The Latent Sentinel

FATEFUL ENCOUNTER 1

Ella POV:

Like every night, I see a jet-black panther on the cottonwood tree. He always hides downwind so I cannot scent him. It breaks my heart that I can’t find joy in his presence, but it’s the punishment I deserve. I opened the window behaving like I hadn’t seen him, how I always act around him.

I wouldn’t have realized he was here if I was any other shifter. He is really a good hunter. But I am something more. I am a true monster. He would hate me more if he knew I am not the one who needs protection, but I am the one from whom you need protection. I am the apex predator among predators. I don't even understand why Nyx says that, but I truly believe it. Nyx is my true friend and companion, my other half, my lioness.

I have been running away from the devils who want to use me. Because I am afraid if they get Nyx, my shifter lion counterpart, they will destroy everything. She hates it when I think like that.

“No one can control me Ella, I have told you this. We will soon gain our full strength; I can feel it, and then you will never be afraid again.” She has said these words to me a million times now in the past year. I don’t understand why, but I let her be. I have very few desires in this world. I have lost everything. I can’t lose her. I should probably kill myself and then get into the hands of those monsters who want to use me. I don’t understand what they want with a lioness, but they have been persistent, and I don’t like it. They want something from me.

I dozed off feeling the sense of calmness my mate brought me. I just hope someday he is here with me and not so far away in the trees. I am woken up with a nightmare that has me shaken. The feeling of being chased and the unnerving sense of doom has me sweating. I look up in the tree, and he was gone. He must have left earlier than usual. I sigh and start getting things done for the day. My cottage is small, so there is not much to do, but I keep it clean and well-maintained. I have never cared about where I live before, but this one gives me peace. I don’t feel like I want to run away from here, I feel protected. The feeling of being chased has disappeared completely after I moved into this cottage. I was afraid of my own shadow when I found this place, but now I can freely breathe without jumping at every sound.

I tend to my garden and check on all the little saplings I grew. Aria got me some seeds to grow my own vegetables. She said Zoe wanted me to have enough food to eat healthily. She wants me to have a balanced diet. Only eating meat is not good, according to her. I have never met these people, but it feels like I know them. They care for me.

Ray and Dia have sent me food and clothing. Ritz and Diana usually send me medicines and household things. I think the boys are involved in sending most of the survival supplies, but Aria doesn’t confirm that. I think they are afraid I won’t like it. They have wormed their way in and made a place in my heart even though I have resisted every step of the way.

Ethan has sent me the small medical kit I have. I think he is responsible for a lot more, but I don’t think about that. He is actually trying to be sincere and maintain his distance in public, but I know behind everyone’s back he is still protecting me. I know the small table I have has his name etched on the side. He thinks I haven’t noticed it, but I know he leaves me things I need. He makes them look abandoned. I don’t acknowledge that I know because I don’t want him to stop. I want to keep this connection with him.

Ethan is the reason and medication for my wounded heart. I cannot blame him, it’s all on me. I know what he is doing, and I have no way of telling him that I know and feel everything he does to punish himself. I am lost in my thoughts sitting next to the lake staring at the orange rays of the setting sun when, like clockwise, a horrible pain overtakes my whole body. I fell to the ground clutching my chest. Remembering everything from that day. The day which changed my destiny of being alone and loveless. The day I punished the most amazing man I ever met for a life of misery and self-loathing.

My thoughts swirl and darkness engulfs me. Feelings and emotions mix within me. Everything disappears, and a new world is woven in front of me. Slowly, the present merges with the past.

Flashback of the distant past:

I hear the songs of the beautiful blue jays in the distance. I have been camping here on the rocky cliff for the past few days. I was in New York City working odd jobs and hiding in an unfaced and unnamed crowd of humans. But something was pulling me in this direction. It’s like destiny had taken my hand and was guiding me here. I felt the pull towards something or someone. It had been so strong that I had put caution into the winds and, for the first time in my life, I had been chasing what I wanted. I was terrified that this was a wrong decision, but I couldn’t help myself.

I am painting this beautiful sunrise in my pocket sketchbook when I hear the rustling and running noise in the distance. I put my bag on my shoulder and ran. I know they are chasing me. Nyx gives me all her strength and I run. I ran for my life.

They chased me through the dense forest. My body is covered with cuts and bruises, but I don’t stop. I keep running through the trees and thorny shrubs. I ran up the rocky cliffs, cutting myself on the stony edges of the granite cliffs. My feet are wounded and bleeding, but I am too afraid to stop. I jump into the stream when I reach the cliff and don’t have a path to continue. I would die rather than be imprisoned by these people. I haven’t even figured out what they want from me or what is so special about me. However, their persistent chase made me believe that I wouldn’t like whatever they had in store for me. All the people who have chased me so far are mercenaries or rogues. I can tell that much from how they look and behave. They keep changing after a year or two. I know what that means, whoever wants me kills them when they don’t deliver me. That thought alone makes my blood turn cold.