Abandoned (Born From Shadows #2)

Tatianna’s body flew into the rocky wall as she attempted to move further into the cave. Her feet were unable to stand on the solid ground. The earth seemed to shake beneath her like an old man’s legs. She looked around having a sense of deja vu. Did she not dream this once? Or at least an alternate version.

Even more curious Tatianna attempted to walk forward, but the further into the cave she went the more the ground trembled. She kept going, holding onto the cracking walls until she could no longer stand. Her head was pounding from how violent the tremors were. Rocks began to fall from the ceiling, one narrowly missing her skull.

That’s when she saw the black scales, each one larger than her hand, clinging onto what appeared to be a tail. Next, she saw the wing, almost bat-like in appearance, leather and silky. Then finally she looked into its black eyes that had snapped open in rage, however for a brief moment when their eyes met that rage dimmed. There was a sense of understanding before the rage grew stronger. Tatianna took a step back, watching the giant head bare its long teeth, blowing out a breath that felt like the wind itself.

Standing there she had no idea what to say, every thought left her mind. She examined the creature, noticing its scales had small blue lines like veins threaded through them that glowed. Its head was taller than her, she couldn’t imagine what it looked like fully stretched out. At the moment it was curled like a cat, its head resting on top of its tail.

Why did you wake me? A cold voice slithered through her mind’s feeble defences and struck her head like a knife

“I-I came for a book,” she frantically replied.

A book. You woke me for a book. Do you know what happens when creatures like me get woken mid-rest child? The creature’s tail uncurled and the Elfir’s slowly began to rise, each movement causing a shift in the rocks.

Tatianna shook her head.

We can not control ourselves. You will understand one day, for my blood runs through your veins. I can sense it. For that, I will give you a chance.

That confirmed it. She was a part of the darkness. She could not comprehend being related to the very monster that stood before her. Towering over her like she was its next meal.

Then once again and for the last time she heard that cold voice slithering into her mind. The book you are seeking lies behind you. I suggest you take it, then run.

Tatianna turned around and saw an old leather-covered book covered in dust lying on a rock beside a small pile of carved rocks in the shape of animals. It looked like kids’ toys to her. She then turned back to the creature and saw its blue light begin to dim, covered in waves of black that poured from the Elfir’s skin. She felt the energy crackling within the black smoke, knowing it was different from the darkness around her. It was magic.

She turned and bolted out of the cave. Clutching onto the book for dear life. She had no idea where she was going, only that she had to run.

The ground kept moving. The air she had grown accustomed to began to get thicker. Her lungs burned, and her body was getting weaker and weaker. The mist around her legs had started to attack her skin, rubbing against her like new shoes creating blisters. She had no sense of direction.

Only forward.

The Elfir’s magic was intoxicating, spreading fast than water. She fell face first onto the floor, clawing to try and get up. The rocks scabbed at her arms, her body desperately tried to heal the wounds but more kept forming. She gasped for air. Screamed out in pain as another wave of the cursed magic collided with her body disintegrating her first layer of skin.

The Elfir was behind her, she could hear it closing in, walking slowly. With each step, the ground shook taking away any effort that was put into getting up. Her heart was beating faster with every shake and her nerves kept getting worse and worse till it felt like pebbles were floating in her stomach.

I can’t do this, she realised.

Then her heart felt like it was being stabbed by a thousand knives. Her body began to burn, something had lit a fire within her brain and her bloodied mouth ripped out a scream.

Then the pain was gone. It was gone and left her feeling something else. There was something within her, stuck like glue. She tried to push it off, but she didn’t know how. It was just…there.

Then it spoke. From within her came the angelic female voice that whispered, keep going. I am here, I am with you.

She was at first afraid like any sane person would be. But the voice was familiar to her. She trusted it. She couldn’t explain why, but it was as if the voice was always meant to be there. She felt around her brain for any hint at what it was.

Keep going Tatianna, it repeated. Then she found something. Where the wall of her consciousness once was there was a door, something that could be pushed open. She closed her eyes and opened it. Instantly memories flooded into her mind, just it wasn’t her memories. She could see the forest outside Avalla, the familiar snow floors. At times she could see herself, at others she could see fallen twigs covered in frost. Then she saw it looking into a small lake, its reflection showing those familiar shining amber eyes. Tatianna realised who was in her mind, pieces began to weave themselves together.

Then the voice brought her from the chasm of memory and said, you are not alone, keep going. And she did. Tatianna gathered every bit of strength that she could find and got up from the ground. She bolted through the darkness, till the tremors in the ground felt nothing more than thunder pulsing through the earth.