Ch 32: The Nightmare In The Clearing

If nightmares were real, Calder would have traded everything to know that this was a dream.

The scene before him was something he would have given anything to unsee. But it was very real, and his blood boiled and every fiber of his being became electrified with rage.

The first thing he noticed was the Earth Sorcerer's body on the ground, his throat cut, eyes lifeless. Next to him stood the blonde Water Witch, Cordelia. Her eyes were wide, but with fear or excitement, he couldn't tell. All he knew was that they were locked on something that was happening at the edge of the clearing, and that something was what made him lose all rational thought.

Against one of the trees, a naked figure loomed over the bound and limp body of a woman, a woman with deep red hair. Her dress was shredded and a large cut gaped over her right breast. There were slashes across her body and legs, as if claws had been raked across them, and blood, there was blood everywhere. Her face though. Calder knew tha