After some time Leah returned with the medication that Ava asked for. Knowing she was travelling with a priest they must have been stacked on medication all the time.

She handed the bottles and bandages to Ava who managed to finish treating me after some more painful minutes. All my bigger cuts sealed off and the smaller ones burning from a very unpleasant medication she used.

After she was done I sighed saying “Thanks, little priestess. With that, I can go tomorrow to look for Garme.” I only hoped it will be enough to last me through the fight.

Leah didn’t ask while Ava murmured annoyed "So, you will just go away, get a cure, cure your brother and that's it?"

I smiled “Yes, this is exactly what will happen. Simple plans always work best. Then we will just leave and never return.”

She frowned “Great. That is good news to us, but how in the world will you get the cure?"

I tried to stretch feeling the lingering magic which kept my bones in place in my leg and arm. "Well, I am an assassin a murderous monster who will get rid of you in your sleep. So I am pretty sure I can think of something on the way there." Whenever someone found out the truth about my class I would always try to reiterate that fact. It was my way of defence. Get people scared so they will leave me quickly. However, for some reason, it did not work on either Leah or Ava. They both rolled their eyes at my exaggerated words.

Leah was about to protest crossing her arms, but Ava beat her to it “You’re crazy.”

“I was born this way, priestess. Unlike any of you.”

Godvia then said from the other side of the room, “I can understand that to an extent.”

I chuckled “At least one. Either way, I will get the cure, somehow. I don’t care what you two will do, but as far as I’m concerned, you’re done with the job." Still sitting down in front of Ava I gave her a glare saying "But you better not get the money and just leave Aaron alone.” Then within a second I pulled Ava's long hair which was tight up and pulled her towards me, at the same time unsheathing my dagger and pressing it against her throat. She swallowed heavily making her supple neck move ever so slightly as she stared at me with fear. Finally, a reaction I expected, I could easily kill her, she did treat me, yes, but that did not change the fact that for my brother I would go to any length.

Before anyone could react I whispered in a menacing voice of an angry monster “Any of you do that and I will personally hunt you down.”

Ava's crystal eyes were open wide for a long moment. However, despite the fact she did not move an inch her expression changed, she glared at me “We are no thieves.” She sounded offended more than anything. Which took me by surprise, once again. I had a hunch she thought I would not be capable of killing her. If she was willing to believe that then she was not to survive long in this world, but since she was one of the only people who could throw me for a loop I decided to let her be.

Then Leah shouted, her bow and arrow ready to shoot me once again “Leave her alone!”

My eyes quickly darted from Leah back to Ava and I laughed. My terrorising tone and cold glare were gone in an instance “Sure.”

I hid my dagger back and let the priestess go. Ava moved away slowly; carefully. Her soft hair gently sliding through my fingers, then when she was far enough she grabbed at her throat checking the damage, which was not there.

Meanwhile, I grinned at her saying “I will admit though, I like your attitude priestess.”

She sent me a cold look “Whatever." She turned away looking back at Aaron and giving a nod to Leah to drop her weapon. At first, Leah was unsure if she should but it didn't take her long to indeed drop it.

I put my dagger away hearing Ava speaking "But either way, this mission is not yet over. To get the cure you need to take care of Garme right? Tomorrow you said you’ll be leaving, then I am coming with you.”

I almost choked on the gasp that was threatening to escape. I stared at her in shock while she explained proudly “Like hell, I’m leaving this unfinished. Aaron saved my life. Now it’s my turn, but since I can’t do much I can at least help you and keep an eye on your health while you get him the cure.”

Leah sighed. She also glanced at unconscious Aaron, “I will agree with her, I will go too.”

I - at first silent - burst into laughter after a second. “You’re kidding me, right? You both are crazy." I couldn't believe how naive they could be. Although it was a nice change from all the schemers in this world. So I shrugged "But I won’t say no to an offer. Although, the archer will stay here. Godvia might be the daughter of a vampire but she’s not as powerful. And once Aaron will wake up he might be dangerous. You will stay here for protection," and I stood up.

Godvia nodded “That is true, he will not do anything to me, because I don’t smell like a human, but he will try to get out. And I can’t protect anyone.”

Leah nodded “All right. But will you be all right in this state?”

I laughed “Are you mocking me? I survived worse than this. I will be back with Garme’s perfume in 3 days.”

Godvia said, “If you manage to do that this quickly it should save Aaron.”

I nodded with a proud smile “I know. He is a strong kid.”

Leah asked hearing our exchange, “What do you mean?”

I turned away from her saying “I will take care of the mounts.” I was done with the talk, I needed to rest in peace. So without responding to the curious archer, I left, limping slightly. As I climbed the stairs I tried to get used to the new feeling in my leg. The magic won't stay on for long, so either Ava will have to redo it, or I have to hurry and finish this off before it goes bad again.

While climbing up the stairs I heard Godvia saying “Aaron will wake up with vampire feelings, but he will not be one. The master is dead, so as soon as Aaron will turn he will die as well. That is the law of the vampires. It all depends on how strong he will be to restrain himself from turning."

Ava then asked, “So we only have a few days at best…?”

Godvia responded calmly “Yes, but I have a feeling this assassin can manage that with no problem.”

Leah asked sarcastically “And why are you so sure?”

“He is strong, knows what he is doing, and what he is up against. That confidence might be his saviour and he cares about his brother too.”

Ava sighed “But he is annoying, rude, and dangerous. Now I feel like I have signed up for a death sentence.”

Godvia laughed “I haven’t seen many people, but I know that it’s not worth to judge them by the first meeting.”

