The Weaver's Source

Chapter 91

"Where's Nanat?" I asked worriedly as I turned to No-Tongue.

He didn't look alarmed that the little girl wasn't here and he gave me a look that told me to be patient and turned to the door opposite.

"She's meant to be here." I babbled mindlessly, panicking a little. Was I too late? There was no blood and the impulse still hummed in my mind. This was the place I was meant to be.

I looked up when I heard the door open and No-Tongue stepped outside, checking the tunnel. When he saw it was clear, he came to my side, guiding me to the door. I didn't know what he was doing and I wasn't sure if it was frustrating him that he couldn't communicate with me but he kept me by his side as he wove several wards, severing pieces and putting them back together like puzzles. When it was done he crushed it into a ball no bigger than a marble. He indicated for me to hold my hand open and he dropped into my palm, closing my fingers about it.

For a moment I didn't quite know what he was doing until a gentle slithering light glowed from my hand, slipping off into the darkness.

"Is this guiding me somewhere?" I asked softly, unsure. No-Tongue nodded. "To get out of the tunnels?" Again he nodded.

Happy with what I understood so far, he gathered me up once again and leapt over the water, placing me on my feet carefully. He placed his hands on my shoulders, holding me in place with is eyes staring down at me firmly. Slowly I understood what he was asking.

"I'll stay put." I promised.

He patted my head and leapt back over, silent as a shadow, and slipped back inside. The door shut quietly behind him.

I wrapped my arms around myself, careful not to crush either my light or guide. I didn't know what to do. All I could do was stand here and wait for No-Tongue. He had a plan and he wanted me to keep out of it. So I remained where I was, fretting and trying to soothe my magic as it shivered and whimpered, chirping out madly for Grigore. I hoped he came soon.

As I waited, my magic slowly grew increasingly nervous. I heard no noise above the water that passed before me and the door never budged. But, all of a sudden, my magic screamed. I flinched and stepped back, pressing myself against the damp wall behind me. I pressed the two wards against my chest in hopes of smothering their light and stared anxiously. Nothing happened.

Not until I suddenly felt the vampires.

There was a sudden wail and monstrous roar from within the room followed by a sharp high pitched screech that tore at the air. I squeezed my eyes tight against the sound, trying to ignore how it grated at my head, and fretted about what to do. I didn't need to figure it out though. The door burst open and No-Tongue leapt out, tossing fire into the room behind him. It roared inside, burning anything it touched with wails and hissing echoing out and swamping me in heat.

No-Tongue landed beside me holding Nanat. She was dirty and her face was stained with tears but she appeared unharmed. I was about to welcome her with relief and hold her until No-Tongue shoved her towards me viciously. He blazed with wrath as he drew his blade, swiping it in an arc before him as a body came hurtling out of the flaming room.

The woman impaled herself on the blade and she instantly began screaming as magic plastered on the blade ate at her flesh. She clawed at No-Tongue's shoulders, screaming and hissing and gnashing her ugly jaws as she ripped away cloth and flesh. I gathered Nanat to my side as she screamed, holding her hand tightly, as No-Tongue looked at me earnestly. I knew what he was asking.

I turned and fled, dragging Nanat after me as No-Tongue wrenched the female away. He impaled her throat and wrenched the sword out, cutting her neck open. I could hear his light footsteps tearing after us as he abandoned the gurgling female, urging us to continue as the roars of rage and pain echoed after us followed by roars of fires as he tossed more wards.