The Veil of Darkness
Chapter 86: Saving her

A scream pull of pain left her mouth, her body shaking under the force of the immense pain that had tears welled up in her eyes.

She heard the growl like the sound of the creatures and as she turned her head to look in the direction of the sound, she found very familiar red eyes staring back at her.

She clutched the dagger tightly in her hand as she tried to stand up while making sure not to hurt her injured left hand further than it already was.

She watched as the creature stepped closer, the fog parting way to let it take the space. It appeared like a wolf, just way bigger than one should be. Red glowing eyes just like those creatures who attacked her in the dark forest, and black fur that covered their entire body. Dark energy surrounded their bodies and they reeked of death.

Her eyes darted from the first one to its other partner that had also stepped closer. Its hungry gaze locked on her too as both of them moved toward her with determined eyes.

She knew pretty well that she was no match for even one of these wolves let alone two, and her little dagger won’t be able to save her, but she needed to try. She had to save herself or she would just end up dying in the middle of a forest without anyone knowing.

She tried to call on her power once again and it responded, however, it appeared quite weaker because of her injured state.

She was still trying to prepare herself when the first wolf suddenly attacked. It jumped right at her, its huge mouth opened wide as it aimed right at her head.

She tried to dodge but was still not as quick as she needed to be. The impact of his body sent her body flying and she landed against one of the tree trunks. Her hold loosened on the dagger and she lost it somewhere during the fall. As her small frame got into contact with the hard trunk, she felt her ribs breaking as pain took away her breath and darkness blurred her vision.

Her surroundings disappeared into nothingness for a couple of moments only to return when she felt a sharp pain in her right ankle as one of the wolf’s teeth pierced her skin.

She tried to struggle but it only caused its teeth to sink deeper into her flesh. She felt her blood seeping out of the injuries as the second monster approached her.

She watched in horror as it too pounced on her but a bright red light shoved it away and it harshly landed on the ground far away.

The one with his teeth piercing her leg finally pulled his teeth out and turned towards the attacker.

Annalise hurriedly tried to move away as far from the creature as she could but her body refused to obey. The pain was too much for her to handle and her consciousness was on the verge of leaving her side.

She tried to take in a deep breath but even that proved to be hard as pain shot through her chest and had her writhing as she lay there on the hard and cold ground.

"Annalise!"

Her ears registered the familiar voice of Kenric filled with worry and anxiety and a couple of seconds later, his face appeared in her vision. She tried to speak but no words came out of her mouth, neither was she able to move her limbs as her body had completely given up.

She watched him checking her body for all the injuries, his eyes shining darkly as his fear and distress greeted her through their connected moon threads. His fire was restless and so was he.

"Little Bird, you can hear me, right? Please keep your eyes open, please." His voice was full of plea as he cupped her cheeks and tried to pull her attention to him.

However, Annalise was feeling too tired to stay awake anymore. The pain was too much for her to bear and she just wanted a break even if it was barely for a moment.

She felt her eyes closing, Kenric’s blurry image disappearing from her sight as she felt something warm engulfing her. She recognized his fire that was now running through her body but she was too far gone to appreciate it.

*****

Damien slew the last remaining rogue wolf and sheathed his sword. His eyes ran over his surroundings to make sure that no more rogues were left.

The attack was so sudden but definitely, a well-thought strategy of someone as two different groups of rogue werewolves made the attack, one group attacked Valerius and Kenric while the two of them were checking the shelter that they had found, and the second one attacked him and Annalise.

The thought of the woman had him turning around in the direction where he recalled seeing her when he killed the first rogue wolf. The memory of her injured and bleeding form filled his mind as he almost lost control on his powers.

Instead of finding her, his eyes landed on Valerius who was standing just a couple of very away with his eyes closed as he cast a spell. A bright blue light shot out from his palm and went into the air before a ward built around them, keeping them safe inside both from the fog and another attack from the creatures of the Enchanted forest.

"What the heck are you two doing there? I’m losing her over here!" Kenric’s sharp voice pierced the silence in the air and the panic in his voice had both Damien and Valerius turning their attention toward their brother.

"Annalise." Her name escaped Valerius’ lips as he was immediately beside her and Kenric, taking her into his arms as he supported her back against his chest.

Damien too found himself walking in her direction but unlike Valerius, his speed was so slow. It was only when he saw his elder brother turning his eyes toward him which were filled were alarm, did he use teleportation to appear next to them.

###

"What is it?" He asked as his eyes took in the state of the woman who was laying in Valerius’ arms unconscious.

He could feel her faint breath and her low heartbeats. She seemed to be fading. The realization had him panic too but he had no idea about what he should do.

"Valerius, what is going on? Why isn’t my fire healing her? Why aren’t you trying to use your healing abilities to help her?" Kenric shouted as he looked at their eldest brother with questions and fear filling his eyes.

"It’s the rogue. Her body has been infected with dark energy due to the rogue’s bite. Our healing powers won’t be able to save her." Valerius answered as he tightened his arms around the woman and the three of them heard her groan out in pain almost immediately.

"Her hand is injured too, and I think she has broken some ribs..." Kenric trailed off as tears rolled down his cheeks and he lost all his control over his emotions.

Damien couldn’t recall the last time he had seen his youngest crying, not even when they had to leave their home and realm. It was probably when their father died and it had already been over five hundred years.

"What are we going to do now?" Kenric asked as he looked up back at them, his obsidian eyes filled with hope and expectation.

Damien wanted to feel anger and frustration toward the woman who was the reason behind his brother’s current situation but the only thing he could feel for her was worry, pain, and anxiety. He was afraid, so afraid of losing her just like his brothers, and it made no sense to him.

"Is there no way to save her?" He found himself asking as he turned to look at Valerius, knowing fully well that only he would be able to answer that question.

"There is... but the price is great too," Valerius answered with his eyes fixed on Damien.

"Does the price even matter? I just want her to be okay. Please, Valerius. Doesn’t she matter to you too?" Kenric looked at his brother with pleading eyes but only found Valerius shaking his head in return.

"I can pay any price for her, Kenric. But I won’t be able to fight the dark energy. What... Or whom she needs is... Damien."

Valerius’ words rang in the silence as Damien tried to understand why he was the one involved. "What is it?" He repeated the question again but this time for an entirely different matter.

"She needs your darkness, Damien. Only your powers can save her from the dark energy."