Chapter 123 Alone in the Woods

Chapter 123 Alone in the Woods
I really didn't leave Azi’s side. Every time his arm loosened around my shoulder, I pulled his arm right back over me. He looked thoroughly amused by it. So annoying!

"One... two... three!" Azi suddenly pulled me and we swapped positions. I ended up grabbing onto Sigrid and stumbling back as I saw multiple arrows flying straight toward our... toward my direction.

"Shit!" I cursed.

"Four arrows at the same time," Azi remarked, catching every single arrow mid-air using just one hand. His hands moved blindingly fast. "Cool. This one's a skilled vampire."

"R-really?"

Azi turned to me, showing me the caught arrows. "You see this? Even a tiny scratch from this will weaken you instantly," he said before dropping the arrows to the ground. "This asshole is an archer. Don't let your guard down."

I picked up one of the fallen arrows with my trembling hand.

"What are you going to do with that?" he asked.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Just in case I have no choice but to fight, too."

He just shook his head. "That's useless without a bow, idiot. What are you going to do with that? Run up to him and stab him in the chest like you tried to do to me?"

"Just in case!"

"Anyway... I think we should ride Sigrid now."

"Whoa. Cool idea!" I offered sarcastically.

Azi mounted the horse, and I quickly climbed on behind him, immediately wrapping my arms tightly around his waist. I didn't want to fall off because I was terrified of being left behind. Who knew if Azi would even come back for me?

"Your arrow..." Azi pointed out, noticing the arrow in my hand. Because I was hugging him, it was pointed directly at his torso. I quickly adjusted my grip. "You might end up stabbing me yourself. Just drop it."

"No. I need this. Go now!"

"Obedient, my ass..." he muttered under his breath.

We picked up the pace with Sigrid’s help. Even so, I could tell whoever was attacking us was keeping up with our speed easily. Leaping from branch to branch, leaving falling leaves as footsteps, Azi wasn't lying when he said this guy was skilled.

"He's following us, Azi," I said, feeling the sheer pressure mounting. "What should we do?"

"You go ahead first."

"What?"

"On the count of three... take the reins," Azi commanded. "Go as far as you can, Shekina. Don't stop. Don't worry, I'll make sure to find you. Okay?"

The anxiety pooling inside me surged to a terrifying new level. "W-what? You can't be serious, Azi! You know what happened—"

"One..." he started counting.

"Azi! I don't know how to—"

"Two..." he continued relentlessly.

I bit my bottom lip hard. "Okay. Please find me, okay? I trust you."

"Three!"

I grabbed the reins the split second he leapt off the horse. He vanished from my line of sight instantly. Even so, I forced myself to focus entirely on guiding the horse. I had no idea where this path led, but I had to keep moving.

I pushed the horse to a speed I had never experienced before, not even when riding with Azi. I needed to hurry and get as far away as possible, that was all I had to do.

So... I didn't slow down for a second. Several minutes passed with me riding at full speed, and Azi was still nowhere to be seen. I couldn't feel anyone following me anymore either.

I think I made it. I got away, but... I had no idea what part of the forest I was in now.

I pulled back on both reins and finally managed to bring Sigrid to a halt. I looked around, desperately hoping Azi had caught up, but there was no sign of him. I couldn't even sense his presence.

"Azi?" I called out his name.

When I received no response, reality hit me... I really had made it this far alone. Was that supposed to be a good thing?

I scanned my surroundings once more. Sensing no immediate danger, I dismounted from the horse. I tied her to a tree so she couldn't wander off.

I looked up at the towering trees above. Azi will be here soon. He gave me his word.

I sat down at the base of the tree to rest. My heart was still hammering against my chest. That was so intense! I had only ever seen things like that in movies, but now it was actually happening to me.

I let out a heavy sigh.

I stared down at the arrow I had taken. Its tip was coated in a greenish slime—m, which I assumed was the poison capable of weakening anyone hit by it. I could smell the toxicity, but there was a faint note in the scent that bothered me.

I sniffed the rest of the arrow. The nock, the tail end, smelled familiar. It was where the attacker had held it, so his scent must have transferred onto it.

Wait. That scent was definitely familiar. I knew I had smelled it somewhere before.

I heard the sound of rushing water nearby. I stood up and followed the noise. My feet led me to a stream. The current was strong and the water was crystal clear.

The view alone seemed to wash away some of my exhaustion.

I went back to fetch Sigrid and brought her over to the stream so she could get a drink. I made sure to tie her securely to a large boulder so she wouldn't wander off.

I sat down on a rock and opened my bag. I pulled out the remaining pouch of blood and drank it down. Only after finishing it did I realize I hadn't saved any for Azi.

I let the empty blood pouch float away down the stream. I reached out and touched the water. The cool water splashing against my skin instantly eased the heat I was feeling.

I washed my face to clear my head. I also took off my jacket so I'd feel lighter. I cleaned off my arms and tied my hair back.

A lot of time had passed, but Azi still hadn't shown up.

He's not going to leave me in a place like this alone. I know it. Fuck. He could, but he won't.

No. He will come for me.

Suddenly, a loud splash echoed nearby, sending another surge of panic through me.