Before I could move, three dhampir emerged from the edge of the clearing, looking bloodied and exhausted as they dragged a limp form between them. Black blood trailed behind them staining the snow and as they got closer what was left of my heart stopped. My eyes roamed over the bloodied hair, the beard, the scarred hands from swinging hammers and working metal his whole life. My father wasn't moving, he was barely even breathing as the dhampir stopped, glancing between me and their leader.
"This one put up a pretty good fight..." One of them stammered, "It took us a little longer and he took out quite a few of us." The leader glanced between me and them, noticing the look on my face. "Take him somewhere else." Was all he said before one of the Dhampir shook his head lightly. "Coranith, he actually has some pretty useful information... We thought you might want to speak with him first." Coranith. I burned his name into my brain as I took a step towards the Dhampir holding my father. "Let him go." I growled as Coranith watched us carefully. "Let. My. Father. Go." I hissed, taking another step.
Coranith cursed just as I took off, closing the distance between the two Dhampir, and he sprinted after me. Just before I reached them a massive body crashed into mine and sent me flying into the hard earth, knocking the air out of my lungs as I gasped on cold ground. Corinith was straddling my waist in an instant, pinning my wrists painfully beside my head as he turned to the two Dhampir, rage dancing across his eyes. "Take him out of here and deal with him." He growled as I finally caught my breath and a cry of pure rage escaped my lips. He grunted as I thrashed against him, kicking and screaming until my lungs burned. "Now!" He ordered and the Dhampir's eyes went wide before dragging my father away and out of sight. He didn't even look up, didn't fight back as they carried him away. They were going to kill him the moment they left this clearing and I wasn't sure I could take losing another person I loved so soon. I screamed again and pushed hard, with every ounce of strength I had left and managed to get my wrists only a few inches off the ground. Coranith tightened his grip, slamming them back down into the ground sending my blade flying from my hand.
"Stop!" He growled but I continued to thrash and managed to land a hard kick to his inner thigh. "I said stop damnit!" He roared and I lunged to whatever I was able to sink my teeth into, biting down hard on his arm until I felt bone crunch beneath and blood filled my mouth. He cursed and I didnt let go until he loosened his grip enough for me to struggle free and grab for my knife, spitting his blood onto the snow beside us. My fingers wrapped around its smooth handle just as Coranith managed to grab my ankle, yanking me back towards him with a growl. I twisted and felt a satisfying crack as my free boot made contact with his jaw and a string of curses flew from his bloodied lips. He didn't release my ankle though, and instead pulled me through the grass until his body was over mine and I managed to swing the knife once, barely knicking his chest above his armor before he pinned my wrists above my head this time. He looked away for a moment and called out a name, but I wasn't paying attention through my blind rage as he flicked his gaze back to me. I lunged forward and slammed my forehead right into his nose. He roared as blood trickled down onto my face and the look in his eyes finally snapped me from my bloodlust.
"Stop!" He screamed, baring his fangs only inches away and I froze, eyes wide. I didn't struggle, didn't move, and that look sent a wave of shock and horror through me so fast I didnt even dare to breathe. His eyes roamed over my face and instantly softened the tiniest bit, something like shame crossing it before he took a steadying breath.
"You saw his blood. You know what happens don't you?" He growled and I only blinked in response. I did know what happened, if only in part. I had seen it before, many years ago. Another drop of Coranith's blood landed on my cheek and dripped down the side of my face. "You know there is no cure for what is happening to them." I blinked again. There was a cure... it was death. "You also know something about it that we need. I can tell by that damn look in your eyes when you touched the blood, and by the look of your friend."
He took a deep breath and the mention of Corym had me going completely limp in his grasp. I opened my mouth to speak, then hesitated. To speak his name felt almost shameful, like I had failed him. If I had allowed him to stay by my side and fight Coranith with me like he wanted so badly to do, he might still be alive right now. His death wasn't just on Coranith's hands, but mine too. That thought alone made it very hard for me to try and keep my promise to him. It made me want to walk back into my home that was now completely engulfed with those beautiful flames, his flames, and never come out again. I turned my head away to stare into the orange glow, unable to meet Coranith's eyes.
"He didn't have to die." My voice was raspy, broken and barely audible.
