Chapter 16: Murder

"When I call you to the barn later in the afternoon, you'll know it's time,"

"Misha, I know—"

"Not here," Misha instantly interrupted and it was a good thing too since Krella appeared at the doorway barely seconds later.

It was so unexpected that Rye was convinced that she must have been there a few seconds before they discovered her.

"You're making breakfast so early? The two of you?"

"Yes, Mistress. I wanted to surprise everyone by making it a little more special," Misha responded and Krella instantly nodded.

She had known Misha long enough to trust whatever she said and Rye hadn't given her anything problems so far.

Krella left and as much as Rye wanted to bring up the fact that she had no intention of leaving that day, she couldn't and she could only remain quiet, as she silently helped Misha cook.

The hours slowly passed. Breakfast passed just as quickly and Rye was thinking of cleaning the entire upstairs area when she watched Misha walk towards her whispering in her ears as she passed.

"The barn!"

Rue felt her heart thump loudly in her chest as she listened to Misha's footsteps get farther away before turning around to follow her.

Rye had just entered the barn when Misha standing by the side of the door, picked up a small bag off the ground and tried passing it to Rye, who refused to take it.

"What's wrong?" Misha asked with a stupefied look on her face that showed a hint of worry.

"I'm not leaving. I can't leave yet!" Rye said straightening her back as she focused her gaze on Misha who stared right back.

Her gaze was cold and for the first time, she stared at Rye with a look akin to disgust.

"Why not? If I remember correctly that was the agreement right?" Misha asked, her eyes beaming with unhidden anger.

"I think it's best to stay here for a while longer. Truthfully, I feel much safer here. If I go to the city, I-I won't make it. I'll be caught and forced to wear a slave collar," Rye said slowly divulging her innermost fears.

When she left the slave tower it was a decision between total degradation and unknown death, but the situation had changed.

Staying in the village was a haven and Rye couldn't think of a reason why she should put her life at risk.

For the first time since she left the slave tower, she understood why Emily chose to go back instead of fleeing with her.

"What about the promise you made?" Misha slowly asked with narrowed eyes waiting to hear her decision.

"I'll still fulfill it but not now. You're the closest thing I have to a friend in this world. I promise that–-"

Rye began to speak only to be interrupted by Misha who closed the distance between them in one step until her face was all Rye could see.

They were about the same height and Rye felt Misha's piercing gaze as she began to speak in an unhurried manner, doing her best to make sure that Rye understood every word.

"I hate humans like you the most do you know why?"

Rye was a little stunned but regardless responded, "Why?"

"Because my mother was a human and my father was a Pure-blooded Santor. It's the only reason I have wings yet my name is Misha, which means Half, instead of Sisha, which is full," Misha slowly explained and Rye was too stunned to speak.

Yet her shock didn't end there as she heard Misha continue to speak.

"I don't consider you a friend. The only reason I want you gone is because staying here you'll be treated like a golden goose that lays golden eggs but out there, you'll suffer like everyone else,"

"Misha, I—"

"You'll be degraded and abused, sucked dry and tossed around enough for you to wish for death and grab it with both hands,"

"Misha, I've never hurt you, and I—"

"You don't have to. I hate humans which means that I hate you!" Misha spoke, with such conviction that Rye couldn't help but flinch a little at her words.

"My mother a slave should have killed herself and me the second she discovered that she was with child but instead she chose to live and 'Hope'. Without humans, Reds can never be as powerful as they are, you've seen it,"

"Misha, you helped me! But regardless of how you feel about me, I refuse to leave!" Rye said interrupting Misha before she continued speaking.

She had seen the looks of disdain Misha gave her but she had also watched her get up from her bed simply to help her, something she didn't have to do.

She had seen her cut herself and mix her blood just to help her cover the fact that she was a human, something she didn't have to do.

"I'll leave but not —"

"If you refuse to leave, I'll tell everyone that you're human," Misha said cutting Rye off.

Rye was shocked for only a split second before she frowned, as she stared deeply into Misha's eyes almost like she was looking for something she couldn't find.

"I don't believe you. You wouldn't!"

"If you refuse to leave, I will. You're the fool for thinking of me as a friend. If you've not left the village before the sun goes down, you'll regret it," Misha said, her voice barely above a whisper as she fixed her gaze on Rye before slowly turning around to leave.

But she had barely placed her hands on the door about to push it open when a loud clanking sound rang through the entire barn.

***

Rye who had also moved to stop Misha from leaving instantly froze, frightened by the clattering noise she heard, considering how confident she was that they were alone.

Rye instantly turned around trying to see past the big piles of hay but Misha was less patient as she opened her mouth to bark at the hidden person in their midst.

"WHO IS IT? WE KNOW YOU'RE THERE!" Misha called out as she slowly turned around, making her way further into the long barn where the sheep and goats were kept.

There was no response, so much so that Rye slowly began to wonder if they were mistaken, but Misha wasn't convinced.

"If I find you myself--" Misha began to speak in a more threatening tone only to be interrupted by a young male voice as they both watched a young teenager crawl out from the innermost part of the barn.

"I was sleeping and only woke up when I heard you about to leave," He said, stepping out with a shy demeanor, running his hands through the messy pile of hair on his head.

Rye felt relieved to see a young boy clearly in his teens step out from behind a small enclosure in the barn though the heated look he fixed on her with his red eyes made her feel extremely uncomfortable as he slowly walked closer to them.

"I-I should leave," he said, his focus more on Rye than the door he was supposed to be walking towards.

In the depths of his eyes was an arrogant look, one a predator would give a weaker prey.

'He's lying! He heard our conversation!' Rye was sure of it.

"You heard our conversation, didn't you?" Misha softly asked, surprising Rye and the boy who hadn't expected it.

Misha had a deadly look in her eyes, one that scared Rye who instantly moved closer to Misha.

"Its-its not such a bad thing if everyone knows I'm human," Rye gently began to speak, realizing that the villagers would treat her well.

Enough to ensure that nothing happened to her and no one took too much blood that would be detrimental to her health.

But above all, Rye didn't want to leave the village, having decided to settle for a while longer.

"Maybe this isn't such a bad thing," Rye continued, worried to see how incensed Misha became at Rye's words.

It was obvious that she was totally unhappy about it.

The teenager who had been quiet since they began talking also opened his mouth to speak.

"I-I don't mind keeping it a secret from everyone if I can get some of your blood for me and my family," the boy said with a huge grin on his face.

Having discovered such a huge secret, there was no way he wouldn't like a huge stake in it just in case it was true.

"Sure but you'll have to discuss it with my Mistress first," Rye instantly accepted. It would be even better if it were only two families that were aware of her huge secret.

Rye turned back to glance at Misha who had been extremely quiet only to be shocked by the scene that played out in front of her.

One minute everything was going better than she planned and the next she was horrified to see Misha dash forward and stab the young boy.

With a short dagger and right through his chest.