Fire and Ash (1)

Anna frowns at the child. She cannot recognize her but the voice sounds familiar as if they have met before.

Cassie, on the other hand, is delighted to meet Anna once again.

“Anna, you came!” Cassie gleefully says. “I knew it!”

“Who are you?” Anna frowns. The girl is in the cell opposite to her but she does not look scared at all.

“I am Cassie!” Cassie exclaims. “Cassandra.”

Cassandra…It hits Anna.

“You are the girl from the market in Faika!” She gasps. “But how did you end up here?”

“I’m where I should be,” Cassie simply says. She sits cross legged, studying Anna with interest.

“It seems that the Dark One has chosen you for the sacrifice,” she goes on. “Makes sense. You are the threat to his rule, after all.”

“Sacrifice?”

“Mhmm,” Cassie nods. “To awaken the Gods, the Dark One has to pay a tribute to the gatekeeper of Veneer. Otherwise, the Gods will not awaken. If the Gods rise, the Dragon will die.”

Anna is alarmed. “The Dragon will die?” She echoes. “What do you mean?”