The Witch’s Deal

The night Erica left, I dreamt of growing fangs. Sharp like razors, they had me wandering through the dark with an unrelenting bloodthirst. Lunging at the very first person I saw in the dream, I tried to sink my teeth into them. Awoken by their scream, however, I thankfully couldn't drain even the slightest drop.

Suddenly awoken with Senya's shocked face in front of my eyes, I had no clue as to what had happened. Only after she explained how I tried to bite her did the memories of the dream slowly come back to me. Confused by my own actions, I sat on my bed thinking things through while the sound of the blood rain in the background continued to haunt me.

"The rain hasn't stopped?" I asked Senya.

Shaking her head in denial, she confirmed my fears. Ever since Erica left, blood and guts have been spilling out of the skies. Much like the unquenching thirst from my dream just moments ago, the clouds do not seem to tire. The stench seeping in through cracks and corners was bad enough, what's worse was the contamination of our supply of water.

"Are you okay?" placing her hand on my shoulder, Senya leaned closer with concern all painted over her brows. "What happened?"

"Nothing," I replied on instinct.

Seeing right through the lies with her ability to detect emotions, she was clearly unconvinced by my response. Perhaps she felt guilty for aiding Rin in covering the murder or simply didn't want to pursue the matter further–either way, she dropped the topic right there.

'The letter…' Turning my attention away from her, I reached under my pillow to check if it was still there. Taking it out from underneath the pillow, I ran my fingers across the wax seal to check if it had been opened by someone in my sleep.

"You found that in the carriage, right?" Asked Senya, her eyes curiously staring at the envelope.

"Yes…" For a moment, I wanted to open it but holding myself back, I decided to wait until Rin regained consciousness. "Erica and I had a deal. We'll probably forget everything about her if I open it, but in return, I'll gain something that could help us turn the tides against the embassy."

If only I knew the extent to which our memories would be affected, I would've opened the letter by now. But not knowing if Rin's actions as well as everything else that happened while Erica stayed would be erased or not, I couldn't risk possibly living with a murderous vampire and not knowing about it.

"If I'm being honest," breaking the silence, Senya clasped her hands together. "I don't even want to go against anyone anymore. I just want to live my life without any problems." 

While I understood the sentiment, it seemed Senya had glanced right past one crucial detail about our situation.

"The moment we were chosen by the embassy for this job," placing the letter back under the pillow, I faced Senya and looked her in the eyes. "Our fate was already sealed. It's either we work for them forever, or die when we're no longer necessary."

Even Genji, who was a highly valued advisor, was gutted like a fish in front of our eyes. In comparison, we were disposable pawns and one step out of line would be enough to get rid of us.

"It's a miracle we haven't already been killed after what we pulled with that fat bastard," pointing it out, I slipped my legs off the bed to get up on my feet. "Whoever's looking out for me must be a high-ranking official, unfortunately, we don't exactly know why they ordered Ophelia to spare me though."

"Does it matter?" Glancing up from the bed, she held great worries in her eyes "You're safe and she won't kill you, that's all that matters right now."

Her words, although laced with compassion, were as worrisome as Rin's murderous tendencies. If only my life mattered to them, then there was a lot more than just the embassy to worry about.

"I'm safe for now, but when my usefulness runs out, they'll discard me as well. Also, you're just one of the first girls to arrive here Senya, and that scares me because in their eyes you'd me more disposable than I am," at first when I heard about the batches, I didn't think much of it, but now it was becoming a bit clearer to me.

"You think they'll kill us?" Senya asked, getting off the bed as well.

We both knew the answer, so I spared her the fear for now. Parting with a comforting squeeze on the shoulder, I was about to start my day early. There might not have been any guests left in the hotel, but that didn't mean we could rest just yet.

'I intend to leave this damned place the moment help arrives. A moment of peace back in the city was the least we deserved after the mess the embassy landed us in.' Also, given the fact that I was still considered valuable to the embassy, I think this would be my only chance to convince the higher-ups to clear the forest of danger before sending us back to work. 'Although, we'd have to hasten our quest for freedom from these monsters.'

With my heart set on freedom, I was off to check on the other girls and share the plans with them. Surprising them with my thoughts on Rin was bound to be chaotic, but as things stood at the moment, separating her from the group would only land us in more chaos. Her jealousy which was confined to outsiders at the moment would turn to those around her.

'Mercy and Claire have already shown interest in leaving, but if I let them, the embassy's people would butcher them.' Keeping it all in my mind, I arrived at Rin's room where the rest of the girls seemed to have made a temporary hub.

"She's awake," Maiko muttered the moment I entered the room.

Glancing past the rest of the group, my eyes were instantly focused on the sedated vampiress lying tied up on her bed.

"Good," heaving a sigh, I walked over to the bed.

Standing by her as her eyes struggled to stay open, I watched her body twitch about as she attempted and failed to make any sudden movements.

"The spell has taken effect, she can't lie for at least a few more hours," Maiko instructed from behind.

Bobbing my head in acknowledgment, I got myself ready to find out exactly the kind of person Rin was.

'Let's just hope you're not more of a threat to us than the embassy itself.' Hoping for the best, my lips parted to hook some answers.