The Elders described them as angelic, with feathered wings and pearlescent hair. They were said to fly on silent wings, their eyes like diamonds.

“One boy from each ancient group, with the remaining ancestors’ blood in them is turned into this creature… however, we don’t live that way anymore,” the Elders sat around the campfire and motioned to the surrounding trees with their hands. “Old ways, children.”

“It’s nothing, really,” says an old woman with two thick, black braids and deep brown eyes, the color of the muddy banks beside the Chickawakki River, a mile west. “They’re rare to see now. They hide out in the trees. This new technology has made them afraid of mankind.”

“Alright kids!” Exclaims our Leader, a bright man with deep skin and a wild smile. My father’s best friend since childhood. “That’s enough for tonight. Off to your tents.”

I pick at the leather clothes and seashell neckless I wear. I swat at mosquitos as I leave the warmth of fire light and into the darkness alone, where I’ll find my tent.

It’s a little ways off. It’s an advantage of being the Traders daughter. He’s been gone two weeks now, and will return in five days.

A twig snaps underfoot and I jump, then scold myself for being ridiculous in the night.

Another twig snaps and I stop walking. That one wasn’t me.

“Not funny, Jerusalem,” I call out to the darkness. He’s my best friend and has always tried to scare me after the campfire sessions. He’s been in bed the past few days, sick, his mum says.

I start walking after I get no reply, this time speeding my steps up and cutting through the trees. A black shadow passes faster than any cheetah in front of me, and I stop running, my chest heaving with each breath.

“J-Jerusalem?” I call. This is certainly his most successful attempt at scaring me.

A shadow drops down from the canopy, black, sharp wings spanned so there’s no way around the bulky figure. My mouth is covered to muffle my scream. But it’s so gentle, I’m forced to look into the creatures eyes.

“Penelope,” he whispers, his now black hand reaching toward me, the silver swirls in the color making me dizzy. His irises once blue has turned deadly white. I pull away, shaking. “What’s happening to me?” He asks, voice shaking as much as I quiver.

His spans his black wings on either side still shocked. It’s been four days since I’ve seen him. A stick cracks and his figure flickers. Then he’s gone, standing seven feet away under a dark tree.

He steps out slowly, the moonlight bathing the dark skin and bringing out the long fangs peeking below his lips. Behind me more sticks crackle. More creatures pull away from the shadows and surround me.

“Jerusalem?” My voice shakes.

“I’m… I’m so sorry,” he murmurs.

“What are you-?”

“They had to come.”

“For what?”

But I already know.

I look up as the moon turns red.

It’s feeding time for them.

And Jerusalem brought them right to my camp.