Reina glared at her hands. Surprisingly, the wound on her left one had healed overnight, almost making it look as if the missing fingers had never existed. A part of the young woman hoped that they would regenerate as well, but that was unlikely. Even old witches such as mistress Margo the Raven could remove scars at the best of times. Someone as inexperienced as Reina couldn’t hold a candle to such power. That said, no one had made a contract with spirits before and there was no telling what they could be capable of doing. Although, hearing the echoes of Luned and Trahaearn’s anguished songs probably wasn’t a good sign. Reina could have been more certain if she could understand the bloody things. However, every time she tried to focus on the sound, her two forced companions retreated to some other place inside her mind. No. Trying to force them felt wrong. Like it or not, the girl instinctively knew that she had to respect the boundaries they set. Besides, Reina couldn’t blame the pair for feeling reluctant to communicate with her, after stepping into Alice’s trap.

The sudden sound of voices outside of her bedroom caught her attention. Careful to make as little noise as possible, Reina slid out of the large bed and tip-toed forward pressing her ear against the door.

“All I’m saying is that she didn’t have to go that far.” The stranger said, impotent anger dripping from each word.

“If you wished to object, you should’ve said. Something.” The second speaker was clearly Arthur. There was no way Reina could mistake his rasping voice and odd speech.

“You know damn well I can’t do shit!” She heard a muffled thud at the end of the outburst. Probably, the person speaking with the knight hit the wall or was slammed against it. It was difficult for her to tell. “Besides, it wouldn’t have mattered if I did. That bitch’s heart is blacker than a demon’s…”

“Stay your tongue. Fool.” Arthur’s admonishment was clear to hear and Reina could feel his burning gaze through the door. “It is the mistress, you. Are speaking about. She always. Listens.”

“That would be a first!” The stranger exclaimed and the girl shivered at the mere thought of what would await him if he angers Alice. “If that was true, why did she fuck off at sunset? I’ll tell you. It’s because she doesn’t want to know that I fucking exist!”

After those words, both Arthur and the stranger were silent. Reina stood with her ear pressed against the door, unsure if the two men had left. She was curious to learn who this new person was, however, the only way the girl could find the answer was to step out of her bedroom. A part of her really wished to take this action, while another part screamed that this would be a mistake. It was clear that she wasn’t meant to hear the conversation. Or was she? Perhaps this was another trap, prepared by the First Witch. The issue was that if it was, what was Reina supposed to do? Remain in her room or go outside.

“And do what? Defend Alice? Side with the stranger?” She muttered to herself. No matter what choice she made, the young woman had the distinct impression that she was walking right into the hungry mouth of a werewolf.

“This is what the accursed child does, misguided one. She corrupts and twists anything and everything she touches.” The soft song of Luned pierced Reina’s brooding thoughts.

“To search for reason in her tortured thoughts is to invite insanity,” Trahaearn added its stern song to the melody ringing inside the young witch’s head.

Reina tried to ignore the pair, just as she was taught, but that made them more insistent and loud. Most of what the spirits sang was a mixture of words that made no logical sense when strung together. It was too soon for her to say if she could trust anything that came out of Luned and Trahaearn. All her instincts told her that the two were never going to lie to her. The only thing was sure about was that she couldn’t take their warnings regarding the First Witch lightly. She was about to ask the spirits some questions of her own when the two people outside her room continued their conversation.

“Lady Alice knows. More than you think,” Arthur stated flatly. “She cannot stand your. Whining. Nor can I.”

“Then why stay here? It ain’t going to kill you to leave me alone…”

“I’m here to. Guard you. Make sure you don’t. Go outside.” The knight interrupted the stranger and Reina heard his great sword impact the wooden floor.

“Why? It’s not like I’ll willingly venture outside.” She could hear the vitriol in the stranger’s next words. “I’m grateful for this sanctuary. But that doesn’t mean I’m here by choice. What I don’t understand is why you follow that bitch’s commands, my friend?”

“Because. You know nothing of. Loyalty.” Arthur’s flat delivery sent chills down Reina’s spine. She knew the knight was devoted to Alice, but she had always assumed that it was because of some hex the First Witch had placed on him. “I’m not your. Friend. The moment the mistress. No longer needs you. I shall turn your sorry. Hide. Into a fine dress.”

“Don’t push your luck, von Krass. One of these days, the chain around my neck will slip. And we both know how that will end.” The stranger’s voice was getting closer. “Now, mate. Step aside. I want to see the little lass with my own eyes and don’t worry, I won’t wake her up.”

