Page 47 of The Vampire Curse

The rooster cries, causing my heart to jump into my throat. I nudge the mare into a trot, leading her down the drive and toward the main road.

As we leave Littlemire behind, I look back and send a silent hope to the fates that Kathrine will live a long, happy life with her new husband.

I face forward once more and ask the mare to run.

Chapter Seventeen

Clara

I ridefor hours before slowing the horse to a walk. I haven’t eaten since yesterday, and now hunger sends sharp pains through my belly. Nerves and stress had kept the pangs at bay until now. I pull the satchel across my shoulder, rest it on my lap, and reach for a chunk of bread. I bite into it, munching as the horse sways beneath me.

After three bites, I put the rest back into my satchel. Uncertainty gnaws on me. I'm not sure returning to Windbury is a good idea. But just thinking of not doing it fills me with irrational panic.

It will be dangerous, and I'm not sure it's worth it. All reason tells me it's stupid and reckless. I would be better off forgetting about Alaric altogether… but the more I think about the lies and deception, the easier it is to dismiss the risk.

Several hours have passed. The fine mist that has clung to the forest all day, thickens. I reach forward and stroke the mare’s soft neck. Her absence has probably been noticed by now, and maybe even mine.

The idea of slowing or stopping sets me on edge, but as the edge of Durford comes into view, I lead the mare to the riverbank, relishing the chance to stretch out my stiff muscles.

I dismount and let the mare drink her fill. When she’s done, I feed her the apple slices from my bag. They aren’t as fresh after several hours, but she doesn’t seem to mind.

I kneel at the edge of the water. The mare dips her head, ripping up the sparse blades of grass. I cup my hands and splash water over my face.

The mare shifts anxiously, then the steady beat of hooves disappears into the distance. By the time I clear my eyes of water, the horse is happily trotting back the way we came.

I suppose that’s what I get for not keeping hold of the reins.

“Traitor,” I mumble.

I suppose she’ll make it home sooner this way. And I’m close enough to town that it doesn’t matter.

Getting to my feet, I dust off my legs and walk across the bridge and into town.

My legs ache, more specifically, my thighs. It had taken far more muscle coordination to ride today than it had during the hunts.

I welcome the chance to stretch my muscles. The last time I was here, I never saw more than the town’s inn. It’s smaller than I expected. The sidewalks are narrower than those of Littlemire, and it lacks the thick layer of soot that covers the buildings and streets there.

No one spares me a second glance as I move through the streets. I never thought I’d be so happy to go unnoticed.

A warm hand grabs hold of mine and tugs. I spin to face whoever it is, but I don’t meet anyone’s gaze. I look down and into the smiling face of a young girl. Her long hair and shining large eyes are familiar.

It takes me a moment, but I finally place her—she’s the girl I pulled from the river.

“Hello there,” I say, crouching down to eye level. I rest my palm on the top of her head.

A snarling woman appears behind her. I blink and the girl is jerked away.

“Stay away from her,” the mother hisses.

I straighten, dropping my hand to my side. “I didn’t mean—”

“I didn’t know what you were at the river, but I do now. I won’t let you attack her again. You can’t deceive me,” she says, pulling the girl behind her and hiding her behind billowing skirts.

Attack? What kind of demon shit—I saved her daughter after she fell in the river.

“Demon’swhore!” she shouts, clutching the child tighter against her and points her gnarled finger in my face.

I stumble back at the outburst as if it were a physical blow.