Blood Runs Through the Heart Page 3

  6

  Goodbyes

  Sunflowers painted the field bright yellow. Three sides of the grassy area breathed hope and happiness. The fourth represented fear and death with trees twisting and turning around each — the Dark Forest. A pathway was impossible to find in the woodland. From the sturdy trunks, roots reached out and dug into the dirt. Branches swayed. Snakes slithered in and out of darkening holes. The forest dared all to enter with evil and old magic hidden in every corner. Only a few vampires or wolves in the past attempted to travel through the path of hell. The forest protected the two councils on the other side — a haven for the assembly of vampires and she-wolves.

  The four women stood amongst the sunflowers hidden from any onlookers’ view. They had escaped the estate with a tarp covering Lana and Raven during high sun. Now, the sun laid very low in the distance with pain from the sunrays tolerable.

  Queen Lana and Lady Rochelle stepped towards their two younger counterparts. Lana stood in front of Raven. She would never admit it, but the fear that she felt for her assistant was disturbing. Never seeing Raven again was unsettling, because she had grown fond of her. Lana handed the backpack to Raven. Standing tall, she tossed the bag over one shoulder. With her brown hair pulled back into a ponytail, her high cheeks only accented the strong chin. She wore camouflage pants and a green tank top. Boots covered her feet for protection.

  “Let’s walk.” Queen Lana said as she grabbed Raven’s hand. They strolled hand in hand. “This journey will not be easy. The forest will try to kill you. It places evil and old magic throughout the woods to protect the councils. Are you sure about this?”

  “Yes, my Queen. It’s hard to explain, but my inner voice tells me I need to help Brandy Lee make it to the other side and back. I know that I might die.”

  “Remember, not all that can be trusted can be. Not all that are untrusted are.” Lana said.

  “I don’t understand.” Raven said with a tilt of the head.

  “You will. I have killed many in my lifetime. You have killed none. I made sure of that when I brought the different worlds together in harmony. We have shielded you. I made you weak.”

  “I am not weak.” Raven went on the defense.

  “Not physically, but you are naïve in some ways. If the time comes for you to kill, don’t think. Don’t hesitate, or they’ll kill you. Remember, everything in those woods is there to protect, and you are a threat. Do you have any questions?”

  “Will the Council of the House help us?”

  Lana pondered for a moment. “I don’t know. The council may have ordered the elders to kill Brandy Lee. If that is the case, count on no help. They will be out to kill her and you. Their strength is beyond imaginable; so, enter with caution.” Lana watched Raven inhale and exhale. Her body language reeked of nervousness. She was putting up a good front. Lana rubbed her arm before cupping the side of her face. “I have something to give you. Kneel before me.” Lana ordered.

  Without question, she fell to her knees. The sun faded away, and darkness surrounded them. The wind picked up, and Lana’s cape waved in the air. Her long black hair soared upwards. Placing both hands on each side of Raven’s face, she closed her eyes. Her body stiffened as her mouth parted. Her fangs grew. Fingernails extended to points. Lana’s eyes opened, and solid white eyes replaced the black ones. Lana twisted and swayed her neck like an Egyptian cobra. She fell to the soil inches from Raven’s face. A hiss released into the night. Bringing a long fingernail to her own skin, with a flick, she slit her wrist.

  The smell of the Queen’s blood ignited Raven’s urges. She closed her eyes. Long fingers wrapped around her neck, pulling her forward.

  “Feed, my child.” Queen Lana ordered.

  Raven’s fangs sunk into the sweet nectar, and she fed her thirst. Veins tingled as the blood rushed through the heart like a raging river. Her hunger heightened her senses. With both hands, she pulled the bleeding arm hard into her mouth, digging in deeper. Low moans escaped from above her. The blood so thick and sweet that the gratification crashed throughout her body. Raven felt a hand grab her hair and pull her back. Blood dripped from her mouth. Her breath was ragged.

  “I’m sorry, my Queen.” Raven felt funny. Dizzy. She wobbled.

  Lana swiped her hand over her wrist, and the cut healed. Her eyes turned to onyx. She inhaled and released a breath. Once she gathered herself, she pulled Raven into an embrace.

