THE SERPENT'S HEIR

CHAPTER ONE continiation

Then someone grabbed me from behind.

Strong arms wrapped around my waist. Lifted me off my feet.

I tried to scream but smoke filled my mouth. I tried to fight but I was too weak and too scared.

The arms held me tight and started dragging me backward. Away from the altar. Away from the fire.

I caught glimpses through the smoke. Bodies on the ground. People running and flames everywhere. The stone altar crumbling as fire consumed it.

And the girl who'd been tied there. I couldn't see her anymore. Couldn't tell if she'd escaped or if the fire had taken her.

Whoever was carrying me moved fast. Knew exactly where they were going despite the smoke and chaos.

The person carrying me ran faster. Their breathing was heavy but steady. Like they'd done this before. Like running from burning buildings with children in their arms was normal.

Behind us, the old church was fully engulfed in flames now. Orange light lit up the night sky. Smoke billowed into the darkness.

Sirens wailed in the distance. Getting closer.

But the person carrying me didn't slow down. Didn't turn back. Just kept running into the night.

I should have been terrified, I should have fought harder or screamed louder.

But exhaustion was pulling at me. The smoke inhalation, the shock, the fear, everything crashed over me at once.

My eyes got heavy. Started to close despite my desperate attempt to keep them open.

The last thing I saw was the burning building getting smaller in the distance.

The last thing I heard was the person carrying me saying something in that same terrible language from the ritual.

Then darkness pulled me under completely.

And I didn't wake up for three days.