“That’ll not be. Necessary,” Arthur’s rasps grew louder. Before Reina could peel herself away, the door swung open. The knight’s steel-clad hand caught her before she hit the floor. “She has been listening to. Our conversation. This whole time.”

“Damn! Ain’t you a pretty little thing!” The stranger whistled, reminding Reina that she had nothing on save for the silky nightgown Arthur had given her a few days ago.

Quickly the young witch pushed herself up. The speed and strength in that single motion caught her by surprise and she hit the top of the doorframe before hitting the floor hard. In the split second, she was in the air, Reina realised that this was the doing of Luned and Trahaearn. The spirits had sensed her desire to confront the crude stranger and filled her body with their combined power. Sadly, their efforts to assist her had made things worse. First of all, Reina wasn’t prepared to compensate for how different the motion turned out. And second, she had no idea that they could do something like this. As far as she knew, demons had no effect on the physical abilities of their host.

“Idiot.” That single word pierced her ego like an arrow. If she wasn’t squirming in pain, Reina would’ve loved nothing more than to floor Arthur with her new-found strength.

“That’s a nice pair of tits! Do they taste as delicious as they look?” The stranger’s obscene question made the girl’s eyes widen and in an instant, she forgot that she nearly broke her spine on the doorframe.

Without thinking, Reina prepared a single hex, which would immolate the idiot, and flung it in the general direction of the stranger. She felt potent energies gather at the tips of her fingers. For a heartbeat, the young witch feared that she had overextended herself, just as she did when she used her full power on Arthur. Alas, nothing happened. The words of the hex became incoherent gibberish at the last moment and the power she had used hit her like a tidal wave. It was only because of the combined efforts of the spirits residing in her that Reina’s internal organs didn’t burn to ash.

“This is the first and last time we warn you, foolish one,” Trahaearn’s chastising song erased all other sounds. “The corrupting powers of the Infernal Realm are no longer yours to command. Use them again and we will end your life.”

“You did something bad, didn’t you?” The stranger snickered, while Arthur helped her to her feet.

There was more, but Reina didn’t hear the words. For the first time in her life, she felt powerless. Not that she was that strong, to begin with, but the young witch could always rely on her spells and hexes to escape from a dangerous situation if nothing else. Now, however, she was at the mercy of two men. One a knight, who could kill her a dozen times over before she could blink. And the other – a lecherous degenerate. As much as she wanted to think that she could fight him off, Reina wasn’t a fool. There was no chance that a sixteen-year-old girl could fight off a grown man.

“Come on, I reckon you need a stiff drink to calm yourself down. I know where that bitch Alice keeps the good stuff.” The girl looked away from her trembling hands and had her first good look at the stranger.

He was a short man, slightly shorter than her, but as broad as a miner and with a neck as thick as an ox’s. A wide smile decorated his square face, which was both young and old at the same time. Accompanying it, were a pair of black mirth-filled eyes. Overall, he appeared like a jolly fellow, which Reina found to be shocking considering all the profanity and obscenities spilling from his mouth. Still, there was something very unsettling about the stranger and the way he carried himself when he moved. He had all the confidence of a lord or a wealthy merchant, despite wearing torn dirty rags that smelled of mold and wet earth.

“Trust me, lass. A good glass or two of brandy will put a smile back on your gorgeous face.” At that, the man blew her a kiss and Reina stepped behind Arthur, believing the knight smelling of blood and death to be far less dangerous.

“Ouch. That hurts,” the man placed his ham-sized hands over his heart and rolled his eyes in an overly exaggerated manner. “Anyway. I intend to get hammered and I’d appreciate the company. Arthur here ain’t much of a drinker, so that leaves only you.”

“You have questions. Miss Sylvestre.” The night rasping voice was colder than usual. “Rot can give you. The Answers.”

“Rot?!” Reina’s jaw dropped as she stared into the short man.

This little man was the terrifying werewolf that accompanied Alice wherever she went. It had to be a lie. Even when taking a human form, something that was already rare in itself, werewolves kept their size. Men and women built like houses that practically oozed raw unbridled savagery. Not something like the person standing a handful of steps away from her.

“Do not be so eager to dismiss him, misguided one. He has seen the birth of the Wilds when the long dispute came to a standstill. This beast has the potential to rival a score of greater spirits.” Luned chimed.

Reina found this revelation horrifying. She could accept that Alice was ancient and dangerous. After all, the gap between her and the First Witch was incomprehensible. But even so, they were both human and were nothing compared to spirits and demons. Well, Alice was perhaps someone who such entities couldn’t take lightly, regardless, she was mortal. To make matters worse, Reina had the distinct impression that both her companions could rival most of the Infernal denizens which infested the Covenant of Shadows. As such, it was hard to accept the hint of fear in the spirit’s song and feel nothing.

