17 Chapter 17: The Night is Long (1/2)

Salem: No one in the room. No knight, no witch. I took a step in. I glanced left and right. No closet to hide in. No windows to jump through. But Elina and the man were gone.

The green eyed bastard turned. He pointed at me. ”You! What did you do?”

I shrugged. ”You're looking for your friend? Gregor? Maybe he just went downstairs. He'll probably be back in a moment.”

The panic in his eyes cleared. Then back to anger. He pushed me out, told me to never come here again and slammed the door shut.

I went downstairs. The reception counter was unmanned. The dining hall was empty. The whole world had gone to sleep.

But not Elina.

I stepped out of the inn and looked around. The moon barely illuminated the surroundings, but I could see well. Because the witch hunters who couldn't had all been killed.

I guess there is another answer to Elina's question. Why do I do this job? Because I'm still alive.

I looked down. No footprints. No trace of someone rushing out. A quick trip to the horse stalls revealed nothing. My horse and cart were undisturbed.

Shit.

Where was Elina?

I don't know. But I had to give chase.

She probably had about a minute head start. With gransia handcuffs on, she wouldn't be able to use her magic to fly. Which means she has to run. Which made her slow.

I dashed upstairs to my room. My plan: ten seconds to gather my belongings, sixty seconds to ready my horse. Catch Elina before dawn.

I stopped.

Because I found Elina.

Lying on the bed, her silver hair shining under the moonlight, the blanket exposing her shoulders. Her expression was like that of an angel. Innocent, peaceful, calm. Like everything in the world was alright.

I stared at her. I rubbed my eyes.

This couldn't be possible. I clearly heard her go out. Heard her talk to the man. I saw her seduce him. Two of them going into the room. Muffled sounds of either pain or pleasure.

Elina stirred and opened her eyes. She sat up. She scratched her head. She yawned.

”Elina?” I said.

She opened her eyes. Two silver moons floating in the darkness. Like a cat at night. I took a step back.

”Salem?”

”What are you doing here?” I asked.

”Hmmm?”

”You just went out. How are you back here?”

Elina rubbed her eyes.

She said, ”I think you're getting dreams and reality confused...”