Chapter 7: Four

My sisters and I had been walking downtown for a while now, after an incident with the children of the blessed, Feyre finally sold the wolf hide to a nice but creepy mercenary who warned us that the fae are planning on invading the mortal lands.

Honestly, I don't know what the fae are planning to do. I haven't checked in a while. I should probably check in with Flynn. It's his job to know everything about the inner workings of Prythian. He's also one of my only two friends aside from my sisters.

I met Flynn after I had finished my beginners training with the flame and was granted permission to keep training outside of the academy- St. Everen's. Flynn quickly became friends with me and Astrid and the three of us have been a force to be reckoned with. Astrid and I went through training together, she was the only one who accepted me at the academy and we bonded on our mutual loathing for our Mothers. We've been attached at the hip ever since.

We all made our way back home after Nesta and Elain spent every copper Feyre and I had made. Every. Single. One.

That night we all had venison for dinner and ate in silence until it became too overbaring and we all dispersed.

Father was now dosing in his chair while Nesta and Elain silently laughed about who knows what. But I didn't feel like laughing right now, and by the looks of it neither did Feyre. I sat there sifting through my thoughts for what seemed like hours until a thunderous roar broke me out of my wallowing despair.

That roar was no animal in this continent nor was it a man. Therefore the only viable answer was that it was a faerie. Thankfully I had been trained against these very situations.

I stood up fast as lightning as I let the instincts that had been drilled into my mind take over. I was no longer sweet little Danika Archeron. No, I was the White Death as villagers called me.

I walked over towards Feyre and shoved her down on the ground along with Nesta and Elain. I couldn't wake Father without it causing a ruckus so I stood in front of him.

I turned back towards my sisters one last time, they looked at me like I was insane. Even Feyre. "Listen to me very carefully," I spoke silently yet commanding, the voice of the vengeful assassin, "You will not say a word. You will not make a sound. You will not so much as look at it the wrong way. You let me do the talking, and don't make yourself noticeable. Do you understand me?" They all nodded sheepishly in slight bewilderment of me.

I turned around to face the door and started playing the role of the snarky assassin.

The door was broken down and there were now deep claw marks that littered across it. The beast was as large as a horse, and its golden fur danced with the light of the fire. Curled horns protruded from its head, they were distinctly elk-like. Night black claws rested on its paws, now those were definitely lethal.

There was no record of this species existing. This was a shapeshifter. and a powerful one at that. I'd have to pester it for questions about its sharp claws later. Maybe I'll take them for myself.

"MURDERERS!" It yelled, based on its beastly voice it was male. My sisters screamed in terror, but I didn't dare turn my back on it. That was the first lesson we learned at St. Everen's, never turn your back on an opponent, and believe me, if we did we were punished.

"Hello, can we help you?" I spoke innocently as I tilted my head at the beast.

"MURDERERS!" It yelled again.

"Is that the only word in your vocabulary, faerie?" I questioned.

My father blubbered from behind me, "P-Please, whatever we have done, we have done so unknowingly, and-"

"W-w-w-we didn't kill anyone." Nesta stuttered. I have never heard Nesta stutter.

I shifted my head so my father and sister could see my profile but didn't take my eyes off the creature, "Quiet," I spoke, "The grown-ups are talking."

I swerved my head back to the beast calmly, "Is there something you need? Or an accusation you'd like to make?" The creature bellowed in response still not talking. I sighed, "It seems you're mumbling. I can't seem to hear you, would you mind repeating that?"

The creature growled as it took another step into the cottage, I didn't take a step back. I would never yield to a faerie.

The creature yelled again, "WHO KILLED HIM?"

"Killed who? You'll need to elaborate a bit further."

Its eyes burned holes into my own, "The wolf," My face paled, the wolf must have been another shapeshifter. And Feyre had killed it. I regained my posture and reinforced my mask.

I scoffed as I crossed my arms, "What wolf?"

The creature was still looking at me, thankfully it hadn't paid any mind to my sisters yet. "A  large wolf with a great coat," And just like that my suspicions were confirmed.

I looked at the creature again, thankfully I had mastered the art of looking down to people who were taller than me years ago, "And if this wolf happened to be mistakingly killed, what then? What would be the consequence?" If it came down to it. I would let it kill me instead of Feyre. And If my sister even tried to stop me she wouldn't just have the beast to deal with.

"The payment you must offer is the one demanded by the treaty between our realms." The beast replied. I hadn't specifically gone through the treaty, that would be another question for Flynn if i survived. Until then I have to assume he's telling the truth.

