FOREVER KNIGHTS: #13 Salvaging Souls

Karina was surprised she didn’t feel even slight hesitation to kill the girl she’d known so many years. In-fact, she felt nothing.

She pushed the handle and sent the door flying open.

Chastain sat up, clutching the coverlet in surprise. “Karina?” She cried. Eyes wide. “What’s wrong? You look…”

“I look like what, Chas?”

“Is-something-wrong?”

“Yes.” Karina hissed. “You.”

“Me?” Chastain was taken aback.

“He was mine long before you even knew he was out there.” She gestured furiously.

“You’re speaking of Acharius?” Chastain’s brows shot up. “Karina, I didn’t know…You never…You didn’t say…”

“Who are you to think you can have whatever you wish?”

“I don’t…” Chastain shook her head.

“You won’t anymore.”

“Your eyes…” Chastain said fearfully. Taking in the red-orange glow separated by a thin slitted pupil.

The room suddenly felt stifling. And Karina giggled slightly as the snakes crossed the floor. Bellies rasping over the wood as they writhed.

Chastain screamed and jerked side to side, watching them approach both sides of the cot.

There was a low growl. The shutters in Chastain’s chamber blew apart and at first it looked like a man jumped through the window but as fast as the girls could blink it was a wolf landing in the chamber. Snarling. Yellow eyes intent on Karina. He barely spared the serpents a glance. His focus on Karina.

She’s where the threat is coming from. Already he could smell spilled blood in this house. He launched up and sunk teeth into Karina’s shoulder. Ripping muscle and bone and dragging her to the floor.

The serpents hissed in a single rising hum. Crossing the floor in a desperate flurry to return to their mistress.

Acharius ripped a chunk from her shoulder.

Karina screamed and clutched at it. In her panic the serpents layered over her to protect her. But her misguided emotions caused them to turn on her. She cried out as they sunk in vicious fangs.

Chastain screamed.

When Acharius spun to face her he saw her ripping her leg from under the coverlet. A black serpent firmly attached to her delicate ankle.

As she flailed, it swung up and down.

He rushed to her side, calculating the movement as he reached her. Clamping sharp teeth into the reptile and crushing it instantly. Making it release, but not before it had unleashed every vestige of venom.

Karina whimpered on the floor.

Acharius straightened into the form of a man. Clothes folding around him as he righted. Cautiously lifting Chastain’s slim frame from the cot, he walked to the door with her. Please be alright.

Glancing down at Karina who still winced violently at every stinging bite. “What have you done?”

I never thought you’d sink so low.

Her mouth moved and her eyes turned back to light blue. The pupil rounding as she took in the sight of the man she so desperately wanted.

“You vile wretch. I hope becoming Radix’s slave is to your liking, you fool!” He shook his head in disgust.

Not even offering her a hand up. He stepped over her as he left. Like every other living being had done to her before him.

She deserves no more.

Karina sobbed. “Acharius.” Her hand slapped the doorframe as she grabbed it to drag herself out the doorway after him.

“Don’t bother.” He tossed over his shoulders.

Heartbroken at the sight of Margaret on the floor in the foyer. “No.” He whispered. Crouching with Chastain in his arms, as he put a hand to Margaret’s bicep. Immediately catching that there wasn’t so much as a quiver of blood pumping through her.

She’s dead. He knew. Devastation coursed through him as he immediately pictured the courageous brown-haired little girl that’d vowed to always watch out for him, or when she’d stood next to him carefully planting the plum and apple trees that now towered over the gardens below.

He looked up the stairs mournfully and saw Agatha’s chamber door open. Knowing he couldn’t bear to see the other woman dead in her room.

Karina…What have you done?

“Beautiful daughters of Igonox.” He breathed on half a sob.

I failed them…It’d never occurred to him that Karina was literally the snake in their midst. That taking the distraught lonely girl to the beloved old women would be their demise.

I caused this…Pain ripped through him. I should’ve never taken her in.

His eyes dropped to Chastain as his hands quivered holding her. She was everything to them. She’s all I have left of them…

He stood, resolute. Heading into the Merwood. Unaware his spirit screamed in its agony.

A scream one man could always hear…