Page 12 of Where Darkness Falls

“It would be a miracle,”many have stated, clinging to the hope of the prophecy.

Personally, I stopped believing in miracles a long time ago. Miracles occur when there is still enough hope and light in the world to combat the darkness. They’re subtle changes that eventually evolve into grander victories. They’re what musicians write minstrels about in order to raise spirits and rally troops. Miracles don’t happen in places like Malvoria… At least, not anymore.

The king, his soldiers, and the Drakhul made sure of that.

I stumble over a rock as Cara and I make our way down the winding path. As I glance up, I notice a cloaked figure moving toward us. I move to walk behind Cara, making room for the person to pass. The stranger is almost past us when their icy grip grabs my wrist. I try to yank free, but their hold only tightens. The air around me cools significantly as terror stirs in my chest.

The captain must’ve sent one of his horrid soldiers to seize me.

But why do it now?

I pull against their hold, but their vise-like grip doesn’t relent.

“Let me go,” I yell, hoping it catches Cara’s attention.

However, she continues walking, not noticing the strange person has grabbed me.

“Cara,” I cry out, praying she turns around. “Cara! Help me!”

My heart sinks as she continues moving forward, not hearing my pleas.

“They’re coming,”says a raspy voice.

I tremble as I turn my gaze to my captor. I’m surprised to find a beautiful woman with ghostly lavender eyes staring at me instead of the horrid soldier that I envisioned. I’m taken aback by the appearance of her blue skin and bright pink hair hidden beneath the cloak. There’s a faraway look in her eyes, her appearance almost rippling.

I’ve lost my mind,I think in my panicked state.In my fear of the captain, I’ve now conjured visions of a stranger with blue skin. Brilliant.

“They’re coming,” she repeats in a somber voice, her grip tightening once more as if she knew I was doubting her existence.

“Who’s coming?” I ask, my voicetrembling.

“When the mist rises and this land is drenched in blood, nothing will stop the darkness from descending,” she continues, as if not hearing my question.

“What blood? What darkness?” I ask, confused. “We already have the Drakhul.”

The woman’s stare turns desperate, as if wishing for me to understand. “There are worse things than the Drakhul that exist, child,” she says quickly. “Once the price is paid, they’ll come, and nothing will stop them this time.”

Then she releases me from her grasp, and she vanishes.

I glance to the spot where she was just standing, baffled. The coolness that surrounded me no longer lingers, but the strange warning echoes in my mind.

“Maeva! What are you doing?” Cara calls out, interrupting my thoughts.

She’s several yards ahead of me now, and I have to sprint to catch up.

“Did you… not… see the… woman… that passed us?” I ask, breathless from the jog.

Cara tilts her head, furrowing her eyebrows.

“No one passed us, Maeva,” Cara replies. “We’re the only ones on this trail.”

I feel the color drain from my face.

She didn’t see her.

Perhaps I really have lost my mind.

“Maeva, are you okay?” Cara asks, worry lacing her brow. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

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