work out.”

Thinking of her last meeting with Master Time and her general experience with divinely ordained fate. Natalie found little comfort in Mina’s words. Still, how much the Priestess had mellowed was something of a blessing. If Natalie could still make friends with a trauma-touched Priestess of Death himself. Then there was some hope in Natalie’s once-lauded charisma, even post-death. All it had taken was some shared pain and being locked in the same room for twelve hours.

A stray thought popped through Natalie’s mind then. “Hey, don’t you need to eat?”

Mina looked a little sheepish. “I could, but I can’t exactly leave you on your own.”

The trained instincts of a Barmaid burned bright behind Natalie’s red eyes. Moving over to Mina with inhuman speed, she grabbed the Priestess by the arm and hauled her up. Mina let out a surprised noise and reached for her amulet. Rolling her eyes, Natalie pointed an accusatory finger at Mina.

“No one is allowed to go hungry on my account. My father would never forgive me. So let's get you some food.” Mina looked like she was about to protest, so Natalie picked up her amulet. “I’ll keep my leash on me and be a good little Vampire. Now let’s get you fed!”

Wrapping her face in a scarf and pushing false life through her veins, Natalie beckoned to Mina. Uncertain but goaded by hunger, the Priestess opened the door and guided the Vampire from the suite. It didn’t take them long to find the Temple's dining hall. A long rectangular room filled with tables and benches. With quick access to the kitchens on one side. Natalie’s eyes were pulled up to the intricate fresco covering the dining hall’s ceiling. It depicted a great feast attended by hundreds of figures, each labeled with small gilded words.

Seeing Natalie’s eyes, Mina nodded at the fresco. “The Feast of the Favored. The great and good of the Temples are memorialized in it.”

Mina spared little time heading towards the kitchen. Mina’s no longer suppressed hunger, pulling the Priestess to the delicious smells. Natalie just followed, noting the lack of people in the dining hall. Only a few tired-looking Priests and temple laborers sat at the tables. Something Natalie was grateful for; she had no desire to stir up a panic. Thankfully none of the few diners had noticed her, and keeping close to Mina, Natalie hoped to keep it that way.

Soon Mina had a plate filled with roasted vegetables, warm bread, and a bowl of broth. Finding a seat, Mina started to dig in while Natalie watched. After a few minutes of wolfing down her portion, Mina looked up at Natalie. An odd expression on the Priestess’s face.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” she asked.

Letting out a fitful sigh, Natalie propped her head up on one elbow. “I miss food. So please just let me watch you eat. It's the closest thing I have anymore.”

A little disturbed but unwilling to press the issue, Mina returned to her meal. Emptying her plate in impressive time, Mina looked back towards the kitchen. Clearly debating between going for more or letting her stomach settle.

Before a decision could be made, the far doors of the dining hall slammed open with a bang. A skinny priest with wild hair and panicked eyes burst in. Waving his arms, he shouted to anyone who could listen. “We need everyone with healing miracles or medical knowledge to go to the grand clinic now!”

A confused murmur went up from the few occupied tables, and the Priest elaborated. “Something bad is happening over in Salmotown. The third temple is overwhelmed and is sending out a general call for any help they can get.”

Confusion gave way to training as the Priests got to their feet and hurried to the door. A torn Mina got to her feet and looked at Natalie. The Priestess’s internal conflict was plain to see. Which duty did she commit to? Guard the undead or heal the living?

Holding up her amulet, Natalie got up from the table. “I’ll stay close to you. With this, I’ll be able to keep control if there is blood.”

Mina frowned; the idea of Natalie stalking around a triage center clearly not something she liked. As understandable as that was, Natalie was having none of it. “If someone dies because you were busy watching me instead of helping. I don’t think either of us could live with that.”

Swallowing that bitter herb, Mina set out, Natalie hot on her heels. In her earlier exploration of the Temple, Natalie had found the Grand Clinic. The large medical ward located in the Tenth Temple. Apparently each of the Temples had a different Clinic specializing in different forms of healing. Naturally, the servants of Master Time provided hospice care for the people of Vindabon. Still, the Clinic was a center of healing, alchemical, magical, or mundane. It had sections free from the dying and could readily help the wounded.

Mina entered a large central chamber that branched out into the different parts of the clinic. At the chamber's center was a statue of Master Time in his aspect of Soother of Suffering. A large number of wheeled cotts had been set up in this atrium. Ready to transport the injured or ill. Across the chamber from where Mina and Natalie had entered, was a large set of doors that swung open the same time they arrived.

