The screams of families fleeing their homes could be heard as the treetop village burned. The shouts of the elves trying to coordinate firefighting and evacuation tactics were the most prevalent. Her destructive action may have effectively made her invisible to those trying to do good. Besides, anybody that came remotely close to her was opened up and devoured.

It didn’t take long for the fire to grow to staggering proportions. She began to find it less likely to see elves to prey on as time continued. The elves must have given up trying to stop the fire and evacuated all the remaining surviving families. Unfortunately, Rina was still determined to gain more meals from the village.

She stood in the midst of her most devastated area, the center of the village the hub where all the bridges convened. Half of the tree houses around her were either burning or a smoldering pile of wood. She began to focus her vision, everything in her sight dulled and blurred. Sounds were nearly non-existent to her. When she focused, this was the real power of her enhanced magic sensing vision.

In the direction of a burning building, she could see a small aura of magic. Not enough to make her mouth water but, food is still food, and this was the best she could find in her immediate area. She turned around and went in the direction.

She ripped the door from its frame, tossing it into the burning forestry below. Upon entering the home, she didn’t find much. Most of the area was cut off by flames and burning branches; the roof had zero visibility as it was filled with black smoke.

While inside she looked around for the aura again, the trailing magic led her to a singular hall; the tree wall supports caved in on the walkway blocking the rest of the building. She gripped the tree bark. At first, the burning wood felt almost unbearable to touch, but slowly she felt herself adjust. Her chitin began to heat up, but her flesh underneath was remaining a constant temperature or at least the chitin was resistant enough to slow the rise of her internal temperature. to at least withstand several seconds of the move. In the middle of the hall was a child, small, dark-skinned and silvery hair, A common trait in most of the elves living here. He looked about seven, maybe a little younger.

The child had been wailing trying to get the attention of someone to rescue them. Once they saw Rina, they ran to her and hugged her leg, seeing as they only came up to about her thigh. Tears still leaked from their eyes but the crying was no longer one of help and desperation but of one filled with hope and thank.

Rina looked at the child, the aura was incredibly small, barely even there. The child had been lucky that she was looking for magic. Otherwise, she would not have noticed. Well, there was no use staying in a building that was going to be destroyed in a matter of minutes. She and the child left the house and out to the central area.

Once out of danger the child hugged her thigh even harder, the crying had stopped. Rina just stared at the child unsure if it was even worth it to make them a prey… of course, it was worth it! Magic is magic! Food is glorious! She wrapped a hand around the child’s thin throat; she lifted the child upward to her eye level. She tightened her grip causing the child to choke hitting her hand as they grasped for air.

The tears fell, and the smile they had for their savior faded. She placed one of her razor-sharp fingers on the child’s chest. Not hunting children of a species led to her being unsure where an underdeveloped magic organ would reside, she would have to do some experimentation if she was going to find it.

She made a small incision in the stomach, tearing the child’s shirt with ease. Not wanting to damage anything she was only using light pressure. Before she was about to cut the flesh, she heard a voice.

“Drop the kid!” She turned around to find a familiar face and two unknown elves. “I won’t ask again.”

Rina was hesitant for a moment, but the nocked arrow made it clear to her what the right answer was. She tossed the child forward. Just a few feet away from her. “...Dirsk.” She said recognizing the aura.

“How do you-” He stopped his sentence. The moment he looked into Rina’s eyes he knew. “...Rina…” He mumbled the next word. “Why?” He shook his mind from confusion he had right now. “Grab the kid!” He ordered one of the other elves; They scrambled to the child trying to regain its lost air.

“Where’s Iseca?” He was yelling at this point.

Rina didn’t respond to him; it wasn’t that she didn’t understand it was more of that she was just ignoring him.

“Where is Iseca!” This time it was louder and more commanding.

For the first time, Rina made eye contact. It was chilling, The grayed eyes with the crystal clear irises made for a very unsettling sight. Rina half turned and lazily pointed in the direction of her into the forest from whence she came.

Whether it was because he didn’t trust her or because she was just plain dangerous, he fired. Unprepared the arrow caught her in the shoulder, right where the chitin stopped. She hissed in pain and gripped the shaft. By the time she pulled it out Dirsk and the other elves had disappeared.

She looked around once more; no magical auras could be sensed, the village was devastated. It was time to move to another food source. She was going miss the taste of these elves.