8 I Waiting for You: by Ain
On Arzan's shoulder, Ades patted her back quite aggressively. Arzan snorted. "For what it this?"
"Someone is following us."
Arzan's eyebrows knitted together and she snorted the air, powdered snow masking the smell. "I'm not too sure but we can check."
On top of it, Ades stroked Arzan's soft fur. She smiled, "Retreat 10 meters back to the south."
Before leaving, Arzan wanted to try her luck in connecting a mind link with one of her entourage.
"Give me 5 minutes, I have something to do."
"Take whatever you need." Ades smiled, still stroking Arzan's fur. Her sharp eyes scanned the surroundings.
Minutes didn't produce anything, Arzan was still spinning around in everyone's minds but no one could be contacted.
"Change of plans, we are approaching the King."
Not waiting for an answer, Arzan accelerated and ran until she was right next to the king. She was almost hit by Elios' sword when she did that.
"It's me." Arzan snorted. "His Majesty, we will go south to see if anyone is following us. Ades feels something is wrong."
"Go."
Arzan smiled, the king was right not to spoil her. Permission has been fulfilled, and the white wolf slows down its run and then changes direction as quickly as possible.
Ades' grip on it was very strong. As she ran, Arzan looked in all directions, her nose widening to catch the slightest smell.
"Left direction."
Arzan ran faster, even though her nose faintly smelled something, she followed faster, not wanting to lose it.
"Vampire?"
"We must be going back, Arzan."
Arzan was too focused so she didn't pay attention to Ades' words, her instinct order she was to rush to pounce on the vampire.
"Hey."
Her back was hit aggressively, Arzan just glanced at Ades on her back even though she knew it wasn't working. "Enough."
"Come to think of it, we were communicating a long time ago." Ades laughed.
Arzan suddenly stopped, if Ades wasn't holding on tightly, she would have fallen.
"Good, let's go back, While."
In her mind, the wolf purred, Arzan tingled at the realization of how easily While got along with other species.
"Come on, just go back Zannie." While talking between his snores.
Arzan looked to her left when something arrived which turned out to be Azza and Ain.
"That's a vampire? The king didn't order us to kill him, preferring that we go find a safe place." Azza glanced at Arzan for a moment then looked straight at where she saw the vampire's shadow.
Arzan snorted in disapproval but in the end, withdrew and drove back to their first lane. Behind her Azza followed, above her, Ain spoke. "Arzan, don't act rashly. I don't want you to get hurt."
"Noisy, if I don't fight I will never become strong." Arzan babbled in her mind.
"She said you were noisy and if she doesn't fight then she won't develop," Ades said innocently when she saw Ain.
Ain's annoying laughter appeared and Arzan was very grateful that the air carried the sound away so she didn't have to hear so much.
They arrived right next to the King.
"Beware of sudden attacks, we increase speed."
"This is already fast." Arzan babbled again to herself, feeling a little doubtful about the horse's abilities. Wanting to hide anywhere the vampire will continue to follow them.
The chatter didn't produce anything and unlike Arzan's expectations, the King's horses and his bodyguards were faster.
About fifteen minutes into the journey, they arrived at an unkempt settlement, around which there was a black aura that strengthened the negative side.
"Come in."
The King's orders were absolute, they did not say a word to enter the settlement.
There were no signs of life there, as far as the eye could see on either side of the road there were only old, uninhabited houses.
"Right side," Ades said, making everyone follow her words seeing a shadow flash like the wind blowing and disappear.
"That's a vampire," said Ades.
Azza grinned, taking the right time to attack only to be preceded by the King's words.
"We are looking for Feir's ancient book."
Within a second the vampire appeared right in front of them.
"Who opened the gate?"
"We won't say anything if you don't follow good work." Elios took a step forward right beside King Charlie.
The vampire smiled mockingly, looking amused. "Human," he said, grinning scornfully. "I know how it works. Only an idiot vampire would let a creature weaker than him take advantage."
Elios drew a sword which was immediately stopped by King Charlie. The king took a step forward and then Ain and Elios became alert ready to attack at any time.
The king bowed his body, his hands in front of his chest full of charisma.
"Forgive our bluntness. You seem to be alone here, can we stay the night?"
The vampire's eyes narrowed appraisingly at the King's words. "In return, we can help you in one fell swoop."
The vampire's brows furrowed. "But I don't need any help."
"Just think again, you're alone." The king saw the biggest house. "Or do you have other wishes?"
"Get out of here, you will never get the ancient book of Feir unless you sacrifice the lives of several of your subordinates."
Arzan flinched but didn't show it too much. Sacrificing one's life and not yet having a mate was one thing.
"Our cluster is tough enough to survive."
In the end, the vampire sighed even though his organs were not functioning. Arzan felt a little uncomfortable seeing him.
"Alright. The information of you coming here must have reached the ears of the vampire King. I don't like them, so there's only one thing I want." The vampire looked straight at the King. "I want to go wherever you go." He spoke, turning his eyes to look at the empty, uninhabited houses.
The king clicked his tongue. "Sure you can. I was planning on taking at least one of the various species." The king took two steps closer. "So where do we settle?"
The vampire turned deeper into the settlement. Ades got off Arzan's back and stroked While's neck fur.
"Whil, please persuade your master to switch shifts."
Even in his mind, Arzan could feel While nodding, her tail wagging aggressively and very excitedly.
"You're a good animal tamer." Arzan took the beautiful package that Ades offered her, it was new clothes and Arzan made an important note that before changing shifts she would take off her clothes.
The werewolf came out to find that only Ain was left at the starting place, she could still see the backs of the people walking back the vampire.
"I was waiting for you on purpose." Ain gave a playful grin that Arzan was sick of seeing. The witch's eyes rose and fell deliberately teasingly.
"Bastards."
"You're my favorite," said Ain, approaching Arzan, about to pat her head, which Arzan quickly avoided.
"Don't touch me."
"Ah, my heart hurts." Ain held his chest dramatically and then looked at their group. "Let's go."
Arzan groaned but didn't say anything and walked until she was right next to Ain. "Ades can communicate with me but I can't communicate with you."
Ain nodded, his hand behind his head. "She has potential, I'm not surprised that unusual things come from her."
Once again jealousy overtook Arzan until a big question emerged, why was she jealous?
Arzan could have sworn she didn't like Ain romantically, so what happened?
That's confusing.
*****