Blood drained from Isobel’s face, and her hand went to the gun at her hip. As a human, she was magicless, but she was still a trained soldier. Before they’d entered the castle, Jayson had confirmed with Isobel that she knew how tofight.
Nikhail didn’t blame her for being worried. Empty castles shouldn’t make noises. The Death Elf’s mouth pinched in a firm line, his jaw clenching. He held two fingers up in the air—a signal for them to follow.
Once again, the trio crept through the halls of the dark stronghold. There were no more whispers, no more stories shared about the vampires who used to call this place their home.
Scratch.
A pause.
Scratch, scratch, scratch.
Shivers swept down Nikhail’s spine, and his magic thrummed a warning in his veins.
You are not alone, the wind murmured, its ancient voice deep in this place of old.
Nikhail shifted his magic to his left hand, holding a sphere of air as deadly as it was compact, and withdrew his gun with his right.
Scratch, scratch.
The sound was coming from the room on their left.
Flattening his back on the wall, Jayson jerked his head towards the open door. He raised his hand, counting down on his fingers.
Three.
Two.
One.
On the Death Elf’s count, the three soldiers pushed off the wall. Guns drawn, magic at hand, they swarmed the chamber, ready to attack.
Only, instead of a rebel ambush, they found…
“Fuck me.” Chuckling darkly, Nikhail shoved his gun backinto its holster before running a relieved hand down his face. He sagged against the wall.
“A damned grey squirrel,” Jayson muttered, shaking his head. “Kydona, help me, I really thought someone was here.”
The critter was the size of Nikhail’s hand. Standing on its hind legs, it was frozen, looking at them with wide eyes. It seemed as surprised to see them as they were to see it. A quick perusal of the space confirmed that the squirrel had made a home of what might’ve once been a couch, transforming it into a nest.
After a moment, the squirrel seemed to unfreeze. It chittered, still staring at them.
“I think it wants us to leave,” Isobel said, taking a step back.
The squirrel glared angrily, making loud, furious sounds. It advanced, waving its front paws in the air.
Nikhail wasn’t in the habit of taking orders from rodents, but he’d make an exception for this one. The sooner they got out of this place filled with death, the better.
He met Jayson’s eye, and the other soldier nodded. “Let’s keep going. This castle gives me the creeps.”
“Same.” Isobel shuddered as if a spider had just crawled down her back.
Nikhail agreed with them both. The longer they remained in here, the more something just felt… off.
They continued through the east wing, clearing chamber after chamber. Finished with the first floor, they climbed a set of ancient stone stairs. The ruin’s oppressive air felt like it was getting heavier with every passing hour.
Goose bumps took up permanent residence on Nikhail’s flesh.
The ballroom, which had once probably been a lavish event space, now housed an entire colony of squirrels. They were asloud and angry as their grey friend. Nikhail gave the critters a wide berth as they cleared the room.