Page 7 of Volik

Chapter 3

Volik

Blood wells on my tongue as I drag it roughly against the point of my fang.

Consuming my own sangue does little to provide energy. But I let it coat the inside of my mouth as the cut heals itself, needing any sort of distraction.

Tilting my head back, I close my eyes and focus on containing the weight inside my chest.

I am losing my mind.

It was inevitable.

I knew it would come to this.

I swallow.

We can only be alone for so long before we revert.

Back to the animal side of our nature.

Back to the blood.

I take a deep inhale. A hint of menta romana tinges the air.

Everyone—Alts, humans, animals—we all have a scent as unique as fingerprints.

Mine is that of wild mint.

Now that I am older, I am mostly immune to my own scent. Only noticing it when my emotions are high. When my scent is stronger than usual.

Like right now.

I take another breath.

The bright herba is a reminder of home. Of the fields near my childhood village.

Mother used to say that I was the earth, and my brother was the sky.

His storm cloud scent was subtle when he was calm, almost refreshing. But when he was upset it smelled like the sky might crack in half and kill us all.

I open my eyes.

That mint-covered hillside used to be my home.

Now, it’s a place in time I can hardly remember.

I exhale.

Battling my gravito, I start to pace my office. My steps no longer shaking the building.

I reach the wall. Turn. And stride back across the width of the room.

But the torment remains.

The ache in my jaw.

The pressure in my skull.