3

"Is that a human emotion?"

"Yes, it arises when a person feels threatened or unsatisfied."

"Humans have so many emotions it is hard to keep up with them. But you're different, Mother, you have one main emotion."

I heard a noise and shoved Kairi to the back of the wagon before whispering to Aric, "Stop the horses."

He quickly stopped the wagon and horses as I looked inside to see Meron had Kairi's face against his shirt as he hugged her. I looked to the sky as a Wielder with the ability to fly suddenly passed, but I knew he had spotted us. He would be back very soon.

Suddenly there was a noise off to the side of the wagon I was on and then, I saw him. The Wielder came over with a smile towards me. "What's a beautiful woman with such a scent doing out in the forest?"

I stared him down, "My family and I are merely passing through."

"Oh? And what is your destination?"

I was horrified by his red eyes, "We are going to the royal city. My sister is pregnant and will be giving birth in a few days."

The monster came closer to me and closed his eye while taking a deep breath. When his eyes opened again he smiled, "You are no ordinary human, are you? You don't smell like a human, but you don't smell like a Wielder either. Are you a half-breed?"

"Certainly not. I am an ordinary human woman."

He suddenly grabbed my chin and laughed, "Those eyes prove otherwise! It is very rare for a human to be brave enough to look into the eyes of a powerful Wielder."

"Regardless of how dark red your eyes are, you are still a dangerous monster."

He seemed less entertained, "Tell you what; I'll leave your family alone if you come with me."

"You can't be…!" Aric started to yell but stopped when I grabbed his shoulder.

"Stay here. Don't follow." I hissed before jumping down from the wagon and allowing the Wielder to put his arm around my shoulders as he led me into the forest.

After some time, I came back out of the forest to find the wagon where I had left it. Once I was close enough to be seen, Aric hopped off the wagon and ran over to me, "Eva, are you injured?"

I shook my head before going past him and taking the reins, "Hurry, we are running off schedule."

He got on the bench beside me and everyone was silent for the rest of the ride. We did not stop until the sun had set and when we did, I used ingredients I had brought along to make stew. We ate on the edge of the trail and no one made a sound until Meron cleared his throat.

"Did that Wielder burn the back of your neck?"

I looked to him and shook my head, "I had to cauterize the wound," I replied before looking to Aric, "Remember how Prince Asher seemed very concerned for my safety when he talked to you?" He nodded, "The reason he was so worried is because he knows how dangerous my blood is. If I have any type of open wound, any Wielders within 10 miles of me will hunt me down. I found out when I was a child that my blood has a smell that attracts Wielders. So, to protect myself, I have learned that I must cauterize any wound I receive."

"That is a very dangerous trait."

I nodded before standing, "Due to the incident earlier, we have not gone far enough today to be able to get to the royal city by nightfall tomorrow. I am not tired, so I will drive while the three of you sleep to make up for it."

"You shouldn't push yourself too far, Miss Eva." Meron warned.

"Since I received a wound, my mind will not let me sleep out of fear that we will be attacked in the night, so it is fine."

Within half an hour Aric, Meron, and Kairi slept in the wagon as I drove. The night was darker than most and the moon was very thin, so it was difficult to see at points. I went further than I had expected to get and now we would reach the royal city by late afternoon to early evening.

I was surprised when Kairi suddenly crawled on to the wagon's bench I sat in and put the extra blanket on my lap. She rested her head on my shoulder.

"It's still really dark out here even though it is nearly morning."

I nodded, "It was abnormally dark last night also."

"Are you tired?"

I shook my head, "Not really."

"What did you do to that powerful Wielder earlier? Did he attack you?"

"Yes, but I killed him before he could do anything."

"How'd you kill him?"

"I had a knife hidden under my dress just in case something like this happened."

She was silent for a moment, "Are you going to kill me?"

I was shocked by how forward her question was, "No. I don't intend to kill you."

"Why? Don't you hate Wielders?"

I nodded, "I do, but I can't seem to hate you."

"Why?"

I sighed, "I don't know. Maybe I don't feel as threatened with you as I feel when I am with other Wielders. Usually Wielders make my skin crawl and send me into a blind rage. But I haven't felt that way towards you. If I hadn't seen your destructive powers and hadn't seen your eyes, I could believe you were human."

She wrapped her arms around mine that I did not used on the reigns, "If I was human I could stay with you forever."

I sighed again, "You don't want to be around someone like me for long, Kairi. My soul is ugly, just as every other Wielder has told me. I enjoy other's death and I cannot be around people for long or I will go insane."

"But you seem ok right now."

I nodded, "My heart and mind are very messed up, Kairi," I took a deep breath as fear started to take over, but I fought it, "When I was twelve years old my town was attacked by a very powerful Wielder," I cleared my throat as it tried to close with fear, "I shared a room with my baby sister who was two at the time," I couldn't talk louder than a whisper anymore, "I watched her, my older brother, my parents, my neighbors, and my friends get burned alive," I stopped to take a deep breath, "Due to that I cannot get close to others or I will start visualizing that day."

"That is why you hate Wielders?"

"Yeah."

She was silent for a little while, "I'm sorry I brought it up."

"Don't worry about it." I replied and the ride was silent until the two soldiers woke up. Aric swapped places with Kairi. For most of the morning part of the trip Aric and Meron answered any of the questions Kairi had about the Royal City. She stopped asking once we reached the first populated area that surrounded the outskirts of the Royal City. Kairi looked in awe as we passed people, homes, and shops. She started gasping in awe when we got very close to the heart of the Royal City since this was one of the richest areas in the country. Near noon, Aric took over the driving while he, Meron, and Kairi ate some dried fruit I had brought, but I did not eat. My head felt light most likely due to anticipation of seeing Prince Asher and Gonen for the first time in 5 years. When we drove up to the royal home's gate, Aric showed the two soldiers his badge and we were allowed inside.

"Please inform the King and Prince that we have arrived." Aric said as we stopped in front of the mansion of a home. I helped Aric and Meron unpack our supplies, but stopped to help Kairi out of the wagon. I knew if she was not being watched, one of the soldiers might approach her. Kairi started swinging my arm back and forth while observing the royal home.

"I've never seen a house this big before!" She gasped, "How many rooms does it have?"

I used my hand she did not hold to pat her head, "There are 58 rooms."

"Wow! That's incredible!" She gushed but looked to Aric when he snorted and came near us.

"I would have never guessed you would get so excited over the royal home, Kairi."

She hugged my arm and ignored Aric making fun of her, "Can we go in, Eva? I want to see the inside! Can we?"

I shook my head, "Not until the royal King invites us inside, Kairi. Also, remember that most of the people who live and work here will not treat you kindly. You must be as polite as possible or they may punish you for it." Kairi suddenly pulled my arm behind me so she could hold onto it while hiding behind me as the King, Queen, Prince, the soon-to-be princess and her brother came out of the home.

"Eva! It has been so long! How are you, my dear?" The queen asked kindly as they stopped close to me.

"I have been well, my queen, and I hope you are the same."