  “What’s the matter with me?” Raven whispered against Lana’s chest. The ground spun, and she felt the wind swirl around her. “I feel intoxicated.”

  “Through my blood, I gave you a gift. Let it settle inside your blood.”

  Time passed at a snail’s pace before Raven found her balance. “What gift did you give me?”

  “I can’t tell you, but when needed, it will reveal itself.” Lana stood, lifting Raven with her. “My gift will strengthen you.”

  “Thank you, my Queen.”

  Lana nodded. “Come back to me, Raven. I will wait for you. Let’s join Rochelle and Brandy Lee. It’s time.”

  Brandy Lee watched as the two other women traveled deeper into the sunflowers. Raven was walking away from her, causing an unexplainable pit in her stomach. It churned with a vengeance. A touch drew her back to the woman that stood in front of her. She smiled a nervous smile but a smile never the least.

  “Are you scared?” Rochelle asked.

  “I’m sorry. I’ve failed you again.” The young girl whispered.

  “It’s okay, my child. I’m scared too.” Rochelle glanced towards the dense forest. Red eyes glared back from the trees. She ignored the sighting.

  “You’re afraid of nothing, my Lady.” The words grabbed Rochelle’s attention back to her companion.

  A hand touched the side of the brave one’s cheek. Rochelle looked deep into her eyes. Behind the golden browns lay beauty and determination. “Listen to me. You will face many new challenges in the woods. Trust your instincts. Believe in your heart. You are my Pack, and we are strong. We are one. You’ll be a hundred times stronger in your wolf state than your human.”

  Rochelle walked around Brandy Lee like she did the first time they met. Stopping behind her, she rubbed her face into the shoulder. They remained still. Breaths synchronized. After a long pause, Rochelle lowered Brandy Lee to the ground. They sat cross-legged in front of each other.

  “Let’s go over a few things. First, don’t fear the council. They will welcome you with open arms, but you must allow them to smell your blood. They need to know that you are of the Royal Family. I don’t have a clue what will happen after that.” Rochelle paused her words. She looked away for a moment.

  “Are you okay?” Brandy Lee asked while interweaving their hands together.

  “Yes. I was thinking of how your life will be changing. You will have new responsibilities as the Royal Family.”

  “I just want to drive you around.”

  Rochelle let out a belly laugh. “I may be driving you, my dear.” Reaching into a bag, Rochelle pulled out a few vials of red liquid. Each container was color-coded in green, yellow, and red. She placed them in Brandy Lee’s hand. Their hands lingered together with the cold vials between them. “The blood in these vials come from your sisters. You have six, two of each. Each carries power, with red being the strongest. Only use red in a dire emergency. You understand?”

  “Yes, I understand. Hopefully, I’ll not need to use them.” Brandy Lee placed the vials in her backpack. “Thank you, Lady Rochelle. My head is stilling spinning, but I would be lost without you.” The words choked out.

  “You’ll be fine.” A finger pointed into the middle of the young she-wolf’s chest. “ Blood runs through the heart. Lead with this.”

  The four-women joined back together and stood in a circle. The night was an hour into darkness. With the last few instructions explained, the women said their goodbyes. Brandy Lee and Raven turned on their heels and took the first step together.

  7

  First Step

  Two travelers stood at the edge where the green grass ended and the black moss began, their eyes searching the timber in the hope of a hint or a suggestion that would carry them forward. Nothing but darkness stared back. Emptiness. A shadow crept from under the moss and skimmed the white tip of Brandy Lee’s Converse sneakers before retracting back. A knot grew in the back of their throats. An old owl hooted, which drew attention to the trees. Its big eyes rolled around before its wings spread, taking flight.

  Raven reached down and grabbed Brandy Lee’s hand. Holding hands would be a romantic gesture, if not for the circumstances. Her heart pounded against her rib cage. With a soft squeeze and a comforting gaze, Raven pulled Brandy Lee across the line into The Dark Forest, leading them down a small path covered in vines and roots. Brandy Lee stumbled a few times, only to catch herself.