An unconscious, bloody man in a Guard uniform was hauled into the Clinic by two of his fellows. Each supporting their comrade under a shoulder. The two conscious guards had a collection of cuts and scrapes as well. The smell of fresh blood hit Natalie, and she quickly gripped her amulet. Letting its baleful cold numb her Hunger. Making its gnawing whispers manageable.

An older woman with long silver hair tied back in a neat plait bustled over to the guards and, with the help of a few acolytes, got the unconscious man to a cott. The other two guards turned to leave, but the older Priest cleared her throat with enough authority to make an Elector Prince think twice.

“Where do you think you are going?

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The Guard wiped a smear of blood off his forehead, something Natalie tried not to notice. And pointed out the doors. “There's a gorey-guts riot brewing! We are needed out there!”

The lead Priestess clicked her tongue and pulled the Guard towards one of the cotts with surprising strength. “If you pass out at the wrong time or make a simple mistake because of blood loss, you’ll be a danger to your fellows. Now tell us what's happening.”

Realizing arguing with the Priestess was more dangerous than the riot, the Guard acquiesced. “About an hour ago, we got word that a bunch of people was assembling in Salmon Square. Bunch of locals, all angry about something. Don’t know for certain, but I’d guess the Werefolk murders. I heard a lotta talk about Mutts and their rituals.”

Shaking his head, barely noticing the Priest trying to bandage his head, the Guard kept talking. “All those people were angry, stirred up like nothing I’ve seen. Not even the Wine Tax Riot was this bad. At first, they were just demanding the Werefolk be banned from the city. But it didn’t stay that mild for long. Last I was there the mob was trying to go for the Woad Gate. I think the mad bastards are gonna attack the Werefolk camp.”

More people started being brought into the Clinic then. A few more guards but mainly citizens. Each battered and worn, carried by friends or their own power. With every arrival new news filtered through the Clinic. Even reaching Natalie in her hiding spot in one far corner of the clinic. A full-blown riot was underway in the Sixteenth District. Salmotown’s guards were completely overwhelmed, and no official reinforcements were coming from other districts. Their Watch Captains getting orders to hold back in case things got worse. A nonsensical command more than a few squads had refused to listen to. Including the near eternity of the Weinstadt Watch. Iron-Teeth was still missing beneath the city, and his Lieutenant was apparently playing dumb about any orders to stand back.

Every minute they’d get new updates. None of them good. Armed footmen had joined the Rioters and broken through the Guards’ position. The mob had swollen into a veritable army and was making its way closer and closer to the Woad Gate. A mixture of stunned horror and confused shock filled the Clinic. This level of civil violence hadn’t been seen in close to a century. Vindabon was on fire. Rage and fear providing plenty of kindling for whatever spark set this calamity into motion.

Somehow in all the tumult, Natalie had gone unnoticed. Her unnaturally still form in a shadowed alcove attracting little attention. A fact that quickly put Natalie in a unique position. Two of the Senior Priests, the Old woman, apparently named Hedwig, and a similarly aged man named Bertram, were engaged in fierce discussion not far from where Natalie hid. Senses supernaturally sharp; she could make out the conversation perfectly.

“We can’t afford to send anyone!” hissed Bertram. “We need everyone we can to heal the injured and prepare for the inevitable casualties!”

Priestess Hedwig practically snarled at that. “Inevitable casualties? Are you even listening to yourself, Bert? We have a duty to help the Werefolk. They are just as much our responsibility as anyone in this city.”

Scrunching up his wrinkled face, Bertram said. “No, they are not. We are the Temple of Vindabon. Our duties lie with its people first.” as Hedwig started to swell with rage, Bertram held out a placating hand. “I don’t like it either. But we need to make the right decision. Sending anyone to warn the Werefolk would be incredibly foolish. We risk them getting torn apart by the mob! Besides, they will never make it in time! I’m not about to send one of our subordinates on a pointless death-quest.”

The anger seemed to fade from Hedwig, replaced by worry and the first flickers of guilt. “We can’t just sit here, Bertram!”

The old Priest's face showed his own discomfort for a split second. “We aren’t. We will heal anyone we can. And… and we will put to rest those who die.”

