Chương 49: Chapter Forty Five: Craving Chocolate

"Why is she trying to kill us?!" Blue hair whipped in the wind followed by quick footfalls. Erichean jumps over a log and zooms past trees. Dirty blonde hair whips in his face and he wipes it away with a hand.

"She's not trying to kill us." She looked behind her for just a second a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel, "Then can we—" Heaving, he snapped.

"She's just trying to eat us. Killing us would be a side effect not the goal."

"..." Kissae hopped over a log and hauled ass toward the boys. Each were running like their ass was on fire away from a suddenly freakishly strong toddler.

"I can't believe she threw a suitcase at us!" Kissae wheezed and hopped up and down.

"Cramp! I don't understand eating us would kill us. Doesn't she know that? Why are we running away from her?!" Erichean yelled over his shoulder.

"She's not trying to kill us! She's just craving! We have to keep moving!" Growling in frustration he slowed down a little to wait for the fish girl to hurry.

"Your incessant questions waste time!"

"What does that mean?" Kissae stopped running aimlessly after the boys, held her leg behind her back, and squeezed to relieve some pain. Lowell jumped onto a tree branch and took stock of their surroundings, which was a little difficult in the forest due to the lack of sunlight or light in general. The only relief to that problem was the occasionally glowing fireflies and toxic mushrooms that glowed invitingly providing light. Lowell pursed his lips and perked up his ears each pointing in different directions.

From afar he could hear something moving at a fast pace in their direction.

"She's gaining on us but we should have about a brief reprieve." Kissae took the break for what it was and sat down on the forest floor without hesitation. Her pants could be replaced on the duchy's coin. Gods know that's the least they can do after this. Erichean grunted and ran back to where his companions were. Huffing he reflexively tried to take a swig of blood only to think better of it. The smell. I don't want to give her something to track. He cursed at the sky with both hands on his hips.

"Again. What is going on? What is she doing and why is she so fast now?" Kissae thought back to Freesia's mandatory exercises in the hallway. I've seen that girl run before and it is not pretty. Usually it takes a five-minute coaxing and promises of a new snack to get her to lift her chubby little legs and stretch. Now she's running like a gladiator on nomo. Erichean repeated and tried to rest for a minute, "It's craving." She rebuked him." I know it's craving. That's not an explanation."

Lowell hopped down from his tree and walked over to the two. Dressed in clothes meant for the outdoors. Clothes that Erichean and Kissae hadn't had the chance to change into before they were chased out of the carriage by a certain salivating vampiress. They had run deep into the forest in slacks, a corset, and the finest heels the capital could afford. From the checkpoint perpendicular to the entrance all the way to the outer ring of a treacherous forestry.

Lowell tilted his head and began to explain in Erichean's stead.

"As a Kelpie. I assume you are familiar with the process of puberty necessary to become a mermaid, siren, or kraken. Correct?" His russet eyes observed her expressions closely behind a gentle mask. Kissae seemed slightly alarmed at that comparison.

"Are you talking about Realignment? That's…that's for senior members of the High Court." Lowell freely agreed with a shrug.

"If you say so."

"But she's an infant? How can it be so soon?" Even though Miseria often acted well beyond the maturity she should be displaying at her age. It was true that she was still just a child. That kind of process could kill even those with decades of experience, and it was so quick. Nothing like anything she had ever seen before. Is it a factor brought upon by her race? Erichean vocalized with a disgruntled expression, "That's your fault."

His long dirt stained fingers plucked a twig from his head and accidentally took a lock of golden hair with it. This is madness. I can at least have some water. A blue glowing frog croaked and leaped across black leaves towards him. Without sparing a glance, he chucked a dagger from his arm guard at it and didn't retrieve his weapon. Odds are that thing is coated in poison. Where is Efret? She should have been here by now. Her carriage was right behind ours. Where is the Second Mistress too?

Always that same question with her. He dug in the bag for a glass bottle of water and drank half of the contents before tossing it behind him. Lowell remained focused on the trees but his hand automatically reached out to catch it with no prompting. Kissae mustered up the courage to ask and raised her head that had been dropped in exhaustion. Infuriated and indignant, she breathlessly demanded.

