13. The Blood Fairies.

Four days passed already and Zuri was still very much in doubt of trusting the peculiar twain. They were traveling North, moving out of the home of the Blood Fairies.

It was noon and the weather was bright and clear to everyone else except Zuri. They were all walking along a straight path heading towards a nearby village. Ciara had just had yet another argument with Zuri so she was in front, forcing poor Gavil to walk with her. August was with Zuri and they had been carefully quiet. After what had happened, they had no choice but to keep their distance.

Zuri could hear Ciara muffled something to Gavil in front, but she couldn't make do of their words. She decided it wasn't any of her concern, even when she figured Ciara could had been reporting her to him.

She wouldn't, would she?

"Once we leave this forest, we would be able to find help from good friends." August said calmly to Zuri, though she heard not even a single word. Her mind was fixated on Ciara and Gavil, and was more interested in their conversation. As a form of gaining her attention, August coughed out. Still, no response." Zuri, " he called out a few times before finally succeeding.

"Huh?" Dazzled Zuri stared at alert, instantly, carefully observing her environment for threats and danger. "What is it? Who's there?" Her mind awoke at once and the only thought that remained in her mind were painful and hurtful ways to meet with their new enemy.

"Zuri, Zuri relax." Resting both hands on her shoulders, he brought his gaze to face hers, soothing her with a calm voice. "Relax,"

"You said threats are around!" Perplexed Zuri yelled out in frustration, her eyes still searching her environment. August was still saying something but her mind didn't pause to listen. She only relaxed the moment she re-checked her vicinity and saw no form of threats in the way-the clear light that reflected from the sun revealing mixture of birds chirping from every directions, clumps of bushes could be seen as well as long shadows of the wood's tall trees that stretched to the sky above them. Some lizards crawled on their merry ways along with other far distant cousins of them and Zuri could briskly make an image of small insects and worms crawling on a big trunk.

No form of threat.

"Relax," August said again, and that time, she listened. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"Let go of me." Zuri's face flourished with brightness as she instantly forced herself away from August's grip.

August paused for a while, causing them both to walk in silence-except for the wind slipping through leaves and cracking undergrowth with each of their steps. "What were you thinking?" He blurted out helplessly.

Zuri brought her gaze up towards August, then back to the ground. "Nothing."

"Really? You seemed lost for moment now."

"Mind your business, sweetheart." She shot him a big frown. "What were you saying?" The awkwardness in their midst couldn't be helped.

August said nothing at first, then decided to spew his mind regardless of what might happen next. "We should discuss what happened two nights ago-"

"-shut your bloody mouth, boy." Frowned Zuri. "It was a big mistake."

Again, silence.

"But we should still talk about it." August said again, irking Zuri instantly.

"It was completely an inane move. You know that."

"It wasn't --" he reconsidered lowering his voice down. "It wasn't an inane move. It happened and I didn't regret it."

As soon as he talked, Zuri became forced to pause abruptly. With arms akimbo, she wore on her face a soured expression. "This mad woman is going on about killing people and taking over kingdoms, and you're here talking about some stupid kiss? Are you for real?"

"I am. I truly am, and until we get close enough to discuss this, I won't stop reminding you of the lovely moment we shared together."

"Oh for my sake, shut up!"

"Zuri!"

Ciara's voice was heard, causing both Zuri and August to exchange a perplexed glare, before rushing forward to observe what had happened.

On getting to where Ciara was, Zuri saw before her humans she never thought she would see again. The Blood Fairies.

****

Dalia's Fortress.

Dalia was in her thinking room; the balcony of her castle on the top floor. It was ice up there, and not because it's decorations were made to resemble ice from the best stones in the world, rather it was the weather up there. Dalia would put on her the finest fur coat and protected her skin with thick gloves and boots. The coat would then protect her head with its hood. For some reasons, it helped her concentrate more.

A mighty throne sat just at the central of the large spacious room, enabling her to see the wonders of the world from the very position. Humongous ancient tree's top were visible to her gaze and cities far as hundreds of kilometers farther apart would also appealed her sight. The breeze that blew in that area up high was nothing ordinary-cold powerful winds would surge through her nostrils, filling her with energy beyond anything she'd comprehended when she used to dwell below the castle.

Neville was beside her, miserably waiting to hear just a single word rise from her lips. For several minutes, Dalia had been patiently observing. Waiting. He bit his lower lips, wondering how much longer he would have to wait.

"I," Dalia was starting to talk, but paused almost at instant as if something extraordinary had caught her eyes. "I,"

You what! Wondered Neville. "Yes, your majesty?"

"I have my reasons." As if in a trance, Dalia enchanted.

"What?" Asked Neville with a furrowed brow.

"The Demons. They're speaking to me."

At this point, Neville wished he had stayed back inside his mother's womb and never came out if he'd realized what his fortune would be like being with Dalia. She was nice, evil and powerful and sweet, but most of the times, Dalia was provoking. "Demons, huh?" He asked, rhetorically.

Dalia smacked her lips, then tilted her head to the left as if in hesitation. "They say they have found the Dark One. The one whom I thought had died. Deep down, I hoped she had truly died."

Nothing but the sweet whistle of the wind filled the moment, causing an absolute still silence. Until the hysterical laugh of Dalia disturbed this peace of serenity. It started as a giggle at first, then shortly after Neville had adjusted to this new change did Dalia's eerie giggles grew into a more loud and uncontrolled laughter.

It took Neville a while to keep his calm, but he was patient enough. Everyone around Dalia had to be. There was just no other option. "So what is your plan, your majesty?" After everywhere had quiet down, Neville asked his Queen.

"To take her of course!" Snapped Dalia, gnashing her teeth at poor Neville. He said nothing, and Dalia appreciated of his quietness. "I have sent some of the most dangerous beings on this universe, and they will deliver." She said, slowly and unhurriedly like she had all the time in the world. And maybe because she did.

"Who?" Asked Neville, who received no reply. He decided to change his question. "How are you sure they would deliver?"

"Because they are the most dangerous beings in the whole universe." She said, confusing poor Neville.

"Okay, as you say, O' wise one." He muttered.

"I hold with me their most greatest weapon, so they will do my bidding." Dalia said, hoping dumb Neville would understand. Of course he didn't. "The Dark One will finally be in my harbor. Just wait and watch."

"Anything else you need me for?" Asked Neville, who was already impatient to head out.

Without uttering any word, Dalia hushed him away with just a wave. "My Blood Fairies never disappoint."

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