"All for a wolf?" I deflected until I could sort out truth and lie.

I knew I had chosen the wrong choice in words when the beast whirled to me again, "Who killed the wolf?"

"I did." Feyre and I spoke simultaneously as she stood. What does she think she's doing?!

I turned to Feyre, I didn't entirely have to fake the sorrowful expression, "You don't have to cover for me, Feyre, please. I can't let anyone else get hurt for me."

Feyre whirled to the beast, "It really was me. Please just don't hurt my family."

"Stop this, at once, Feyre! At least allow me to take my own punishment."

"Enough!" The beast commanded.

I took a step forward, "What is the punishment the treaty requires?"

The beast raised its chin snout thing, "A life for a life. Any unprovoked attacks on faerie-kind by humans are to be paid only by a human life in exchange."

I inhaled deeply, "Very well then. So long as you promise you will not harm my family. I will not fight you on this."

Feyre turned to me, "Stop. Please let me do this."

I offered her a soft smile, "This is my debt to pay, Feyre. You must let me fix this." I turned back to the beast my cold demeanor returning, "Do it outside. Not here."

The faerie huffed a laugh, "Willing to accept your fate so easily?" It paused, "For having the nerve to request where I slaughter you, I'll let you in on a secret, human: Prythian must claim your life in some way, for the life you took from it. So, as a representative of the immortal realm, I can either gut you like swine, or you can cross the wall and live out your days in Prythian."

I had no idea that was a thing, "Pardon?"

The beast spoke slowly as If I were stupid, "You can either die tonight or offer your life to Prythian by living in it forever, forsaking the human realm."

"Do it, Danika," My father muttered, "Go."

I didn't turn to look at him as I questioned further, "Live where? Prythian is lethal to humans."

'          The faerie spoke quietly, "I have lands, I will grant you permission to live there." Now that was suspicious.

I studies the beast for a moment as I considered. I would hate living in Prythian, but it was either this or being slaughtered like a pig.

"Very well." I spoke strongly, "When do we leave?"

The beast opened its mouth but was cut off, "Wait," Feyre stopped, "I could have killed the wolf. Danika could have killed the wolf. You'd never know which. It would be unfortunate if you took the wrong person to Prythian." Oh gods I knew where she was going with this, "But if you take us both, we will tell you who really killed your wolf. We will swear it even. Just bring the both of us."

The beast looked full of rage but there was also a hint of consideration, the silence loomed in the air before the beast seethed, "Fine."

I inhaled sharply. What has Feyre done?

The beast turned around and spoke over its shoulder, "We leave now."

Once the beast was gone I turned towards my family, their facing filled with despair and fear.

Feyre spoke first as she began gathering her clothes and I followed in suit, "The  venison should hold you for two weeks, start on the fresh meat then work your way through the jerky- you know how to make it."

"Girls-" Our father spoke, both of us turned toward him but I cut him off.

"The leftover money is in the dresser. Under the first floorboard in the closet is a bodysuit suit. If you sell it, It should be able to sustain you for a few months. If you truly run out of options ask around town for Flynn Garrison or Astrid Mitchels, tell them you are my family. They will help you."

Feyre continued, "When spring comes, hunt in the grove just south of the big bend in silverspring creek- the rabbits make their warren there. Ask- ask Isaac Hale to teach you how to make snares. I taught him last year."

There was a low growl from outside telling us to hurry.

I turned to Nesta, "Please. Whatever you do, don't marry Tomas Mandray. His father beats his wife, and none of his sons do anything to stop it. Bruises are harder to conceal than poverty. The apple doesn't fall far."

Feyre and I began making our way to the door but a hand grasped our forearms.

"Girls," My fathers eyes lined with tears, "You were both too good for here. Too good for us, too good for everyone." I inhaled sharply, "If either of you ever escapes, convince them you've paid the debt, don't return." Well, then. Definitely wasn't expecting that.

He continued, "Don't ever come back, you go somewhere new- and you make a name for yourself." We both dipped our heads. I looked back once more to my family before stalking out the door.

The beast was a bit further away. Feyre and I began walking the paths in the snow, "We're in deep shit, Feyre."

"Deep unending shit, Dani," Feyre repeated and we neared the villain of our stories and began our trek to Prythian.

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Hi! So I know that all happened really fast! I just kinda what to get to Prythian cause that's where the fun will begin😏