Unexpected Help

Unexpected Help
"Elias..." I hissed as I watched the group of wendigos that were beginning to make their way towards us. "What should we do?"

Behind me, I could hear him moving, but I didn't dare turn my attention away from the trouble that was fast approaching. One wrong move and I could become monster chow, and I wasn't about to let that happen so easily.

"When I say move, you move." Elias finally responded close to my ear, sending a shiver through me.

Tensing, I nodded, knowing that he must have a plan in place. At least, that was what I hoped.

"Ready..." He murmured, "Set... GO!"

As the word left his lips, I could feel a hand wrapping around my wrist and tugging. With wide eyes, I found myself being pulled in the opposite direction of the wendigos while they began to chase.

"This is your plan?" I demanded, managing to not fall on my face despite the roots that were threatening to trip me. "You aren't going to attempt to fight them?"

"Are you really going to sit here and fuss about escaping?" Elias retorted, daring to look back at me as we continued to move. "I don't know about you, but I don't feel like dying."

From just behind, I could hear snarls and wails as the wendigos gave chase, determined to catch us and have us for dinner.

"Tell me again why your army hasn't bothered killing these things." I huffed.

"Because we don't know if there will be a chance to save them once the curse is lifted."

At the mention of the curse, I felt my heart tug in my chest. If we managed to get out of this alive, I would most definitely have to explain everything I discovered. Including the fact that I was the sole reason this curse existed.

Seeming to catch onto my quickly drifting thoughts, Elias looked back at me once more, a look of curiosity crossing his face.

"I'm fine." I insisted. Now wasn't the time to even be concerned about simple emotions, not when we were running for our lives.

Instead of responding, he gave me one last look before bursting forward towards an opening in the forest's edge.

"That's..." I gasped, my eyes growing wide.

It wasn't his castle, but instead it was still in the kingdom of Halleluia Tyraniyaar. Why in the world would he find this a safe space?

"Just trust me." Elias spoke as I opened my mouth to question him. "I know someone who can hide us until it is safe to go back to Allsbrook."

Lifting my brow, I let myself get yanked back into the blinding light of day where Elias' appearance immediately changed.

"They'll stop chasing us now." He murmured, slowing down before stopping entirely, nearly causing me to collide with his back.

"How are you like that?" I asked, continuing to take in his look. "I never asked the last time."

"It has to do with the curse." He explained while quickly looking around. "I didn't know it happened until I came to find you."

"Odd." It was the only word I could think of to explain the incident. Did that mean that Vladimier and his people would change if they stepped into Allsbrook as well?

"Forget that; we need to go." Elias insisted, wrapping his hand around mine and gently tugging. "We can talk further when it is safe."

Nodding, I allowed him to begin leading me towards a small hut just ahead, which was sitting out in the open and billowing smoke from its chimney.

"Are you sure they won't give us away?" I asked, beginning to feel nervous at the thought of having to remain too close to Vladimier.

"I'm sure." He responded, looking back long enough to give me a reassuring smile that instantly took my breath away. "Not to mention that they're much safer than those wendigos that are just waiting for us to enter the forest again."

At the mention of the wendigos, I looked back towards the tree line, where I could just barely make out their skeletal figures hovering in the darkness waiting for us.

"Why won't they go further?" I asked, taking in the odd actions. "Is there some type of barrier against evil creatures?"

"If that were the case, I wouldn't be allowed to pass." Elias chuckled, causing my heart to tug in sympathy. "They can't be in the light; otherwise, they will burn alive."

Just like vampires in movies and books, I thought bitterly. It seemed that the wendigos were more like those creatures than Elias and his people.

"Come on," the man himself huffed, pulling me along. "We can't be out here for long."

"Right."

Elias was right; we needed to get to safety, and I didn't have the time to feel sorry for anyone until we were hidden.

"Who is this?" I asked, trying to distract myself.

"Someone that has helped me many times since childhood." He explained, coming to a stop in front of the hut's simple wooden door.

I couldn't stop the curiosity that instantly flared at Elias' words. If this person helped him, then why were they here while he was in Allsbrook? Opening my mouth, I attempted to voice my question but stopped as the door flew open and a much too familiar face appeared in front of me.

Gasping, I took in Tristan's beaming face. What the hell was going on right now?

"You..." I stammered as he moved aside for Elias and me to enter. "Why?"

"Surprised?" He chuckled.

"Something like that." I responded, looking around the tiny space that we were now in. "What's going on exactly?"

"Long story short, my father used to be Elias' tutor, and we've been friends since then." Tristan explained as Elias pulled off his jacket and hung it by the door.

"Isn't this a betrayal to Vladimier?" I asked, still unable to believe what was going on.

I watched as his face fell ever so slightly and found myself immediately regretting asking my question.

"I've been thinking about this for a while, but I don't think that is really Vladimier." He said slowly, causing shock to roll through me.

"You sensed it too?" I asked, causing Elias to stiffen.

"Let's talk about that later." Tristan said quickly as Elias' gaze began to turn into a glare. "For now, how about you and Elias get washed up while I go and grab you some clothes that aren't covered in dirt and sweat?"

"That sounds like a perfect plan." Elias quipped, though his glare remained on me. "I'd like to speak to Valerie alone anyway."

Taking the hint, Tristan nodded before shooting me a 'you're on your own' look while he began to move.