Ethan and the others followed Kirra into the house. The place was cramped and bare, barely more than four walls and a roof. The whole structure was made of wooden planks, and with the recent rain and humidity, the air reeked of damp rot.
But what really caught their attention was the table in the middle of the room.
It was covered with syringes and IV tubing, the lines snaking into glass bottles filled with a thick, crimson liquid—blood. Three of them, nearly full. The sight was downright chilling.
Koa's eyes went wide. "Kirra, what the hell are you doing?"
"I... I wanted to offer more tribute," Kirra said weakly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was hoping the town guards would go into the forest to rescue you." She forced a smile. "Oh, right. The town gave me a bunch of food too. Let me get it out for everyone."
Koa's heart clenched. "You..."
