CHAPTER 5 THE ENEMY WITHIN
334 Words
The attack began before dawn.
Ryder ordered his warriors to defend the castle.
Mira grabbed my hand.
“Elara, we need to go.”
We ran underground.
Ryder followed.
“How many?” I asked.
“At least fifty.”
“Council soldiers?”
“Yes.”
We reached a hidden chamber.
Ryder locked the door.
“Stay here.”
“No.”
He looked at me.
“You’re not trained.”
“I’m learning.”
“Elara.”
“If they’re attacking because of me, I’m not hiding.”
Ryder studied me.
Then nodded.
“Fine.”
He stood in front of me.
“Focus on your mark.”
I closed my eyes.
Silver light appeared.
“Don’t force it.”
“What should I do?”
“Listen.”
I heard whispers.
Hundreds.
Thousands.
Ancient voices.
Blood remembers.
My eyes opened.
A soldier burst through the door.
Ryder attacked.
Another soldier aimed a weapon at him.
I raised my hand.
Silver chains erupted from the floor.
The soldier screamed.
Ryder stared.
“You controlled him.”
“I didn’t know I could.”
The soldier laughed.
“The heir doesn’t even understand her own power.”
“What do you mean?”
He looked at me.
“Your mother is waiting.”
My heart stopped.
“Where?”
“Beyond the Black Mountains.”
Then he swallowed poison.
He died.
Ryder stared at the body.
“That wasn’t a threat.”
“No.”
I looked toward the mountains.
“It was a message.”
Then Mira stepped into the chamber.
Something about her was wrong.
Her eyes were red.
“Mira?”
She began crying.
“I’m sorry.”
Ryder immediately moved between us.
“What did you do?”
“The Council has my family.”
I stared at her.
“You betrayed us?”
“I didn’t have a choice.”
She dropped a device.
Smoke filled the room.
I heard Ryder shouting my name.
Then everything went black.
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