“Wait. How do you know that?” Reina had to suppress the urge to ask the question out loud.

“We can see more than your mortal eyes and mind can comprehend, foolish one.” Trahaearn chastised her, his song harsher than that of his counterpart.

It was odd, but the young witch was starting to pick on some things regarding the pair residing in her. For one, Luned clearly preferred to be addressed as a female, and although reluctant, she was more willing to offer help or advice. On the other hand, Trahaearn was a fighter, stern and unbending like hard iron, with a hint of nobility in him.

“In that case, what about him?” Reina’s eyes shifted towards the head of the knight standing in front of her. Hidden behind his helmet, she was yet to see Arthur’s face.

Trahaearn’s song became impatient as he answered her question. “This one is a mystery to us. The wards engraved on his armour hide him from curious eyes. But the fact that he has not gone insane from the mad whispers of the primordial entity trapped in his weapon marks him as someone quite dangerous.”

Reina glared at the great sword sticking from the floorboards. The longer her eyes lingered on the black blade and the sigils along its length, the more unnerved she became. However, the moment she looked away, it was as if the weapon ceased to exist. Now that she thought about it, Arthur always had the sword with him or nearby, but never more than an arm’s length away. Actually, the spirit had said something very important.

“Wait. What do you mean primordial?” She was confused. From what she could remember, there was the Infernal Realm, the Realm of Spirits and between them the Mortal World, which was used as a battleground at the dawn of time. According to what her teachers and instructors were willing to share, there was nothing else.

“Why should we share more, when even those who lurk in the darkness refuse to?” Trahaearn’s song rumbled like a storm inside her thoughts.

Luned was quick to sing before Reina could form a response. “She needs to know, my kin. The cursed one is far more dangerous than the Lord of Mercy feared. If this misfortunate one moves blindly, she is going to perish and we will have failed our task.”

So, they were hiding things from her. Reina was right not to trust them outright. Sure, the spirits were polite and kind, in their way, but they were no different than demons in that regard.

“It is not true, misguide one,” Luned protested, having invaded the young witch’s innermost thoughts. This was an unacceptable violation of privacy, that should’ve been forbidden according to the rules of the Contract. Actually, now that she thought about it, her Contract was very vague.

“It is true, misguided one. What I do is unforgivable, but there is little time.” Luned let out a sorrowful song, filled with regret.

“Enough of this,” Trahaearn boomed once again. “When the realm of mortals came to be, the Fallen Prince, forever cursed be his name, corrupted the first creatures the children of the King of Spirits created. For the second time since the begging of existence, the most benevolent one stepped away from the Crystal Throne. And by doing so, the most benevolent one graced this fleeting realm with his grace.”

“He did it to protect your kind, misguided one,” Luned added quietly. “You humans were the favoured children of the Mother of Life. It pained her to watch you perish, so she beseeched the King to help you, for only he could rival Letum Mors, forever cursed be his name. and stand against the abominations he created.”

As soon as her song finished, Trahaearn continued. “It suffices to say that the corpses of those abominations are what gave birth to the Wilds. However, their essence still lingers to this day. You think the lands surrounding the settlements of mortals are dangerous, but trust us when we warn you, foolish one. There are places in this world neither spirit nor demon dares to visit.”

“What my kin is trying to say, is that the entity trapped inside that weapon is a pale shadow of what the true essence of a primordial entity is, and it is enough to terrify us.”

Reina drained the glass of brandy in her hand, once again regretting her questions. She had doubts that she could ever sleep soundly after learning all of this. The girl looked incredulously at the crystal container resting in her right palm. There was no memory of how or when she had arrived in the living room. Rot was sitting across from the short table, throwing her smiles every now and then while he argued with Arthur. As for the knight, he remained standing behind Reina. This habit of spacing out had to be stopped. After everything she had learned, Alice’s home was far more dangerous than the unawarded buildings of the Covenant of Shadows. And there were damned demons roaming those places, unchecked and unrestricted.

“You can’t say that! Not after what happened at Casper’s Rest!” Rot’s outburst made the girl focus on the argument between the two men.

“What happened at Casper’s Rest?” Reina asked more out of habit than actual curiosity.

“Look at who finally decided to join in! For a moment there, I thought you were going to ignore me the entire night.” The werewolf in human form winked at her and filled her glass with a generous dose of brandy.

“You need to be. More discrete,” Arthur didn’t bother to hide his displeasure.

