A TRIAL FOR SURVIVAL

Vervain is a perennial flowering plant that belongs to the Verbanaceae family. It has a long history of medicinal and cultural uses. But while it has its good use, it is also known to have protective properties against vampires. Because of the job I do, I always make sure I protect myself and Garret always makes it a mission to see that I am fully ready before he sends me out.

No one has seen a vampire, at least not on this side of the wall, but it still doesn't hurt to be prepared at all which is why I add some of the leaves into my tea so it can be inside my body system that way. Looking at the way Anya was choking made me glad that Garret didn't make me skip a day of drinking the tea.

"You fucking snake!" She gasped in pain but I just pushed her away from me.

I stood up and took a fighting stance. I balled my hands into a fist as I stared at the other cloaked figure who watched me with amusement dancing across his features. I knew he was a supernatural creature, I just didn't know which one. Whether a wolf or a vampire, it doesn't matter, I wasn't going to let him take me, any of them for that matter.

"You are a fascinating little thing aren't you?" He asked leaning against the tree.

I didn't bother to answer him. Instead, I just balled my hands into a fist, keeping my eyes trained on him. One of the most important things I've learned from fighting is to never take your eyes off your opponent. Another thing was to let them underestimate you and then when they are not looking, you hit them by surprise.

The man released a deep chuckle before he strolled towards me, keeping his hands trained at his back as he moved soundlessly. These kinds of people were dangerous, those who could move soundlessly usually ended up being assassins. I tried not to let my fear show as the man walked towards me.

"Don't worry I'm not going to fight you."

I scoffed at him in response still maintaining my fighting stance. "Yeah, and I would be a fucking idiot to believe that."

"Oh, you are already one." The man said, "I mean you attacking Corion is just borderline idiotic, and Anya, oh, let's just say you got your death wish granted!" He stated a hint of a smile on his lips.

I did a quick scan around suddenly noticing that I was alone in the forest, alone with only this man. The prince and Anya were both gone, which means…

"Exactly." The man said, "Because you are a dead girl anyway!" He pointed out

Shit! I cursed feeling fear grip me and paralyzing my every move. I realized just then that I had been foolish to think that I could stand a chance against such formidable creatures. Just what the hell was I even thinking in the first place? I was only human for crying out loud! I also didn't have enough weapons I could use to fight back against them even if I wanted to. This man was right, I had just earned myself a death wish with the stunt I pulled.

What do I do now? I asked myself as I seemed to have run out of ideas.

"Good." The man said interrupting my thoughts, "Now that you've understood the consequences of your actions, I think now would be a good time for you to run!"

I didn't need to be told twice, I turned on my heel and fled! My heart pounded in my chest as I ran, my breath coming out in ragged gasps. The fear I wasn't feeling before now consumed me, making my legs feel heavy and my mind foggy. I had no idea where I was going but I ran, I didn't dare to stop. I knew the chances of me surviving were slim to none but still, it was worth a try though, right?

As I continued to run through the forests, I couldn't help but steal glances behind me. I couldn't see anything other than snow-covered trees—no sign of anyone of the prince or Anya or the man who had told me to run. Just because I didn't see them doesn't mean that they weren't there, they were. They were watching me silently like a predator would a prey.

The silence only seemed to fuel my anxiety, amplifying the pounding of my heart in my ears. The snow-covered trees blurred my vision as I sprinted through the forest, my body growing weary with each passing moment but fear propelled me forward. I couldn't afford to stop, I did not have the luxury to give in to the exhaustion that threatened to consume me.

I have to survive! I can't die, I have to live! One way or another, I have to survive! I thought to myself as I pushed myself to run faster even though the muscles in my leg protested. A snarl was the only thing I heard before a body slammed into me taking us both down to the ground.

I looked up only to see Anya staring down at me with a grin on her face exposing her fangs. Her hood had pulled back revealing white massive hair which tumbled to her shoulders. Anya grinned at me and it wasn't a friendly one, this one was pure menace.

"You really, really shouldn't have done that you foolish girl!"

I stared up at her, fear gripping me as I stared at her blue eyes which had darkened with the malicious intent she had towards me. "Please.." I pleaded my eyes full of tears, "Please just let me go!"

"Oh, I will let you go alright!" Anya responded and before I could ask her what she meant she balled her hand into a fist and hit me directly in my face causing my entire vision to go black!