"Vor!" she shouted with relief.

The raven sailed past her, back towards the path, giving a croak as he flew. She took the hint and turned to follow him out of the underbrush.

"Where do you think you're going?" The wolf snapped at her, his jagged teeth snagging her foot wrapping. He didn't seem to be trying to hurt her, for he easily could have, but instead chose to simply stop her from leaving.

Anya collapsed into the dirt and moss as she felt her legs go out from under her. Her grip on the axe held true, but a sharp sting indicated how her lack of grace had provided injury to her arm.

"What's this?" she heard from her feet. She rolled onto her back to see the wolf inspecting her ankle. Or more specifically, her anklet.

A wet nose prodded at her accessory causing her to pull her legs in towards her body. "It's nothing!" she said, the spike of adrenaline evident in her voice.

The wolf's massive claws gripped her shoe, stretching her leg back out. "You must be a treat for me," he said, voice menacing as he slowly began ascending her prone form.

With dark fur, the beast blended with their surroundings, save for the beam of light that was cast along the wolf's ribs and up into the trees. He paused at her arm, completely disregarding the axe in favor of lapping up the trail of blood that streamed down her bicep.

Anya winced, grinding her teeth to choke back a scream. She held as still as she could while trembling profusely. "Please, let me go," she pleaded.

The wolf paused his ministration on her wound and turned to give her his attention, dragging a trail of saliva and blood in his wake. "My treat is unwilling?" he asked.

"Yes! I'm not willing. And I'm not a treat."

The wolf snorted, hot breath clogging her senses. "Then why are you so delectable?" Then he ran his tongue up her neck to her cheek in one smooth motion.

Anya turned away, inadvertently giving the creature better access as he rooted in her hair with his nose. She wriggled, trying to slip under the beast. In the process, her foot knocked the bottom of the staff, kicking the skull up into reach. She strained to get a purchase on it then closed her eyes tight as she tried to direct the beam of light at the wolf's face.

He snorted, amused at her attempt. "Oh, you are so naive," he said. "I've heard the fair-haired are entertaining."

Just then, Vor appeared out of nowhere. With precision, he swooped down to scratch at the wolf's eyes with long talons that gleamed as they caught the light.

A bark deafened the stunned girl as the creature reared up, a high-pitched whine piercing the air as he pawed at his face.

With his weight removed, Anya rolled over on her good arm and scrambled to her feet.

"I was going to be gentle," the deep voice said as Anya felt sharp teeth snag her ankle again. She hadn't gained enough distance to avoid the wolf's lunge. There was no question that his blind attack had been intended to be more devastating, as his growl intensified after contact.

Falling forward, she managed to stop from eating dirt this time, her arms splayed outward to balance herself. The beam of light flashed through the trees like a spotlight, spinning with her as she twisted her torso around. She grimaced as she felt skin tear where the wolf had a hold on her. Using the momentum, she swung the axe forward and lodged the blade into the wolf's shoulder.

A howl rang through the night. It seemed to echo through Anya's skull, through the trees, and throughout the world. She imagined that the pure sound of anguish would haunt those still dreaming, tucked tightly in their beds, safe from the dangers only she was meant to face.

The air filled with debris as the wolf collapsed under its own immense weight. Anya had released her grip on the axe as the beast fell, managing to steady herself on both feet again.

She stared at the creature. She had never taken a life before, but as a raspy final breath exited the wolf, she felt something deep inside her shift. Her stomach flipped, causing bile to rise up and out of her. After rinsing her mouth with her waterskin, she bowed to the lifeless corpse, "I'm sorry," she said, before finally taking off to find Vor.

She didn't have to look far. The raven was watching her, the vibrant flower still in his beak. She wished she could hug him. "Thank you," she said, voice cracking.

He hopped up and into the air, dropping their prize before coming to rest on her shoulder. She barely caught it. Adrenaline fading, she began to hurt all over. She needed to get back to the witch's hut before she couldn't.

"That was too close," Vor said. He nuzzled her cheek for the briefest of moments before setting his sights forward. "Let's get out of here."

Anya had a million and one things she wanted to say as she made her way back to the path. She tried to peek at the bird, but his close proximity made it difficult. "Is your beak okay?" she finally asked.

"Don't worry about me. We need to get your injuries tended to."

Anya nodded. She wanted to be strong enough to protest that need, but her arm and ankle were both bleeding, the latter causing her to limp.

Not bothering to douse the light, Anya used it to highlight her path marker.

"Wait." Vor hopped off her shoulder and onto a low branch so he could face the blond. "Your ankle needs attention but you mustn't let Cilisy see your charm. If she does, she will take it from you."

"I don't understand." Regardless, she stooped down and began untying the string. "Why would she care about this?" Anya asked, holding up the small stone to her companion.

Vor bobbed his head. "That is what's called a hag stone. It is a powerful piece of natural magic that I'm hoping you won't need. That being said, keep it handy, but out of sight."

