Bloodlust-The curse of the Shadowfangs

Chapter 7

“Elara,” Aria’s tone was sharp, cutting through the haze of Elara’s thoughts. “What do you mean by ‘he was right there last night’? I remember asking you if I heard voices, and you told me it was nothing, that I was sleepwalking. Not fair, Elara. What if his plan was to kill you right then and there?”

Elara sighed. There was no point in denying it. “Okay, fine. Lucian was here last night. He...he wanted to talk.”

Aria’s eyes widened in disbelief. “And you let him? Elara, he’s the enemy! What if his plan was to kill you right there? You were very careless!”

“He didn’t try to kill me,” Elara said defensively. “He just wanted to talk. About the clans, about us—”

“About us?” Aria cut her off. “Elara, do you hear yourself? He’s a Shadowfang! They’ve been our enemies for generations. You can’t just trust him because he has a handsome face and nice words. What if it’s all a trap?”

“It’s not a trap,” Elara insisted. “He could’ve killed me last night if he wanted, but he didn’t. He spared me. There’s more to him than just being a Shadowfang. I can feel it.”

Aria shook her head, frustration clear on her face. “Elara, you’re being naive. You’re letting your feelings cloud your judgment. What if he’s just using you to get information? To find a way to attack us?”

Elara opened her mouth to argue, but she didn’t know what to say. What if Aria was right? What if Lucian was playing her, using her? But she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to Lucian than just being the enemy. There was a connection between them, something deeper than the feud between their clans.

“I don’t know,” Elara said finally, her voice soft. “Maybe you’re right. But I have to find out. I need to know why he spared me, why he’s risking everything to see me.”

Aria sighed, her expression softening. “Just be careful, Elara. I don’t want to see you get hurt. If anything happens to you…”

“Nothing will happen,” Elara promised, though she wasn’t sure she believed it herself. “I’ll be careful. I just need to understand.”

Aria’s eyes narrowed, her disappointment clear. “You’re letting your feelings cloud your judgment, Elara. You can’t afford to let your guard down, not for him, not for anyone. Our clan is depending on you. If you make a mistake, it’s not just your life on the line—it’s all of ours.”

Elara’s heart ached at Aria’s words, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that Lucian was different.

That there was a reason he had spared her, a reason he had come to her camp. “I won’t let anything happen to our clan,I promise you that. But I’m scared, Aria."

"Why?"

"I’m scared that we don’t stand a chance. Lucian could have killed me yesterday if he wanted to. The training, the drills—it all feels meaningless when I think about how easily he could end us all. We need to find another way. A way to end this without more bloodshed.”

Aria placed a comforting hand on Elara’s arm. “We’ll find a way, Elara. We always do. We just need to be smarter, to be stronger. You’ve led us through worse. Don’t let one night shake you.”

Elara sighed, her resolve hardening. Aria was right. She couldn’t afford to be weak. Not now, not ever. Her clan depended on her, and she wouldn’t let them down.

“We’ll train harder,” Elara said, her voice firm. “We’ll be ready for whatever the Shadowfangs throw at us. I won’t let them take us down.”

Aria nodded, her eyes filled with determination. “That’s the Elara I know. We’re with you, all the way.”

Aria’s expression softened, but her eyes remained wary. “I just want you to be careful, Elara. You’re more important than you know. To me, to the clan. Don’t risk everything for a moment of weakness.”

Elara nodded, her resolve strengthening. “I won’t, Aria. I’ll be careful. But I have to follow my instincts. I have to see this through.”

Aria sighed, her frustration ebbing. “Just promise me you’ll be careful. I don’t want to lose you.”

Elara placed a reassuring hand on Aria’s shoulder. “I promise. I’ll be careful. And I won’t let anything happen to us.”

Aria nodded, her concern still evident but her trust in Elara unwavering. “Okay. Also......next time don’t shut me out. If something like this happens again, tell me. We’re in this together.”

Elara smiled, feeling a sense of relief. “I will. Thank you, Aria.”

Elara gave a nod of thanks, her heart feeling a little lighter. As Aria walked away, Elara watched her go, her mind spinning with doubts and fears. She knew Aria was right. She was being reckless, risking everything for a guy who should be her enemy. But something about Lucian drew her in, made her want to believe in him. She had to know the truth, no matter the cost.

With that resolved she turned back to the training grounds, her eyes sharp, her mind clear. They had a long road ahead, but she would lead them through it. No matter the cost.

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