CHAPTER 3

Amara.

I opened my eyes slowly as a cool sensation flowed down my face.

I coughed as I got up on my hands in a hurry. I was in a dark cave and a shadowy figure was crouched in front of me.

 He held a tilted bottle in his hands and a little stream of water flowed from it.

I raised my arm and cleaned the water off my face as I remained seated on the cave floor.

“Who are you?” I asked.

The cloaked figure stood up in a slow contemplative manner. “It’s good that you’re awake.”

I furrowed my eyebrows.

“Who are you?” I repeated.

The figure chuckled. “I am at fault. It’s common courtesy to introduce myself to a Lady such as yourself.” The figure said.

Without removing the cloak from his head, he bowed slightly.

“I am Elias Nightveil, a wandering mage.” He said in a deep booming voice.

I was slightly taken aback by his sudden regal demeanor.

I instinctually gave a reply. “I am-”

Elias stopped me with a chuckle. “Oh, I know who you are, Amara Silverstone.”

“What? How do you know that name?”

“That is a simple thing. How would I not know the name of the prophesied one?” Elias replied.

I got on my feet. Elias had almost convinced me that he was normal a moment ago but now that illusion was gone.

“I’m sorry. You have the wrong person.” I had no idea how he had gotten my name but there was definitely a good explanation somewhere. I started to walk past Elias.

“Oh, are you in such a hurry to continue your exile?”

I froze in my tracks. “How do you know that?” I asked in an ice cold voice.

Elias chuckled. “Sit down and have some water Amara. You must be very thirsty.”

As soon as Elias mentioned it, my parched throat came back to my awareness. He had only poured water on my face and now I craved that water.

After traveling for so many days, Isa and I hadn’t been able to find any water. Not that Isa was very helpful.

I turned back and Elias gestured towards a flat rock surface with his staff.

I furrowed my brows. How did the staff get into his hands? I definitely didn’t remember seeing it when I woke up.

I shrugged and walked to sit down. I would just take some water and then leave.

Elias walked towards me and pulled out a bottle of water from his cloak. I took it with a frown.

I took a quick swig and almost choked.

“Take it slow.”

I frowned at Elias as I dropped the bottle on the ground.

“What prophecy were you talking about?”

Elias chuckled. “In order to know, you must first understand some things about the past.”

I listened without interruption.

“I am sure you know of this but it bears reminder.” Elias pointed his gem-adorned staff and drew a circle in the ground.

“At the beginning of time, the Moongoddess blessed the wolves with their powers. From then on it was ordained that the first daughters shall be blessed with powers beyond even that.”

The second part was something I heard for the first time. I scoffed at the fabrication.

Elias paused to look at me before continuing.

“This blessing passes over many, but not you. First daughter of the Silverstone’s. You are a direct descendant of the first wolves.”

I frowned. How could he know I was a first daughter? My parents were long dead.

I felt uncomfortable so I stood up and took my water.

“I’m sorry but I’m leaving now.”

Elias watched me without moving a finger.

I felt discomfort as I walked out of the cave.

I walk forward without looking back. The crazy man had probably been dangerous so I needed to leave. At the very least I acquired some more water.

It would take me farther. But where was I even going?

I continued walking through the forest as my mind inevitably went back to the words of the strange man. He had claimed to be a mage but that must have just been a scam.

He had known things but that couldn’t mean too much.

“Grrrrrrrrrr.”

I heard a growling noise from behind me and I turned quickly as my bottle of water fell to the ground.

A huge brown bear stared at me from just thirty feet away.

How had I not sensed it earlier?

Isa was unresponsive within me so I wasted no time to start running.

I heard massive booming noises from behind me every time the great beast landed on the floor in its forward bound.

I tried to increase my speed but days of hiking with little food and water caught up to me.

It’s just like my dream.

I knew that would be one of the last thoughts I had before it was too late.

As I heard the bear get closer and closer, I turned to face it mid-run.

The bear jumped into the air and reached out its seven inch long claws, ready to rip me into shreds.

A blur slammed into the bear and sent it flying into a tree nearby.

My eyes struggled to follow as the blur moved on from the spot to the bear that had just landed on the ground.

The bear let out a whimper as it raised its head to see its attacker. Neither I nor the bear have time to react as white slender hands wrap around its neck and twisted it into an awkward angle.

The huge body of the bear slumped to the ground.

I finally got a chance to see who it was as the person turned back to me.

“What are you doing in this forest?” The man asked. His skin looks like white glass.

I didn’t answer his question as I stared at his perfect face. It looked strong but delicate somehow.

The man sighed.

“Would you care for a warm place to stay?” He smiled and showed me a pair of sharp fangs.

I weighed my options. Should I go with this powerful stranger or stay in the forest to die alone?

“Yes.” I replied. I would live to see another day.