7. Denial.

14 years ago.

Saglinn Covert.

"Where are you taking me to?!" little Zuri queried as she was being dragged along a small narrow road. It was smelly, reeking of rotten animal entrails, smoke from woodfire, and some other nauseous odors Zuri could not make do of. The village was a small one owned by a greedy Lord who cared less of what his people were passing through. Small huts built with woods that were thatched with hays, could be seen arranged on both sides along the single street.

"Shut up, you possessed child!" One of the men taking Zuri replied, the others roaring in laughter as they walked behind.

Poor villagers circled around, many of them observing with pitiful eyes, as some men forcefully dragged Zuri along. Zuri was only eight when the Lord of Saglinn Covert took a hold of her.

"That's right everyone, the demon child is here!" The man announced to the faces that stared blankly at them.

"Not so scary now, is she?" barked another, leading a bawl of deficient laughter by his mates.

"What do you want with me!" Demanded Zuri, who had been binded in heavy chains on both arms and legs. "Who are you people?"

"Aww don't cry little demon, we're here to save you." Another one of the soldiers was saying before a stout man cut him off.

"Shut up, Pulsifer!"

"Are you so much frightened by a child, captain?" Asked Pulsifer loudly, who instantly left his position beside Zuri and walked over to face the captain in the front. Pulsifer was tall and huge, whereas the captain was the exact opposite. But he had earned his position due to his hard work, unlike Pulsifer who had been titled as 'lazy'.

The captain's face hardened, lines of wrinkles spreading across his bald head and forehead. "How dare you speak to your captain like that!"

The air was soon calm and gentle, and so was everyone else. Who would dare interfere between them in the first place? Even Zuri only observed in silence.

"How dare I? How dare you!" His palm made a forceful hit on the chest of the captain, but Pulsifer was proud of his action. He stood tall and firm, waiting for his captain's next move. Nobody knew why they had such beef, as they were brothers, but nobody was too much interested in their issue. They all knew better than to get entangled in family drama, especially when that family was the Gaddis. "Do you really think you're any captain, Thomas?"

It hadn't been up to three months since Zuri's parent had abandoned her, leaving her to fend all by herself. Yet, Zuri knew well enough she did not belong in that area. They weren't the first to have abducted her for their selfish interests. They didn't want her dead, they only needed her for a purpose. One she was not hoping to find out. Their noises still rang loud in her ears, but she needed concentration. Yes, she was clueless as to how she would even manage to set herself free, but she was certain of one thing. She was not going to be a puppet for anyone again.

It was not easy, but soon, she reached deep into her soul. Her powers were not even something she could understand, yet she didn't care. All she wanted was to escape. She needed to run away. Though, those chains would make it difficult. If only she could break them free, and she did.

All that was needed of her was to run, and she had legs for that. Only problem was that, she wasn't the only one who had witnessed the breaking of her chains. There were eyes all over her.

****

Present Day.

The Home Of The Blood Fairies.

______________________________

"Oh really, dear brother? Can you just hear yourself?" In a peremptory tone, a deep voice asked boldly.

With a brisk authority, the other voice replied in a muffle. "Shut up and focus, you moron."

The other man was going to protest, till Zuri's voice boomed out.

"...I wasn't given a chance!"

It was dark and under the burning fire before them, they watched. 'Brothers of hell', they called themselves. They were on a mission. Watching from behind, they fixated their gazes on their one true target. The Dark One.

"She's leaving, that's our cue." One of the brothers, the much older one said.

"Alright, whatever you say," replied the other one. "Captain Thomas."

****

"Wait, please!" August raced over to Zuri, squeezing her hands tight that she struggled.

"Get away from me!" With bloodshot eyes, she yelled in anger. If only they read through her mind, they could see just how terrified she was. A giant log of wood was the only thing that stood in her path away from them as she battled her freedom away from August's tight grip.

He knew once she crossed past the fallen tree, she would disappear again. But they would always find her. Still, why risk the odds?

"Listen, I know you're terrified and that's why you're running on foot and not with magic."

"What are you saying?" With puzzled brows flashing at him, she asked.

"I mean, you didn't use magic to run. Other times, you know, you'd just disappear but now-"

"-oh you're right." Realizing his observation, she managed to set herself free from his grip.

"Wait Wait-" he knew he'd said the wrong thing, and perhaps it was already too late. Zuri had positioned herself in the Dark One's state; eyes shut tight, body posture straightened and, maybe he hadn't noticed before, emitted around her was a biting rush of heavy wind whispering the songs of the breeze. He was shivering but so was she.

Close to the fallen log of wood in their front was also the demarcation between the two brothers and Zuri. Cowering low behind thick bushes in the woods revealed two stubborn brothers, one of them in position of his bow and arrow, and the other, his hand firmly held on his shining wicked blade. They were ready for combat, although, it won't be needed. All they wanted was the girl.

Zuri's eyes flung wide open in shock. "We're not alone!"

****

It didn't take them long before they hurried back towards where Ciara and Gavil were seated, and before the blink of an eye, she had cast around them a cloaking coat. It was temporary, but it would give them a moment to think about what to do next.