  “Raven, you can let go of my hand.” Brandy Lee announced on the tail end of a stumble recovery. She enjoyed holding the woman’s hand, but now she needed both of her hands for balance.

  “Oh, sorry.” Raven let go. She puffed her cheeks out in a burst of air. Her eye scaled the tall oaks with her body twisting around in a circle. “I bet I can see for miles from up there.”

  “You can’t be serious. It is so high. What if you fall?”

  “I am an excellent climber. Just hold my stuff.” Raven removed her backpack, handing it over to Brandy Lee. She smiled. When Brandy Lee smiled back at her, the ends of her mouth turned upwards even more. She melted inside. Raven admired the beauty in front of her. Brandy Lee’s eyes were toxic.

  “Be careful. If you fall, turn into a bat and flap your wings.” Brandy Lee said.

  “Brandy?” Raven cocked her head sideways while leaving the second part of her name off on purpose.
Placing both hands on her hips, she tried to refrain from laughing. Narrowing her eyes, she said, “I don’t turn into a bat, and that hurt.”

  “Oh, I . . .” Brandy Lee's words stumbled like a drunken fool.

  “I’m just joking, Brandy Lee. I really can’t turn into a bat, but I’ll be careful.” Raven nodded, flashing that charming smile. Her neck bent backward as she studied the towering timber. A hand reached out and touched the bark with a gentle stroke. A bend of the knees and she hurled herself upward. Long nails dug into bark for securement with her feet pressed hard against the tree. She inched her way up in a shimmering crawl, slow at first until she got her rhythm.

  Standing at the base of the tree, Brandy Lee watched her disappear into the branches. Her eyes remained focused on the branches above until she heard a rustling in the bushes behind her. Pivoting and crouching down, her surroundings monitored. After a few minutes, she concluded that her imagination was playing tricks on her. “Chill out.” She spoke the words out loud to herself. Her eye searched upwards but found nothing but falling leaves. She huffed and sat down at the base of the tree. The image of Raven smiling at her sent a flutter through her stomach. Why do I get this way? She gets out of my sight and I miss her. Am I scared? That can't be it. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts but they returned. She is beautiful. Those emerald eyes, thin lips and her body; so perfect. So sexy.

  This time there was no mistake. The bush stirred. Jumping to a squat, Brandy Lee released a slow-rolling growl. More movement. She inched forward, both hands squeezing the dry dirt between her fingers. The branches separated, and Brandy Lee prepared her body and mind to pounce. Time froze. A squirrel darted out from the brush. Brandy Lee exhaled. Sheesh. The little fellow stood up on his two back legs and, with a wiggle of the nose, he hurried off. She scanned the area before scooting until her back laid against the tree. She pulled her legs up, wrapping her arms around them. Her chin laid down on her kneecaps. Where are you, Raven?

  She regretted leaving Brandy Lee alone on the ground from the moment she started the climb. She hated separating from her, but she was hoping to see something useful. A haze churned around the tree like a blanket, making reaching the top slower. The closer she got to the top, an awful sound grew. Blackbirds. Raven hated birds. It was always a joke around the kitchen table. Her name was Raven, yet, one little birdie will put her to her knees. Birds terrified her, except for good fried chicken. She loved fried chicken. Chicken was not a survival food for her; it was self-indulgent. Her body became still. The silhouette of a hundred wings flapping above her head, the short flights between branches, and the long squawks filling the air had Raven paralyzed. Shit! She thought.

  Her legs straddled a branch with her back against the tree. She watched while thinking of a way to get out of this. She could go back down and tell Brandy Lee there was nothing up there. Avoid the birds altogether. Living with that lie wouldn’t come easy. Shit! She bit the bottom of her lip in thought. “I’m a vampire, for God’s sake. I can get rid of a few birds.” Both hands pushed her body up, but she dropped back down upon hearing a noise.

  A low growl materialized from the end of the branch. The noise only a few feet away. Raven’s emerald eyes glowed in response to the unknown threat. She displayed her teeth before releasing a hiss. Two red eyes glared from the pitch-dark. They grew bigger. Inch by inch, they came closer.

  “Fuck.” Raven balanced herself.

