NIGHTS OF HALLOW

Just like how Sthena had said, Perdita woke up to a day that seemed as though it would take a longer time to end.

Right now, she stared speechlessly at the back of Sthena and the maid whose head was pressed to the floor.

Princess Sarah walked in joining Perdita as the maids all cowered in fear, dreading the rage of the king who stood tall and strong before them.

”Oh, darling,” Sthena beamed on noticing Perdita’s presence. He smiled, his fangs slightly peeking out from his mouth, claws out and ready to swipe at necks.

”What are you doing?” Perdita slowly mouthed, unsure of what was transpiring.

”You came right on time,” Sthena turned on his heels, walked towards her. ”When pests grow, you pull them out. Same as unwanted people who litter the royal home.”

Perdita caught Sthena’s hand, tugging it and she whispered only to his hearing, ”Can you let her go?” It was too early to shed blood.

”Letting some things go brings a repetition of it and leniency in the eyes of others. It’s best you take it out at once.” Sthena spoke, staring down at the lowly maid.

On hearing his words, the maid slightly raised her head as she continued to beseech, years streaming down her face.

Perdita’s eyes narrowed on the maid. This was the same person she had seen in the garden that day. Was she the one leaking information from the castle?

Perdita’s gaze met that of Sthena, sharing a moment of understanding. She heard Sthena order the guards, ”Take her to the dungeon. I do not want to dirty my hands with filthy blood.”

”Your majesty, I beg you. S...spare my l...life,” There was an evident fear in the way the maid’s body shook, her voice stuttering as she wailed while being dragged away.

”Good morning, brother,” Princess Sarah greeted, her face barely changing from the scene she had grown to witness almost every day.

”Morning, Princess,” Sthena acknowledged and Sarah gave a small bow before leaving from there. He watched her, noticing the gloomy look on her face. Turning his attention back on Perdita, he probed, ”How are you feeling, darling? And your stomach, are you feeling any pain. You can stay back and rest.”

But Perdita shook her head saying, ”I have rested enough. What did you discover from the maid.”

Sthena’s hand slipped into his pocket, retrieving a piece of white sheet. He handed it to Perdita. ”I caught her about to burn it. This is not the only one she must have gotten.”

Perdita opened the letter, her brows immediately knitting in worry. The letter read, ’Keep an eye on the green-eyed lady for now. Every movement from her, those she meets, where she goes, what she does must be reported. Keep an eye out for any ability of hers. Always report your findings immediately.’

”Do you know who this is from?”

”Not yet,” Sthena clicked his tongue in annoyance. These were cases even if little now can be troublesome later especially with this unknown person wanting to know everything about Perdita. ”I didn’t kill her yet because she will still have serve a use in locating the one who sent her.”

”Every day, I feel eyes watching me yet I do not know any of them,” Perdita murmured with a frown. Even in the castle, she wasn’t safe from their watch. When was this going to end?

”Any luck on the Blackfang case?” She continued to question now outside the castle as the coachman quickly opened the door for the king.

”Yes,” Sthena nodded. He gestured towards the carriage. ”Wish to follow me?”

”Of course,” Perdita quickly walked forward. She was ready to ask to go with him if he hadn’t asked her.

”Look at you eager to catch some criminals.” Sthena commented behind her, a grin etched on his face. Together, they left the castle and the carriage wheels rolled away on the concrete floor.

The carriage came to stop as Perdita and Sthena alighted from it. Daemon who was already there, walked towards them followed by two other men behind him.

”Everything is set, Milord. Everyone is in place,” As Daemon spoke, his eyes went in the direction of Perdita, a subtle question in his eyes.

Perdita raised her hand, ”Do not worry about me. I wouldn’t interfere with you all.” She turned to catch Sthena’s wide grin where she slightly stared in suspicion at him.

”Stay cautious,” Sthena began, his gaze shape as he instructed Daemon and the men. ”These people are trickier than you can imagine.”

”Of course, Milord,” Daemon bowed and left with the men behind him, walking towards the path that led to the forest.

”Do you think we might be able to find the Head warden’s son?”

”Not possible,” A voice uttered, the owner coming to join them from the opposite direction.

Perdita caught sight of the witcher for the first time, the scare on her face evident even as she used a veil to cover her face. ”He is dead?” She carefully asked and the witcher nodded in acknowledgement making her heart drop.

How was the warden going to take this information. He had allowed those men to manipulate him in hopes his son would be spared. In the end, they killed him. This news was sure going to hit him hard.

”We don’t have all day, let’s move,” Sthena broke through their conversation. He said to the Witcher, ”Make sure to stay out of sight. I wouldn’t want you fellow witches to jeopardize my plan.”

”What about her?” The Witcher lifted her chin towards Perdita. ”She is not only a witch but also a vampire.”

”What about her?” Sthena questioned back. ”Worry about yourself for now. Your job is simple when we get there.”

Walking for a considerable distance away from where they initially stopped, Perdita could feel the cold air slip through the fabric of her dress.

As they walked deeper, so did the biting cold air increase, everywhere turning foggy and damp. She looked around, the lingering smell of old thick woods and of magic coupled with the feeling of being watched heightened her consciousness.

The fog got thicker, an ominous creepiness in the air. She jolted out when Sthena held her hand, giving her a reassuring squeeze. She took sharp deep breaths, trying to still her loud beating heart when she heard the piercing cry of a crow, and not of nowhere, a bat flew in between them, its wing almost flapping against their faces.

This is going to be dangerous. Perdita whispered to herself, readying herself for what was to to come.