Page 21 of Witch's Exile
What the fuck?I could feel his bewilderment as if it were my own.Stay right where you are. I'm coming.
Can't. This kid's moving fast and I just realized how out of shape I am.
A kid? Like how old?
I dunno. Eight or ten years old maybe.
That doesn't make any fucking sense. Only a few demons can shift and we only take on human forms that are sexually mature. So like, sixteen at the youngest.
I chewed my lip as I continued chasing the boy, who was definitely not a teenager. What could this mean?
Have there ever been witches who shift?I asked.
That's a better question for Ash but no, none that I've ever heard of.
Well, looks like we're about to learn something new from these neighbors.
Seriously Deja, wait for me. We don't knowwhatthey are. It's not safe.
I should be okay, I didn't sense any magic on the kid. Just wanted to give you a heads up.
Ignoring his grumbling protests, I continued to follow the fox until I made out the round roofs of the yurts up ahead. My steps slowed as I approached, hoping I wouldn't come off as threatening to the inhabitants.
Six yurts in two evenly spaced out rows of three stood in a clearing. Clothing lines stretched out between each one, some with shirts, socks, and pants clipped to them. What looked like a large, community bonfire pit stood in the middle of the two rows of yurts. It burned low with glowing embers and small flames licking at the metal grate set over the coals. On top of the grate were skewers of meat and vegetables cooking over the natural heat source.
That distinct laughing yip turned my attention to one of the yurts, where I saw the young red fox pull open a rickety screen door with his paw and darted inside. I stood just on the edge of the small community, unsure of what to do or if I should even make my presence known.
Before I could decide, the screen door burst open, slamming hard against the side of the yurt from the forceful kick of the woman coming out. Her blue eyes narrowed in explosive anger, matching the fiery red hair surrounding her face in a mass of curls.
But it was the double-barreled shotgun she pointed straight at me that had my full attention.
"Trying to hunt my son, bitch?" Her voice rang out clear and commanding as she pumped the shotgun.
"No, no, no! Hang on!" I raised my arms above my head, panic taking over my body. "I come in peace!"
Probably not the best thing to say but it was the first phrase that rolled off my tongue. Fuck, I should've waited for Sal.
"A likely story," the woman sneered. "We're done falling for your bullshit, human."
"Wait! I'm not human!" I protested. "I mean, I am but I'm a--"
Too late. She pulled the trigger and the shot rang out through the trees.
