Lucius POV
The moon hung high in the sky, its cold silver light casting eerie shadows across the forest. I stood beneath the ancient oak, waiting, watching—fuming. Where was she?
It had been hours. Midnight now. The witch was supposed to show up. The little promise she made to bring me my blood, every last drop of it, and yet, there was nothing. Silence. The scent of her fear should have been in the air by now, but there was only the crisp, lonely night surrounding me. No respect. No fear.
Midnight. The forest lay in silence, and yet my fury screamed louder than any night creature. The witch hadn't come. I had waited the entire day beneath the cursed oak, giving her the courtesy of time, expecting her to crawl to me with what was mine. My blood.
I let out a growl, the sound low and menacing, vibrating in the air around me. She had no idea what she was dealing with. None at all.
