Scion's Freedom (Siren Publishing Classic) by J. Annas Walker Page A

to consent to take and give of ourselves to the other.”
    This, too, seemed not to bother him. He was contented with the knowledge. “So, what was the lie you told when we first arrived? You looked sick for a moment. This explains it,” he said.
    “When you said there were enough supplies to keep us going for some time, I agreed. That was a lie. I can get by on blood-based products for a few days, but I have to have fresh human blood. You would be the only available donor. It would be unwise to feed from you often enough to sustain myself. I didn’t want to worry you,” Cassy admitted.
    David just looked at her, comprehension dawning. His mouth made a little O . “I see. I didn’t think about that. We need an exit strategy. I guess we should get ready and see what the birds say then, huh?” He supported himself with the wall, pushing up into a standing position. He staggered back a step but caught himself using the wall as balance. “Do you want some help up?”
    She stretched up her hand. The need for help was not there, but the offer of a touch could not be turned down. He smiled at her acceptance. She could hear his heart beat faster. The pressing together of flesh sent a shot of adrenaline into his system. She enjoyed the scent of it on his hot skin.
    Cassy’s waist-length loose hair took an hour to comb and then rework into a braid. Dressing in a simple T-shirt and jeans, she headed for the entrance door. David caught up to her after digging out a coat and a flashlight. The blast of chilly late November night air made him shiver hard. Cassy giggled and stepped out into the cold.
    Not far from the mine shaft entry was a path leading to a well-logged clearing. Cassy stood along the forest edge scouting for problems. Nothing seemed out of place. She moved to the center of the clearing. David followed her but remained just out of reach. His guard was up. Cassy could see being so unprotected made him nervous.
    Closing her eyes, she lifting her arms up outstretched. It looked as if she were offering to hug the night sky. A faint lightened area off to the east was just beginning to change the sky’s hue. Now was the time crows gathered in number to report back to their mistresses.
    She pushed her will out away from herself searching for a messenger. Nearby, a large murder was gathering. She added to the search a request for a bird to meet her in the clearing. Several wild flutters announced their arrival. She dropped her arms and opened her eyes. More flustered feathers found their way to the meeting. The tree tops were filled with cawing, flapping, agitated black birds.
    “How many did you call?” David sounded both awed and worried by the number of respondents. Pairs of black beads trained on them, watching them in the waning darkness.
    “I didn’t specify. I put out a request. The full murder showed up,” she answered.
    “Murder?” He sounded confused. “I don’t have time for a dead body right now.”
    “Not that kind. A group of crows is called a murder. With these guys, it might not be just a name. This many could do us serious harm. Just remain calm and quiet. This shouldn’t take long,” she reassured in a low voice.
    Lifting her crooked arm, she offered it as a perch. One of the largest crows lit on her forearm closest to her wrist. Its claws dug into her flesh, causing her to drip blood onto the ground. David took a step forward, but she held up her other hand to stop him. The bird leaned in until its sharp beak nearly touched the tip of her nose.
    “I wish to request a meeting with the Council of Crones,” Cassy said to the bird.
    For a moment, the bird tilted its head from side to side in an appraising manner. It rose to an upright position, lifted its head to the sky, and cawed to the tree tops. Hundreds of screeching caws answered. The noise was deafening. As suddenly as it started, the noise stopped. The large bird leaned back in, nearly touching her nose again. The menacing, large beak