Chapter 30

  The village of Tindale along Ilone Lake was a welcome sight as dusk began to fall on the land. Upon a high hill, with the thick shadow of dense forest behind them, Snow and Lia caught the last rays of the sun painting the village and its branching orchards in warm, golden light.

  It had originally started as a tiny settlement around a temple, but the pleasant surroundings and budding fruit tree business quickly brought more residents over the last thirty years as the dragons and bloody wars became distant thoughts. The land grew peaceful and prosperous under the guardianship of the prominent Tinn family and the priestesses of the Temple of Ilone. Working hand in hand, the two made newcomers feel welcome and encouraged them to put down roots by the lake, or along the gentle western slopes where thin orchards grew and sheep happily grazed.

  Snow led Lia down hidden trails and quiet roads towards some homesteads that stretched out along the edge of the lake. While the village was dense near the main dock, boasting narrow buildings around a modest market, out here there was nothing but little cottages. Many had their backs facing a gentle shore with little waves lapping along sand or against thick reeds. Here, one could easily push a little rowboat out, but it would take half a day to row to the far side – if you could see it through the mist.

  The priestesses held that this lake was carved out by the goddess Ilone to provide a peaceful refuge for her worshipers. Legend had it that time stopped here, and that one would not grow old if they made their home along the shores in the service of the goddess. Many still believed this old tale, claiming that they still felt young long into their winter years, but Snow was sure it was nothing but the power of suggestion. He knew exactly why he felt uplifted by the sight of the lake – it meant Sage’s house was only another half mile down the road.

  Snow could soon see smoke rising from Sage’s chimney and the sight brought warm thoughts of a crackling fire in the hearth, baking the cold out of his toes. His mind was soon leaping from the warm flames to a hot bath and then a proper meal. Not that he would put any of that on Sage. He’d cook the meal and fetch the water himself. All the high priestess had to do was let him bring a vampire into the house.

  Pheobe too knew this tract well and picked up into a canter down to the house. She went right into the side yard where Sage’s herbs had spread into the open lawn. Snow dismounted with a heavy groan and took time to straighten himself before turning towards the door.

  “Are you sure this is a good idea?” Lia asked.

  “You have nothing to fear here. Sage will see you for who you are. She’ll know you’re no threat,” Snow said as he tried to dust himself off and kick four days’ worth of muddy forest from his boots.

  Lia hung back as Snow approached the door and gave it a solid knock. But the smile he was wearing quickly vanished when a man opened the door. He had sandy hair, an unshaven face, and a hard glare for Snow.

  “What the hell do you want?” The man looked at them both suspiciously.

  “Who the hell are you?” Snow’s patience had run out. All his civility and tact had worn away over the last cold, grimy day in the woods.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  The man looked like was about to retort when he looked back over Snow’s shoulder and his eyes went wide. “Vampire!”

  Fuck. Snow stepped back just in time to see the man reach above the doorframe within and pull down a bare silver sword.

  Lia had blanched and was up on Pheobe in an instant. The mare whinnied at the thought of being tugged away from her luscious greens. Snow had backed up as the stranger stormed out of the doorway, but at the same time, he used his magic to call up the soggy earth before the man’s feet causing him to trip. It gave Snow enough time to draw his sword before his attacker found his footing again.

  Snow was ready for the attack, but instead found the man was still focused on Lia. He charged poor Pheobe and finally got the horse to rear in defense. Lia slid off as the man stepped back from the flailing hooves. She then shifted to a small bat and fluttered around the commotion to land on Snow’s shoulder. Despite the horse, the man had paid close attention to the shift and now turned his attention back to Snow.

  “What the hell are you?” He asked though it didn’t sound like he’d care about the answer.

  “I’ll be the last thing you ever see if you pursue this fight,” Snow warned as Lia clawed up to his collar and held on for dear life.

  “Korvinian?” A gentle voice called from the cottage doorway.

  “Sage?” Snow glanced at her briefly before both him and the attacker asked, “Are you alright?”

  The two men instantly looked back at each other again in confusion.

  “Max?” Sage called. Lia poked her little head out from under Snow’s collar to see a lithe young woman with waves of dark hair. She was looking out on the front lawn but not at anyone in particular.

  “I’m here, Sage.” The man’s sword point started to dip towards the ground.

  “Max, this is a friend of mine. Please calm down and let him come inside,” she said.

  “He has a vampire with him,” Max announced much too loud for Snow’s liking.

  Sage then turned towards their voices. “Is this true, Kori?”

  Snow sighed. “I’m taking her to Avery. She’s no harm to anyone,” Snow said before his voice turned annoyed again, “who the hell is this?”

  “Come on inside all of you and we’ll talk,” Sage said as she stepped to the side of the doorway invitingly.

  “But,” Max started again.

  “No buts. I trust my friend, Max. Let them come inside,” Sage said before walking back in with the door still open.

  Snow and Max gave each other one last hard look before both sheathed their swords.

  “After you,” Max said.

  “You first, I insist.” Snow replied.

  “Move asshole.” Max pointed to the doorway with a hard scowl.

  “You have no idea who I am, do you?” Snow returned the scowl.

  “Yeah, you’re the asshole with the vampire.”

  “Enough,” Sage’s voice called out from somewhere inside.

  Snow didn’t like this Max fellow. Nor did he like how all those cozy thoughts he had had of warm flames and hot baths were starting to fall apart. The resurrectionist swore that if he had to deal with one more surprise, he was going set something on fire.