The rest of the conversation faded away as Natalie felt her mind close in on their earlier words. Someone needed to warn the Werefolk. Someone fast enough to make it across the city before the mob. Someone the Werefolk would believe. Someone who could sneak out of Vindabon and into the camp without issue. Shutting her eyes, Natalie took a useless breath. She’d wanted to use her powers for good. Well, here was a bloody perfect opportunity.

Slipping out of her alcove, Natalie found Mina bandaging up a freshly stitched cut on a dazed-looking Vindabonite. Gripping her amulet and doing her best to ignore the smell of fresh blood, Natalie pulled Mina aside. The Priestess jumped at the sudden contact and whirled on Natalie. Seeing the frantic look in the Vampire’s eyes, Mina reached for her own amulet.

Leaning in so only Mina could hear her, Natalie whispered. “Where is the Werefolk Camp?”

Glancing around the clinic, Mina hissed back. “Maybe three kilometers down the Blue Pine Road. Just out of the Woad Gate. Why?”

Licking her fangs and trying to push down the jittery energy gripping her, Natalie explained. “I need to warn them. Maybe they can evacuate or fortify before the mob reaches them.”

Shaking her head, Mina glared at Natalie. “Absolutely not! You are already pushing things just by being here with me. I’m not about to let you run off!”

Giving the Priestess a cool look, Natalie said: “Mina, I’m not asking for permission. I’m keeping you and the Temple informed.”

Mina started to pull up her amulet, and Natalie quickly gripped her wrist. Her cold, undead strength stopped the Priestess. “Exposing me won’t do any good. Do you want all these Priests busy attacking me or helping these people?”

Glancing back to the injured woman she’d just treated, Mina frowned. “Will you even have time to reach them? If you’re caught, not even the Paladin can save you. Even if you aren't, I'll be forced to tell the Senior Priests. I don’t know how they will react, but it won’t be good.”

Swallowing uselessly, Natalie took an equally pointless breath. Mina was right. There was no guarantee of success. Just a whole score of ways this could go horribly, horribly wrong. Almost all ending in a terrible fate for Natalie. But the idea of Ametza, Jaks, Jokin, and the rest of the Shohgard pack dying was equally abhorrent. Despite their bloody first meeting, the Shohgards had been kind to Natalie. Learning to look past her nature and calling her a friend. Slim as it was, Natalie had the chance to help or even save them. If she stuck her head in the loam and let that opportunity pass, then Natalie was truly the Monster the Temple feared she was.

Nodding in understanding, Natalie gave Mina a weak smile. “I’m sorry if this causes you problems. Wish me luck, Mina”

Without another word, Natalie slipped from the Grand Clinic. Another faceless shadow unnoticed by healers and healed alike.

Letting out a sigh and feeling a knot of worry grow in her gut, Mina shook her head. Turning to the next patient, she whispered. “Gods smile on your endeavor, Natalie.”

---

Leaving the Temple wasn’t hard. So many people were bustling about that Natalie went practically unnoticed. Stepping into the cold city night, she tucked her amulet away. Now that she was away from the clinic, it would do nothing but hamper her. As she left the Temple entrance, Natalie realized she had forgotten to ask for directions. She knew to head for the Woad Gate but didn’t know where that was. Briefly, she considered going back into the Temple and asking for directions. Unnatural instincts chafed at that idea and instead, she simply sucked in a breath of night air. Without the Sun or anything Sacred to trammel her, Natalie’s senses were sharpened to a razor edge. The faint smell of fresh blood reached her. Mixed in with sweat, liquor, and rage. Natalie the person, would have needed to ask for directions. Natalie the Vampire had no such weakness.

Sprinting forward with unnatural speed, Natalie followed her nose. Weeks of hunting with the Shohgard Pack and feeding on Cole had given her an ample supply of blood. Blood she was now happily putting to good use. Natalie became a black blur, a living shadow fleeing the Temple and pursuing her prey.

Reaching a cluster of buildings blocking her way, Natalie didn’t bother to find a way around. Leaping up, she gripped the masonry of the four-story building. Climbing the structure fast as a Cat. Unnatural skill guided Natalie between handholds and propelled her up the building. Reaching the top, Natalie couldn’t help but smile. After so much time cooped up in Wagons, Barges, and Temples, she could finally move like her body demanded. Natalie was a Vampire, a Queen of the Night. Finally, using her power for something good.

