Ok this is a time jump of sorts so its been three or four years now and things start connecting. Things will get better so no worries …. Kind of. And I have no clue how money worked back than so im gonna say pieces like two silver or copper pieces.

Chapter 2

Sighing Nika watched her breath leave her in puffs of air it was winter again.

She hated winter.

It still held the dark memories of her brothers' abandonment she hadn't heard from them since not that she wanted to but she still had lingering thoughts of them. The past few years had been hard on her but she steeled herself to the world around her and learned to survive traveling for three years now never staying in one place for too long the villagers were always so suspicious it was just better to leave.

She had been walking along the road for hours now the last town she passed through had told her that the closest place to buy supplies was Augsburg. She was still in Germany she didn't want to go home or to the place her papa was from in fear that her brothers would be there though she still remembered what her mama had taught her becoming very much independent now.

Spotting the sign that said Augsburg she nodded it looked like she was close passing the sign she froze a chill ran up her spine. Looking around trees she couldn't help but feel a growl in the back of her throat something dark was in the area, something very dark. Swallowing the growl she pressed on the sooner she got to the town the sooner she could leave.

Following the road she focused on the sounds of the forest around her she couldn't let her guard down not for a second. The familiar sounds of horses trotting and merchants swindling customers made her sigh in relief soon the town itself came into view the tall buildings and the crowds of people she pushed back her fur lined hood a bit . she found that the people were less frightened of her if she let them see her face not that a girl was really all that scary but the presence of a wolf usually made others shiver in fear with out really knowing why.

Walking to the closest vendor she saw he was selling fresh baked bread taking a deep breath she couldn't help but smile it had been a long time since she had fresh bread her daily meals consisted of what ever dried meat she had or kills she made as a wolf.

" how much?"

"more than you can afford" sneered the merchant

"really? Than how can anyone buy from you since your price is so high?" she knew it would do no good to smart mouth the man but she was used to being snubbed.

"two copper pieces "muttered the man

Nodding she dug into her small coin bag taking out the pieces she tossed them on to the table taking the loaf of bread she took off her bag slipping the loaf in. she froze something was in the air , a sweet scent she wanted to chase after it , find its source, but a rather large man stopped her his face turned to one of suspicion.

"who are you?"

"just a traveler" she kept her tone calm not wanting to cause a scene because of this idiot.

"really"

"yes I just walked in to town not even five minutes ago "

"thief"

"what ?"

"I know a thief when I see one and just lookin at ya I can see it in your eyes"

"if I were a thief I wouldn't have bought something from that merchant " slipping her bag back on she watched the man carefully not taking a chance.

"oh did you know?"

"yes you can go ask him if you want"

"I will"

"have fun than"

Leaving the man to his suspicions she continued her walk through the town trying to find the sweet scent she passed the center of town she paused backing up she looked at the missing posters. Children. Children were missing that could only mean one thing.

Witches.

She hated witches in the past she had a run in with a particularly nasty fox witch one night the encounter didn't end well. For the witch that is though Nika knew it had been almost pure luck she had gotten away, her mama had been right about the witches influence it was suffocating, had the moon not been full she would not have had the strength to fight the old wench.

"sad isn't it"

"hmm?"

Looking over her shoulder she found a lean boy with mousy brown hair a satchel on his side he was only a little older than her maybe.

"that all those kids have gone missing " he spoke

"very though I have not seen this many missing in one place , two or three in a year maybe but not this many in months of each other"

"yes the witches have gotten very out going as of late" the man rubbed the back of his neck not so inconspicuously looking her over.

"yes?"

"what?" he was startled by her

"you keep looking at me as if you want to ask something so what is it?"

"oh I uh just…" he looked around before leaning in as if to tell her a secret.

"are you a witch hunter?" the man's eyes were lit up like candles she felt bad for disappointing him.

"no "

He seemed to deflate completely at her answer.

"oh…"

"but I guess your town could use one judging by these posters"

"yes we do… I'm ben by the way" ben offered her his hand eyeing him she didn't take it simply nodding

"Nika"

"Nika?"

"yes"

"that's not a common name"

"nope well ben if you'll excuse me I have to go "

"hey wait Nika where are you headed?"

"away"

"but didn't you just get here? If it's the witches than you have nothing to worry about they tend to come at night and by then the windows are all boarded up"

"the witches are part of it but really ben I don't stay in one place too long "

"why not? It's not that bad here"

"I'm just a wanderer that's all" she didn't care if he followed her she would be leaving soon and he would stay in the town.

"have you ever seen a witch hunter?"

Bens sudden change in subject made her feel like she had whiplash.

"what?"

"Witch hunters have you seen any I have been keeping track of some of the more famous ones like Hansel and Gretel they have some of the biggest kills" ben gushed pulling out a book . Nika couldn't help but stare at him.

what was wrong with this guy? she might not like witches but they were still creatures of darkness like her if there were witch hunters then there might be wolf hunters out there.

"sorry no I haven't "

"that's ok not many have but with the way things are going I don't doubt some one will come to help us right?"

"I would hope so"

"so where are you headed now?" ben asked obviously curious

"I don't know I'll probably figure it out later "

"would you mind having a fellow wanderer?"

She stopped walking looking at ben she shook her head she might have incredible hearing but even she wondered if she heard that right.

"excuse me?"

"you know some one to help carry stuff or fight off attackers " ben puffed up his chest

At that moment she was fighting the strong urge to laugh this poor fool he was talking to one of the most dangerous things around yet he wanted to protect her. It was beyond laughable but she took a deep breath she couldn't offend him he was just trying to get out of a witch filled town.

"sorry ben but I have done just fine so far I think I'm good alone"

"oh ok well just asking haha… yeah" he laughed nervously.

