SPELLBOUND

It was still a little dark when Evie and her six vampire companions broke up camp and erased the marks of them being in the area. Once all traces of them setting up camp were removed, they embarked on their journey once again, moving efficiently and silently.

Once they reached another area, they ended up having to walk because the forest they had just entered was pretty dense. The undergrowth did not allow the vampires to run fast. It was also impossible for them to leap and travel above the tree line because of the thick blanket of poisonous fog covering the top of the forest.

The forest they had entered looked as though as it was always stuck in twilight even though it was still early morning. Evie guessed that the thick fog covering the tops of the trees was the reason that it was this way. The light could not fully penetrate the fog thus, giving it that twilight look constantly.

Zolan had said that they would be able to find the dragons at the end of this forest. And he had said that this forest was mostly quiet. Even the beasts seem to avoid it instinctively.

As they walked further in, Evie could not help but feel nervous. She could only think that it was most probably nervousness because she was certain it was not fear that she was feeling. Even though she could not forget how terrifying that green-eyed dragon which was summoned by the dark fae was, it was not enough to make Evie end up fearing the dragons. She just could not seem to feel that fear and she knew that it was a good thing.

Taking a deep breath, Evie's eyes gleamed bravely as she looked on ahead.

The vampires surrounding her were currently in their utmost alert state. Their minds were all focused on one thing. A fight against the dragons. All of them were ready and prepared to fight the dragons in the event that they ran across one – or more.

They could not help but feel anxious as all of them, except Leon, still very well remembered the ferocious fight they went through against those powerful creatures. If they fight one without the prince, they were certain a few of them will not managed to get pass through it alive. And if there were more dragons… there was a very high chance that all of them might get wiped out. 

It had been on all their thoughts last night as they rested. They had resolved within themselves that whatever happens, they would do everything they could to protect the princess and stay alive. But if all else fails, they had to accept that it could not be helped if one or more of them fell to the dragons. Such matters were always inevitable as long as the princess is kept safe, and she would be able to reach her destination in one piece. 

However, every time they thought of the princess and relive everything that she had done back in Dacria, the men's hope just burned brighter. And their uncertainties disappeared. That was right, even if the prince was not with them right now, the princess was. She would definitely manage to somehow come up with something miraculous to deal with those dragons and they will get past them alive!

Thus, with that hope flaring in their hearts and faith burning in their eyes, the group continued on with the princess moving in the centre of their protective formation.

Evie started to notice something odd about that the path they were walking on. It somehow seemed as though it were something created and not there due to the wear and tear of consistent walking that had made it. It was covered with a lot of things such as, leaves, twigs, and mosses, but Evie could still tell that this path made of ice-bluish flat stones might be quite wide before nature had swallowed it and covered its beauty.

There were also arch like stones along each side of the paths, but they too were covered with moss and most of the arches were destroyed. Evie wondered how beautiful this path would have been if it were to be restored to its former glory again.

As she looked around the quiet and dark forest, she felt that strange feeling coming over her again. But before she could ponder more about it, the earth shook, and the once deafening silence was broken and suddenly gone. Evie was shocked at the sudden change from peace and placid to chaos and confusion.

"Run!" Samuel bellowed out at once and the vampires moved to their places, ready for combat. Evie recognized this, as it was the same as yesterday when that savage orc had appeared. Only this time, it did not come on its own. There were many of them charging over and they are now very close to where Evie and the men!

Evie's heart thudded wildly as she turned to look behind her as she was fleeing. She could see them now, the gigantic orcs who did not seem to be affected by the poisonous fog above them as they leapt and landed right behind them. The others who were running just destroyed the trees blocking their way like they were just twigs.

"F*ck! They're going to reach us very quickly!!!" Samuel yelled and Zolan immediately looked over to Leon.

"Just run Leon! Don't ever stop no matter what happens and bring the princess to the gate of the dragons!!!" he yelled at Leon and the vampire could only nod.

But Evie was starting to feel the fear for her men after hearing what Samuel had shouted out to Leon. No… she could not just leave them behind like this and run for her life… they would not be able to defeat these many savage orcs on their own! It was already such a challenge for them to defeat one yesterday, how would they cope with today's number?!