Stray Mate

In a secluded place on the outskirts of a small town, a frail woman sat in the middle of a dim-lit room, the chains on her hands jingling as her palms wrapped around a large crystal ball. She chanted inaudible words from her chapped lips and pushed herself up onto her knees, wincing when the hard floor jabbed into her open wounds.

“This time…” A voice split through the air as the door slammed aside and a figure veiled by darkness entered the room. “This time…you’d better give me results!” The enraged tone made the woman quickly scurry back with the crystal in her hands. As soon as she was at a safe distance from the door, she lowered her gaze.

“Y-Yes!” She stuttered, “I’ve done everything within my power to find the cursed child and I’ve finally gotten a trace! Her last location was in a forest far from here…but…” She pressed her palms together, sweating profusely.

“But?” The figure loomed over her, their vicious eyes digging into her soul.

“S-Suddenly…my eyes can’t reach her.” She