Anya was too tired to push further. She looked over her sullied clothes, determining that she couldn't very well hide it on her person. Shaking out her braid, she reworked her tangled mess of hair into a secure bun before wrapping the necklace cord around her hair tie and tucking the stone into the rat's nest.

"Good enough?" she asked.

"Yes, that will have to do."

They continued the last leg of the journey back to the hut in silence. "Raven's call, Cilisy," Anya greeted as she entered. "We got the Luna Lily." She set the skull staff down and took off the caplet.

"What have you done, child?" the old woman asked with a sluggish voice. She had been dozing, presumably. As she lifted herself out of the heavily cushioned seat she sniffed the air, her long nose exaggerating the gesture. "Tell me what you've done this time," the witch demanded, a sternness entering her voice. "Tell me you didn't do something stupid."

Anya scoffed. "Everything I've done has been to get you these stupid, deadly ingredients," she said. She produced the flower, laying it next to the skull-topped staff. "I nearly died. The wolf attacked me and I had to defend myself. If Vor hadn't come to my aid, I would be dead." She paused, still coming to terms with her latest near-death experience. "I- I killed it."

Cilisy froze. "You killed it?" A bony hand reached out to steady herself. "What have you done to my baby?" she asked, her voice soft and low.

Heart clenching, Anya shook her head. "I- I..." She couldn't formulate a response.

"Why can't you do anything right?!" the witch bellowed. Her white hair flared around her as if she were a wild animal, puffed up in a show of dominance.

Anya took a step back, wincing as the pain in her ankle persisted. "He was going to kill me!" she said in her defense. "I didn't know that was your son. He's a wolf for God's sake!"

"That wasn't his body you dumb girl. First, you release his consciousness, now his body. You really are more trouble than you're worth."

Anya shrank into herself. She shook her head in disbelief as she tried to make sense of what was happening.

Meanwhile, Cilisy had gotten her hands on her staff. She tapped the top, sending a beam of light through the small space. Aiming with precision, she ran it over Anya's figure. In the bright light, she could see more clearly the layers of blood and dirt that coated her body.

"But as troublesome as you've been, I think we can still fix things. You see, a wolf was probably not the best form to hold my dear boy. I wanted to give him some semblance of independence, but he squandered that privilege. He should have been kept in a more manageable body."

Slowly, the beam passed onto Vor where he sat perched on the high-back of a wooden chair, his jet black feathers soaking up the light. "You've served your purpose, haven't you? Yes," she continued, not waiting for an answer, "You've gotten what you asked for."

"No," he said quickly, "Not yet."

But the witch ignored him as she took a firm hold of his neck with her free hand.

"What are you doing?" Anya called out in a panic. "Stop! Please, let him go," she begged. Why was she always at someone else's mercy?

"Anya dearie, I told you; everyone here does their part and in return I give them what they want. Did you even think to ask Vor what he asked for?" The witch faced the skull at Anya.

The light was blinding, but she refused to look away. "No, I guess I didn't," she said.

"Well, it's too late now. He won't be doing any talking after this."

Cilisy lowered her staff so she could wrap both hands around the bird. She pulled him towards her, bringing his head up to her mouth.

"Stop! Please stop!"

But her pleas fell on deaf ears.

"This bird will make a much better vessel for my sweet, sweet boy," the witch said. She began sucking in with great force. Vor's feet flailed, talons tearing at the oversized shawl the old woman wore.

Without thinking, Anya picked up the discarded staff and swung it at the witch's back. Her bony grip faltered and Vor took the opportunity to fly out of her reach.

"I said STOP!" the young girl roared. "I have done everything you've asked of me and I'm not about to let you punish Vor for my mistake."

"What about your sister? Are you really going to choose a bird over your kin?" Cilisy asked.

Anya was speechless. Was she? Was she willing to give up the chance to save her sister? Was that all it was- a chance? "I'll find another way," she finally said, her contemplation not over.

"Give me my peepers, girl," the witch demanded. She had recovered her balance and was slowly making her way towards the blond.

Anya looked to the skull, then back to the witch. "Are you going to let Vor go?" she asked, presenting her ultimatum.

A wicked smile lifted the wrinkled lips of the old woman. "Let him go? Only you can do that. Have you got it in you, I wonder? Now that you've already killed once, that is..."

"What're you talking about?" Anya asked. She looked at Vor to elaborate, not trusting whatever the old crone might say next.

"Do it," Vor said. "She's going to trap me here otherwise."

"What?" Anya was flabbergasted at the request. Surely she misunderstood.

Vor bobbed his head. "Kill me before she can do worse. Then run. Remember what I told you before." He lowered his head before continuing, "I will always follow you, Anyanka."

Anya's breath hitched. "Kot?" she asked.

Cilisy reached for her staff, her long bony fingers clawing at Anya's grip on it. The young girl, distracted and tormented with decision, ripped the morbid thing free, stumbling back and away from the persistent witch.

"Do it now!" the bird screeched.

At his command, she swung with everything she had. 

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