I straightened my shoulders and turned to face him. “A prophecy. One that spoke of a crimson wraith and a forgotten realm.” My voice steadied as I continued. “And an obsidian chamber filled with powerful magic. There was a pedestal in the center, carved with intricate runes—each one symbolizing the four elements of the Mareki. When I channeled air and fire, the runes illuminated, swirling together at the heart of the table.”
I turned, locking eyes with Fallon. Her hazel eyes darkened as if she already knew what I was about to say.
“And when I touched the runes of earth and water,” I said slowly, “I was granted a vision—of myself petting a large, black wolf. But it wasn’t me I was seeing, was it?”
Fallon’s throat bobbed. Then, slowly, she shook her head. A slow breath filled my lungs. The air in the room felt heavier.
Arrow’s voice cut through it like a blade. “What did the prophecy say?”
I repeated it, recalling from memory:
In the veiled echoes of Mareki’s grace,
When the past unfolds anew,
The truth will come face to face,
As scattered elements entwine in the few.
The splintered shards will become whole again,
Once the forgotten realm is due.
The key lies within the Crimson Wraith,
Whose flames will guide what shadows pursue.
All color drained from Arrow’s face. His features twisted in rage. “How did you manage to miss this, Fitzroy?”
I opened my mouth, but Fallon snapped before I could speak.
“It’s hard to fully channel through amarekemwhen only half of it is known! I felt her channel through my vision, but that was all. I did the best I could!”
“Which is never good enough!” Arrow’s roar shook the room as he hurled a clay mug against the wall, shattering it.
Instinct took over—I channeled a burst of air, knocking him back. “Do not speak toher like that.”
His eyes burned with fury as he closed the distance between us. I felt Rhodes stiffen beside me. A flicker of surprise coursed through themarekemfrom Fallon.
“I am not yours to command.” I lifted my chin defiantly, my voice steady. “I am here because I choose to be. Because Lakota wants to be. But we can fly out of this mission just as easily as you left me to survive out there.”
“Use an element against me again, and I will take them away like we did the Wylder boy,” he snarled, leaning in close.
I scoffed. “You can’t possibly take more from me than you already have. I dare you.”
And to drive that dare home, Lakota trilled in the sky above the war room.
Arrow’s eyes betrayed his internal battle.
“A squad will head out for the Shadow Glade tomorrow morning,” he declared, scanning the soldiers. “Barrett will join your travels.”
The younger soldier I had yet to place spoke out of turn. “With all due respect, General, an older—” Another soldier cleared their throat. “A well-known soldier may draw unwanted attention from the villagers we encounter. I can go in his stead, acting as squad leader and bringing less notice to the group.”
His words piqued my curiosity. “If we are to keep a low profile, flying through the towns on dragons wouldn’t exactly be discreet.”
“That is why you will not fly when you leave the Hollow,” Arrow stated. “The squad will travel on horseback, maintaining stealth and avoiding unnecessary conflict along the way. Isn’t that right, Fitzroy?”
Fallon’s eyes narrowed. She straightened her spine, tying her hands behind her back. “Thorne and I can work on her combat training along the way. We can set up camps away from the villages for security.”