Once on the rooftop, she went to its peak and stared over the edge. Looking down, she realized exactly how high she was. Strangely she felt neither vertigo nor fear. Instead, a mad idea came to her. The streets here were narrow, and the distance between buildings was small. Looking behind her to the sloped roof, Natalie thought about how it’d make a perfect ramp. Glancing out across the city and smelling the distant scent of Blood, Natalie decided to do something stupid. Retreating back the way she came, Natalie felt a nervous giggle escape her lips.

Quickly running up the sloped roof, Natalie pushed stolen blood into her legs. Shingles cracked under her explosive steps as she reached the peak of the roof and leaped forward. Sailing half a dozen meters through the air and onto the next building over. Slamming into the roof and falling to her knees, Natalie let out a pained grunt. Getting up, she looked back at the gulf she’d spanned. The absurdity of what she’d done only then struck. A manic smile split her lips, and Natalie looked to the next jump. Repeating her earlier feat, she leaped across. Managing to stay on her feet this time but sliding a little on the snow-slicked tile. Looking out across the hundreds of buildings surrounding her, Natalie couldn’t help but laugh.

Most of the time, being a Vampire was a miserable experience. Yet now, as she jumped between buildings. Her limbs empowered with blood and guided by inhuman reflexes. Natalie found herself enjoying unlife. With every leap, her body adapted to the feat. Her aim improving, and her balance becoming more certain. Soon she didn’t even need to stop between roofs. Dancing between them in great leaps.

No longer needing to just focus on her jumps, Natalie could actually look out across the city. The night was clear, and the heavens shone with countless stars and a shining crescent moon. Idly she picked out a few constellations she knew. The Wyvern, the Songbird, the Five Foxes, and Zol’s Lance. Of course, they weren’t the only noteworthy sights from this vantage. A stream of fire flowed down one of Vindabon’s main roads. It roared like a storm and destroyed anything that got in its way. Any who didn’t flee from it was devoured. Those who resisted were broken by its bulk.

Thousands of people marched towards the Woad Gate. Carrying torches and lanterns aloft in a dancing river of flame. The smell of fresh blood, cheap liquor, and acrid smoke clogged the air. Competing for space with the sounds of screams, shouts, and an ugly chant. Carried between a thousand mouths was the Mob’s ethos.

“DRIVE THEM OUT! DRIVE THEM OUT! DRIVE THEM OUT! DRIVE THEM OUT!”

Natalie watched in stunned horror as Guards were crushed under the Mob’s bulk while rioters split off the main stream in violent tributaries. Sacking storefronts and smashing anything unprotected. The sheer senseless violence of the thing was just as startling as the size. The population of Glockmire, a few times over, marched below her. Thousands of people people united in a single wretched goal.

Glancing down the road the Mob traveled, Natalie felt a jolt of panic. There wasn’t much space between the front of the Mob and the Woad Gate. She needed to hurry. Taking great bounding strides, Natalie pushed forward towards the Gate. Painted bright blue, the Gate wasn’t a hulking thing like the Wine Gate. But it was still large enough for multiple wagons to pass simultaneously. Not much of a bottleneck. Gritting her fangs, Natalie redoubled her efforts. Running along roofs and leaping between them in a strange dance.

Closer to the Woad Gate, Natalie could see its heavy portcullis was shut. Letting out a relieved sigh, Natalie looked back at the slowly approaching Mob. They surely wouldn’t be able to pass through it? Right? Glancing back to the Gate, Natalie grimaced. She’d gone this far; turning back on an assumption was stupid. Better to get a warning to the Werefolk and have it be unneeded than not at all. Of course, her newfound freedom was playing a part in Natalie’s decision. It didn’t take much of an excuse for her to keep going.

Looking up at the massive walls of Vindabon, Natalie found herself with a new challenge. How is Mother Earth’s name was she supposed to get over them? Shrugging to herself, she kept going. A little of Cole’s belief that things would work out had apparently rubbed off on her. As she kept going, the buildings descended in size, turning into warehouses and similar. Running from roof to roof, she started to examine the Wall. The monolithic structure was carved from some pink stone and extended up easily two hundred meters. Towers bulged from the wall’s joints. Natalie vaguely considered trying to break into one but decided against it. She had no guarantee of easy entrance or that they wouldn’t be garrisoned.