“He's got a pint, you know,” Rot continued after draining the glass in his meaty hand. “Even a geldling could tell you were conversing with your companions.”

Although similar to humans, the carrion eaters weren’t all that bright or attentive. Knowing this, the comment stung all that more, to the point it felt like an insult. Reina wanted to protest, but that wouldn’t change the truth in Rot’s words. Instead, she repeated her question in hopes to change the topic.

“What happened at Casper’s Rest?”

“Nothing. Of importance.”

“Nothing of importance. Nothing of importance! Do you hear yourself, Arthur?!” The short man crushed the glass as his hands bowled into fists. “That lunatic Alice burned a town full of women and children, and you dare say that it was nothing of importance!”

“And what did you. Expect to happen?” The knight growled. “You saw the statues. With your own eyes. You told her what was. Inside the church.”

At that, Rot’s expression turned sour and he looked away. Reina could see the pain in his eyes as he moved his hands to hide his face. However, it was the word church which caught the girl’s attention. Religion and worship were rare. So much so, that all it took was a single rumour for caravans to stop visiting towns and cities, and for villages to be condemned to death. Damn it, most of what the covenants did, could be described as a religion, but if anyone dared to make the comparison, the offender tended to disappear. Permanently. Reina knew that such topics were taboo, without knowing what for. It just was.

“I… I hoped that… That she still had a heart.” Rot choked as he spoke, trying to hide his emotions.

Arthur clicked his tongue, the sound splitting the silence that followed as a striking whip. “You’re far too. Soft, when human. That is why Alice. Avoids you.” He then tapped Reina's shoulder, so that she could see him shaking his head as he continued. “Casper’s Rest no longer. Exists. So, yes. It is nothing. Of importance.”

She understood the hint and decided to change the topic of the conversation to a safer one. Although, that was easier said than done. Choosing her words carefully, the young witch gave voice to one of the many questions she had for the stocky degenerate.

“Why didn’t you reveal your human form sooner?”

“I’ll have you know that I have no control over that,” the large smile returned on Rot’s face as his mood switched in an instant. “It took me a very long to even learn how to do it in the first. At first, I succeeded a night every century or so. But now. Now, gorgeous, I can be human once every four years.”

Reina nodded, despite not understanding what the big deal was. Older werewolves could assume human form whenever they wished and could keep it for as long as they liked. Sure, they had to be more than a hundred years old, but they were nothing but pups compared to Rot. Assuming he was older than the Wilds. At the thought, the young woman could feel Trahaearn scoff from inside her soul, where he and Luned had retreated.

Whatever, she had her answer and had lost interest. So, she moved to her next question. “A little while back, you said that this house was a sanctuary or something along those lines.”

“Ah. That.” Rot as he too a swing from the bottle of brandy. “You see. Females are quite attracted to me. Usually, they don’t stand a chance to force me to mate with them, but while like this, I’m just a human. Well, maybe a little stronger than the average one, but no match for a bitch in heat.” He winked at her again and blew her another kiss. “And since I can’t revert back to my wolf form until sunrise…”

Reina could fill the rest of his statement on her own. It was safe to assume that Alice had placed a barrier or the likes around her home, which kept anything dangerous away. However, it appeared that female werewolves weren’t the only ones in heat while he was human.

“Yep. Alice set it all up for me when we first met.” He continued, guessing what the young witch had concluded. Melancholy entered his voice as he added quietly. “She used to be kinder back then. Curious and eager to explore the unknown, in her own charming cruel and insane way,” he chuckled,” but kinder nonetheless.”

It was hard for Reina to accept someone referring to the First Witch as kind. From what she had seen and experienced, Alice regarded everyone around her as toys. To be used and tortured for her sick pleasure and discarded once she was bored of them. A notion Arthur had confirmed a dozen times.

“That’s enough foreplay. We going to fuck or what?” Rot asked suddenly, leaning over the table. His expression made it clear that he wasn’t joking.

Reina didn’t have the time to feel outraged as she exclaimed. “I beg your pardon!”

“You. Me. Bedroom.” He finished with a string of lude gestures as he flashed her a lustful smile. “You didn’t show them nice tits just to tease me, now did you?”

“She will. Not” Thankfully Arthur answered for her. The fact that her nightgown had slipped wasn’t something she had any control over, which was why Reina was left speechless.

“You’re such a mood killer,” Rot scoffed before he smacked his forehead. “But look who I’m talking to! You can pretend all you like to be human, von Krass. That doesn’t change the fact that you’re a stinking vampire, and that’s all you’ll ever be.”

