Hearts before dawn

Whispers Of The Ember Heart

The morning sun broke through the mist, turning the frost-kissed branches to silver. Kaleen stood at the edge of the forest, her fingertips glowing faintly beneath her gloves.She hadn’t slept.Not after the shadow’s warning.“Find the Ember Heart…”She didn't know what it was—or where to look. But she knew she wasn’t the only one searching for it.---Inside the cottage, Elarion traced a symbol into the ashes of the hearth. His brow was furrowed, lips moving silently as if in prayer or warning. The symbol pulsed faintly, reacting to Kaleen the moment she stepped in.“Why does the fire recognize me?” she asked.Elarion’s gaze was unreadable. “Because something inside you is bound to it. The Ember Heart isn’t just a relic—it’s a living flame. A source of power. Of memory. Of ancient bloodlines.”Kaleen stepped back. “Bloodlines?”“There’s more in your past than you know.”---That afternoon, she wandered through the forest, hoping to clear her thoughts. But as she reached the riverbend, she heard it again.A voice. Familiar… and broken.“Ka...leen…”She turned sharply, scanning the trees. “Who's there?”From the shadows emerged a figure—barefoot, tattered, bleeding. A girl, no older than fifteen. Her eyes were pale gold, glowing like embers.“You have it,” the girl whispered. “It’s inside you.”Kaleen froze. “What is?”The girl reached for her, fingers trembling. “The Ember Heart is waking.”But before Kaleen could speak, the girl gasped and fell to her knees. Smoke poured from her mouth—followed by fire.“No!” Kaleen ran to her, but the girl burst into flame—vanishing into sparks.---Kaleen stumbled backward, heart pounding. The fire didn’t burn her. It never did. But the message was clear:She wasn’t the only one the Ember Heart had touched.And now, something darker was trying to claim it.---That night, Elarion stood at the window, watching the moon rise.“She’s not ready,” he muttered.From the corner of the room, a voice replied—low, ancient, and full of grief.“She’ll have to be.”---To be continued...