27 Chapter 27: Escape

Now that she had the power of the Ethereal Spirit. It was time for revenge. These disgusting creatures had violated her earlier, and for that, they would have to pay.

Yuliah sat up, inhaled deeply, and concentrated on harnessing the Ethereal Spirit. Her palms glowed a deep violet. A smile stretched widely across her face as excitement speed through her.

Yes! She almost had! Hotter and hotter her body burned.

She smiled one more time. Then released her Ethereal Spirit.

A burst of energy shot from her fingertips straight ahead.

Then fizzled...

What was that? She tried again... and again only ending up with the same results.

Defeated she crawled around the bodies. They laid scattered around her all in a deep sleep.

Most likely exhausted from a day of prancing around in their new bodies thanks to her blood.

She gave them a dirty look before she crawled further away.

It was too dark for her to see more than a few inches in front of her face. Once she escaped the labyrinth of bodies, she made her way towards the wall. She continued at a slow and quiet pace, not wanting to wake the creatures. With their new builds and the Ethereal Spirit not working for Yuliah at all. She wouldn't be able to fight them. She crept on.

A soft breeze swept across the tips of her face. There must be an opening ahead. she cautiously moved forward. The breeze became more constant, as it blew across her face and body entirely.

Ahead of her, the cave walls seemed to disappear, and a large opening appeared. Through the entrance, the sky and trees swayed against the night.

She inhaled ready to make a run for it.

Something suddenly stood in front of the opening. Yuliah quickly crouched and blended into the cave walls. Its eyes burned a dark purpled. Her hopes crumbled. Good Gods! What now?

It had one unusually long arm as it moved inside. The limb formed into a ball that extended further down. Yuliah shivered. She had seen one too many disturbing things lately.

It lifted the long arm into the air and burst into a fiery violet light.

She quickly shut her eyes from the heat.

A muffled scream hurled passed her towards the back of the cave. It landed with a loud bang and then crashed behind her.

When she opened her eyes, that something, which stood in front of the cave, zipped by like a burning ball of fire towards the back of the cave.

It was the perfect timing. Yuliah leaped forward and ran for the entrance.

The cries and pleas of the creatures rang out behind her. They mixed with the sounds of bones crushing and flesh piercing. It propelled her faster ahead.

She burst out of the cave and dove to the side to catch her breath. More cries came from within the cave. Yuliah was just about to make a run for the forest when a loud voice erupted from inside the cave.

"WHERE IS MY WOMAN!" A Man's voice exploded from inside the cave.

He sounded familiar. She inched back towards the mouth of the cave to listen. Her heart racing.

The creatures screamed and fought with the Man inside. Who continued to attack them.

Then he screamed again the same words as before. It was Ryas! She bolted towards the entrance ready to call out to him.

He let out a bellowing cry that even she cowered in fear. It reminded her of Aleric, and she froze.

Then he cursed again. His familiar voice snapped her out of her trance.

"Ryas!" she screamed into the cave.

The screams from inside stopped, and she peered into the cave waiting for any sign of him. Overwhelmed with eagerness Yuliah began to search the cave frantically for him. The image of Ryas taking a kiss from her, their first kiss flashed in her head.

Her eyes were fixed into the darkness as they scanned for him. Finally, he appeared in front of her but was still a distance away. He moved swift and confident bringing himself closer to her.

Maybe it was the blood binding still or the Ethereal Spirit. Whatever it was it sent her sprinting into the cave towards him.

She ran straight ahead faster than she did when leaving the cave and slammed right into Ryas' arms.

Yuliah threw herself around him. She buried her face into his chest. "Ryas," she exhaled. Then breathed in his familiar scent, like freshly washed linens. It reminded her of the bedroll they share and she beamed. How many days had passed since they were separated? She wasn't sure, but even if it were one day she would still miss him this much.

Yuliah brought her face to his until his warm breath hovered above her mouth. With her eyes closed she leaned up and devoured his lips within hers. She felt no shame only a longing for his touch, a touch that sent her body into an intoxicating high. Yuliah made up her mind at that moment. She was going to make Ryas hers. Forever.