"No. He didn't, and for that I apologize. My men have strict orders, and tonight one of them decided they would rather lie with the dead." I blinked, surprised by the anger in his tone drawing my gaze slowly back to him. What I saw in his eyes, the lines of his face, the clench in his jaw, caught me off guard. Out of all the people that had died here today, the only one that mattered in him was Corym. I knew my fathers fate was sealed the moment I saw his blood and those two Dhampir dragged him off. I tucked away my grief, putting it beside the grief for Corym, for Sylvie, and Averen. I wasn't even sure if Sylvie and Averen were alive, but some part of me knew they hadn't made it out. I locked it down so tight that I knew if I ever decided to open it again, it might just shatter me. Break me to the point there would be no way of repairing the damage that had been done.
Before anything else could be said a tall dark elf crossed the clearing with unnatural speed, tearing my thoughts away for the moment. He was lean and muscular, built more for stealth than actual combat. His skin was a slightly darker shade of grey then mine and he had rich black wavy hair that just barely reached down past his pointed ears.
"Took you long enough." Coranith growled, glaring at the man as he came to crouch beside us. He chuckled as he took in Coranith's bloodied face and rapidly forming black eye. "She must have given you one hell of a hard time. I don't think I've ever seen you this battered." His voice was dark, melodious and again I wanted to put a few scars on yet another pretty face. I bared my teeth at him as those Sapphire eyes gazed at me in pure amusement.
"Don't antagonize her further or we might both end up looking like this." Coranith huffed, "When I get up, restrain her. She's coming with us." The elf raised his brows in surprise, "Do not underestimate her." Coranith warned, turning his gaze back to me. "Now be a good little elf and calm down. You wont like this next part."
That was probably the worst thing he could have said to me at that moment because it immediately sent my blood boiling again. This time I aimed for his other arm, wanting to take a good chunk out of it with nothing but my teeth but he quickly released me and leaned back, not moving from straddling my waist. I didn't have time to think before the dark elf had moved to crouch above my head and had replaced Coranith's hands with his own.
"Look out, she bites." Coranith chuckled and the dark elf frowned.
"I think I'd rather trade places then."
"Not a chance."
I tried to pull my wrists free again only to have the dark elf curse and tighten his grip. "Damn she's strong." He grunted, glancing down at me. "I would appreciate it if you wouldn't bite me, we're only trying to help."
"You have a sick way of helping people." I spat, earning a chuckle out of Coranith.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Coranith? After everything that's happened today she might be a little hard to tame, even with the book." My eyes darted between Coranith and the dark elf, fear starting to twist my gut.
"You didn't get the pleasure of seeing her fight Aithlin. I've never seen anything like it and I'm pretty sure if I hadn't landed that hit on her thigh I would have been a lot more bloodied than I am now." Aithlin. Another name to burn into my memory. Another name to add to the growing list of people that I will one day have their blood on my hands.
"Oh, and Aithlin..." Corinith paused and I flicked my gaze to him as that cocky grin plastered his lips. "She's mine."
Aithlin didn't respond, the only sign of emotion he allowed was the faint tightening of his jaw as Coranith lifted his arm that I had taken a gnarly chunk out of right in the gap of his armor. He slid off the black leather vambrace, exposing the tan skin and bold tattoos hidden underneath. Blood dripped down to his elbow as he inspected the bite halfway down his forearm and his grin transformed into a twisted smile. One that had my stomach churning as his gaze met mine.
"I will never stop fighting you." I hissed, pure venom lacing my words with every ounce of courage I had left.
"I don't doubt that. In fact, I actually look forward to it." Coranith laughed, it almost sounded forced.
"I would rather die than become your pet." I hissed, and his smile faltered.
"Oh, you're definitely going to wish you were dead. At first." He paused, "Thanks for not making me use the dagger by the way, I really do hate that thing at this point." He said darkly before grabbing my jaw firmly with his other hand, forcing open my mouth. I tried to fight him, tried to struggle but the two men were too strong. My eyes went wide as he lowered his forearm to my mouth, allowing the blood to drip down and land straight on the back of my throat. I gagged as he forced my mouth shut, holding it closed as he removed his arm and leaned in only inches from my face.
"Now swallow."
I shook my head, trying to fight it. The coppery tang of his blood was sickeningly sweet. I hadn't noticed it before, hadn't noticed just how badly my whole body yearned for me to swallow those precious few drops. He waited, watching carefully as I tried to fight off the urge. Tried, and failed. My eyes went wide for a second as the decadent liquid made its way down my throat, then a wave of pain so intense hit me and within seconds my eyes rolled back into my head. The last thing I remember is being lifted off the ground before the world fell away to darkness.