⊿

(the book falls open on a random page)

A minister opens the chapel door as quietly as possible. He is certain that he heard movement. Torch in hand, he finds an oil lamp, when he suddenly hears what, to him, sounds like the death squeak of a mouse or a rat. He mumbles a few decidedly unholy swear words. The Christmas and New Year's celebrations' have left him grumpy. As he approaches the book he keeps as a duty roster, he pats the pants under his cassock, searching for a quill with which to write. When suddenly a black and white bloody feather catches his eye.

Unfortunately, he's too slow to respond. Shadows' drops from her hiding spot in the loft. Acting quickly, she stuns the minister with one blow of her metal wing. Knowing time is not on her side, she carries the gangly man to the cross.

She begins the agonizing crucifixion. With each metal feather as a nail that she pulls out of her own back. A type of peace is achieved through the brutal pain. She tries to work quickly, sensing that Vander is near. Not in spirit, but literally just outside the church itself.

She refuses to be thwarted by his questions, so she hurries.

As she feared, he sniffs her out soon enough. Still, it surprises her when she hears him change to his wolf form, the sudden breathlessness that always accompanies him changing form.

And just as unexpectedly, she feels his claws raking down her back, tackling her as if she was any other monster. "Vander, get off me" she tries to yell, but her voice is still tender from her time in captivity.

"Shadows?" 🖤

In his eyes she sees the bewilderment, and the barrage of questions which she's not sure she can answer. "But…why?"

"I assume you mean this?" Pointing at the chapel and her handy work.

"We never hurt innocents. That IS our code, at least the last time you made me swear to it?"

"It is Vander, please believe me when I say that this man is NO innocent, I've been inside his mind. More than that, I witnessed his repulsive habits. I knew you'd want a safe haven for the children, away from the battle. It's safe now."

"You surely did not think that I'd miss THIS battle?" she smiles with a gleam in her eyes. "Long live the King? I think not."

Part one

With a heavy heart, Red and Cinders leaves the forest compound. Red's expression is grim while she contemplates a future without her daughter. Next to her, Cinders walks with her head down, not wanting to intrude on Red's misery. Unlike her companion, she is trembling with excitement. The adrenaline before the battle fizzing inside her blood and brain.

"Cinders" Red giving her a stern, almost matronly look. "Please compose yourself. Remember there is no glory in battle. In fact, the more excited you become, the bigger the chance of serious loss. And personally, I think we've both experienced enough of that in the last few days."

Cinders nods her head in agreement. She suddenly feels very vulnerable and exposed.

"This is not the way I envisioned it either. Just the two of us…it feels like we should have waited."

"What do you mean, just the two of us?" Red raises her eyebrow in mock amusement.

She reaches for Cinders' hand, as she traces the last mark of the living ink tattoo. She places the young woman's hand on her own heart. Willing calmness and strength into her.

"I know you have waited for what seems like an eternity, but trust me princess, I've been doing this for a very long time. The plans might seem simple to you and any other mortal. Keep in mind, the best plans usually are. At least, on the surface, therein lies their beauty."

She's not about to reveal all of the secrets, which only she knows. Not until Cinders has proved herself in battle. Not that she doubts that the princess knows how to deal with everyday miscreants. Still, after all this time. Especially after all this time, she wonders if the hatred is still burning strong.

"You remember why I came here?" she asks. "You remember how we met? The injustices of your past, calling to me? That sense of betrayal which nearly cost you your life?"

Cinders stares blankly at the road ahead of her. "Damn right I do. You know well, that with or without you, I would have been walking this road. Blood calls to blood. I'm just relieved, and I'm aware of the selfishness of that statement."

A thought crosses her mind, perhaps a memory of her mother whispering in her ear. Red is stunned when she hears words:

Entwined with roses, thoughts take flight,
Crimson and ebony weave our night.
Each heartbeat hums a tale unspoken,
Of passion fierce and spirits broken.

The shadows whisper, dark and near,
A mirror to our deepest fear.
Desire burns where light grows dim,
In blood, we find our timeless kin.

A bond eternal, fire's embrace,
Transcending life, time, and space.

ƒin

~ As written by Resigner Luth, Bound by Blood, The Blood Battle (trilogy), ©February, 10, 2025.

🪝Please keep reading at https://resignerluth.space

Resigner 💜

#justmoveforward

Time to sit back and take a deep breath. Hope you enjoy the read and return for the next installment. See you next time. Take care.

Now, this author needs a song. ♪♪♪

Thanks to DMR for the music video. Once again, it's not my intention to infringe or profit from your work. As always, the art and the story is mine.