Chapter Ten

Anxiety

"Cuckoo! Cuckoo!" cried the tiny bird that perched right above Crystal's head. She opened her eyes and noticed that she was far from the vampire.

As Crystal gazed around, she noticed that she was lying on a bed in the same inn that she and Aiden entered the past night. The bed was comfortable although she could tell that many others have slept in it. The pillows felt like soft cotton balls and as she awakened, she noticed a sheer pain in her forehead. She lifted her hand to her forehead and felt a cold cloth laying on it.

Crystal lifted herself a bit and leaned against the pillow. She noticed that someone had tucked her in and placed a small diary next to her wrapped up legs. Instantly, she figured it was Aiden that cared for her and smiled at the thought. Sure enough, on a chair next to her lay his knapsack with the flap opened and the golden egg showing.

"Hello!" she said to the egg as she lifted it and placed it into her lap.

The egg shimmered in the morning light with glints of gold and sparks of light. She stroked it lovingly, as if it were her child.

"I don't know what it is about you that makes Aiden carry you arround with him everywhere he goes, but it must be a good reason. I figure he doesn't carry anything uneeded nor unloved." she felt a tingle of happiness in her stomache as she thought of Aiden. Crystal blushed alittle and cautiously set the egg back inside the knapsack.

Readjusting herself against the pillow, Crystal leaned farther back and tilted her legs comfortably. Then, she picked up the diary, opened it and started writing with a pen that she kept inside it.

Dear Diary,
Dark times are approaching this strange new land. A horrible reminder of what life was but a few weeks ago keeps me from feeling completely wanted here. Although, I have come to like Aiden. He seems to show much more passion than any other soul that I have ever known. I can see in the gentle grin in his eyes that he will not let harm come to me and it was proven through his actions. First of all, when a vampire attacked me, he rescued me, somehow from the vampire. Then whatever happened after that, I am not sure, but I woke up in a comfy bed all tucked in. I can tell that it was Aiden who did this. Of course he did. I can tell...
I don't know why, but I am starting to like him. I am not sure exactly what it is about him but I am sure that I am falling...

She paused. Was her feeling already that strong? Or was she just trying to sound like it was? Crystal shrugged and continued

Whatever it is, I don't know! It could be an extreme hate for him! It would seem so because I am feeling the same way about him like I had Chad...or at least I think...Anyway! It doesn't matter anway.

The war is coming and Sinister is sure to kill this place and everyone in it. It is crazy to believe that all this could happen within a couple of weeks of my appearance! I am not sure the reason of Sinister's hatred towards Salcurien but he obviously hates everything evil and dark of heart. I would not be surprised if demons and vampires end up attacking us during this war and although I am not much of a swordperson, I garuntee you, I will fight. I would not want Aiden's world to be engulfed in darkness. That would be rather bad!

We were told that when the full moon rises on the Summer Solstice, they will attack with all their forces and devour flesh and drink blood. Whether or not they will achieve this is uncertain. I doubt that we will have a chance. I just pray that Aiden knows more about battle than I do.

I don't want to admit it, but I am nervous. I have never even thought that I would be thrown into a situation like this before and I fear that it will prove ill on my part.

"Morning, sunshine!" a friendly voice said as it entered the room. It was Aiden, as Crystal guessed and to her joy, he was carrying a tray with breakfast on it. "I brought you something to eat. I figure that after beging under the vampress' spell would give anyone a very large headache!" With that, he set the tray down in front of her and sat on the bed beside her. "Writing again, I see!" Aiden said and smiled a rather cheery smile.

Crystal closed the book slowly and set on the beside table. "Yes, I was just collecting my thoughts," she said plainly.

Aiden picked up a piece of toast from the tray and took a bite. "About what?" he asked but already knew the answer.

"The upcoming war," Crystal said while bowing her head. Then, she looked him straight in the eyes, and, teary eyed she said, "I am not sure if I can fight to help your home."

With another one of Aiden's reassuring smiles, he lifted a hand to put on her back and then rubbed it calmly. "We have a month the prepare," he said. "We will be more than ready."

************

A snarl ripped through the air like a dart and both Crystal and Aiden raised their heads from their breakfast. Crystal became frightened instantaniously and cowered slightly.

Aiden, instead rushed to the window that overlooked most of the city. Crystal, with the encouragement of Aiden, walked over to the window and glanced down. Below them, lying stretched out and completely naked below them lay a man. Scraps of fuzz and piece of hair dabbed his body and lay all around him. He was drenched with sweat and panting.

"Another morning. The day of the full moon has passed and yet another werewolf has been taken by its curse," Aiden started and shook his head, disgusted.

"A Werewolf!" Crystal exclaimed.

Aiden stared at the man, "Yes, a man bitten by an infected werewolf then becomes a werewolf every full moon...every month."

Crystal examined the creature. He seemed struggling to breathe and completely exhausted. As he stirred, he looked around for something to cover himself. She felt remorse for the creature.

"I am afraid that when the war comes, we will see more of these creatures," Aiden said and backed away from the window.

Crystal hesitated while glancing at the bare man. "Isn't there anything we can do to help that man?"

Aiden shook his head and slumped down on the bed. "The way to cure a werewolf is unknown and the only way to kill one is to shoot it with silver bullets. If killing it, in your eyes is helping it, then yes!"

Crystal moved towards Aiden and sat next to him. "We have got to warn the king or ruler of Salcurien! We must have guns and swords!"

With a calm pat on her back, Aiden said, "It is alright, Crystal. I counciled the king while you were asleep. He is gathering all of his finest men as we speak."

He gazed at her and sensed her uneasiness. He could tell that she was very frightened about what was about to come. 'I must get her mind off of this,' he thought and put his arm around her.

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