Chương 48: Chapter Forty Four: Bone Tea And Blood Suckers

We all take a sip of the piping hot blue seagrass tea. With starfruit jam added to the concoction, it's a feast for the tastebuds and an immediate hit among the boys. I suppose it does have a bitter taste to it. It's nowhere near as bitter as wine but it definitely has a kick to it. The carriage jerks again and my tea almost leaps out of my cup. Reflexively, I move it just in time to catch the airborne liquid. Hah. Saved by the bell.

"Nice catch." I tip my cup at Lowell and he mirrors the gesture with a serene smile. What is that smell? Deciding it was just the tea I dismissed the strong scent of mint on the car. It's not bad anyway. Just…a bit overbearing? I'll ask her to add less next time.

"Ria…" Without even blinking I counter, "Don't even think about it. Who just chastised me for using my budget on food?" Erichean groans mournfully and a small tinkling sound has him blushing from the neck up. Lowell laughs at Eric's expense and continues drinking his tea. His ears twitch and I'm drawn to them. Just once. Just to see what they feel like. They look so fluffy! The dryad in question drawls lyrically, "I can see you Miseria." I withdraw my gaze and clear my throat.

"Happy to hear that." He laughs again and leans closer to me.

"Do you want to touch?" His brown eyes make me feel swoony. Stop that. Focus. I freeze and look at him seriously. No way. That's like an honor and a half.

"I mean–yeah. Of course. But I thought it's rude to ask?" He chuckles and brings one of my tiny hands to his ear. A squeal escapes and I don't bother hiding it. It's so soft and velvety. Woah. I try to be as gentle as possible with them. After a while, I let go and flex my fingers a little bit. What is that? Strings of spun sugar withdraw along with my palm. It's happening again. It flows out and I watch it make its way towards him. Don't! I try to stop it but it doesn't work.

It reaches towards Lowell and just enshrouds him. I tilt my head in wonder as it makes some kind of veil around him. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. He looks sparkly but relatively unharmed.

"…" So we've graduated from throwing things I think. The shimmer fades until I think it's gone and I lean back in my seat suddenly a little drained. What did I just do? Penguin? [I'm not sure. Miseria have you been feeling—] Lowell's concerned voice snaps me out of it, "What's wrong? What's happening?" My head snaps up.

"Um…I think my gift…is trying. To hug you? I'm not sure it's acting weird again." Tendrils snake out of my hand and do the same thing to the others. It hits me like a freight train when I'm done. Wow. I feel so groggy. And not peaceful groggy. But…My stomach growls and I reach out for a churro. Before Eric can stop it.

"No!" I bite down and cry out in pain immediately.

"Ah!" My front two fangs latch onto the cookie and are pulled out as I attempt to unlatch from them.

"Ow." They leave my mouth and I feel nauseous just looking at it.

"Ew." I gag and try not to pass out. Oh. Something drops down from my gums and I hiss reflexively. Light bursts behind my eyes and I seize up. Another tooth dispatches from my gums and I spit it out along with a wad of blood. It feels like something snapped in my brain. Like some dam finally gave. It's—So painful! My eyes rolled back in my head and my jaw cracked again. A buzzing sound filled my ears and I opened my jaw wide to try to pop them. Eric shrieks uncharacteristically and bangs on the carriage door.

"Oh Gods she's shifting! Turn around! Turn around…" He mutters over and over again. Someone's voice fades away, "We have to go back…" In and out. Tiny teeth fell out of my mouth one by one and I couldn't count them. They just fell like bloody comets. My mind slowed and slurred like it had a couple more silver and red cans than it could handle. My ears rang and I opened my mouth as wide as possible in a silent scream. One by one small little fangs replaced the discarded baby teeth. More than that changed.

I blinked and tried to hear that sound. A dying animal was weeping wailing at the top of its lungs. Shriveling as my spine seemed to dislodge from my head. Small things begin to become big things. Like the water vapor wafting from the tea to my nose and mouth. Another bone detached and reattached itself to a joint. Warm hands held my neck in place and I jerked. Suddenly that very pleasant smell had become intoxicating. Sweet and honeyed seagrass. It's so thick and rich that I can actually taste it.

Taste the bittersweetness on my tongue. It's not real though. Could it be? I feel like I'm floating. Burning. My mind is burning. My jaw cracks and snaps shut again bringing both sets of teeth together harshly. I try to paw at my face with a hand but someone's holding me down. Preventing me from clawing at anything with the nails that were quickly growing beyond control. I screamed again and scratched at whoever was holding me. A sudden overpowering smell overrides every pain I've been feeling and I gulp it down.

Yet. Something's off with it. It's not right. There's something weird and cold underneath it. Something else is smells mouthwateringly good. Actually three somethings. Shifting to look at the three terrified teenagers trapped in the carriage. Hand on the door but too afraid to push. Pulsing meat bags full of what I really want right now. And it smells like chocolate.

"Run." Erichean throws open the carriage door and leaps out before I can grab him. The others make haste with him and I'm on their heels a second later. The blue one holds her hands up in a non-threatening fashion and I track her movements.

"Miseria calm down. I know you're—" I throw a suitcase her way and lunge at her ready to rip her throat out. The blue blur ducks and rolls out of my way towards the forest. Taking off without a second thought. Alright. I've never been into sports but I like a good game. Let's play hide and go seek. My wrist snaps and realigns again. I growl and hiss at it. Annoying. So annoying. My temper flares and I dash after them. I'll feel better after I have something to eat. I just know it.