Chapter 40: The Road to Vaelport

The forest thinned as dawn approached, the dense canopy giving way to rolling hills and the distant glimmer of the sea. Aria exhaled slowly, pulling her hood tighter over her head as they trudged through the dewy grass. The night had been restless—she could still feel the lingering tension between her and Mira. Though neither had spoken of their clash by the campfire, it hung between them like an unspoken threat.

Elena stretched with a dramatic groan. "I don't know about you two, but I'm ready to sleep in an actual bed for once."

Mira, walking ahead, didn't react. She had been quiet since their encounter with the nightbeasts, her focus locked forward.

Aria, on the other hand, wasn't sure how she felt about entering a city. Vaelport was one of the largest trade hubs on the continent, and cities meant people—too many people. Too many eyes.

She could already feel her hunger gnawing at her.

Mira finally broke her silence. "We can't afford mistakes once we get there."

Elena grinned. "You wound me, Mira. When have I ever made a mistake?"

Mira shot her a look.

"Alright, fine," Elena said, raising her hands in surrender. "We'll play it safe. But we still need supplies, information, and a proper map of this damn continent. I doubt we'll find that hiding in the wilderness."

Mira nodded but didn't respond. Instead, she adjusted the hood of her cloak and kept walking.

As they crested the final hill, the city of Vaelport stretched out before them—a sprawling port town built into the cliffs, where stone buildings stacked upon one another like a chaotic puzzle. The harbor below was alive with movement; ships rocked against the tide, dockhands shouted as they unloaded cargo, and merchants peddled their wares in the streets beyond the towering city gates.

The sight of so many people set Aria's nerves on edge.

She clenched her hands, inhaling deeply. Stay in control.

The mark on her chest pulsed faintly in response.

Entering the City

The city gates loomed ahead, guarded by a pair of armored sentries. The path leading in was crowded with traders, sailors, and travelers, making it easy enough to blend in—if they were careful.

Mira turned to the others. "We don't use our real names. We don't draw attention."

Elena smirked. "And here I thought you'd want to announce our arrival with trumpets."

Aria pulled her hood lower. She knew why Mira was being cautious. People would notice her if they got too close. The mark on her chest radiated an aura that wasn't entirely… human.

They moved forward, slipping into the flow of merchants waiting to enter. The guards only spared them a brief glance before waving them through.

For a moment, Aria thought they had passed unnoticed.

Then she felt it—a presence lingering too long.

She resisted the urge to look, but Mira noticed. Without a word, she stepped between Aria and the nearest guard, her posture casual but protective. The man's gaze lingered for a moment before turning away.

Elena let out a quiet breath. "That was close."

They stepped through the gates, swallowed by the thrumming energy of the city.

The Streets of Vaelport

Vaelport was a labyrinth of narrow alleys, stacked buildings, and market squares bursting with color and sound. The scent of salt and fish clung to the air, mixing with the sweet aroma of spiced fruit from a nearby stall.

Mira led them through the streets with practiced ease, weaving between merchants and street performers. They needed three things: a map, supplies, and information.

The first stop was easy.

A small cart near the docks displayed a collection of scrolls and parchment. An old mapmaker sat hunched behind the stall, his sharp eyes flicking toward them as they approached.

"Looking for something?" he rasped.

Mira nodded. "A detailed map of the continent. Updated."

The old man snorted. "Updated? Borders shift faster than the tide these days." Still, he reached beneath the stall and retrieved a thick, weathered parchment. "This is as recent as it gets."

Mira placed a few gold coins on the table. The mapmaker didn't take them immediately. His gaze flickered to Aria, his expression turning wary.

"You're not from around here."

Elena leaned in with a smile. "What gave it away? The exhaustion or the fact that we don't smell like fish?"

The mapmaker huffed a chuckle but didn't look away from Aria.

"You be careful, girl. Vaelport's not kind to strangers."

Mira grabbed the map and turned to leave, but tension clung to the air.

That's when the trouble started.

A Close Call

A group of men stood near the alley entrance, watching them. Dockworkers at first glance, but Mira knew better. Their movements were too calculated, too deliberate.

One of them—a broad-shouldered man with a scar along his jaw—stepped forward.

"You three don't look like traders." His tone was casual, but his eyes were sharp. "And I don't like people asking too many questions."

Mira tensed. Too soon. Someone noticed.

Elena gave her usual lazy smile. "We're just travelers. Nothing wrong with knowing where you're going, is there?"

Scarface wasn't convinced. His gaze flickered to Aria.

Something about her unsettled him. He frowned.

Aria clenched her fists. She could feel the heat rising in her veins, the hunger stirring.

"Something's not right about you," Scarface muttered. His hand drifted toward his belt—toward the knife strapped there.

Mira stepped forward. "We don't want trouble."

Scarface smirked. "That's usually what people say right before they start it."

The air was thick with tension.

Aria could hear the blood rushing in her ears, could feel the darkness clawing beneath her skin. If this turned into a fight, if she lost control here—

Elena acted first.

With a smooth flick of her wrist, she tossed a small coin purse into the air. Scarface caught it on reflex.

Gold.

Enough to distract.

"A drink on us," Elena said lightly.

A long pause. Scarface weighed the pouch in his hand, then let out a dry chuckle.

"Smart." He stepped aside. "Don't linger too long, strangers. Vaelport isn't kind to… outcasts."

They left without another word.

A Narrow Escape

They walked in silence for several streets before Mira finally spoke.

"That was too close."

Elena grinned. "Come on, admit it. I saved us."

Mira ignored her. Instead, she turned to Aria, who hadn't said a word.

Aria was shaking.

She exhaled slowly, unclenching her fists. She had been so close. The hunger was getting worse.

Mira placed a hand on her arm, grounding her. "We'll figure this out."

Aria swallowed hard. She wished she could believe that.

For now, they had what they came for.

But the longer they stayed, the more dangerous Vaelport would become.

And deep in the shadows, someone had been watching.

Someone who had recognized what Aria truly was.

To Be Continued…