again.
The stranger regarded each one of us again as if taking notes.
“Understood.” He politely replied.
The doomed Nocturna in his grip began to freak out again, struggling and trying uselessly to escape. Why was he so terrified of him?
“Don’t believe him! Vishinkatura means ca..!”
He was abruptly cut off and I flinched when his head was jerked and twisted, hard. He broke his neck without effort, turning it all the way around as if he were simply unscrewing the cap on a water bottle. The unfortunate undead hung limp with his head twisted nearly backwards on his shoulders and facing us with a frozen, pleading expression.
We all gaped at the stranger suspiciously in reaction to his abrupt and callous method of silencing. He examined his captive nonchalantly as if he were simply carrying a dummy or a bag of laundry under his arm.
“A little overkill, don’t you think? You may want to rethink and revamp the effectiveness of your ammunition. No pun intended.” The stranger commented on all of the darts sticking out of the Nocturna’s back, head, and neck.
“There’s more than one way to kill and we know them all, always remember that.” Cole promised him.
“I agree. Duly noted.” He replied politely and then turned to leave.
Once he was out of range Jax spoke, “I wonder why he didn’t even bother to pull those bad boys out.”
“Should we follow him? Where’s he gonna go?” Isis asked.
“I’m gonna assume that he’s leaving the same way he arrived.” Cole said as we all watched his form disappear in the distance behind the sheeting rain.
“He didn’t really arrive, he just…appeared. I didn’t know Nocturna could do that.” I said.
“Yeah, I know. There’s apparently a lot we don’t know but I’m gonna bank on a possible gateway somewhere on the island. New mission in effect as of now.” Cole replied in deep thought.
Chapter 3
M y intense internet search for Vishinkatura brought up many unclear results, so I wasn’t sure what to believe or put together. Even asking around our circle of friends ended with varied interpretations and meanings, though we all already knew that it had something to do with the Nocturna. We all made plans to scour the island for any possible gateways that would explain both of their arrivals first thing in the wee hours of the morning, when we had more eyes to help. Until then, we were taking shifts to watch for any more stray undead around the island. This hunt detail didn’t include me this time though. I was busy being treated and patched up.
This was the first time that I’ve ever been bitten by anything, including a Nocturna. I had no idea that the lingering pain long after would be worse than a man-o-war sting. Though the venomous creatures of the human world didn’t affect us in the same way as it would a human, it still hurt like a bitch just the same.
Isis and Noemi stayed for as long as I could tolerate the gossip and chatter. I don’t even remember when I had finally succumbed to sleep with much relief. I was out like a light once the medicine that Erian, Isis’ Mage beau, concocted to help ease my discomfort and promote faster healing, took full effect.
I overslept, waking up still a bit groggy and under the power of the herbal medicine. I was usually up early to ready the bar for the magic show and the craft projects that we prepared for the kids but from the sound of the music downstairs, my friends had already taken care of all that this morning without me.
I yawned and stretched, wincing at the soreness still fresh in my side. I dreaded seeing it again because it certainly didn’t feel any better.
Last nights’ encounter was nothing totally out of the ordinary but it was definitely something that continued to replay in the back of my mind.
Could have, should have, would have but didn’t. My getting hurt was not part of the plan, and I wished that I could put together a