"Excuse me? What are you trying to say?" He rolled his eyes.

"You and her staff were overindulgent with your use of Ichor. Too much can have a plethora of side effects on young children like herself. An early shift is one of them. That's why she was supposed to adhere to a strict natural diet of human blood. That you evidently have not followed." Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Kissae opened her mouth and then closed it. Erichean noticed her holding something back and furrowed his golden eyebrows.

"What?" Kissae wavered before finally telling them.

"The Lady Freesia…specifically asked us to wean her off of natural blood and onto Ichor. Since the princess is squeamish, I didn't question such a decision. But are you…would that—" She tried to wave her hand but it feel shortly Frozen. He blind twice before pushing off the tree.

"Was that her express order?" Erichean demanded. Kissae nodded. Then she launched a follow-up question of her own.

"So what do we do? How do we help her?" Lowell remarked.

"For one. We can't let her bite us." He tossed the bottle at Kissae and she caught it with both hands. After a quick swig she resumed her inquiries. Kissae shook her head and probed.

"I'm not disagreeing but why would that be bad for her?" Erichean griped.

"For our kind... our first taste of fresh blood is what defines our preferences in the future. If she were to, for example, have her first taste be your blood, she would never stop craving it." Kissae's eyes widened at the prospect and a chill set into her bones. Not Ever. All the heat of adrenaline was replaced by a hint of fear. A blood blah forever. What a terrible shift.

Deigning to explain further why this posed a problem, he curtly continued while keeping an eye on the surroundings, "No matter what she drank she would never find anything remotely equal to your blood in her life. She would become solely dependent on you and susceptible to manipulation if you were to choose t—" Kissae scoffed at the glaring implication.

"Oh really?" Erichean glared at her severely and his glowing red eyes smothered any of her sarcastic comebacks.

"This is serious. She cannot imprint on just anyone. It has to be someone safe. Someone she can trust." Lowell's brown ears twitched and he reminded them both.

"Get ready. I can feel her coming." His hand rested on a tree that slightly shook its branches at him. He lingered for a second before pushing off to join the two.

"…"

"…" Kissae exclaimed, "What?! We barely sat down, how is she so fast? She could barely escape Mistress Meng's embrace this morning and now she's tearing a path through the woods?" On her own! What kind of stamina had she gained in the last hour? All of this from a simple shift? No. Something was going on here. Suspicious and in disbelief, she questioned."Isn't this too quick?" Lowell explained softly.

"Not really. Her teeth were on the verge falling out this morning. That's a late stage indication of the transition from fledgling. This change must have been occurring for weeks, maybe even months before we noticed." Normally, we'd just lock her in a special room upon noticing the arrival of symptoms but unfortunately the gift intervened and forced our fretful passage. Lowell left one part out purposefully. It's usually quite painful and distressing for children.

For her to have kept it to herself would have been quite hard on her. Eric's change had the entire house in distress, he required iced fruits for his teeth and frequent massages before bed to sleep through the pain. It definitely tried my patience. Kissae looked between the two of them but remained seated. As if she was waiting for Miseria to come barreling through the woods for her. Erichean pinched his nose and shifted on his feet. This is not the time. She needs to get up. What was her question? Right.

He stressed to her in an attempt to get her moving.

"She's craving. When we shift… we become the most primal version of ourselves until we are finally full. She won't and can't stop on her own. But we can't get close to her without risking getting bitten. So get up and run." He pushed up from the ground using his hands and got into position. We can't run too far or we'll lose her, but we can't get close enough for her to bite. If we take off now she'll be right behind us. We can't forever though especially in unfamiliar territory.

Where are the adults when you need them? Is that a pit? Maybe I can dig a trap for—"Why can't you do it?" Kissae struggled to stretch upright.

"..." Stopping mid flight, Erichean pushed his tongue against his teeth and slowly turned around to ask the scaly girl."What did you just say?" I know I must have heard wrong. She bit her lip and asked again.

"Why can't you let yourself get bitten by her? You're her brother. She trusts you." It's true. No matter what. Miseria has always had this insane bond with this one from the get-go. Even her parents couldn't trump the inherent admiration she had for him.

