Chapter 4

I felt my head beating, my ears ringing. Moaning out in pain when I force my eyes open, every bone in my body hurts. Everything came back to me, the woods, running and them calling me a witch. Blinking slowly, I see faces. At least a hundred staring at me, trying to move my arms and legs but I couldn't. I was tied to a pole, twisting my head I see the three elders looking at me with hatred. Looking down at my feet, I saw stacks of woods on top of each other. What's going on?

"You are given a chance to speak for yourself girl," one of the elders tells me. "Defend yourself."

"I didn't do it," I say, my throat dry and scratchy. Staring into the dark sky filled with stars. "The healer says otherwise." I stare confused at them as the healer walks forward.

"I saw her put something in the water we used for the babe and her mother. I've seen her cure children with pox and fever as if it was a common cold. She has always had a way with the sick, now we know it's because she's a witch, she uses her spells and power to make them better." She points her boney fingers at me,

"She's lying." I lied, crying.

"I see her talking to herself, with no one else in the room. She speaks to demons and how she has killed one of our own, she must pay with her blood." I watch the healer speechless, that she could come up with this. I know we were never close but I thought she liked my help.

"I loved Rose with my heart, I've treated almost all of you. You all buy your vegetable and meat from my father! If had an intention to kill any of you I would have done it a long time ago!"

"Burn her! Burn her!" They started yelling, I watch in horror. I stop on Roses mother and sister, they stood there crying staring at me with so much hate. "Please!" I spot Deya by the elders begging them. Glazing back into the sky, the moon was nowhere to be seen tonight. The moon goddess has abandoned me as well, my eyes water. My father was still out hunting, he would come back and I will be gone. He would be left all alone again. I cry out, I was filled with so much anger now. My people betraying me, just because I was a little different. Closing my eyes, I started humming my song. Blocking away there screams for my blood. There was no one to save me. Just as I have up, the alarm horn went off. Only one, that meant riders. My eyes snap back open, could it be my father?

The people all stare back, confused about who the rider could be at the time. The ground shakes from the horses, it wasn't just one rider. People make way to clear the road as they match in. They whisper quietly as the rider kept coming. There was all in armour, black and gold with a black wolf banner. That was the King's banners? Why were the king's men here? Are they here because of me? Did word get to him that a 'witch' killed a shifter? My heart quicken. The riders stop in a line in front of the townhouse, where the elders stood. The wind increases, the torches of fire flicker. A dark figure gets off a horse, taking off his helmet. The town was silent on one said a word. The man walks towards the elders, I could feel the power radiating off him. Every shifter fell to their knees, including the elders.

"What's the meaning of this?" Another calls from his horse, realising he was talking about me. No one spoke a word.

"This girl has been accused of witchcraft," one of the elders says still on his knees. The king still stood in the shadows, not saying a word.

"She killed a babe and the mother," the elder continued.

"I didn't," I whisper with the little strength I fought to stay awake. My head was throbbing, still staring at the King. I was waiting for him to order them to burn me.

"This girl isn't a witch," the man on the horselaughs causing me to frown. They weren't here to kill me? "Her blood is human," he comes forward enough for me to see his features. Bright red eyes stare back at me, this man was a demon. I shake in fear, knowing what his kind could do.

"Untie her at once," he says to his men. Not hesitating the men untie the ropes causing me falling forward. Deya was at my side at once, hugging me. When the demon stares into my eyes, his eyes widen in shock. Watching, him not sure what he was going to do.

"Don't touch her!" He exclaims as Deya, causing her to let go of me in shock. "No one touches her!" He commands confusing me. I fall to my knees, weak and in pain.

"My King," the demon man gets off his horse as the king approaches us. I look down, feeling the effect of his power. "I've never seen one in my life," the demon man mumbles still in shock. Of course, he has never seen a human before, we were all dead. The king stood in front of me, I was looking down at his huge black boots. My blood begins to boil, my inside getting hot. The need to look up overtook me, I lift my head slowly. I first saw black metal armour, two black wolves clutching his long black coat. Full black beard, lips, nose and sharp blue eyes that gaze into me with the same alarm as me.