Echoes Of The Past

The howl from last night still echoed in Elara’s mind as she stumbled into the café, her hands shaky as she tied on her apron. That shadowy figure by the trees, it hadn’t been a dream. The marks on her arm pulsed faintly, a dull throb that matched the unease churning in her gut. She rubbed at them, willing them to fade, but they stayed, a silent reminder of something she couldn’t name. The bell above the door jingled, and her head snapped up, half-expecting that figure to step through. Instead, it was Aiden, his leather jacket damp from the morning mist, his dark eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.

“Morning,” he said, his voice rough, like he hadn’t slept. He slid into his usual booth, and Elara felt that pull again, even stronger now, tugging at her chest like a magnet. She grabbed her notepad, her steps hesitant as she approached.

“Back so soon?” she asked, forcing a lightness she didn’t feel. Her gaze flicked to his hands, strong and scarred, resting on the table.

“Couldn’t stay away,” he replied, his lips curving into a faint smirk that didn’t quite hide the tension in his jaw. His eyes dropped to her sleeve, where the marks peeked out, and his expression darkened. “Those marks… they mean something. Show me.”

Elara’s stomach flipped. “I don’t even know what they are,” she snapped, tugging the sleeve down. But his stare didn’t relent, and something in his face, regret? maybe, made her pause. “Why does it matter to you?”

He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Because I think I know what’s happening to you.” Before she could press him, the door swung open again, and Kai strolled in, his grin lighting up the dim room like a ray of sunshine.

“Brother, you’re at it again,” Kai teased, clapping Aiden on the shoulder before sliding in beside him. His eyes met Elara’s, warm and curious. “You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“More like heard one,” she muttered, glancing at Aiden. Kai raised an eyebrow, but his smile didn’t fade as he patted the seat next to him.

“Sit. Tell me about it,” he said, his tone gentle, inviting. Elara hesitated, then slid into the booth, the warmth of his presence easing the knot in her chest. Aiden’s scowl deepened, and the air between them crackled with unspoken rivalry.

She told them about the howl, the figure in the mist, the dream that felt too real. Aiden’s face grew grim, his fingers tightening around his untouched coffee mug. “That wasn’t a dream,” he said finally. “It was a warning.”

“A warning?” Elara’s voice rose, her hands trembling. “From what?”

Before Aiden could answer, a memory hit her like a punch, years ago, a fleeting encounter in a different town. A younger Aiden, his eyes just as intense, had grabbed her arm during a festival, muttering something about danger before vanishing. She’d brushed it off, but now those marks flared, hot against her skin, and she gasped, clutching her arm.

“You,” she whispered, staring at him. “You were there. You pushed me away.”

Aiden’s eyes widened, then dropped, guilt etching lines into his face. “I had to,” he said, his voice raw. “To keep you safe. I didn’t know it’d follow you here.”

Kai’s grin faded, replaced by a frown. “What are you talking about, Aiden? What did you do?”

The tension snapped as Elara stood, her chair scraping the floor. “Safe from what?” she demanded, her voice shaking with anger and fear. Aiden reached for her, but she pulled back, her heart pounding. The marks burned hotter, and a dizziness swept over her. The room spun, voices blurring, and then, darkness.

She woke to the scent of pine and damp earth, her head throbbing. She was outside, sprawled on the forest floor, the café nowhere in sight. The marks glowed faintly, casting a soft light on the trees around her. A rustle made her jump, and Aiden emerged from the shadows, his face etched with worry.

“You fainted,” he said, kneeling beside her. His hand hovered near her arm, hesitant, then brushed the marks. A jolt shot through her, warm and electric, and she yanked her arm back, her breath hitching.

“Don’t,” she said, but her voice wavered, betraying the pull she felt. His touch lingered in the air between them, and for a moment, she saw flashes of that festival night, his lips close to hers, a kiss that never happened. Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away, heart racing.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, his eyes searching hers. “I rejected you back then because I saw the curse in your future. I thought I could stop it.”

“Curse?” she echoed, her mind reeling. Before he could explain, a howl split the air, closer this time, raw and menacing. Aiden’s head whipped toward the sound, his body tensing.

“We need to move,” he said, grabbing her hand. His grip was firm, protective, and despite her anger, she let him pull her to her feet. They ran through the trees, branches snagging at her clothes, until they reached a clearing. There, a figure stood tall, menacing, with eyes that glinted like steel. Draven.

“Well, well,” he drawled, his voice dripping with menace. “The little Echo awakens.” His smile was cold, and Elara’s blood ran cold as she realized he was the one from the mist.

Aiden stepped in front of her, his growl low and fierce. “Stay away from her, Draven.”

Draven laughed, a sound that sent chills down her spine. “She’s mine by blood. You can’t stop what’s coming.” He stepped closer, and Elara’s vision blurred again, the marks searing as if alive. She stumbled, clutching Aiden’s arm, and then, nothing but darkness again.

When she woke up, she was back in her tiny apartment, Aiden pacing by her bed. His jacket was gone, his shirt sleeves rolled up, revealing muscled forearms that flexed with each tense step. “You’re okay,” he said, relief softening his voice. He sat beside her, his hand brushing her hair back, and the touch sent a shiver through her, part fear, part something deeper.

“What’s happening to me?” she whispered, her eyes locked on his.

He sighed, his thumb lingering on her cheek. “You’re a Lunar Echo, Elara. A rare bloodline tied to an ancient curse. And I… I’m the one who’s supposed to protect you or destroy you.” His voice broke, and she saw the weight of his regret, the longing he couldn’t hide.

Before she could respond, a crash sounded from the window, a rock smashing through, a note tied to it. Aiden snatched it up, his face paling as he read. Elara leaned over, catching the words scrawled in jagged handwriting: She’s ours now. Run if you can.

Her heart stopped, and outside, another howl pierced the night, closer, hungrier, promising trouble she couldn’t escape.