Knight Read Free Page A

the rough pavement
    “Next time, I won't miss! So do as you are told!”
    Valeriana turned back, eyes wide. How could she throw a dagger that far when she was already busy fighting off a demon?
    The stranger brought her sword down speedily, letting it slice through the air. The demon showed resistance at first and managed to fully evade her first attempt, but she was able to land a strike the second time she struck. The beast backed away, terribly wounded.
    She swung towards it again, her speed matching that of a lightning racing through the skies. Her weapon cut the beast in half in its wake, causing it to completely erupt into flames. Valeriana struggled to breathe as the creature released a tormented roar before slowly vanishing, golden embers carried away by the wind.
    As it burned and was reduced to nothingness, the lady pointed the tip of her blade straight to Valeriana's neck, flashing a look of intimidation with her sharp, cautious eyes which immobilized her completely. As soon as the beast was gone, the tension and feeling of boding evil in the atmosphere dissipated.
    “Who are you? I do not recognize you as a colleague.” Her breathing was labored and beads of sweat dotted her forehead.
    Valeriana gazed at the sharp tip of the sword, down to the graceful curve of its blade. The well-polished metal sharply reflected the light. It was definitely a real sword. There was no denying it. She then moved her gaze to the hilt. The lady's hold on it was firm, her fingers wound around her weapon with confidence.
    The girl faced the stranger with narrowed eyes. “Oh, I am not a colleague of yours alright. I don't know what freaky business this is but I don't want to be a part of it.” She noticed the gleam of the blade as it reflected off the light of the sun.
    “You haven't answered my question.”
    “Look. I just ended up here by accident.” She hissed as she cradled her left arm. “Gosh, this isn't really my day.”
    What exactly would her mother do if she went home like this?
    “You are . . . a human?”
    “At least I'm not the monster from a while ago.” She replied mockingly, wondering why she was asking her these questions.
    “Impossible.” The lady paused, gently putting her weapon away. “A human cannot hear and see demons. Who are you?”
    “A proud citizen of Earth, obviously.” She said, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. “That thing that tried to kill me. What was it?”
    Only then realized how tired she was. The rush of adrenalin from a while ago was fading.
    The stranger continued to murmur to herself while she waited. Heck, she was clamoring to leave. She didn't want to stick around and see her life being cut down next.
    “Look. Can I go now? I still have to get myself treated.”
    She walked towards Valeriana in a manner as though she was approaching a wild animal. ”Are you alright?”
    The girl relaxed at this gesture, but still put up her guard. “First, you point that sword at me, and now you ask me if I'm alright? No, I'm obviously not alright.”
    “Let me see your wounds.” She said. “I can guarantee you I will not hurt you.”
    It wasn’t as though she had a choice.
    The woman pulled off her gloves and tenderly touched the lines that broke the skin of the girl. Valeriana flinched as she felt a small sting erupt as the lady's fingers came in contact with her wounds.
    “It's nothing major. Mild injury. It should heal in a few days. Did it bite you?”
    She met her eyes. “My foot.”
    The lady hastily searched one of her pockets and opened a vial of a green liquid.
    “Drink this.”
    “What?”
    “Drink it.” She opened the thing and practically shoved it down the girl's throat.
    Valeriana almost choked as she swallowed the unknown liquid, practically gagging as the taste exploded in her mouth. “That tastes awful. Are you trying to kill me?”
    “It's to neutralize the poison inside your body. I'm actually saving your life.” She answered and lowered herself on the