A loud crash snapped me out of my thoughts of Nero. Nyx had found my jar of comfry a few hours ago and was still going wild with the effects. She was now hunting a cricket in the ashes of the fireplace paying no attention to the pokers that she had just knocked over. I made a mental note to hide the comfry in the back of my cupboard.
I lay slumped over the little table in the corner of the kitchen drinking an herbal tea to calm my nerves. What was I to do with a dragon? She could hunt by herself, thank the gods. But what if she went to far one day and inadvertently brought attention to me? How could I possibly allow harm to come to either of us? Would my powers even work properly?
I sighed heavily at the little knowledge I did have of dragons. If you could call it knowledge, really it was an old legend that mothers told their children to keep them from wondering into the forests alone. In the tales, dragons were painted as dark mindless monsters. Giants that would snatch children from the paths and deliver them to the evil god, Ah Puch where their souls would be tortured and destroyed.
Nyx was far from giant but definitely wasn't full grown, or mindless. This dragon was quite intelligent, so intelligent it seemed to understand me when I spoke. Nyx definitely hadn't snatched my soul from my body and delivered me to an evil god.
So the legend held no truth. It was a relief, honestly. I couldn't imagine being responsible for such a beast. However this put me right back at the start.
Silence echoed through my house and I searched for the little being of chaos. My heavy lidded eyes passed over the creature three times before I realized it was asleep, curled into a tiny ball on my living room chair. Beams of the early morning sunlight danced along its iridescent scales. Of course, it was nocturnal. The name I had given it proved even more accurate. Smiling at the coincidence, I stood and stretched my tired limbs. Now was as good a time as any to start my day.
***
I dart into camp my breaths sawing in and out of my lungs from the run. Ryan and Darren turn in my direction weapons in hand, ready for a fight. Seeing that it's just me they lower their weapons but keep their guard up with the state i'm in. I hurriedly fill them in on what I overheard from the men, choosing to leave out the part about the creature. Darren's face had shock written across it, Ryan's didn't hold the same expression. I didn't have time to ask him what he knew, I needed to find Sage and warn her of the coming danger, if I wasn't already too late.
"I'll run ahead to try and find her, we have to be going the right way according to what those men said, and her tracks led us in this direction specifically. We're already ahead of them."
"Go, when James gets back we will follow your trail. We won't be far behind you. If you make it to her before the others, circle back toward the river. If they find your trail, we will dispose of them and meet you there." Ryan's eyes held a note of fierce determination. I knew I could count on him and the boys. With a nod I turned and ran into the dense forest toward my unknown future.
***
Dirt and rock scraped across my shovel as I filled a pale. Yard work always allowed me to work through my problems, it was an escape really. Although I couldn't escape from my current problem, Nyx. Sighing, I scooped another pile into my bucket.
Arms wrapped around me like a vice from behind. I opened my mouth to let out a blood curdling scream and a meaty hand slapped over my mouth. A familiar husky voice hurriedly whispered into my ear, a mixture of relief and terror swirled in my gut at the intoxicating sound of his voice. I continued to struggle but quieted so that I could hear what he was saying.
"–must stay quiet, they could be anywhere by now. You have to leave with me." Nero slowly released me and stood back. Whipping around I glared at the boulder of a man. His eyes seemed apologetic, but his face was otherwise emotionless.
"Who are you referring to? and how did you find me?" I asked warily, this was all so terrifying. This lunatic of a man had found me, where I'm supposed to be hidden away from the rest of the world, and he tells me there are others on the way? Where will I go now that I'm found out? I'll be hunted again, but this time they will find more than just a witch. They'll find Nyx.
"There's no time Sage!" He whispered loudly, restless eyes glanced around then settling on me. He sighed and swiftly explained.
"Yes, we were tracking you after you left me at the camp. When I was hunting this morning I came across two men. They was talk about finding a witch in the thickest part of the wood. I put two and two together. Now, can you please go pack." His eyes searched mine quickly but gave no further hints as to what he was feeling. I on the other hand was experiencing a torrent of things, unsteady for one. Nauseous, vexed. Scared..
"There's really two men coming here as we speak?" I whispered back, looking into his eyes to search for any clue that he was lying to me.
"Yes." That single word combined with the sorrow in his slate gray eyes was all it took to move my feet. I walked as fast as I could to the house, my steps faltered as I remembered my most recent companion who was currently sleeping in the living room. I suppose I would just have to bring the creature with me.
I finally made it to the house, Nero hot on my heels. I turned to look at him before I entered.
"I have a pet, if you can call it that. Maybe you should stay here while I pack." His eyes narrowed at my words, but he nodded and turned to face the woods, searching for anything out of the ordinary.
Ducking in, I dart through the living room and past the kitchen to the only bedroom in the cottage. I stuff as much clothing as I can into one of my large sachels and snatch my journal off the bedside table. Remembering the sleeping creature in my living room I quickly grab another bag from under my small bed, and make my way to the front of the house. Nyx is still curled up in the chair, so I gently scoop the purring dragon up and pop it in my bag. Red eyes glowed from the depths of the sack.
"I'm sorry, we have to leave. I'll carry you in this if you want to keep sleeping. We need to keep you hidden." Seeming to understand me somehow, Nyx got comfortable and began to purr once more.
I couldn't stop myself from looking back one last time. My home. Everything I had fought for was now being ripped away from me. I sighed. When would I ever be left in peace? Reaching for the door handle I braced myself for the coming journey. I took a deep breathe and called upon my courage, determination filled my lungs. Stepping outside, Nero turned to look at me. I nodded, signaling that I was ready.
I followed Nero as he began the trek to where? I had no idea, but he was the only person I could trust right now. Stopping just short of the wall of trees that belonged to the forest I called out to Nero.
"Wait." He stopped and turned to face me glancing around us in the process. Tears pricked at my eyes as I looked back at all my hard work. At what I had dreamt of having for so long, and my dream was now going to be a pile of rubbish.
"I have to destroy it..." I whispered wobbly, memorizing the cobblestone paths and flowers framing the small but cozy cottage.
I squeeze my eyes shut as tears stream down my cheeks. My powers surge inside of me, my subconscious already drawing upon them. Kneeling down I touch the warm earth and whisper my goodbye as I release my energy into it.
Birds take flight as loud pops and crunching sounds echo through the forest. The vines and surrounding trees overtaking the cottage in a chaotic three minutes.
The same three minutes in which they appeared. Both men were terrifying to set eyes upon. They seemed to have a dark cloud packed tightly around them. One tall medium build and armed to the teeth with weapons of all kinds. The other slightly shorter with beefy limbs and only a machete. Both scowling at the destruction in front of them.
The same three minutes in which Nyx evaporated from the satchel. The void of weight against my stomach made me look down, the bag hung limp from my shoulders. Before I could make sense of where the small dragon had gone, a cry echoed in the clearing. Dread settled in my gut like a ton of bricks.