Theia's head gradually fell onto the white duvet of the bed, her eyelids slowly drooped. A deep blush spread from one ear to the other, as rich and earthy as a freshly pulled beet.
Her breathing was quick and shallow. Theia tightly hugged Luna, already asleep on her stomach, her body slack with drunken fatigue. Luna's drool seeped into Theia's white dress, she chuckled to herself, "I knew you loved me sister, Niv"
With a warm, gentle smile she stood up while holding Luna in her arms like a princess. She pushed the duvet aside and laid her down gently. With a soft kiss on her forehead, she pulled the covers over her.
While Theia kissed Luna, the smell of alcohol seeped into her senses, like an overwhelming flood. She furrowed her eyebrows while covering her nose.
"Alcohol?" Theia muttered to herself as she let her hand fall down.
She watched Luna with a curious, worried stare. Glaring right at her mouth, as sweat poured down Luna's face.
"Why?"
She knelt beside her and wiped the sweat with her hand. "It's not good for you," Theia whispered in a cracked, worried voice.
"Because of Mytri? I don't know… why would you drink it? I'll ask later. Oh, right, the hangover. I'll get you some peppermint tea—I think Mytri has some…" Theia rambled under her breath, she walked toward the door, speaking softly, "Please wait for me, I'll be back soon,"
"Alright?" Theia cheerfully stated as her eyes peeked at Luna, but Luna was in a deep sleep. Theia felt sad as she pouted and went to prepare a peppermint tea.
***
Far away from Luna's and Theia's house, inside a thick, overgrown forest where no birds or animals lived, there was only silence. Eyril and Marki rested, but by the cart they used to transport the beast, only Eyril remained, guarding it alone.
"At the very least he can bring food for it," Eyril muttered under his breath while scanning the surroundings for Marki.
A shuffle in the bushes to his right reached his ears, he turned right there, saying, "Finally, took you long enough!"
from the darkness, small, warm, unassuming voice of Marki, "Sorry, sorry. It took longer than expected to get to the city and back unnoticed with the food. Thehe~!"
"Get this over with already, I need to begin our search."
"Yes… yes, as you desire, my friend!"
Marki stepped out of the shadows. Something heavy dragged behind him, like trash being pulled from a ditch. He wiped the blood from his face with the back of his hand.
"I shall bring him the food! As you said!!" Marki was slowly pulling a lifeless body of an elven woman, her stature was petite, black hair and long, pointy ears.
"She was struggling a bit… But oh well, she eventually gave up, and I brought her here, " Marki said as he wiped the blood stains across his face.
His white shirt clung to him, soaked through. Blood ran down his sleeves. Black trousers, red-streaked.
"Get this over with and throw her in, let it feast and watch over it. You understand?" Eyril said, while gazing with hatred over Marki, deep-seated in his soul.
"Yes, I got it! I, the bright Marki, will bring the beast its food!" Marki hit his chest twice, with a proud smile across his face, "I shall be the worker that feeds the beast! haha!"
"Fool." Eyril's teeth ground together. Shadows swallowed him as he melted into the forest, leaving Marki to his grim task.
Marki on the other hand, jumped into the cart with the woman, and threw her right into the pitch-black cage. Her body lay there, half covered by the darkness, and just a moment after it was pulled fully in, and a cracking of bones reached Marki's ears.
A huge grin stretched across his face, forcing his eyes into tight crescents as pure pride radiated from him.
***
Far away from the beast, back inside Mytri's home, Theia's fingers brushed the teapot, warm and smooth beneath her touch. Steam curled up, carrying the sharp, sweet scent of peppermint. She rolled the leaves between her palms, inhaling deeply, letting the fragrance chase away her worry.
Boiling water poured over them, and the green leaves shivered and unfurled. Honey dripped in, dissolving slowly. Theia lifted the cup, steam curling over her fingers, and carried it to Luna's bedside.
She paused, watching Luna sleep, a soft, hidden smile touching her lips. "This will help," she whispered, setting the warm cup down, letting the scent of mint fill the quiet room.
Theia's gaze lingered on Luna's body, waiting for her to wake up. But she did not. Theia shook her by her shoulders, but Luna only groaned and turned onto her right side.
She revealed a sweat stain, where her back lay.
Theia sighed, her eyebrows lifted up in worry, her face filled with sadness. She smacked her cheeks and picked up the nearby towel. She swallowed her saliva and knelt by the bed.
Theia pulled up her shirt, and her blood ran cold. A black spots stretched between her shoulder blades, running along her spine.
She placed her fingers at the top of her spine and slowly slid them down past the black spots.
When her fingers brushed against them, it felt as if she had touched the short, rough fur of a dog.
Her mind raced. Her eyes darted from one spot to another. "L-Luna wouldn't lie to me… she wouldn't… She said her body was weak, right… Yes! I've never seen her back before… That's just… maybe the way she was born!" Theia scrambled for an explanation while slowly wiping the sweat off her own back.
"Right… these are just birthmarks… nothing serious."
Gently, she scrubbed and wiped up and down.
After a few moments, she pulled her shirt down and carefully placed Luna back on her shoulders.
She sank back onto the nearby stool and, without a word, watched Luna.
"I know you would never lie to me… you are my sister… you said it yourself. Then there's nothing more to say, I trust you."