Whispers of the wild

CHAPTER 2

Sienna watched Kane, the darkness of the trees enveloping him like a second skin, and did not move a muscle. He was dangerous, mysterious, and wrong in every possible way, but it was not that which troubled her. The name Kane reverberated in her mind for a while and she realized she had seen it somewhere before.

“I don’t need your help,” she said at last after a few moments of silence.

Kane smirked at me, which I took to mean he was quite entertained. “You said that already. Doesn’t make it any truer.”

Sienna clenched her fists. She was no weakling, no damsel in need of saving She was no weakling, no damsel in need of saving. “I’m fine on my own. Always have been.”

Kane’s grin widened. “Fine? You nearly got your throat slit five minutes ago.” He pointed in the direction the rogues had escaped to. It will kill you if you do not know how to survive in this forest. Your former pack? They might as well have thrown you to the wolves. Literally.”

The moment she heard the word pack, her anger started rising anew at the pack she used to belong. Sienna had been a warrior, she had been feared and revered and yet they had listened to the lies. The accusations still hurt – working with humans? It was ridiculous and yet, of all the people in this world, Alaric, she believed in him, had left her side.

“Don’t talk about them,” she said, her tongue biting more than she wanted it to.

Kane c****d his head to the side, looking at her with what she couldn’t quite define as anything other than a combination of curiosity and something else. “Ah, I see. Betrayal. That’s why you’re here.” He moved in closer and the tone of his voice dropped. “You want revenge, don’t you? The only thing that is keeping you standing is that.”

Sienna recoiled but she didn’t reply. Revenge? Was that what this gnawing feeling was? The desire to witness Alaric get punished for his treachery, to overthrow the council that had sentenced her? Somehow she couldn’t allow that desire to overwhelm her…could she?

Kane looked at her intently as if he could see right through her. There is power in revenge.” Or it can destroy you.” He moved closer, close enough to breathe on her skin. “The choice is yours.”

Sienna stiffened but before she could say anything, he retreated, the look in his eyes fading just as fast. “Enough talk. If you are going to be in the wilderness, then there are few things you will have to master. Starting now.”

“I didn’t agree to—”

“You don’t have a choice.” Kane interrupted her, his voice becoming professional. “Either you allow me to train you how to manage that ability of yours, or the wilderness will consume you.” And you’re not ready for what’s coming.”

Sienna frowned. “What’s coming?”

Kane sneered in response. “You’ll see.”

Not waiting for her to protest, he turned around and began moving further into the woods. Sienna paused, her ego would have had her turn her back and walk away, but there was something inside her, some spark of interest or possibly hope that made her change her mind and follow.

They strode on in silence for what seemed like hours, the trees of Shadowfell Forest seemed to grow higher and their branches more like those of a predator. Kane would occasionally look back at her, but otherwise, he did not speak to her.

Finally they got to a clearing. Kane paused and looked at her, square in the eye.

“First lesson,” he said pointing at the black sky above. “The wilds have a rhythm. In it, you may find the formula for living through the next few months.” He looked at the hazy moon shining in the night sky at mid-low level. ‘This is how the moon rises when it wants to tell you something,’ he said. It means the rogues are hunting. They will return and they will come back in larger numbers the next time.”

Sienna mimicked his posture and rolled her eyes to the ceiling. “I’m not afraid of rogues.”

“You should be.” Kane’s tone grew serious. “It is not like I have something to prove out here, and neither do you.” These wolves? They have nothing to lose, as the old saying goes. They will scratch you to a pulp just to make their point.”

Sienna’s jaw clenched. “Let them try.”

Kane laughed but it was not a joyful laugh. “You’re too proud for your own good. That’ll get you killed faster than any rogue.” He moved closer, his eyes literally golden and shining in the semidarkness. “You really believe that this is all just about living?” You’re wrong. Out here, it’s about power. Who’s got it, who’s willing to take it. And you—” he moved closer, and his voice was nearly a growl, “you are stronger than you know.” But if you don’t get the reins in the situation, the situation will be in control of you.”

Sienna gulped, she could feel the pressure in his statement. She had sensed it also that raw energy that resided just under the surface of the skin and ready to erupt. Since Kane’s bite it had been becoming more powerful, more difficult to suppress.

“So, what now?” she queried herself, but her voice did not tremble.

Kane smiled, stepping back. “Now? We train.”

He pointed toward the outskirts of the glade where a large tree trunk half fell on the ground. “You are going to learn how to fight with your new strength.” Because next time those rogues show up, you’re going to be ready.”

Taking her eyes off the trunk, she glanced at Kane and her heart raced. She had no idea what he expected from her, or why he decided to assist her, but she was not going to turn back.

“Alright,” She replied, standing up straight. “Show me.”

Kane smiled, moving to one side as she came up to the tree. “I’m going to regret saying that.”

Sienna kept her fists tightly and could clearly feel the energy within her. “I doubt it.”