The river picks up speed and pushes its captive faster. The rocking of the basket sends the baby to a peaceful sleep. Overhead the call of an eagle sounds. The majestic bird soars through the night sky; he drops down and buries his claws deep into the basket. With a push of his massive golden wings he carries his prize high into the stars.
Varena runs back the way she came and soon hears the sound of her mother screaming for help. Rebecca is being dragged by her hair and is struggling to hold her baby, as a demon pulls her back towards the camp. Varena picks up a rock and creeps silently along behind it. With a toss she throws the rock in the opposite direction. The demon spins with a snarl and releases his prize momentarily. On all fours, he turns his head sideways to look into the dark.
She seizes the moment and leaps on its back as she plunges the knife deep into the top of the demon’s head. Rising up on its hideous legs, he launches her from his back into the dirt and turns his reptilian gaze on Varena. He takes a step towards her as he smiles and gnashes his black shark like teeth. Slowly he pulls the knife from his skull and throws it to the ground. He leaps toward her with a burst of incredible speed only to explode midair, showering Varena with dust. The knife was infused with holy power!
Startled, Varena shields herself against the blast, as she cowers in the aftermath. At the sound of her mother’s voice, she gets up and looks around desperately for her knife. She finds it in the dust and rushes to her mother.
“Take him, take the baby! Rena, run. Get him to safety!” Rebecca says weeping on the ground.
“We can go together Mom, I won’t leave you,” Rena tells her while she tries to pull her mother up.
“My leg is broken! I can’t run, go now!” desperately she shoves the baby at her. “Listen to me daughter, get him to safety,” she screams!
“How sweet,” a raspy voice says from behind her “A mother desperate to protect her children. I do believe you have something I want, Reeeena” he says walking towards her.
“NOOOO” Rebecca moans trying to stand up. Clutching her baby brother to her chest, Varena knows they are in trouble. The demon stalking her is powerful. He would have killed them all if it weren’t for the Keeper’s protection. Gone is the beautiful mask he formerly wore. Now a demon once more, Raphaim is burnt beyond recognition. He is hairless, except for the patches that remain on his leathery scalp. His once beautiful black wings are now tattered and riddled with holes.
Rebecca struggles to her feet by holding her broken leg off the ground. She leans on her daughter and tries to protect her by standing in front of her. She goes still when she feels Rena press something into her hand from behind. The knife!
Raphaim stalks them. He is through playing games, he wants the child. Desperate for its rejuvenating blood, he can hear it flowing and pumping through the tiny body. His mouth begins to salivate at the thought of what it will taste like. The scent of the blood throws any thought of Elina and the book out of his mind. Growling like an animal, he reaches out towards Rebecca, intent upon the baby. He does not see the knife in her hand until she stabs it into his chest.
Varena runs. She does not hesitate. She does not look back. She clutches the now screaming infant against her chest and runs for both of their lives.
Raphaim slaps Rebecca hard enough to send her flying across the ground, unconscious. As he looks down at the knife protruding from his chest, he begins to laugh. Grasping the handle, he jerks the knife free and drops it on the ground. Blood seeps from the wound and he feels the burn, a moment before his body begins to react. As the burn of holy fire spreads, he knows only fresh blood can purify his system. It seems the blood stays in his system only for a few hours before he loses the potency. Once it burns off, he is forced to relive the agonizing pain of his attack over and over again. When he entered the village his intention was to have some fun. He did not know he would find one of the lost tribes and a Keeper.
Quickly he rushes towards Rebecca and grabs her by her hair. Jerking her head back, he sinks his teeth deeply, moaning in ecstasy as her blood pools in his mouth. The burning in his chest eases and his body begins to recover. The pain fades and his wings return to their former glory. “Maybe these humans have a use after all” he thinks.
He feels her heartbeat weaken as he drinks and the images from her mind fill his own. He sees the woman and her daughter running, each holding a baby. With a smile, he releases his hold on her, dropping her to the ground once more.
“Twins! This must be my lucky day,” he says, as he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. He leaves Rebecca alive and twitching on the ground.
Two
As the youngest of the village elders, Daya struggles with her emotions. Most of the elders were killed in the attack. Confused, she returns to the hut of the elders to pray and wait. She now knows what needs to happen in order to save them all. With a sick feeling in her heart, and realizes her envy caused her to want
