Abandoned (Born From Shadows #2)

Vivian stood stiller than the wooden buildings and slumbering Elves that surrounded her. With each second Riley’s feet became harder to move, and his injured ankle began to throb like a hammer that was beating him from within. Freya was still in shock, eyes focused on Kayter’s lifeless body, her body wasn’t moving but he could almost see her heart racing from how much her chest heaved.

“Freya!” he called out to her, but not even he could wake her from her daze. Not till he was standing in front of her and grabbed onto her arm. Pulling her body away from the fallen Elf.

“It’s all my fault,” she mumbled and looked at him with eyes of tears, her face broken and scared.

“Freya, we need to go now,” he said. The shocked blonde’s blue eyes scanned the area. Still holding onto her they made it back towards Vivian. His legs were wobbling, and he began to use Freya as a crutch.

Vivian broke her spell. The Elves began to stir from the magic-induced slumber, their eyes flickered open but they were still not fully aware of what just occurred. Riley was moving purely on adrenaline as any energy he had was taken from him. Vivian wrapped her arm around Riley’s waist helping him and Freya dash away from the crowd.

Riley felt like his body was going to collapse on the grass floor. “Just a bit further,” Vivian said. “They’re awake.”

He heard the small neigh of a horse, then he was thrown on top of the black mare’s back. Freya held onto him as his consciousness faded away.

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“What were you thinking? Why run off like that?!” Riley yelled at his sister after checking she was ok. There was a cut on her head, but other than that she was fine.

“I didn’t….What?” she stumbled.

“What your brother is trying to say Sunshine-.”

“Oh, you don’t get to talk. I want answers, Freya. You knew the risk and you decided to run off in the middle of the night?!” Riley dismissed Vivian still angry that she would’ve left Freya there.

“I didn’t run off. I woke up and talked to Kayter for a bit. He thought he heard something. I didn’t want him to go alone. Next thing I know I am standing in front of a crowd and Kayter’s neck is…bleeding onto the floor. Had I just told him to stay, it never would have happened…he would still be here.” Freya explained with guilt ridden words.

“Why didn’t you wake us up!” Riley shouted. Freya shrunk back from her brother. Riley saw it. The fear in her eyes. She was afraid of him…because. Because he was acting like father.

“I’m sorry,” he said letting out a breath. “I’m just worried about you. Seeing Kayter die just like that. I was terrified you were next.”

“I think we all should calm down. I drained a lot of your energy Riley performing that magic. You should both rest,” Vivian stated.

Riley turned to the short-haired Elf. “And leave you on guard? No way.”

“Why not?” Freya asked.

“She wanted to leave you there,” he answered.

“No, I wanted to choose the best option. For all we knew you and Kayter were already dead. I wasn’t going to risk both our lives for nothing. Now I see I was wrong, ok? But I did just save your arse and got you out of there. So even?” she replied.

Riley shook his head. “That’s for her to decide,” he answered looking at his sister’s hurt face. He would punch Vivian for that alone. Letting them talk things out he left and walked over to Ida. He stroked the tired horse’s back, taking off the saddle and gear so the animal could too rest.

Riley watched as a butterfly landed on the horse’s back, Ida didn’t feel a thing but Riley watched the creature. An idea came to his mind as he viewed the wings.

They weren’t safe here. They weren’t safe with the Humans or Dwarfs. But the Fae. He would try going to Zarenda. Their position on the upcoming war was unknown. But that also meant they wouldn’t kill them on sight. He would go there and then figure something, someway to find his way back to Tatianna and then get on a boat. Leave Crénia altogether. He always wondered what lands lay beyond the sea, Perhaps find where the humans first came from when they arrived in Crénia.

Quick Quiz

I’m kind of curious what people think, especially if they have read this far into the series. So a couple of simple questions.

1) Who’s your favourite character?

2) Who is your least favourite character?

3) What o is your favourite ship throughout the series?

4) What are your predictions, if any?