Page 209 of The Lost Ones

“That academy needs a complete overhaul and maybe even some of the students that graduated brought back and retrained. They can’t be safe out there.” Hunter says angrily and Kysen nods in agreement.

“Something else for us to try and sort out later.” Kai mutters.

“One thing at a time.” Levi says calmly.

We all ride in silence for a while. I am so glad that the Blood Moon Academy seems to be nothing like the Earth academy at least I damn hope so. I do feel for all of the students left there though. Thinking that they are being trained properly when in reality they really aren’t. Maybe that’s something that I can bring up to my parents when I find them. They were supposed to have some input in the place anyway and I know Nicole said she thought the Director had something on them but she doesn’t anymore and it’s time for them to put it right.

If they’re the people I think they are they’ll want to anyway.

Chapter fourteen

“This is it!” Mavericks says his voice hushed as he points to a small, aged, wooden sign. “Hoods up guys. Thank god its not summer.”

Occultatum, I read as I pull my hood over my purple hair.

The words are barely discernible but it’s clear enough that we can read it. There’s a few basic, single story houses dotted along the side of the dirt track and they gradually get closer together and more of them appear the closer to the little village centre they get. The dirt track also changes from packed red dirt into cobblestones. This village is a lot smaller than the towns we have seen so far, there’s no surrounding wall that circles the entire place. It’s left open much like the small towns I’m used to back home.

“Excuse me, Sir.” A boy around fourteen asks as he approaches.

We pause and look at him curiously. “Would you like us to watch your horses. We have a stable where locals and travellers stow their horses whilst they do business in the village but new comers quite often miss us.” He explains.

Kysen watches him warily for a second.

“I have the official papers Sir. Newcomers tend to be wary of that too.” He smirks flashing small fangs as he pulls out a small scroll of paper.

He hands it up to Kysen who reads it curiously and then grins.

“Thank you. That would be great, please excuse our caution.” He says.

The boy nods quickly and then starts walking in the direction of what looks like an old English pub but off to the side are a line of stalls under cover. Its like parking for horses and I don’t know why it amuses me so much because everywhere in the Earth realm used to be like this not that long ago but it really does make me smile for some reason.

When we get to the stalls, a guy in his mid-twenties and one a bit older come out and ruffle the teenagers hair.

“What have we told you about, approaching random strangers, kid.” One of them admonishes, kindly.

“I know but they don’t look like trouble.”

“Just be careful.”

The kid nods and I grin.

We dismount off of the horses, the two guys and the kid coming over to take the reins. Before they walk off with Dave i pull one of my saddle bags off and root around inside until I find the bag of coins. I pull out two of them.

“Here you go, half now and half when we get back. Please keep them saddled for us?” I say offering the coins to the wide eyed guy.

“Please miss that’s too much.” He starts gently pushing my hand back towards me.

As soon as I dismounted and got a proper look at them and their buildings it became clear that they need a bit of help. I’m in the position to give it so that’s what I’m going to do. There have been several times in my life where the unexpected kindness of strangers has been the difference between eating and starving. I will forever be grateful to those few people and since its unlikely that I could find them to repay them I will pay that kindness forward now that I can.

“Please I insist.” I say.

“Keep it quiet that we’re here please?” Levi asks coming up behind me. “We’d like to stay under the radar. You know how small towns can be.”

“All too well. Don’t worry Sir we can be discreet.” He smiles and then walks off with Dave.

“I love your heart Darling.” Levi says dipping and kissing me hard.

Of course his words make my heart pound in my chest as thousands of butterflies take flight!