Elina

The green eyed bastard turned. He pointed at me. "You! What did you do?"

I shrugged. "You're looking for your friend? Gregor? Maybe he just went downstairs. He'll probably be back in a moment."

The panic in his eyes cleared. Then back to anger. He pushed me out, told me to never come here again and slammed the door shut.

I went downstairs. The reception counter was unmanned. The dining hall was empty. The whole world had gone to sleep.

But not Elina.

I stepped out of the inn and looked around. The moon barely illuminated the surroundings, but I could see well. Because the witch hunters who couldn't had all been killed.

I guess there is another answer to Elina's question. Why do I do this job? Because I'm still alive.

I looked down. No footprints. No trace of someone rushing out. A quick trip to the horse stalls revealed nothing. My horse and cart were undisturbed.

Shit.

Where was Elina?

I don't know. But I had to give chase.

She probably had about a minute head start. With gransia handcuffs on, she wouldn't be able to use her magic to fly. Which means she has to run. Which made her slow.

I dashed upstairs to my room. My plan: ten seconds to gather my belongings, sixty seconds to ready my horse. Catch Elina before dawn.

I stopped.

Because I found Elina.

Lying on the bed, her silver hair shining under the moonlight, the blanket exposing her shoulders. Her expression was like that of an angel. Innocent, peaceful, calm. Like everything in the world was alright.

I stared at her. I rubbed my eyes.

This couldn't be possible. I clearly heard her go out. Heard her talk to the man. I saw her seduce him. Two of them going into the room. Muffled sounds of either pain or pleasure.

Elina stirred and opened her eyes. She sat up. She scratched her head. She yawned.

"Elina?" I said.

She opened her eyes. Two silver moons floating in the darkness. Like a cat at night. I took a step back.

"Salem?"

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Hmmm?"

"You just went out. How are you back here?"

Elina rubbed her eyes.

She said, "I think you're getting dreams and reality confused..."

She got off the bed and headed to the door. I blocked her way. "Where do you think you're going?"

Elina put a hand on my chest. Like she did with the man. I flinched. But she didn't notice.

She said, "I'm thirsty. I'm going down to the kitchen to get some water."

I wasn't dead. I didn't sense any magic. Was it all really a dream?

Elina hopped onto the bed. I closed the door.

She said, "My offer still stands. We can share the bed."

Her long silver hair fell over her shoulders, hiding and revealing her at the same time. Looks like she has put on her old grey dress for the night. She smiled slightly and patted the spot next to her.

She said, "It must be awfully uncomfortable sitting on the floor like that."

Seduction. It was a simple technique because men were simple.

Was I that simple?

—————————

Elina: I once met a weak witch. I always wondered how these pitiful creatures survived with their pitiful magic. I asked her a question. How do you ants survive?

She showed me. Seduction. It was simple enough. I learned everything by watching her for one night.

Then I asked her how pitiful creatures with pitiful magic like her survived in combat. She said she avoided combat at all times. I decided to test her. In combat.

I killed her.

It wasn't my fault that she was so weak, you know?

Anyways.

Salem rushed into the room and he saw me sleeping on the bed. Confused breaths. Angry breaths.

He must've thought that I was in the same room with the knight. And then when he saw the empty room, he concluded that I had run off. Which would be the right conclusion if I was a normal witch with normal magic.

But he'll never guess what I am. Because he lacks imagination.

I pretended to wake up. I asked him what was wrong.

He was confused. But couldn't admit it. Because what he saw made no sense and would never make sense to him. I acted like nothing was wrong and got off the bed.

He blocked my way. I said I was thirsty.

He followed me downstairs, watched me drink and we went back up.

I sat down on the bed. I was done with the knight. Now it's time to see what I could do with Salem. If I kill him tonight, I guess I can go home tomorrow.