The Witch and the Vampire by Francesca Flores

Author:Francesca Flores
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group

CHAPTER 17

— AVA —

When vampire hunters killed Casiopea’s son,

she did not know what to do.

But years of being a test subject of the empire

gave her some ideas.

—JOURNAL BY CALLUNA MENTARA

My ankle twists sharply when I land on the stone ground outside of the inn. Gritting my teeth against the pain, I step into the shadows cast by the side of the building, and then I hop on one foot alongside the wall as quietly as I can.

A loud crash sounds above me in the room I’ve just left, and then Zenos’s voice rings out, “She knew we were coming. Spread out and find her; if she disappears again, her mother will lock up all of us—even me.”

A chill spreads down my spine and I feel numb as I run to the nearest alley, putting weight on my twisted ankle and wincing through the pain.

I run, turning onto random streets and moving as fast as I can. People gasp as I sprint past them, and for a moment I wonder if I’m moving as fast as other vampires and giving myself away right now. But using this speed, this strength, is the only way I’ll get away from him.

As I careen down the next street and nearly twist my ankle again, I spot two people at the end of it whom I recognize, from all the hours I’d spent staring out of my attic window. Two Flame witches from Arborren walking toward me. I slow my pace immediately. I may be faster, but these witches have been taught to catch vampires, and I don’t know yet if I’m a match for their flames and silver.

But also, I wonder why they’re here. Chrysalis relies on its own people to control the vampires in their immediate area, not Flame witches. The only reason I can imagine Flames coming here is if there are more vampires than the human hunters can handle.

The thought makes me slow as the witches pass me, my thoughts racing. They’re too absorbed in their own conversation to pay attention to me.

“Come here, girl,” says a voice to my left, and I stiffen, expecting one of Zenos’s men to have found me. But when I turn my head to the side, I see a wizened old man behind a cart of trinkets. A sign hanging in front of the cart is etched with the words CHARMS AGAINST EVIL. “No one should be wandering without protection, especially this time of year. Can I interest you in a necklace? Or earrings, mine are getting more popular these days.”

All the jewelry laid out is adorned with glistening white fangs. Necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets—they all have fangs set into them, some simply polished so the ivory color shines under the sun, and others doused with colorful dust or paint to give them a different, fashionable color.

“I—I’m fine, thank you,” I stutter out before turning to follow the two Flame witches.

As I do, a cold hard determination settles in my bones. If they have vampire captives here, I’ll do whatever I can to save them.

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