CHAPTER 8: DEEP WOUND

The lantern's flickering light cast long shadows across the stone walls of Kael's chamber. Gavern's brows furrowed as he gently prodded the jagged wound on Kael's chest. His fingers were steady, but his mind was racing.

"This arrow hit deeper than I thought," Gavern murmured, his voice tinged with worry. He reached for his satchel, pulling out a bundle of herbs bound in twine. The earthy aroma of dried roots and leaves filled the room.

Kael's breaths were shallow, his body unnaturally still, save for the occasional twitch of his fingers. Dren stood at the foot of the bed, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword. He had seen Kael recover from wounds that would kill lesser men, but this was different.

"You need to work faster," Dren said, his tone sharp.

Gavern shot him a glare. "I am working as fast as I can. Do you think healing poison is as simple as snapping your fingers?"

Dren opened his mouth to retort, but Gavern cut him off.

"If you want your master to survive the night, you'll let me do my job."

Kael stirred, his eyes fluttering open briefly. He tried to speak, but only a low growl escaped his lips.

"This will hold him temporarily," Gavern said as he applied a thick paste to the wound and tied it off with a strip of linen. "But it's not a cure. I need more time to craft a stronger remedy."

Dren's jaw tightened. "How much time?"

"Days, at least," Gavern admitted. He stood and packed his satchel, avoiding Dren's piercing gaze. "But for now, someone must keep watch over him. If he wakes—"

"I'll handle it," Dren interrupted, his voice firm.

Gavern hesitated, then nodded. "Don't let him leave this chamber. If he does…" He trailed off, his expression dark. "We may not be able to save him."

Dren sat by the door, his sword resting across his lap. The hours dragged on, each second feeling like an eternity. The only sound was the faint crackling of the fire in the hearth.

Kael remained motionless, his chest rising and falling in shallow breaths. But Dren could sense something simmering beneath the surface—an energy that felt volatile and dangerous.

As the first light of dawn began creeping through the narrow windows, Dren finally allowed himself a moment of rest. He leaned back against the cold stone wall, his eyes growing heavy.

When he opened them again, the bed was empty.

"Kael!" Dren's voice echoed through the chamber as he leapt to his feet. Panic surged through him as he searched the room, but there was no sign of his master.

The door creaked open, and one of the guards peered inside. "What's wrong?"

"Kael is gone," Dren said, his voice tight with urgency. "Sound the alarm. Search the castle grounds—every corner, every shadow. Now!"

The guard nodded and disappeared down the corridor, his footsteps fading into the distance.

Dren's mind raced as he sprinted down the hall. He knew Kael was dangerous in this state, but he also knew that Kael would never allow himself to be restrained.

Far from the castle, Kael stood atop a jagged cliff, his body silhouetted against the pale morning sky. His eyes burned with an unnatural light, and his sharp teeth gleamed as he bared them in a feral snarl.

The hunger was unbearable, gnawing at him like a beast clawing at his insides. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms until blood seeped through his fingers.

The faint sound of voices reached his ears. He turned sharply, his heightened senses locking onto the source—a small family making their way through the woods below.

An old couple and a child. Their laughter carried on the breeze, warm and carefree.

Kael's lips curled into a twisted smile.

Perlia skipped ahead, her small basket swinging in her hand. She turned to her grandparents and beamed. "Look how many berries I found!"

Her grandmother smiled back. "Good job, my little bird. But stay close to us."

"Yes, Grandmother!"

The old man chuckled, his voice raspy but kind. "Let her explore. She has the energy of a hundred sparrows."

Perlia laughed and twirled, her joy infectious. But then she stopped abruptly, her eyes narrowing as she stared into the shadows.

A figure stood there, tall and still, watching them.

"Grandmother…" Perlia's voice was barely a whisper.

The woman turned, her smile fading as she followed the child's gaze. "Who's there?"

Kael stepped into the light, his eyes burning in red flames locking onto the girl.

"Perlia, come here," her grandmother said, her voice trembling.

Perlia took a step back, clutching her basket tightly.

In a blur of motion, Kael was upon her. His hand wrapped around her neck, lifting her effortlessly off the ground. The child gasped, her small hands clawing at his grip.

"Let her go!" the old man shouted, raising his walking stick.

Kael's laughter was cold and hollow. "Do you really think you can stop me?"

Before the man could respond, Kael sank his fangs into his throat. The old man's scream was brief, cut off as his lifeblood drained away.

The grandmother's eyes widened in horror. "Perlia, run!" she screamed.

Kael dropped the lifeless body and turned to the woman, his lips stained with blood.

"You'll join him soon enough," he whispered.

The woman lunged at him with surprising strength, but Kael caught her easily. He bit into her neck, savoring the warm rush of blood as it filled him with strength.

Perlia ran as fast as her legs could carry her, tears streaming down her face. Her grandmother's screams echoed in her ears, followed by a deafening silence.

Perlia stumbled into a hollow tree and pressed herself against the rough bark, her tiny frame trembling. She held her breath, her sobs muffled by her hands.

Kael's voice drifted through the woods, soft and taunting.

"Little one… you can't hide from me."

Perlia's heart raced as she listened to his footsteps, each one bringing him closer.

But then, the sound faded.

She waited for what felt like an eternity, her body frozen with fear. Her body gave out, and she slipped into unconsciousness.

The news spread quickly two lifeless bodies were found in the woods, and a child was discovered unconscious nearby.

Aiya's heart sank as she listened to the messenger's frantic account. She grabbed her grandmother's hand, her voice shaking. "We have to help."

Together, they made their way to the site. The sight of the old couple's bodies brought tears to Aiya's eyes.

"Grandmother," she whispered, her voice trembling. "What could have done this?"

The older woman knelt beside the bodies, her face grim. "This is no natural death," she said. "This was the work of a dangerous creature.

The villagers carried Perlia to the inn, where she was placed in a small room. Aiya stayed by her side, watching as the child's chest rose and fell in shallow breaths.

"She's traumatized," the innkeeper said softly. "It could be weeks before she speaks, if ever."

Aiya reached out and brushed a strand of hair from Perlia's face. "You're safe now," she whispered, though her heart ached with uncertainty.

Back at the castle, Dren finally found Kael seated in his chamber. His eyes were still crimson, his expression distant.

"You left," Dren said, his voice barely hiding his anger.

Kael turned slowly, his lips curling into a smirk. "I needed to feed."

"You slaughtered innocent people," Dren snapped.

Kael stood, his towering frame casting a shadow over Dren. "Do you think I care about innocence?"

Dren's hand tightened on his sword. "This isn't you, Kael.

Kael's laughter was cold and hollow. "I feel stronger than ever. Let Gavern keep his cures. I don't need saving."

As he spoke, his fire red eyes flared and Dren could still see his fang firmly on his mouth.