Page 78 of Wraithwound

. . . killer . . . monster . . . murderer . . .

The sounds seemed to snake around them, growing louder as they slunk through the air.

“Do you—” Lena started.

“Yes,” Cross answered.

A chill crept up her spine as the whispers continued. Perhaps this place truly was cursed, and she’d been sent here on a fool’s errand.

. . . their flesh . . . bones will rot . . . decay . . .

. . . coward . . . murderer . . . thief . . .

“Let’s keep moving,” he said.

“All right,” Lena replied, although she couldn’t quite keep the tremble out of her voice.

Navigating between the crumbling structures, Lena did her best to ignore the snaking voices that called her names and revealed truths she hadn’t yet faced. The eleuth chittered softly, and Lena looked down to see two piercing orange eyes blinking up at her from the sling.

“Do you hear them too?” she whispered as they continued their exploration of the abandoned city.

Cross held a hand up, motioning for her to stop. Dismounting, he strode to a small home that still stood and disappeared inside. When he returned, concern creased his brow.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Bones. Scattered about inside,” he said.

Lena shuddered, wondering just how many of the dilapidated stone cottages held the remains of lives past.

She was just about to ask Cross what they should do next when she noticed a trail of black shadow that seemed to slink around just outside her field of vision. Cross turned slowly, apparently having noticed the same thing.

The whispers seemed to intensify, shifting in volume.

. . . wraith . . . Wraith . . . WRAITH . . .

Lena spun around on her horse, chasing the sound as a sense of foreboding creeped into her gut.

“Let’s keep going,” Cross said, once more seated upon his steed.

The sun, which had been hidden by the low hanging clouds, had since sunk below the curved stone structure, creating deep shadows between the decrepit residences. Lena’s heart hammered in her chest as they worked their way deeper into the city, finally reaching what must have once been the city square. A round, three-tiered fountain rose before them, the once brilliant stone now laden with cracks. Atop the highest tier was the figure of a woman, arms open as if she were waiting for an embrace. Long hair flowed down her back and over her shoulders but had also been strategically placed over her bare breasts and other sensitive areas.

The whispers seemed to come from everywhere now, assaulting her ears and her heart with horrid names and accusations. Lena swallowed down the dread building in the pit of her stomach as she realized they might never find the Seer in this gods-forsaken place. Just as she was about to express her resignation, she spotted a plume of smoke rising in the distance that disappeared into the sagging clouds.

She and Cross looked at each other, and she knew they were both wondering the same thing: was that where the Seer resided or was it a lure of another sort? She caught another glimpse of inky black in her periphery and gulped. While she had acquired the ability to see death, these black shadows weren’t the same as the aura of the dying.

Cross gave her a look, seemingly unwilling to speak aloud. What do you want to do? he seemed to say.

Fear churned in Lena’s gut, making her legs feel weak, but she hadn’t come this far to retreat, especially not when they’d found a sign of life. Turning her mare towards the smoke, she urged the horse forward, working her way through the streets until they came upon a small cottage.

Winter blooming flowers poked up from the snow in a garden box just outside the window, and the mat at the door appeared to have been cleared of snow. The light of a fire cast an orange glow on the snow-covered ground, giving the appearance of a cozy and well-kept interior.

Cross dismounted his horse and walked over to help Lena dismount, so as not to disturb the creature cradled in the sling. Her feet had just hit the ground when a woman stepped out of the small cottage. She had short brown hair that floated just above her shoulders and wore a thin, black cloak. She halted the moment her gaze landed on Lena.

In a movement almost too quick to detect, she pulled a dagger free from her thigh and flung it directly at Lena’s face.

Cross’s sword split the air in front of her, deflecting what would have been a fatal blow. In an instant, his sword roared to life, the purple black flames so bright they overtook the soft orange glow from the window. Jaw clenched and muscles tight, as if awaiting retaliation from the woman, he stood in front Lena, sword angled to strike. The eleuth had also come to her defense, jumping out of the sling and transforming before the woman, its claws and teeth on display as it hissed.

Black eyes locked on Lena, undeterred by the threat of death. “You killed them, didn’t you?”