"..." Erichean paused and dared to think anbout the prospect. It certainly wouldn't be—No to about it is treason. I couldn't do that to her of all people. He hissed.

"It's forbidden. Family can't bite each other at first blood. It's sinful." Lowell called out lightly.

"Enough. She's here." Hand already reaching for a pouch hidden on his waist. Kissae turned around and looked into the trees behind her. Hidden in the foliage was a fingerling. Her fingerling. The one she had sworn to follow and protect until death do them part. Fine. I'll do it myself. It's just a bite. She opened her mouth."Go—Ugh!" Kissae dropped to the ground and Erichean stood behind her. Glowing eyes gazing at the back of her head.

"Heh. Not a chance." He picked her up and threw her over his shoulder before taking off running. Lowell shook his head with remorse.

"She doesn't understand Eric. Go easy on her. I'll stay on your heels." Erichean hummed from far away and took a sharp turn to the right. His legs blurred as he ran at an inhuman speed. The perks of being a vampire... What? Lowell tried to move again but his feet remained planted to the floor. Something or someone was stopping him from leaving. Only his mere head remained under his control. Fiddlesticks. A twig snapped and his head turned slowly. Velvety ears twitched.

"I can hear you." Another sound but from farther away. The crunching of leaves. Too many sounds. Lowell knitted his brows."Ria. Stay where you are and let me go." We've got company. Damn it all. In the distance something growled low and deep in their throat. Something bigger than a hungry little vampiress. Lowell struggled against her hold on him. This much power and she's only a year old. Gods watch us and have mercy on our souls. Lowell's eyes darted as he tried to save himself.

"Ria! If you let me go…I'll let you bite me."

"..." Her iridescent dissimilar eyes regarded him from behind a bush. Slowly she emerged from the shadows in her custom-made pee-wee ranger outfit and boots. Even in the dark her hair glowed as if the moon was shining only on her. A vampire's glamour. Even in the dark she shines like a luminary pearl. She's done? A complete shift in hours. That must be a record somewhere. Squishy rosy cheeks marred with dirt pulled back to reveal sharp porcelain teeth.

Her eyes stayed glued to Lowell as she hopped over the same log Kissae did with a bit more effort. Her shortness was quite the hindrance in a forest such as this. She tilted her head and stalked closer. Hmm. Too easy. Squirrels and critters alike scattered as she prowled closer. All signs of her usual sassy demeanor were hidden behind her glowing eyes. A predator's eyes. Humming low in her throat she stalked closer. If only... I like a good game, but not if I win this easily. Makes the win feel cheap.

Should I let him go? Give him some false hope that he can get away? Her tongue licked the pointed incisors jutting out of her lips with glee. Maybe later. I can't wait. Her boots padded against the ground but otherwise made no sound to alert him of her presence. Her leg bent awkwardly and snapped back. Lowell winced feeling the pain himself. She's still healing. How is she walking right now? Erichean could barely remain conscious at his ceremony and he was but nine years old when he began.

Still young but much older than her. I'll help her later. For now we need to get out of here and run. Lowell glanced down at her and gave her a harsh look meant to intimidate her into letting go.

"What are you waiting for? Let me go—" She responded in a bratty tone."No. Liar."

"Miseria!" He whispered.

"We are not alone. Let me go this instant." Stubborn wild eyes honed in on the exposed skin of his wrist. She licked her lips and salivated at just the smell.

"Did you know you smell like mint chocolate?" Lowell sputtered exasperated at the girl who was solely focused on eating.

"Ria!" I didn't mean it when I told her she could bite me. I just want her to let me go. Her lips quirked and he raised his eyebrows. Why is she smiling like that? A branch snapped and Lowell's head swerved again. Whatever's lurking in the corner is doing that deliberately. It likes to play with its food. Ugh. Of all days. I had a hair appointment tomorrow. He looked back to see that Ria was…gone.

"Ria?" He turned around again only to come face to face with teeth. Long fangs gleaming from inside a giant muzzle. Following all the way up to see glacier orbs staring at him with keen predatory interest.