Writing Wednesday - Anise's Welcoming Present

So far - Anise Sweetgum has been sent from Hazelwood Academy to take over for a missing healer in High Ragnoc. As she arrives at her new home on a cold winter evening, there is a surprise waiting for her - 

Or not.

A Welcoming Present?

Stepping back, so both feet were on the ground, Anise raised a ring of protection around herself. Whatever was in the heap of rags before her front door had not been there when she arrived only a few moments earlier. Neither she, nor Nigel, had heard anything or anyone while they were in the barn, so caution was called for.

Quickly sending up a trio of witchlight balls, Anise waited until they had settled over the mysterious bundle on the front porch. Maybe this porch wasn’t as great as it seemed since something had been hidden in the shadows without her being aware of it. “Stupid, stupid, stupid,” muttering to herself. This wasn’t the heavily protected academy she was used to. “Aware and beware, Anise. This isn’t Hazelwood any more.”

Opening up her senses slightly, Anise probed the bundle from the bottom of the four steps leading up the porch. As she watched, there was a low moan from the rags and a slight stirring. 

Not sensing anything which might mean her harm, she slowly walked up the steps, pulling the knife from her belt. Granted the small dagger was meant for harvesting herbs, but in a pinch it could still deliver a nasty cut.

“Hello,” she called out as she reached the top step. “Can I help you?” After all, she was the new healer for High Rannoc. It wouldn’t be a good look if she killed her first patient. But how would anyone know she was there yet? Anise felt it was much better to be safe than sorry. 

“He’s drained,” whispered a voice from around the corner of the house.

Anise jumped, “Fuck! Who are you?” she called out, making a silent vow to herself to stop taking safety for granted.

A shadow peered around the corner of the house, a hood pulled low over a pale face, the witchlights barely showing the figure in the shadows. 

“We got carried away,” pale hands coming up to lower the hood.

There, stepping into the circle of brightness of one of the witchlights, was a female vampire, her paleness and fangs giving clues to what she was. 

Anise lowered her shields, but still maintained an air of caution. If the person on the porch had been drained, then the vampire had no reason to come after her. What was puzzling was why the vampire had brought her victim to her door anyway. Usually they would just leave their victims where they found them. Of course, vampires normally didn’t get so carried away. Draining victims was a good way to have a hunting party of the victims relatives after them.

The vampire glided to the bottom of the steps. Anise, looking down at her, waited for more information. Marveling at the long, silky black hair and the pale grey eyes, Anise froze. She was allowing herself to fall under the spell vampires used on their prey. 

Snapping her shields back into place, Anise stepped to one side, not wanting whatever was in the bundle to be behind her while she was facing the vampire. This way, she could watch both of them before deciding what action she needed to take. 

“Stop it,” Anise demanded. “If you need my help, then tell me. But I am not to your taste.”