Verna had never felt such terror before. Her body still trembled from what she had experienced. She shuffled in her seat more often than taking the next breath.
"You need to breathe," Kernan said calmly. He wasn't aware that they had walked a far distance. Verna was still trying to catch her breath. She sat on a huge chunk of tree that was cut down in the woods. "You don't get to tell me that," she exhaled. "You left me! If you wanted me to have a horrible death, why don't you face the challenge yourself?"
"You've escaped a lot. How is it that you are not used to this stuff?"
"That's because I do not believe in anything that is going to ruin my life. I am perfectly aware of the kind of world we live in. I'm not that naive," she stuttered.
"Then what's the problem, little one?"
"You do not expect these things to happen when you are supposed to be under the protection of someone as powerful as you." From the way Kernan seemed so calm, it was easier to believe that he didn't go hunting. But the dead animal in his hands proved otherwise. It felt like he wanted this to happen, or he was aware. 'Maybe he got the same weird feeling that she had?' She thought. Verna was oblivious to the transition that happened to her. Kernan, on the other hand, saw everything. He sensed a presence. He baited whoever it was that had been following them since they started strolling into the woods. He knew how dangerous these woods were. It was the settlement for everything evil. He had similar trouble when he was travelling to the Northern Region. This time he was prepared, but he was more concerned about knowing who Verna really was.
Before his journey, he tried pulling up a file on her, but there was nothing or anyone he could tie her to. No family or any relative that might have answers to his questions. He was treading on thin ice. That was the reason he wanted her to get settled before he started with his interrogation.
"We have to leave now, this place is no longer safe. With that gunshot, we may have more company soon."
"What do you mean by 'company'?"
"You've spent most of your life in that slave establishment. I don't think you understand how our lives work." It was obvious he hated explaining something that was clear as day. "We drew attention to ourselves, and when you kill a witch, the others start looking. If you don't want to experience what you just did for the second time, start walking with me."
Verna quickly moved her feet as the thought of seeing something worse brushed her mind. Kernan heard shrill voices from far ahead. It was a good thing they were already in the carriage. Although the night was still not safe, flying witches mostly hung around places like this because their cover might be blown. They preyed on travellers who didn't have any means of safety, taking their life force. Other times, they had a more proper agenda.
"Brett, let's move. We are not safe here anymore..." They entered the carriage, and he held the chain tightly. He still didn't want her getting hurt. Verna didn't know what to think. She would rather die hanging or starving than die at the mercy of a witch. They were almost close to the border, and when they got there, they would be safe. Although it might still take a while before they got home.
Verna was getting worn out from the journey and couldn't wait to get to their destination.
***
The mansion was next to the most beautiful she had ever seen. The light was dull but it completed the drawings on the wall and the paintings that were in every corner of the house. It was like a historic house said to be the government house. Verna didn't have time to marvel at the artistic house the cryptic man seemed to live in. He dragged her into a nice room that was lit with candles. The bed was neatly dressed and clean.
Verna was able to spot some of the staff that tended to work here; they avoided eye contact with her. She felt an uncontrollable amount of fear - fear for herself. It was just something she had since she was a child - she could smell fear from afar. She knew there were some things about herself that were still hidden, but there was no way of knowing if it was for good or evil.
Kernan was skeptical about leaving her all by herself because he had found a reason not to trust her. There was something about her that seemed different; it was clear that she was blind to it. "She could be my weapon," he thought.
"I'm going to leave you here. Don't even think of leaving this room if you value your own life."
"I do not know my way around this place even if I wanted to." Kernan could read wonder in her eyes; she wasn't used to the environment. It didn't mean she couldn't find her way around. He had no time for chit-chat; there were more pressing matters at hand.
The number of witches at the border was concerning; it only meant that the Pristine pack was refusing to keep their gifted sister in check. He needed to bring the issue to the Supreme Council. He needed to make sure they were aware of what was going on. If he needed to visit the Pristine Pack, he would gladly do so.
"Like I said, I am going to leave you here. I'm trusting you not to make a silly move when I remove your chains. Stay put, I will be back before you know it."
Verna averted her eyes from him. When he left the room, he didn't see the need to use the locks because he was going to be back as soon as he wrote the letters to the Supreme Council. A staff member greeted him as she was carrying a tray of tea.
"Who owns that?"
"The butler asked me to bring tea to study." She avoided his gaze.
"Okay, do that and prepare something for the slave there. It was a long journey."
"Okay, Sire."
Verna hated staying in one place for a long time; there was nothing that would make her obey rules meant to keep her in check. She saw solitude as an avenue to explore the mansion. It was obvious that the Alpha was one of those who robbed the poor of their money. His wealth was passed down, and sometimes the new heir just made things worse. She quietly left her room, walking aimlessly through the hallway.
Suddenly, she heard indistinct whispers that she couldn't make anything out of. She followed the voice till it led her to a hard brown door. She turned the knob only to be embraced by darkness. Verna quickly took a candle from the hallway and found her path. She counted her steps so she wouldn't stumble on anything valuable. There was a candle nearby, in the midst of all the dusty furniture that was scattered around the room. Verna lit the candles around, removing the white sheets she saw the beauty all around. The whispers stopped for a while and started all over again. She looked around and saw palettes of colors.
"It is a painting room," she whispered.
As the whispers continued, the voices began to get clearer. "Help me." She turned around, and she saw a woman dressed in a nightwear covered in blood. Black blood gushed out of her mouth as she cried, "Help me."
Verna was shocked. She tried to lean into something, but she bumped into the colors. The colors splashed on the ground, but they had a foul smell. She bent down to touch the color, trailing on the floor. Immediately she touched it, she knew what it was.
Blood.
"What the hell are you doing here?" his voice echoed in the room, filled with anger. She looked back to where the woman stood, but no one was there.
She disappeared.