Chapter 5 Escape In The Shadows

Elara sat on the cold floor. Her back pressed to the wall. She hugged her knees. The mark on her wrist burned. She pressed her sleeve tight. She did not want anyone to see.

The cell door creaked. She jumped. A shadow appeared. It was Draven.

“Elara” he whispered. “Come with me. Now.”

Elara looked at him. Her eyes wide. “Draven… the king… he will kill me if I leave.”

Draven shook his head. “Not if I get you out. We must go. Now.”

She swallowed. Her chest tight. She wanted to say no. She wanted to run. But she knew she could not stay. Her magic was growing. She wanted to hide. She wanted to be safe. But safe was gone.

Draven reached through the bars. His hands strong. He grabbed hers.

“Trust me,” he said. “I will not let anyone touch you.”

Elara nodded. She let him pull her up. She pressed herself close. Her hands shaking. Her heart thumped.

They moved slowly down the corridor. The torches made long shadows. Every step felt loud. Every sound made her jump. Her magic burned under her sleeve. Sparks jumped sometimes. She pressed her hands tight.

“They will see you,” she whispered.

“I know,” Draven said. “We must be fast.”

They turned a corner. A guard passed. Elara froze. Her heart beat fast. Draven pressed her into the shadows. The guard walked past. He did not see them.

Elara’s chest heaved. Her magic burned hotter. She hugged herself.

“Almost there,” Draven said. “Just a little more.”

They reached the bridge over the palace moat. The night was dark. The moon gave little light. The wind blew cold.

Draven stopped. He looked at her. “We can go now,” he said. “We can be free for a little while.”

Elara wanted to run. She wanted to hide. She wanted the fear to go away. But the glow of her mark shone faintly under her sleeve. She tried to press it down.

Suddenly a voice shouted.

“Elara!”

She froze. Her stomach twisted. Kael.

Kael ran toward them. His face angry. His hands out. His eyes wide. “Stop!”

Draven pulled her back. “Go,” he whispered.

Elara ran. Her heart pounding. Her legs felt weak. The bridge was narrow. The wind cold. Sparks jumped from her sleeves. She tried to hide the mark.

Kael stopped at the edge. He shouted. “Elara! Come back!”

Elara did not stop. She ran faster. She wanted to hide. She wanted to be far from him. But part of her wanted him close. She shook her head. She did not understand her own feelings.

Draven grabbed her arm. “Almost there. Hold on.”

They jumped down the side of the bridge. Water splashed cold. Elara gasped. Her body shivered. The mark on her wrist burned. She pressed it tight.

Kael reached the edge. He did not jump. He stopped. His eyes followed them. His jaw tight. His chest heaving.

Liora’s voice came from somewhere. “Ha! Look at her run! She is weak!”

Elara froze for a second. Liora’s voice full of hate. Full of triumph. She wanted to scream. She hugged herself tighter. Her magic stirred inside her. Sparks jumped.

Draven shook his head. “Ignore her. Keep moving.”

They ran into the dark trees near the palace. The wind cold. The leaves crunching under their feet. Elara’s chest tight. Her legs burning. Her magic pulsing. She tried to hold it down. It wanted out.

Suddenly a light appeared. Bright. White.

The High Oracle stepped out of the shadows. Cloaked in blue. Eyes bright. She held her hand toward Elara.

“Elara,” she said softly. “Do not be afraid. I am here. I will help you.”

Elara’s eyes widened. “Oracle?”

“Yes,” the Oracle said. “Your time is coming. Your throne is waiting. But you must learn. You must control your power. They will not understand. You must be ready.”

Elara’s chest heaved. Her magic burned hotter. Sparks jumped under her sleeve. She pressed her hands tight.

Draven looked worried. “We should move. The king will send more guards.”

The Oracle nodded. “I know. But first, she must see the truth.”

Elara shook her head. “I do not understand. I just want to be safe.”

The Oracle smiled faintly. “You are not safe anymore. Your magic is alive. They have seen it. They fear it. But fear can be beaten. Power can be controlled. You must trust yourself.”

Elara swallowed. Her chest tight. Her magic pulsed. Sparks jumped. She hugged her arms. Her mind confused. Fear and something else, excitement.

Suddenly a shout behind them. “There! Stop them!”

Elara turned. Guards running through the trees. Torches swinging. The wind blowing. She pressed her sleeve tight. Her heart thumped.

Draven grabbed her. “Run! Go!”

Elara ran. Magic burning under her sleeve. Sparks jumping. Her legs weak. Her chest pounding. She wanted to hide. She wanted to control it. She could not.

Kael appeared behind the trees. His face angry. His eyes wide. He did not move fast enough. He stopped. He watched them disappear. His chest heaving. His hands shaking.

Elara felt her heart beat faster. Her magic alive. Sparks jumping. Her body trembling. She hugged herself. She whispered softly.

“I… I cannot hide it anymore.”

The Oracle’s voice soft but strong. “Your time is coming. Your throne waits. But first… you must learn to be strong.”

Elara’s chest tight. Her mark burned bright. Sparks dancing. Guards shouting far behind them. Kael watching. Liora laughing. Draven holding her arm. The Oracle smiling.

And in the dark forest near the palace, Elara knew tonight nothing would be the same.