Leaping down from the final building and approaching the gate. She stuck to the shadows, relying on her dark clothes and enhanced senses to keep her hidden. Closer now, Natalie looked up at the Gate. The wall above it was decorated with what Natalie had initially assumed was mosaic or paint. House-sized depictions of forest life prancing along the man-made cliff face. Now she could see they were carvings. Or, more accurately, for Natalie’s purpose, handholds.

A very jittery group of Guards stood in front of the Gate. Keeping to the shadows, Natalie went around them. Slipping up next to the left tower flanking the Gate. She was thankful the Guards had their attention fully set on the wall of rioters creeping toward them. Instead of Natalie’s clumsy (by Vampire standards) attempt at stealth. Reaching the base of the gate, Natalie channeled blood into her legs and lept. Muscles exploded with power, and she was launched straight up like an arrow in flight.

Biting her tongue and suppressing a scream, Natalie flew up and frantically reached out for the top of the Gate. Her fingers barely caught it, and only some quick enhancements to her hands kept her anchored. Pulling herself up, Natalie got to work. She’d always liked to climb trees and the Silly Goat's brick walls when she was little. Focusing on those fond memories, Natalie pretended that was all she was doing. Not scaling a castle-sized wall while trying to outrun an angry mob.

As she climbed, Natalie hummed absently to herself. A tuneless note that kept her mind off the ever-growing distance between herself and the ground. Reaching out for one narrow groove, her fingers slipped, and Natalie felt a stab of pain as her fingernail tore on the cold stone. Yelping, she lurched back and suddenly found her balance precarious. Frantically trying to hold onto the wall, she tried to grip the slick stone. Teetering on her makeshift ledge, Natalie fought for leverage. A battle she was quickly losing.

Leaning backward, Natalie shot out a hand, desperate to not fall. The crunch of stone greeted her ears, and she found her balance again. Confused, Natalie looked at her hands and saw her fingernails had been replaced by three-centimeter-long claws. Black talons now digging into the stone. As she watched, the claws retracted. Slithering back under her nail beds like some water snake hiding under a rock. The sight brought back unwanted memories of the Vampress Lorena and her attack on Natalie all those months ago.

Shaking away the recollection, Natalie kept going. Blood claws were a tool like any other, one she could use to save lives. (and perhaps deface some monuments in the process.) Continuing her climb, Natalie summoned up her talons and used them to punch handholds into the wall when needed. As the top of the wall came into sight, Natalie spared a glance behind her. A poor choice as the staggering height of the wall became clear. The city stretched out behind Natalie, a sea of stone, wood, and dancing lights. People were reduced to scuttling ants, and the Mob looked like a flow of molten steel in a mold.

As the full context of the sight hit Natalie, she felt a lance of fear go through her. Looking back to the wall, Natalie swallowed pointlessly. “Just a little more,” she whispered to herself.

Scrambling up the last bit of the wall carving and cutting new handholds the rest of the way. Natalie pulled herself up over the Merlons and onto the battlements. Smiling with nervous tension, she let herself rest. More for her mind than her body. Her momentary reprieve was broken by an odd clanking groan echoing through the night. Confused, she looked around for the source. Realizing it was coming from beneath her. Wide-eyed, she leaned over the wall’s Parapet and looked down. The Mob was closer than ever, and the Guards had abandoned the Gate. No… they hadn’t abandoned it. They were now opening it! The noise was the gate being opened.

Panic flooded Natalie. Why was the gate being opened? That made no sense? What in the Seraph Songs was going on? Realizing she needed to hurry, Natalie ran to the other side of the battlements and looked for a way down. To her mute horror, she realized there wasn’t one. No carving decorated the external wall. It was smooth pink stone, a sheer drop down. Grimacing, Natalie reached out and prepared to start carving handholds. A spark of pain lanced through her hand as she touched the wall. Pulling her hand back, she saw her claws had been shattered, and the tips of her fingers burned.

Wincing as her body healed the injury, Natalie reached out towards the wall again. Slowly this time. A faint tingling started at the tip of her outstretched finger. Pulling back, Natalie cursed. “Jag me.”

The wall's exterior was magically protected. She couldn’t pull the same stunt as before. Looking around, Natalie cursed as he heard the Gate finish opening. Its portcullis finally ratcheted up into the Wall. She was out of time and needed to act quickly. Looking out towards her destination, Natalie could see there wasn’t a gate-town clustering on this part of the wall. It was a straight drop and a little distance to the Avar Woods. The old forest that bordered the western part of Vindabon. Perhaps she could jump and try to land among the trees? Their branches breaking her fall?

