Author's note:

Before I begin this story, I want to remind my readers that this is a blog. Not all stories are necessary in their correct order. If you are interested in this particular one, I suggest starting with "Fantasy Navigation", followed by "Different paths, same destination". Then the tetralogy: "A Summoning of Sorts" ; "Battle of wills" and "The Blood Call" as published in https://resignerluth.space

The Blood Call

Cinders, chided by the Spider, stumbles away from the family reunion. Blinded by tears, she clutches the travel bag with Red's seal down to the water. Where she lies trembling, with the bag as a pillow. The leather presses hard against her neck, but for now, the discomfort seems welcome.

While she dreams of other worlds and listens to other voices. They keep calling her through the dream realm.

Living ink.

Redshadow, exhausted beyond frustration shrugs Vander off and whispers gently to him. "Time to hunt." At first he's confused. "It's not time yet, is it?" he asks guiltily. "If you want to eat, it sure is."

"Well, then I take it we weren't actually invited to an Easter feast, as you made me believe?" Redshadow smiles at him and shrugs. "Caught in a lie, how may I make it up to you, my dear?" Vander, now fully human wants to pull her into his arms when he too, notices the spider. He nips Redshadow on the neck, with a muffled threat of spending the winter raising pups. "Heck no, paws off! You can Jade for a flea and rabies syrup when she gets here."

Vander, bristles at the idea, almost returning to his wolf-form. "Sometimes you do remind me of your mother, and not in a good way." With that he picks up his bow and skulks off, as if she wounded more than his ego."

"So, you and THAT thing…." The spider leaves the thought hanging in the air.

"Are none of your business." Redshadow grimaces.

"Red sent us here, as reinforcers but she also said that you would possibly help."

Now, if the spider could laugh he would have. "Red, said that?"

"Yes, daddy - with emphasis on the -dy, we need tattoos. You're still the best when it comes to using 'living ink' or was that just a fairytale as well?

"Living ink? I am the ONLY one who does life ink these days. There's not much call for it these days, unless you're a vampire or warlock/ witch. Of which I know you are neither." Then he looks down at himself, you know it's winter. I won't be able to produce enough for more than one in this diminished form?"

Suddenly, a crystal bottle filled with a dark, yet sparkling fluid is tossed into his web. "Use this!" Redshadow is already walking away. "And the designs?" "I have them, oh and wherever Cinders is, she has her own vial. We would not want to create a semi-immortal queen now, would we?'' she says knowingly.

Too late for that piece of advice, he thinks to himself.

"Redshadow, wait! Please wait! There is too much danger here!" She turns to him with a frown. "I know, I am here."

"Look at me, father. This is me without glamour. You marked me once before mom rescued me from your world. You will do it at my command. You OWE me that!"

~ Part Three of Bounded by Blood - A Redshadow story© as written by Resigner Luth 31-03-2024

⨔To be continued.

Resigner 💜

#justmoveforward

Keep on moving forward dear reader. We are one step into tomorrow already.

Quote for the day (adapted) by Robert Downey Jr.

" Move forward, as though you have the confidence to move forward, eventually gives you confidence to look back and see what you have done." - talking about the Power of Principle.

💜

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🪝Keep reading, Small Mercy coming soon.