"look ben just stay here it might have witches but your better off not leaving besides as long as you don't go in to the woods you should be fine"

"what? why?"

"the woods is where witches live if you don't go poking around than your less likely to get killed or taken"

"oh thanks for the advice I guess"

"look ben don't worry you'll be fine "

"yeah…"

"bye ben "

Leaving the boy in the middle of the street she caught that scent again it was heavenly she wanted to follow but something tugged her to the forest. Looking to the town she sighed that scent would have to wait making her way out of the town she waited till she was well out of sight in the forest before running full speed the tugging was incessant like a headache but worse it could only mean one thing.

A witch needed help.

It was something she couldn't fight , she had to help whoever was needing her even if it was a dark witch and judging by the shiver she felt earlier it probably was. Dodging trees she tried to enjoy the wind on her face making her cloak ruffle in the wind she created jumping over logs , she followed the tug till she heard the pained gasps of the witch. Skidding to a halt Nika scented the air it was a sickly sweet smell like honey and fresh sugar cakes stalking forward she made sure her steps were silent , her ears alert, her eyes darting every where till they landed on a pale, strawberry blonde haired girl , she was leaning against a rock her dress was ripped on the left side, a basket lay on the ground not far from her the herbs and roots strewn across the forest floor.

Rising her eyes to the witch she kept her face blank even as a look of fear was on the witches face.

"what happened?"

"w-what?"

"what happened? You're obviously in pain so what happened?" Nika didn't want to waste time the sooner she helped this witch the sooner she could leave.

"I-I was trying to climb this boulder but my dress tripped me I fell the rest of the way " answered the witch.

"I'll help you back to your lair "

"what?!"

"your "home"

Nika corrected herself before picking up the basket grabbing what she could she stuffed it into the basket walking back to the witch she handed it to her.

"it is a few miles that way " the witch answered meekly this was no dark witch that's for sure.

"can you walk?"

"no I could barely stand that's why I'm on this rock"

Rubbing her forehead huffing she scooped up the witch bridal style earning a squeak from the witch.

"I'll carry you "

Nika carried the obviously uncomfortable witch in the direction she had pointed walking at as fast a pace she could with out causing the witch pain. She might not like witches but she didn't want them to be in more pain than was necessary.

"um.. thank you" the witch spoke uncertainly

"don't mention it"

"but really i-"

"no really don't mention it I don't like being told what to do any more than the next one of my kind" muttered Nika

"wait your-"

"hush I'm trying to make sure the area is empty of any threats" hissed Nika

Her senses were on high alert the only sound for almost a mile was her own feet and the sound of the witches nervous fidgeting. So far they were safe but knowing her luck it wouldn't last long.

"I'm-m sorry but I didn't know of any creatures in the area"

"I was just passing by until I felt you but judging by your reaction you aren't the dark one"

"no I'm a white witch … I'm mina by the way"

Nika remained silent she wouldn't talk if she didn't have too.

"what's your name?"

Damn witch.

"Nika "

"that isn't a name I have heard of before where are you from?"

She really hated this witch.

"from the icy lands of the north east , Siberia "

"what are you doing here?"

"I just wander that's all"

"but-"

"Could you stop asking questions, I can't say no, and I hate not having my own will!" Nika couldn't hold back the growl that came from her chest she couldn't stand it even if this was a white witch she couldn't take the loss of power. she was her own person till a witch was in the area.

"sorry I-I haven't met many creatures like you and I am curious that's all " mina apologized.

"its fine .. just don't order me about alright or I swear I will drop you right now got it?"

"yes.."

Mina glanced at Nika before looking away , Nika really wanted to drop the witch and leave but she couldn't.

"what white witch?"

"I just wanted to ask and you don't have to answer if you don't want to but I wanted to know if… if you would stay?"

Nika stopped dead . This was not happening.

"why do you ask?"

"I just … it gets lonely and the villagers aren't exactly kind"

"and you think they are to me? They were accusing me of theft the moment I entered the town "

" don't you ever feel lonely?"

"I have felt lonely for many years and do you know what I did?"

"what?"

" I got used to it"

"that doesn't sound good"

"I never said it was but when your left on your own you can either be scared or move forward I had to move forward"

"but you're so young"

"so?"

"shouldn't you be with your family?"

" I have no family" Nika growled lowly

"neither do I "

Nika continued in silence she didn't want this. she didn't want to get sympathy or form a connection she just wanted to get supplies. but nooo instead she was accused of theft, annoyed by a daydreaming witch hunters follower, and to top it off she was helping a witch.

Yes this day was only getting better.

"Nika ?"

"hmm?"

"would you stay?"

Mina trembled in the wolfs arms when she felt the growl rattling in Nika's chest.

"just for a few days that's all please?"

Swallowing her anger Nika looked to the sky it was almost evening the merchants would be closed and she didn't trust the people enough to try and get a room at an inn.

"please"

"fine "

"really? "

"yes now hush as soon as I get you home I'm going hunting"

"but its too dark for hunting"

"you obviously don't know much about my kind"

"what will you do after that?"

"I don't know probably set up camp some where"

"why not stay with me?"

"uh no thanks I prefer the forest to any cage"

"my home may be small but its not that bad"

"it isn't your home I just don't like being boxed in "

"alright if you insist"

" I do , now shhh white witch "

Finally reaching the white witches cottage she walked up the steps careful not to drop the witch she opened the door carrying her in finding the bed she set her down taking the basket she set it on the floor not bothering to check if the herbs were still there.

" thank you Nika"

"sure, look I'll be back in the morning till then good night white witch"

She left with out giving the white witch a chance to speak it would be better this way besides she was starving and there was bound to be a few animals still out.

Looking back at the cottage she shook her head.

"what have I gotten myself into? "