I then went out of the earshot. Godvia probably went through hell herself. She must have known what it meant to be different. However, she was wrong about me. As much as I wished she was right, I knew very well myself that despite my best efforts I could turn rogue any moment. So I wouldn’t put too much trust in myself on her place. Better be safe than sorry.

It was the middle of the night. Cold and dark. However, the cool air was quite soothing for my wounds, so I did not mind it that much. I walked behind the shed and found that Trutan was the first one to approach me. He looked almost worried as he let out a quiet growl. I patted him saying with a forced smile “Stay here, I will bring what is needed and he will come to you soon.”

Trutan growled softly while Lashaka came over and sat next to me. She didn’t want to be patted but she liked to be nearby from time to time. I smiled at her and looked over at the old building. I could hear footsteps coming from inside. They were slow yet stern. A moment later the doors opened and Ava emerged. I lowered my head looking back at Trutan who sat down next to me. She was slowly coming towards me, scared, as if I was a wounded animal that could lash out at any moment yet needed someone’s help.

When the footsteps stopped not too far from me I asked, without looking at her “Are you a daredevil, little priestess?”

Her voice was calm and quiet “Think what you want. I was just checking if you are still standing.”

I laughed “You don’t have a high opinion of me.” I glanced at her. She was frowning but seemed to be more relaxed than before.

She shook her head again “Not really.”

“That is all right. It makes the job easier. Be ready, we are leaving in the morning.”

Ava dropped her head in a somewhat disappointment “All right. I will be ready.”

She then started to walk away. Normally that would be the end of the conversation, however, something made me call out after her “I know what I am like. But I am grateful for your friend’s and your help.” I wasn’t entirely sure why I spoke to her, but it was the honest truth. She turned around looking at me with a bit of surprise and staying true to myself I added, “Despite that, I’m annoying, rude and dangerous I can be civilised.”

Ava slightly embarrassed blushed lost for words. It was a pretty adorable reaction that I did not expect. I laughed once again “I am an assassin, eavesdropping is one of my specialities.” She turned abruptly and left while I continued to laugh.

Lashaka looked up at me while I patted her head saying, “She reminds me of you in a sense.” Lashaka growled and left as always looking offended, but she knew I was right. They both didn’t like to be bossed around and they both refused to admit when I was right. Maybe that’s why the little priestess was slowly growing on me day by day. I always liked people with a tough exterior, my brother was an amazing example of that.

I decided to have a nap for a little while, despite the cold night it was still better to sleep outside rather than inside that dusty shed. However, my sleep wasn’t peaceful at all. I tossed and turned from the slowly returning pain in my body, and from the nightmare thoughts that kept appearing in my mind.

So after a little while, I decided to return to the shed. Check on the girls. While walking towards the flap I heard an awful growl from downstairs. Feeling my blood freezing over I rushed there and before me stood Ava and Leah in the back near the stairs and Godvia trying to calm down enraged Aaron who finally regained consciousness. A good thing he was awake, not so good was the fact that he was growling like the wildest animal at the three girls, his teeth seemed a lot sharper, nails grew within seconds and became dark. His azure eyes became blood-like red. He looked like a true monster then, but those were physical changes, I knew that Aaron was still Aaron - short and angry.

Sighing quietly I walked past the two girls in the corner and came up to my brother. From behind me, the girls started to shout that I must be crazy, while Godvia was about to tell me to back down. However, before anyone could do anything to stop me Aaron went straight for me. His pointy glare focused on my neck. However, due to the chains, he stopped right in front of me baring his teeth in anger.

I knew exactly how far he will reach so I stopped walking an inch from him. Then I growled, slightly annoyed, “Get a grip of yourself!” I pulled my hand back and smacked my brother across his face.

I will admit I did put a little bit ‘too’ much force in it, since due to the impact, Aaron fell on the ground. Everyone behind me went suddenly silent and Aaron sat up looking up at me. His eyes were coming back to normal, thankfully. Once he snapped back he looked around in panic for a moment then stared at his hands. He quickly moved away pressing his back against the wall, asking, “What is going on?”

The two little rookies froze at the back probably surprised by my cure punch. While Godvia sadly explained, “You’re changing.”

Aaron glared at her “Into what?”

I grumbled “Vampire. But don’t worry lil bro. I am going for Garme first thing tomorrow.”

Aaron frowned “You kidding, right? We tried to kill him once. Both of us. You know he is a killing machine. And that little witch with him...”

Not wanting to hear anymore I turned away saying “Rest up. And don’t worry. I will get you out of it.” I knew he would be worried so I hoped to leave before he woke up. Besides, there was no need for the girls to be aware of the witch, so I decided to just walk away.

Aaron shouted behind me “Nate?! Nathan!” However, I did not stop.

Leah seeing the whole ordeal rushed after me and asked angrily while I was already climbing the stairs “What witch? You two fought Garme? What is this all about?”

I turned to her saying calmly “Vampires are quite the pests in some areas, and it’s a spreading disease. There are many who will pay big money for the antidote for this disease. The only place where you can get it from is Garme’s body. But they are tricky. Aaron and I once tried to kill it but it turned out not only he was too powerful to deal with but also, he had a witch with him. She was shielding herself using Garme and her spells were very powerful.”

We reached the top of the stairs while Leah frowned “And you are planning on going there without your brother?”

I nodded thinking it might be best to calm her down “He is in no shape. And now I know there’s a witch. We won’t be surprised. Besides, your friend is coming too, right?”

Leah sighed “Yes, she is a bit too reckless.”

I laughed “A daredevil.”

Leah nodded unwillingly with a grimace on her face.

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