  The black panther emerged with solid muscles and shimmering black fur, its upper lip raised in anger. The large paws took one step at a time, with each step balletic in its own. Stopping only a jump away from Raven, she raised her head towards the fluttering of birds. With one tremendous leap, she landed on the branch above. Then, she circled a few times before another jump and another. Raven watched as she swatted at the large blackbirds. She felt a rush of relief as the massive cat found the birds more appealing. Her swinging tail in the night was the last image of the panther before she crept away.

  Raven laid back against the tree, twisting her fingers around her ponytail. The birds flew away. She needed to look and get back down to Brandy Lee. The thought of her alone set off an alarm. She wouldn’t hear cries for help this far up. Reaching the highest branch possible, Raven scanned the horizon. Time was passing, and the sun would rise in four hours. There is a small lake lying in the distance. Raven figured about five miles. If they could make it there before the sun rose, that would be an excellent place to camp for the day. Raven started her decent.

  The stirring above her head was the best sound. Raven was coming down. Brandy Lee stood in anticipation. Raven’s figure came into sight, and relief washed over her.

  When Raven made the last leap to the ground, her neck got wrapped in arms. Trying to play it cool, Raven whispered in her ear, “Did you miss me?”

  “Yes, I thought you’d never get back.”

  “Anything happen while I was gone?” Raven asked.

  “No.” The response came from the face buried into her shoulder.

  “Hey, it’s okay. I saw a lake not too far from here.” Raven rubbed her back. “Come on. We have to keep moving.”

  “Okay, sorry.” Brandy Lee pulled herself away. She pulled at her t-shirt that had gone sideways and yanked at her cargo shorts. “Let’s do this.”

  Raven smiled and led them deeper into the dark forest.

  “Did anything happen up there?” Brandy Lee asked as she followed.

  “No, nothing at all. I climbed up and then back down.” Raven answered.

  8

  Five Miles

  Raven swatted.

  “Damn mosquitos!” Raven fretted. If Brandy Lee heard her, she didn’t respond. Raven watched her move ahead through the brushes. The path started to widen, which made maneuvering over the stumps and roots easier. They had traveled about two miles so far. Raven didn’t want to jinx it, but the trip was going smoothly. Trying to get her mind off things, she admired the sexy ass in front of her. Brandy Lee was hot in her cargo pants. That ass twitching got Raven’s heart fluttering. Instead of smacking at the blood-sucking mosquitos, she would love to give that apple ass in front of her a smack. “Damn, that ass is sexy!” Raven’s words caught her off guard. Did I say that out loud? Fuck!

  Brandy Lee swirled her body around, causing Raven to stop in her tracks before stumbling back. She tripped over the large tree stump, landing on her rear. “Ouch!” Raven screamed out. Brandy Lee towered over her with her hands on both hips. Raven’s eyes traveled the long legs, continuing over her six-pack stomach, past her small breasts, lingering over luscious lips, and finding the golden-brown pupils. Ut-oh! I am in trouble. Raven felt those eyes burn a hole through her core.

  “Did you say my ass was sexy?”

  Raven struggled to get up. She couldn’t figure a way out of this one. It wasn’t the first time her mouth had gotten her in trouble with a woman. She decided the best route would be the honest route. “Sorry, yes; I did. But on my defense, have you seen your ass? It’s quite the distraction.” Then there it was — that smile.

  Brandy Lee huffed. “Don’t smile like that at me.” And with a quick turn on her heel, she marched into the woods.

  “Wait.” Raven jumped up after her. “Hey, Brandy Lee; stop. Hold on.” With an elbow grab, Raven spun her around. “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to look at your butt. Just trying to keep my mind off-” She looks around at the scenery. “Our circumstances.” Their bodies inches apart. Only breaths laid between them. “I’m sorry. Forgive me.” Raven said.

  Brandy Lee’s head shook, but not in a negative or an affirmative answer. Closing her eyes, she pinched the bridge of her nose. A headache was forming. “It’s okay.” She pushed passed her and headed back to the trail. Stopping in her tracks with a half a body turn, she let her words slip out in the dark. “So, you know, that smile of yours is sexy.” A quick step, and she moved away.