“Juste, why?” Lord Abirham asked Juste about his disgraceful behavior. He was his only child, so it was very hard for him to get totally angry with him. Juste wanted to tell his king father that he hated his own kind, for eating human flesh out of greed for their supernatural gifts. But his lips couldn’t choose the right words to say. Deep down, he knows he will be insensitive to his own if he badmouths the nature of the fellhounds. So he bowed his head and kept silent. But his father wanted to reason out with him. “Juste, if you wanted the girl, you could have told me. You can have anything you want in this castle.” Lord Abirham had thought Juste merely needed to release his s*xual urges. He added, “There are better female fellhounds for you here. Do you want to run away with this frail witborn?” By this time, Chastine was getting more confused. She had no idea what was really going on. What was Juste’s motive to get out of here? Was she preoccupied of her own escape that she
It was before dawn when it all happened. From Chastine’s break out of prison, to Juste’s shocking plan of escape, light hadn’t come out yet to greet them in full view. The chilly air of nighttime, coupled with ice cold waters, turned Chastine’s body to shiver mad. It had hit her severely because she had been wearing flimsy clothing. Juste might be wholly to blame. He didn’t think carefully enough that witborns have weak constitution compared to them fellhounds. Female fellhounds, a.k.a. werewolves, can withstand such low temperature. And with his clan adapting to mountain weather, they were quite a strong lot against chilly winds and waters. Not Chastine. She’s a normal human being, untainted by supernatural physical or mental gifts. Hers was an intellectual gift, but if she miscalculates, she would succumb to problems similar to what she was dealing with right now.She didn't know they will be swimming in a cold river pass midnight. Juste was taking responsibility for his ow
“That’s my condition. I’ll help you find the cure if you take me to Nhraim safely.”Chastine wanted to get to the open city of Nhraim.Like Juste, she also wanted freedom for her life.Sold off from the bankrupt orphanage at 5, she was enslaved by many masters since.She was taken cared of by them, even letting her learn their occupations.But for her, being an enslaved human in an open city has apparently more perks than that of a slave in other human cities.She can roam around the town without being imprisoned in the four corners of a roomShe can buy the things she wants.She can live an independent life without following others’ command at will.Going to Nhraim was somewhat her ticket to her lifelong dream.“Why Nhraim?” Juste grew inquisitive of her goal.“I’ve read it in books. Nhraim is the ideal place for those who want freedom.” Her eyes glimmered as she describes to Juste how awesome the open city is, to her opinion. “You can also live there if you want.”But Juste was dism
Night had come, and everything looked normal in the village. The sights and sounds of night life had added up to the already lively atmosphere of the inn's ground floor. There were toasts of ale, giggles, and intimate chatter down that inn. Travelers must have come from all corners of Dianium to that place of respite, exchanging tales of their adventure and knowledge. Though this was the case, Chastine, who was still fast asleep, looked as if she had been uncomfy in her sleep. It was not her cramped position nor the noise down their room. Something else had disturbed her restful slumber. Chastine was having a nightmare. She dreamt of being submerged in water, as if she was drowning without a chance to swim up to the surface for air. In her nightmare, something was pulling her down that was stopping her to breathe in ease. Moments later, just as when she felt she was running out of air, Chastine’s mind had become aware that she was in a dream state. She regained consciousness,
“W-why are they attacking me?” she asked Juste what was going on.“Didn’t you forget?” Juste was catching his breath. “Don’t put your guard down.”“H-have t-they found out?” Chastine was fumbling with words.“Yes, ah!” Juste let out a sharp cry as he pulled out a dart from his right thigh. He was hit before he even came for Chastine.“Juste!” Chastine was frightened for his life.“I’ll be fine. Poison don’t really work well against me.” Vigilantly panting, he continued, “they must’ve sensed the shadowcasting presence from before.”“H-how?”“Beats me. You should know co'z you’re a witborn, ah!” Juste winced from his other wound, a small shrapnel embedded in his left shoulder blade. He removed it, shaking and with effort.Shadowcasting is a taboo art developed by the fellhounds. It’s akin to the dark arts that bloodhunts are capable of.Chastine couldn’t figure out why they have sensed fellhound taboo arts. Someone must’ve been gifted in that village sensitive enough to sense such skill
The amused bloodhunt was staring at her. He then blurted out a laugh, “ahahahahaha! What did you just say? Free me from human thralldom?” The bloodhunt’s expression was wide with interest. Chastine, although scared, held her ground to speak clearly to the captive bloodhunt. “Yes. I can see that you are a prisoner too in this town. I can set you free, but you have to help me and my friend escape this hellhole.” “Haha, you don’t know what you’re saying young lady. If you release me now then I might bleed you dry right after my release.” “And who says I will unchain you before I make a deal with you, hmm?” She let out a confident sneer and her brows met at the middle. The bloodhunt contemplated for awhile what Chastine just said. He then revealed his current predicament to her, “I got cursed before I even came here. If you set me free from that curse, I might help you and your friend escape this town.” She got curious about the bloodhunt’s long-time problem. “What’s the curse?” “
The sun was about to rise. As a bloodhunt, it was the bane of Maxill. Though he was highly tolerant of sunlight, in the back of his mind, he seemed to regret the decision to join them as he was at risk of exposure. He knew he was half-blood, but he was aware that he wasn’t immune. Getting near the big ball of fire would be detrimental to his health. He was quite annoyed at this fact. He felt it was very restricting for his lifestyle of wandering alone. He cannot shapeshift and fly at midday. Thankfully, Juste and Chastine decided to travel through the woods. The thickets can serve as cover for his skin. Still, the excursion was posing such a challenge for Maxill. Rays have passed through the holes of the foliage over them. Maxill was wearing a black long-sleeved cloak, the typical go-to color of bloodhunts. It looked medieval, but it fitted his features. Adjusting his cloak, he half-joked to Chastine, “D*mn, I should have gotten a mask at least before we left the village.” Ch
“I consider b*tts*x as a special kind of love making.” He stared into space and smiled sweetly as he reminisce one of his s*xual exploits in the distant past. Maxill then glanced at Juste. Juste’s eye twitched and he had goosebumps. Maxill then expressed annoyance towards Juste. His almond eyes turned into slits and his lips were widened but had no curves. “Idiot. Just so you know fellhound, you’re not my type. Hmph!” He made it clear to Juste that he had zero interest in him. He then glanced at Chastine. Chastine became confused at Maxill’s stare. “Ahahaha! That’s why I like you, Chas. You’re amusing to watch.” Maxill also clarified something to Chastine, “don’t count on it, Chas. Like I said, I prefer a man for a lover.” He was referring to liking her for her quirks and personality. Chastine still couldn’t believe that Maxill prefers guys. Her pride was somewhat shattered because all this time she was being played at instead of her dominating the scheming. She didn’t know if