Peering out, Natalie realized how utterly stupid that idea was. She couldn’t afford to be turned into a wet stain on the ground. Or Gods forbid, go into a blood frenzy from overtaxing her healing ability. Natalie needed another option. Flexing her fingers, Natalie had an idea. One only marginally less stupid than her previous one.

Holding her hands out in front of her. Natalie focused on them, willing her black blood into her fingers. As she did, she summoned up an image in her mind. Of a Bat and its leather wings. Keeping that idea in mind, Natalie started going through the mental exercises Isabelle had taught her. With a wet popping noise, her fingers started to stretch. Growing into spears of bone with sails of skin stretched between them. Grunting in discomfort, Natalie held her arms out to either side of her. Feeling their muscles bulge and her skin thicken in places. She hadn’t ever used this ability outside of Dreams, and it felt fantastically unnatural. Where taking the form of a Cat had felt like slipping into a new set of clothes. This was more akin to stretching and tearing existing fabric.

Wings spread, Natalie prepared for her leap of faith. Looking over the edge, she was suddenly struck by how utterly foolish this was. Utter panic and crippling doubt struck then, and she stepped away from the edge. Her wings slumped down, tips flopping uselessly on the battlement stone. Who was she kidding? She was a village girl intoxicated with a curse's power. Thinking she could suddenly stop wanting to eat people and be a hero? Leaving the Temple had already destroyed any chance she had of gaining their trust. Now she was going to commit an elaborate form of suicide and achieve nothing. All her choices had led to this moment, and none of them seemed very good in hindsight.

Just then, a flicker of cold came over her. Pulsing out from her pocket like an icy wave. Reaching down, she brushed her hand against the pocket. Her wrist caught the cold wood of her amulet. Words then entered her mind. Words Cole had spoken on their first day in Vindabon.

“Sometimes a bad choice is the only one available. We can only take it and live with the consequences.”

Clenching her jaw, feeling her fangs press against her lips. Natalie knew what she had to do. Stepping away from the edge, Natalie suddenly ran forwards. Wings flared stolen blood pumping through her legs. Moving fast enough her logical self couldn’t keep up, Natalie lept.

She exploded into the night sky, her wings catching the wind like great sails. Eyes wide with fright and hope, Natalie looked out ahead of her. She was soaring, gliding through the air like an oversized bat. A low but growing pain spread in her chest. Her arms were stretched by the air. Grunting with discomfort, Natalie tried to adjust her wings. A ripping noise filled her ears, louder than even the rushing wind. Natalie screamed in pain as one of her arms pulled itself out of the socket. Her chest muscles snapped like over-taught strings.

Natalie’s destroyed arm flopped uselessly as she started to fall. Her other caught the air and sent her spiraling downwards like a whirling maple seed. Screaming like someone who was falling to their death, Natalie tried uselessly to regain control. As the world spun around her in a shadowy smear, Natalie caught glimpses of the distant ground becoming less distant. Shutting her eyes. Natalie forced her blood into bones and muscles. A frantic last-ditch attempt to minimize the incoming damage.

Opening her eyes, Natalie caught a sight of the cold ground coming up to meet her. Mouth wide open from screaming, she let out one final curse before gravity extracted its price. “FUCK!”

CRUNCH

 

---

:: A Dream ::

“A Cat?” asked Natalie. “You want me to turn into a Cat?”

Nodding, Isabelle made an elaborate flourish with her right hand. Muscles popped, and skin was subsumed by black fur. In place of a hand, she now had a leonine paw, complete with razor-sharp claws.

“Shapeshifting is one of the most useful arts available to us. We can take on the forms of different animals or alter our body with their traits. As an Alukah, you should be able to use this ability relatively easily.”

Looking at Isabelle’s paw, Natalie asked, “How does it work?”

Letting her hand return to normal, Isabelle explained. “There are two types. Partial transformations like I did just now, and Full transformations like I’ll be teaching you. While Partials are typically more useful in combat, Fulls have more utility. Like turning into a feline and slipping into the Temple archive unnoticed, for example.”