Slowly, Reina turned her head around to look at the knight standing behind her. That was impossible. Vampires were mere beasts of the Wilds. Nothing more than plagued vermin who fed on human blood and flesh. The best they could do was produce high-pitched shrieks, let alone mimic proper speech.

“Don’t tell me you hadn’t figured it by now, lass?” Rot laughed, his smile turning mischievous. “Can’t blame you. Our dear Arthur’s a vampire lord or whatever his kind likes to call themselves.”

“That’s… Impossible…” Reina whispered, not daring to take her eyes away from Arthur’s still figure. The very thought was preposterous. There was no such thing as vampire lords, grater vampires, higher vampires, or whatever other word Rot wished to sue. Alas, after everything, she was learning lately, she was worried that it might be true.

“Tell me,” the stocky man snapped his fingers to get her attention, “do you know what makes vampires so dangerous?”

“They can dominate the weak-willed with their shrieks,” Reina answered and her eyes grew wider, remembering how the knight had taken control of her body.

“Close, but no. It’s because the more they feed, the smarter they become.” Rot tapped the side of his head with one meaty finger. “Remind me, mate, how many did it take before you awakened?”

“Fifteen. Hundred.” She heard Arthur’s steel gauntlet tighten around the handle of his great sword.

Suddenly, the werewolf turned his head towards the door leading outside of the house. A moment later a soft knock echoed inside the living room. Before Reina could react, Arthur moved between her and the entrance and Rot launched from his seat like an arrow.

“Guest. At such an hour. And what beauties the two of you are!” She heard him whistle once the door opened.

“We wish to speak with mistress Alice.” A soft seductive voice filled the room.

Reina could feel the enchantment in it and dared a peek. She was curious to learn who the two witches were. Seeing a pair of twins was a surprise, but even from a distance, she could tell that there was something odd about them. Their alabaster skin, auburn hair and cold hazel eyes were oddly familiar, alas, Reina quite put it who they reminded of.

“Who is looking. For her?” Arthur demanded, the massive blade in his hands dancing slightly, as he prepared to strike at a moment’s notice.

“Florance and Francheska.” The twins answered as one. “We are here to make sure, young miss Sylvestre hasn’t disappointed the mistress in any way.” The one on the left spoke, followed by the one on the right. “There is also a delicate personal matter we wish to discuss with mistress Alice.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, love, but Lady Tetradon isn’t home. She’ll be back around noon tomorrow,” Rot smiled at Florance and made to embrace her with one hand so that he could gently guide her out.

“Do not touch me, thrall!” The witch hissed, while her sister cast a spell without warning.

The moment, Reina realised what was happening, Rot was engulfed in blue flames. In the blink of an eye, Arthur was standing next to Francheska, his great sword resting against her neck. A thin line of blood trickled down her slender neck, where the edge touched her smooth skin. The sudden sound of clapping, made the young witch return her attention to the werewolf in human form. His rags were little more than ashes gathered around his feet, leaving him completely naked, but otherwise unharmed.

“Nice try, love. Us, werewolves, are quite resistant to your tricks. Myself a little more so, thanks to these.” He smacked his chest.

As if a spell was broken, Reina realised that what she had assumed to be a thick mane of hair covering his body was actually an intricate puzzle of tattooed protective sigils. It would take much more than that to harm him, and the twins were quick to realise it if the irritation on their faces was anything to go by.

“The way I see it, you two lovelies have two choices.” The stocky man continued unperturbed. “We can use your skulls as candle holders, or you can keep me company while Lady Tetradon returns.”

Florence and Francheska shared a look before nodding. Silently they followed Rot towards his bedroom, leaving Reina speechless. She was missing something because no witch in her right mind would ever sleep with a werewolf, no matter how charming or threatening he might be.

Felicity vomited all over herself. One minute she was enjoying herself, surprised at how skilful the short man was in bed, and the next her dolls were torn to shreds. It had happened so fast that she hadn’t time to sever the curse linking her to her puppets. The savagery of the assault was so utter that it had left slight rends all over her real body.

“Why didn’t you warn me!” The witch barked at Axat Fen.

“I told you I could not enter Alice’s den.” The demon was ecstatic after having tasted her pain and humiliation. “Before you ask, neither could Hé Morr or Lex Scolia. They were cast out of your playthings the moment they crossed the threshold.”

Taking a moment to calm her thundering heart, Felicity took several deep breaths. If the beast had been a little more precise, he could have killed her. Such a dance with death was terrifying, yet it left her feeling excited like never before. Still, it also meant she had no other choice but to go to Alice in person.