The wound on her arm burned, and for this reason, Irina was aware that she was not dead.
Or in the forest anymore. It was far too warm.
Delirious, she forced open her eyes and stared up at the stone ceiling above her, lit by flickering candles. Where was she? And where was the tall woman with the long fingernails? As Irina attempted to sit up, the face of a man came into view, close enough that she could smell the heavy scent of smoke on his breath.
She shrieked in fear and put some distance between him and herself, making him grin. Leaning forward, he sniffed the air, yellow eyes gleaming in hunger.
"Something about you," he said as he shook a finger. "Smells good enough to eat."
Irina widened her eyes. Was he serious?
"Ooh! Kiss! Kiss," A taunting voice suddenly yelled.
The man peered over his shoulder and growled, sounding more like a ravenous beast than a man.
"Shut your damn hole," he hissed.
Irina heard the other voice argue with him, calling him a prude, then a woman chided them.
"Leave her be, my son. Have a seat," she ordered.
The unkempt man grunted but did as she asked, dropping down on a church bench. Once he moved from her view, Irina noticed there were a few others with him; the tall woman was amongst them, and a woman with dark wings she knew only in prayer.
"Mother Miranda," she uttered.
Never had she seen her in person before. It made her heart pound, knowing she was in the presence of the deity who protected her small village.
The others, though were unfamiliar to her.
A person in a dark shroud sat in the shadows, a broken doll on their lap, and a strange hunched back creature shuffled in the background, closer and closer to Mother Miranda.
"Let us continue," Miranda ordered.
She turned her attention to Irina. "She needs a stable home, someone dependable to care for her."
The tall woman hummed. "Give her to me, mother. My daughters and I will take good care of her."
"And drain her of all her blood," the yellow-eyed man snorted. "Miranda doesn't want her dead. Or did you not hear her with your head in the clouds? I'd be a better choice."
The tall woman leered at him. "My control far exceeds yours, beast. She wouldn't make it a second in your care before you turn and tear her to ribbons. I've seen the disgusting things you've done with your toys."
"Enough," Miranda ordered, raising her hand.
She strode over to Irina and leaned down, tracing her injured arm with her finger.
"You have so much unexploited potential. But you know that already, don't you?"
Before Irina can answer, Miranda pressed on the wound. She cried out in pain.
"No, I don't imagine you do. But with my help you will," Miranda explained with a smile.
Irina had no idea what she was talking about. Who did she think Irina was? She must be mistaken.
Miranda looked over to the woman in the gracious white dress; the same woman who must have brought Irina to the room they were in now.
"She's yours, Alcina. Take good care of her," Miranda ordered.
She turned and walked back towards the front of the room. "Leave me, children. It will take some time before I can undo his spell on her."
None of this made sense to Irina. What spell? And who was the person she was referring to?
Irina jumped as the man from before leaned down in front of her again.
"See you soon, darling."
He winked before he left, making her shiver.
Alcina stood, the next to leave her seat, and loomed over Irina with a wide grin.
"Come now, don't be scared, child. It's time to go home."
With no other options, she did as she said.