Rolling her eyes at Isabelle’s comment, Natalie chose to ignore it. Isabelle hadn’t stopped pushing on this front. Still, the power she promised to teach was tempting. Being able to change shapes seemed utterly fantastical. An ability coveted by the greatest Shamans and Magi. Not something a Barmaid from Glockmire could ever hope to do. But then again, she wasn’t a Barmaid anymore. Natalie was a Vampire, and a powerful one at that. Her concept of what was possible needed to change drastically.

Continuing her lecture, Isabelle said. “Where other Spellweavers need to spend years studying animals and complex rituals. We can cheat. Vampires are creatures of the night. Beings of blood and shadow. We have a kinship with similar beasts. Anything that hunts or stalks the Night we can turn into. Our only limit is our understanding of them.”

Cocking her head to the side, Natalie asked: “Understanding?”

Nodding, Isabelle elaborated. “All Magic is based on intent and emotion. If you want to successfully transform into an Animal, you need to understand them on a deep level. Mortal Mages must spend time and effort learning how an Animal lives and thinks. We do not. Our instincts and other abilities let us find commonality with almost any Nocturnal Hunter.”

Licking her fangs, Isabelle gestured at Natalie. “You chose Cat because you had one as a pet, correct? My recollections of the waking world are… muddy at best.”

“Yes, why?” Natalie answered.

Smiling, Isabelle answered. “You spent time around a Cat. Understanding how it's strange little mind works. Couple that with your new nature, and turning into one will be easy. You probably won’t even need to supplement your Understanding.”

Supplement her understanding? Something in those words made Natalie feel slightly uncomfortable. Not for any rational reason. It just smelled of Isabelle’s more… euphemistic language.

“The soul Hollow you consume when drinking an animal to death can be used to better understand them. Most Vampires don’t even understand the process behind it. Just thinking you need to drink a beast to death to take its shape. Not even wondering about the magic behind it. Ungrateful fools, little better than the Sheep.”

Ignoring the disturbing implications of Isabelle’s words, Natalie asked. “Wait? Does that mean I could turn into a Dog or Squirrel?”

Isabelle shook her head no. “You’ve used those Hollows to power your familiars. Even if you hadn't, they lack the right temperament. Squirrels are prey, while Dogs are too tame. A Rat or Cat would be better.”

Frowning, Natalie said, “I’m not going to drink a Cat to death.”

Shrugging, Isabelle didn’t seem to care. “Suit yourself. Just remember to not pass up opportunities to gather more Hollows. They have uses beyond making Familiars. Shapeshifting the least of them. Hopefully, your experiences with Cats will be enough for this lesson.”

Accepting that, Natalie asked. “How well do I have to understand an Animal to transform into it?”

Isabelle got very still for a second. “It depends on the animal and yourself. The more you innately relate to the animal, the easier it is. Of course, partial transformations are more difficult and require extensive knowledge of the body's systems to work. But I assume you know that now. Considering you just fell to your demise.”

---

Natalie’s eyes snapped open, and she let out a pitiful gurgle. Black blood bubbled in her throat, and everything hurt. Pulled from her warped recollection, Natalie tried to understand what had happened. Trying to move her limbs, she found them unresponsive. Only answering her call with incredible pain. Blinking her eyes, she tried to figure out where she was. She couldn’t move her neck, only stared up at the bare forest canopy above her.

A familiar voice reached her ringing ears. “I’m surprised you lived.”

Isabelle’s face swam into being. The older Vampire floated in the air like some Wraith, looking down at Natalie. “Being knocked out is no easy feat for us. It requires truly traumatic brain damage to do that. But considering most of your skull is splattered on that tree behind you…”

Moaning, Natalie tried to speak. But she couldn’t form any words. Shushing her, Isabelle looked the younger Vampire over. “Your lungs will need to reinflate before you can even think about speaking. So just listen for now.”

Natalie made a wet groan in response, and Isabelle kept speaking. “I don’t have much time, so listen carefully. Your body is trying to heal itself, but it's doing it in a greedy, inefficient way. You may very well frenzy from Hunger by the time you are fully healed.”

A more panicked noise escaped Natalie as her eyes widened in fear. Isabelle made a soothing gesture. “I can help you. But you will need to trust me.”

That made Natalie even more frightened. Isabelle could apparently see her fright and tried to explain in better detail. “I need to possess you. I can guide your healing, so it doesn’t consume all your blood. But I need your consent to do so. Even as weak as you are now, trying to possess you without your acceptance would be dangerous for me.”

