"Leaking the blood of this world onto the growing plains, she’ll lead this world into bloodshed. Some would be glad if she did. Blood cudgels throughout our bodies, smooth like a young river. It thickens and blackens when it leaves us living things. Without us, blood is evil; within us, it is life."

Lights cascaded through the windows, painting the ground in an illuminant glow. The darkness ran, but I merely stood there watching in fright. I’ve grown used to hiding my fears. 

"She will die today." Billasoia said, with little emotion on her lightened brown face. The yellow glow in her eyes betrayed her relative coldness.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"What if she does not?" I asked.

"I have seen possibilities where she does not… but such a possibility is a cruel fate for the world and herself," she replied.

She grunted. "Hopefully she dies. Her continuous existence will wet the roots of a farmer's work. We would harvest those plants and eat that sacrifice. We would have change. If you cannot kill her today, do not return to the coven. Consider yourself free of my hands. Consider yourself… free. Follow whatever path makes you feel whole."

"Freedom is a pain. I will stay and die by your side. As an Erot, I pledge I will not fail. I will kill Carmine."