RA’SA
Melisa doesn’t appear in the morning either.
As the first rays of light begin to paint the sky with a pale wash of colors, I am still scouring through the forest. Two patrolling guards come into view. I press myself behind one of the trees, keeping my back flush with the scratchy, deep brown bark. They pass slowly, laughing to themselves in boisterous tones.
"You hear about the king?"
"The elven king?"
The first grunts in confirmation. "They say he'll return in the next few days."
I store each bit of information. I'd known that there was an official deal made between the giants and the elves, but my fists tighten at the thought of being close to King Arion. He betrayed my king and sold us out to the giants by revealing Estela’s location.
Without him, this war wouldn't have started.
When they are out of earshot, I duck into the hole in the fence designed to keep the slaves in. Many humans are already awake,leaving their homes and shuffling over to get food. That's when I see the den Melisa had been visiting.
The only place I hadn’t looked.
I’d never seen anyone other than her enter or leave. The windows are covered, hiding everything inside from prying eyes.
Had Melisa been here recently? Does she hide there now?
I raise my hand, prepared to knock on the door, and hear a soft bark inside. What kind of creature makes that noise?
A whining sound follows it. Inhuman.
It must be the beast that had interrupted Melisa and me.
Godsdamnit. I never should’ve let her follow a creature with teeth as sharp as a vaimpír.
My mind pictures Melisa lying on the floor, red lips gone pale and golden brown skin drained of color.
Without thinking, I push open the rickety wooden door and am greeted by three pairs of eyes. Two young children are playing with the four-legged beast.
My mouth drops open. They are alone andyoung. Young enough to need to be supervised at all times.
The girls look up at me from the ground, and the wolf growls.
“Coco!” one of the girls squeals. The same name Melisa used.
The one closest to me stands up in front of her wolf and points a finger at me."¿Quien eres?"?1
The creature makes another menacing sound, and I step closer. It doesn't look like a beast who should be anywhere near children.
The girl pointing at me slowly lowers her hand and pushes her hair out of her face, looking more and more fearful. The movement causes me to pause. The defiant curve of her lips, the sleek black hair, and wide brown eyes remind me of just one person.
Melisa.
I immediately drop to my knees as I softly push the door closed.
"Me llamo Ra'Sa,"?2I say gently, matching their language.
The two girls look at each other. Twins, I realize—both copies of Melisa.
They both look at me with hard, untrusting eyes.
"Lita está aqui,"?3the girl near the wolf says.