A series of wet snapping pops reached Natalie’s ears, and new pain erupted. Not even able to scream, Natalie felt utterly trapped. She wanted to cry, but her face refused to move. Grimacing, Isabelle spoke faster. “You need to decide quickly. I can’t project myself like this for much longer. Please just let me help you. If you die or go insane, then I have no chance of gaining a body.”

Feeling her hunger start to grow, Natalie shut her eyes and whimpered. A pathetic noise, more a grinding of torn flesh than anything else. Opening her eyes again, Natalie slowly blinked twice. Isabelle saw the gesture and leaned forward. Her immaterial form floating into Natalie. Instantly she felt a strange dampness spreading over her body. Like she was being immersed in slightly oily water. Natalie wanted to shiver, but her ruined body and undead nature prevented her. As the sensation got worse, Natalie felt slightly sick, like something was squeezing into her. Every instinct said to push back and fight this invasion.

Isabelle’s uncharacteristically gentle voice echoed in the back of Natalie’s mind. “Just relax. It will be over soon.”

Forcing down her instincts, Natalie let the possession continue. The oily damp sensation reached a new height, and Natalie felt like she was about to burst apart from the inside. Before her self-control could finally break down, Natalie was yanked backwards. Not in space but in her own mind. Pulled from the tiller of her existence and forced to watch another take up the place.

From her strange internal vantage, Natalie could only observe as her body started to change. Sensation returned in gradual waves as nerves reconnected and bones knitted. A distant slurping sound reached her, and she felt her torso reform through this bizarre proxy existence. Natalie’s body sucked in a breath and started whispering words in an alien tongue. All while Natalie just watched this happen.

More bones and muscles popped back into position and Natalie’s body pulled itself to its feet. Her head swiveled around, observing the location. She’d managed to crash right at the edge of the forest. Plummeting down from the wall and hitting right next to the tree line. Natalie felt a wave of something resembling vertigo as her own eyes moved on their own accord. Scanning the ground around them. Ash and flakes of some gray substance covered a solid three meters around the body.

Natalie’s voice spoke then. “Red Night! How did you even survive this? Bits of you are scattered all over!”

The ashy smear’s identity became apparent then. It was the… splatter Natalie had left. The gray flakes, bits of bone, and the ash dissolved flesh. Turning away from the scene, Natalie’s body started walking deeper into the forest. Slightly dragging one leg behind itself. A new height of panic reached Natalie. Why hadn’t Isabelle given back control? Just then, she realized she couldn’t speak or do anything at all. She was a prisoner in her own body.

Natalie’s mouth clicked its tongue and spoke. “Calm down. I’m just getting us something to eat before I return control. Without a fresh meal, you might frenzy the moment I retreat.”

Only slightly consoled by that, Natalie was forced to watch as her arms raised up and more alien words escaped her lips. Her hands flicked between complicated gestures, and a glowing red sigil appeared in the air. The sigil shrunk and consolidated, turning into a small crimson sphere. Another word escaped Natalie’s mouth, and the bolt shot out into the forest. It whistled through the trees, and after a few moments, a squeal came from the wood.

A tottering shape stumbled towards Natalie’s body. It was a Deer, uncertain on its hooves, moving forward like it was being dragged. The red sigil summoned earlier was branded onto the Deer’s neck. Tugging it towards Natalie’s body like a leashed dog. Flexing its fingers, Natalie’s body met the Deer and sunk its fangs into the animal's neck. Slurping down its lifeblood. A pleased hum escaped the body's lips as it said. “Oh, I have missed that.”

Then with a snap, Natalie was back in control. Nearly collapsing onto the Deer’s corpse. Blinking her eyes, Natalie felt her body finish healing. A whole slew of emotions warred inside Natalie. The pain, desperation, and loss of control had worn heavily on her. To have it be over was enough to make her head spin. Part of Natalie wanted to just curl up somewhere soft and sleep for a year. A voice whispering at the back of her mind pushed her past that desire.

“You are welcome, Natalie. Now get moving. You have lives to save, don’t you?”

Gritting her fangs, Natalie forced words from her mouth. “Thank you.”

A throaty chuckle filled Natalie’s mind, fading to nothingness as Isabelle’s connection dissipated. Reclaiming her balance, Natalie moved towards the nearby road. Looking behind her, she saw the first of the Mob reaching the gate. She needed to hurry. Forcing some of the stolen deer blood into her legs, Natalie set off.

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