Jael sat on the rock, listening to the stream as it flowed down the path. The last ti he was here, Louis had broken his cheek, and now, a similar situation had occurred though he was the one who did the breaking this ti.
He stared into space, unmoving. The past kept haunting him in a way he couldn't escape. He felt like he couldn't protect the things he had—not his parents and not Mauve. But at least one of them had survived.
He ran his hands through his hair and took a deep breath. He undid his ponytail and redid it. The hair was completely a nuisance but he knew he would have to cut it soon. It was too bad. He knew she liked it.
Jael was here to get away from his thoughts but they were still creeping up on him. He groaned and took a deep breath. The air had a slight chill to it. Not that he could feel it—at least not in a way that bothered him.
He looked around and froze. Jael slled sothing, the sll too familiar and gut-wrenching to forget. He couldn't see it yet, but his nose told him it wasn't far away. Jael's first thought was to seek it out, but he stopped himself.
The creature was keeping itself hidden, and no matter how much he twisted and turned his head, he couldn't see a thing. There wasn't much cover around him—just a few trees, rocks, and maybe so stumps. They weren't enough to provide cover, but sohow he couldn't see the Paler.
He also wanted to know if the Paler was alone. If it was, there was nothing to worry about. However, considering they were realizing that it was better to hunt with another than alone, he was willing to bet this wasn't the only Paler. The logical plan would be to step away, but this thought didn't even cross Jael's mind. The creature was treating him like prey, and this annoyed him.
He didn't move from the rock; he just let his eyes do the searching. His body tensed as he prepared to attack. Jael saw it, a small shuffle in the leaves. Anyone else would have assud it was the wind, but he knew it was right there and stared hard.
It wasn't even properly covered, its white form sticking out from behind the trees. It was a terrible hunter. Jael scrunched his nose and adjusted, his eyes glowing slightly as he stared hard at the monster. His fangs grew a little as he prepared to attack. He didn't plan to make the first move. He was going to let the Paler give itself up first.
The Paler must have realized it had been spotted because it jumped out imdiately, rushing for Jael. Either that or it felt threatened by Jael's stare. The Paler crashed into the rock, and Jael jumped off the rock a second before the Paler could reach him. It broke part of the rock as it landed on it.
Jael twirled his head and cracked his neck as he stood on the ground. The Paler growled at him, drool dripping from its lips, and its bloodshot eyes bulging from its skull. It stood on top of the rock, glaring at Jael with hunger in its eyes.
It was huge. Jael had seen many Palers in his lifeti, and this was easily the second biggest. The monster's limbs were long, and Jael could tell he would lose if he wasn't careful. It was rare to see one this huge. Almost never.
He would have sworn it grinned at him before it jumped. Jael jumped out of the way and kicked it, but the Paler seed unfazed and rushed at Jael, who managed to slip out of reach. The Paler ca after him again, this ti going for him with its teeth. Jael managed to get out of the way. He knew better than to get caught. He would keep bleeding until he died. Their bites had a drastic effect on healing.
Still, Jael didn't like the way he was on the run. The worst part was the monster wasn't rushing after him senselessly. There were pauses in its attacks, as if it watched Jael's movents before deciding on how to attack.
Jael suddenly heard his blood in his ears, and everything drowned out. He ran for it, clawed at its eyes, and punched it. He had to jump out of the way as it tried to bite him. Jael didn't move out in ti and heard a smack on his back, sending him flying.
***
Mauve sat on the edge of her bed, anger in her eyes. Jael was late. Mill had just co to tell her it was ti for the last al, and Mauve had asked about Jael, but the vampire didn't seem to have a clue. She said she would ask and get back to her. Mauve folded her arms as she waited.
Surely, he wasn't doing this just because she had asked to go outside in the sunlight. Jael wouldn't do that, she tried to reassure herself. He had already agreed to it. Besides, his disappearance ant she could just do as she wanted.
After a few minutes, Mill ca back. She knocked lightly on the door before pushing it open. Mauve stood up imdiately. "Did you find him?" Mauve asked.
Mill shook her head. "No, I don't think he's in the castle. When did he leave?" Mill asked.
"About two hours ago," Mauve explained. Mill didn't seem worried, just a little confused. Did no one where he had gone to?
"He might be sowhere around," she replied. "I could accompany you to the dining hall, and he could et you there."
Mauve frowned. "That doesn't make any sense. Jael is usually here to take to the dining hall. Is there a reason why he can't make it now?" She asked, taking a step closer to Mill.
"I don't know. I asked the guards, but none of them could say anything. They saw him leave the castle doors but didn't know if he left the compound."
"What?"
"Did sothing happen between you two?" Mill asked.
Mauve shook her head. "Well, I wouldn't say sothing happened. I just said I wanted to go out in the sun with Jean because he offered to teach about the herbs I can use when I'm sick. He agreed to it and then said he would be back." Mauve couldn't make sense of the situation.
"I already inford the personal guards, and they are looking for him. But I think he should be back before then or at least they will find him."
"What do you an, 'find him'? I'm sure he knows it's ti for the last al. He should be here."
Mauve didn't miss the slight fear that crept into Mill's expression. "They think he left the castle, and it's just taking him longer to get back. I'll take you to the dining hall. He should be here before the last al is over."
Mauve frowned. "Is there sothing you're not telling ?" she asked.
Mill shook her head. "Of course not. You know everything I know. I just don't want you to skip a al because the Primus isn't here yet."
"I can wait for him," she said. "It's not the first ti. I'd rather wait for him." She frowned. "Did sothing happen? Do you think he was attacked?" She brought her hands to her mouth.
"No," Mill shook her head. "Nothing. I can bring your al here, then. That way, when he cos back, you can eat together."
"I'm not sure about that..." Mauve started to say, but Mill didn't respond. She just walked toward the door. "Mill, wait," she cried out.
"I will be right back," Mill said and was gone.
Mauve frowned as she looked around. What just happened? That was the most suspicious behavior she had ever seen. Mill was definitely hiding sothing. Did sothing happen to Jael? But she said he wasn't in the castle.
Mauve was walking out of the room before she realized it. She tried to open the door. At first, it wouldn't budge, and she wondered if Mill had locked her in, but then the door unlocked, and she pulled it open.
The path was empty, but at least it was light enough for her to see. Mauve rushed down and caught up with Mill, who was already at the bottom of the stairs. "Mill!" she called out, and the vampire looked up at her.
"Mauve," Mill turned and rushed back up the stairs.
"Tell if sothing happened. Don't avoid the subject."
Mill stopped in front of Mauve, having rushed back up the stairs. "I don't know, and I don't want you to panic. His personal guards already set out to look for him. I don't think so, I don't want to think so. The Primus is strong, and I doubt he would be taken down by any Paler. He's probably late for other reasons."
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