Awakening (Born From Shadows #1)

Upon a perch sat a bird, whistling away in the warm breeze. No worries did the bird have because she was safe within the borders of the elven city. Away from hunger and cruel humans to take her into captivity as if she were just a toy to be played with.

She spread out her wings which reached the sky and jumped into the air. Her heart was beating rapidly as she maintained herself above the ground. The bird’s crescent blue wings cut through the air like a knife as she flew across her homeland and through the borders of other countries. Her eyes instantly became more alert of any dangers nearby. She could not turn back now. Her queen demanded her to search, to seek what has never been seen before and she must obey. No matter the cost, even if it was the small bird’s life.

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Losing the humans through the streets was the easy part for Tatianna, figuring how they were going to reach the other side of the Crénia? That was an entirely different thing.

“Riley...” Freya started once she had caught her breath. “What did father mean...when he said that mother was with your sister? I was with you.”

Riley looked down on his little sister. “This isn’t the right place to tell you,” he told Freya, not revealing anything else to her dismay. She heard the distant clatter of the military’s horses against the stone. Someone had reported the death’s in the house. They didn’t have much time.

“This isn’t the right place for anything, we need to get out of this city,” she told the two people in front of her. She wasted no time and continued to walk through the darkest places of the city. She knew that she had entered the Western territory and grabbed onto the handle of her knife, ready to pull it out at the sight of trouble. She could hear conversations blocks away, hear footsteps before seeing the person. She could avoid everything, and she wondered how humans even caught an Elf in the past. She had so much strength she felt like she could jump onto the roof of a building from a standing start.

That’s when she heard a familiar voice. She paused in her steps. “What is it?” Riley questioned why they had stopped.

Tatianna gestured for them to stay where they were then moved ahead towards the main street, making sure to hide within her cloak. That’s when she saw him, the Prince was standing in the middle of the street talking to a stranger. She felt her heartbeat a little faster. She did not move an inch closer but savored the sight. Not just of the man, but of the dream that came with him. Everything she had ever wanted. A perfect guy, living as a beautiful princess with unscared skin in a great big home, no more judging looks but respectful ones, food every night, and every desire would be fulfilled. It was her dream. She closed her eyes and embraced it.

“I know that dress.” She heard him tell the man he was talking to. That immediately caught her attention and her eyes shot open to the Prince approaching her. She froze. Of course, running would be the best option, but her legs wouldn’t move.

“Storm, I have been asking everywhere for you, yet no one seemed to have heard of...you...” his voice drifted off as he got closer and saw the Elven features across my face. “You’re an Elf,” he said in amazement.

Shit, she thought. She should have run. She turned her body, her legs deciding only now, and went to run away, but something stopped her. She looked down and saw that the Prince had a hold of her wrist. She immediately pushed his hold off her, overpowering him with ease.

“Tatianna don’t run. I’m not going to hurt you,” he told her. She looked into sincerity in his green eyes. “I can help you.”

“I’ve heard those words before, it didn’t end up well for me,” she replied.

“I am sure you have, but the person you were talking to wasn’t a Prince. Wasn’t me,” he said.

“I know that it may be hard for your egotistical brain to accept this, but I don’t need your help,” she responded. Tired of everyone trying to help her, as if she couldn’t look after herself. That was all she had ever done.

“Fine, so what is your plan then. Escape the city? You will never get past the city guards and through the gates. I heard what happened at the Lopez’s mansion, the city guards are being very strict on who they let out,” he explained.

“I’m an Elf, they don’t need to let me out. I will get out,” she responded. She still did not know the extent of her powers, nor how the whole magic thing worked, but she knew how to fight and that would be enough. At least she hoped it would be.

“You know how many Elves died in the war because they underestimated the mortals? It is no small number,” he reminded her.

“Look, your highness, I don’t have time for this,” she replied getting slightly annoyed.

“I know you don’t. The guard is looking for you, those stupid humans who call themselves the hunt are gathering to kill you. Things aren’t going well for you, Storm, so I offer my assistance.”

“I am being accused of murder and you want to help me. That says more about you than me,” she pointed out.

“That may be so, but I can get you out of the city without the need of killings any innocent people just trying to do their jobs,” he explained.

Tatianna did not waste any more time thinking about all of her options, “Ok, your Highness. Come with me,” she agreed to his proposition. She walked back to where Freya and Riley were hidden, listening to the Prince’s footsteps to know that he was following behind her. Closely behind her.

“What took you so long? What is he doing here...your Highness,” Freya said with a slight curtsey.

“He is going to help us out of the city,” she explained.

“Is that so?” Riley asked staring down towards the Prince, questioning his presence.

“Yes, it is,” the Prince confirmed with slight aggression towards Riley. Tatianna was not paying attention to the two males stare off, but rather the sound of a horse coming down an alleyway not too far from them.

“We need to go,” she told the group without offering an explanation of the panic she is in. She looked around her surroundings and saw a passage, it would lead her towards the gates, but the route wasn’t that well-hidden. She decided she would worry about that latter and headed straight through the narrow passage, exciting into a small courtyard area surrounded by shops. She kept her head down and walked on the outskirts of the courtyard praying that no one would spot her.

She then ducked into another alleyway, turning a few corners until they were standing outside the Western gate to the city.

“It’s your time to shine,” she told the Prince, who looked at with a slightly annoyed facial expression. Something she shouldn’t be finding cute in a time like this.

“Stop, state your order of business and your name,” the guard halted the Prince.

“Prince Nikolas Trelliard and my order of business is to escort these people to Faithorn,” he told the guards. The guards looked at him over once, then towards the rest of the group. Tatianna lowered her face, hiding her Elven features.

“Faithorn? Why are you going there without horses?” the guard asked curiously.

“That is the Crown’s business, not yours,” the Prince countered.

“Ok,” the guard replied reluctantly, knowing he couldn’t refuse the word of royalty.

The guards raised the gate of the city, exposing the outer lands of Haveenté that Tatianna had never seen before. There were snow-covered trees and a few smaller houses. People who lived outside the city, she wondered if they were any different than those inside. She walked out, and she could already tell the difference. The air was so much fresher, the stink that populated the city was fading away. It was beautiful.

“Come with me,” the Prince, “there is a place not far from here with horses. We ride to Faithorn.”

“We?” Tatianna questioned, “I thought you were just going to get us out of the city?”

“Did you not hear what I said? They think I am going to Faithorn with you, I can’t just walk back in,” the Prince explained.

“Well, Prince, don’t you have royal obligations to attend to?” she asked.

“Technically, but as the youngest child, I don’t have too much responsibility. Plus my parents are used to me disappearing for days past the gates. I will just be gone for longer than normal. Once we reach Cainva I will send them a message. Therefore, I shall accompany you,” he told the group.

“Plus, the Hunt won’t give up just because you are out of the city, and we will be wanted across all of Haveenté. You sure you want to come?” Riley asked.

“Yes,” he replied, “and you can do nothing to stop me from going.” Tatianna noticed the clear hostility between the two for reasons she did not understand. “Now let’s find those horses,” the Prince led the way.