Every inch of Kit begged him to stay, to heal, to collect after what was the fourth battle in the space of a fortnight. Not a part of him felt relief from the now continuous ache and wariness, but he knew he couldn't.

A small part of him wanted to curl into a ball, and hide himself away until death found him or the world ended, which ever came for him first.

Yet he watched the others as they journeyed, despite their aching bodies, their hurting bones, and their groaning joints. He may not have known them for long, but already he felt a certain level of pride beginning to flicker in side him.

He would take a bullet for them, and he was safe in the knowledge that they would do the same thing for him.

It appeared that soon enough, they may have to do that very thing.

Despite his instincts, Kit wasn't going to give in. No matter how bad it got, after all he had seen the realisation struck him that he would never be the worse.

For as long as he was able, be it ten minutes or until this all ended. Kit would fight for those who were no longer able to make a stand. He could still breathe, he could still stand, so he could still fight.

Until his dying breath, he was going to do everything he could to continue doing so.

On three legged form, Kit padded alongside the others. Keeping a small distance between himself and the main group. He and Vic kept guard on either side, to give warning if they spotted an ambush.

Soon enough they would be relieved of this duty and return to the centre of the group. Until then, Kit kept alert. Cautious.

Regardless of what happened next, he refused to be caught off guard again.

Barely noticing the sound of approaching footsteps, he looked up to see Sybil making her way towards him. She walked carefully across the uneven ground, her long tail lashing from side to side. Clearly on edge.

Not needing to be asked twice to return to the main fold, Kit nodded respectfully to the centaur then took off at a steady jog. Catching up to the rest of the group, he found his way to Romany, slowing his step in time with hers. He rubbed his head against her swinging hand.

Absent minded, she ran her fingers through his fur. It was apparent he didn't have her full attention, but he hardly blamed her considering the circumstances.

Strapped to her back, aside the rucksack carrying spare gear and supplies was her gun. It's lethal muzzle shone in the dim light of the woodland. He watched it for a moment, hoping they wouldn't have to use it for a while at least.

More conflict was the least they needed right now, the very idea of having to fight another battle right now made Kit's knees buckle. The exhaustion was getting to all of them, but they continued on as hard and fast as they were capable of going.

When a scream sounded, Kit forgot all ideas of how tired he was, as he lunged around. Searching for any sign of the enemy, ready to attack and kill anything he needed to in order to protect.

The sight which met him, was not what he had been expected.

For the person who screamed was not the one who had been hurt.

Katie was falling. Her eyes shut before her body dropped to the ground. Kit hesitated, searching for any sign of a sniper or attacker. There wasn't one.

She had fallen simply from exhaustion.

Callum wailed in pain, it was an agonised sound. As though his soul was being wrenched from his body in one clean swipe. The vampire hadn't sounded as pained during any of the battles.

It's a entirely different kind of pain. Kit thought, the lump rising in the back of his throat. He may not have known Katie all that well, however, the agony from Callum was enough to make him share the pain.

On his knees beside the fallen vampire, Katie showed no signs of being able to return to her feet. The rest of the group gathered around her.

Now Kit could see the true result of everything the young vampire had been suffering through. Everything the rest of them had failed to notice.

Her abdomen was a deep red colour, it seemed like the hellhound had landed a bite which had almost cut her clean in half. That wouldn't be enough to kill a vampire, the true killer was the poison laced in the fangs of the beast.

The wound was turning black even as the woman lay dying. It was clear that almost nothing could stop her death now.

Nothing short of a miracle would save her life.

Miracles were shortcoming these days. The fate of the young vampire was all but sealed.

"Why didn't she say anything," any pretences Sybil had put up, to try and come across as a strong leader were gone. Her pain and fear now coming off the centaur like waves lapping at the shore.

"She didn't want to keep the group up," Callum whispered, resting a pale hand against the fallen woman's face. "She insisted that she would heal soon enough, she refused to listen to me."

No miracle came for Katie. As with a soft sigh, the vampire exhaled for the last time.

The group stayed silent for a moment. They mourned their lost friend, their numbers now reduced to eight. Kit felt like the group had lost a vital limb. They needed every person they could get to survive. Now, their chances were becoming thinner and thinner every time a blow like this was struck.

Perfect silence fell between them. No one knew what to say in order to comfort the mate of the fallen woman.

After a moment, Callum at last spoke. His voice shaking as he said as best as he was able, "Will you please help me burry the body?"

It was a level headed response which Kit hadn't been expecting. If he were in the same position, Kit doubted he would have been able to string a coherent sentence together. Yet the remaining vampire was able to remain surprisingly strong.

"Of course, we will give her the warrior's funeral that she deserves." Promised Sybil kindly, straightening up as best as she could.

For a moment, Callum didn't move. He seemed to try to collect himself, and then lifted himself to his feet. Taking the body of his mate in his arms as he did and turning around. He shook with the effort, exhausted himself.

But when Kit stepped forward, to offer his help in carrying the body. He was warded off with a fierce look. Knowing the vampire meant nothing by it, Kit stepped back. Lifting his hand in a gesture of surrender. He meant no harm.

Nodding, Callum looked around. A little hopeless as he struggled to find somewhere he could leave Katie.

"Take your time," Sybil promised. In spite of the time restraints, the leader was being kind to the broken vampire. "She deserves somewhere beautiful for her final resting place," the centaur said firmly.

They waited, patiently and calmly as the vampire lay his mate to rest. Each member helped bury the woman. Sybil was right, there may not have been many of them, but it was a funeral a King would have been proud of.

When it was over, Callum remained on his knees. Not moving from his spot. They watched him, not sure of what to say.

Josiah was the one who spoke first, with a level of empathy Kit had not come to expect from the quick witted goblin. "We understand if you don't wish to journey with us any further," he explained with a soft tone.

Callum moved for the first time since Katie had gone out of sight beneath the dirt. His eyes were lit with fury.

"I'm staying with you, and if it's the last thing I do. I'm going to kill every last one of those bastards."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author's Note

EXAMS ARE DONE! Sorry, I feel the urge to scream that to the skies wherever I go. Now I am finally free, I can finish this story. I hope you guys are as excited as I am. Expect the final chapters to start coming much more regularly. I will aim to have Butterflies in Winter finished by this coming Friday. There should be an update of about ten chapters this week, and that will be BIW finished.

Thank you so much for reading this story, not much longer left. But don't worry, I have some ideas for the next story which I am really excited to write. I'll explain more with the next set of updates so do keep an eye out.

Have a lovely day,

Madelynn