Chapter 9 Beneath the Surface

Rowan's POV

Run! The thought slammed into me like a punch. It wasn't just a suggestion; it was my gut screaming, a pure, desperate feeling. But I was stuck. Elaria had her boot planted on my chest, pressing me into the cold, damp ground. And the shadows were closing in all around us, moving like living things, ready to eat me alive.

I gasped, and my mouth filled with the taste of dirt and something electric – that strange, metallic smell of magic. My wolf was going nuts, growling low in my throat, wanting a fight. I had to keep it in check. This wasn't any normal fight; it was much, much worse.

Elaria stared down at me, her amber eyes – the same eyes I used to know so well – clouded over and distant. She pressed harder on my chest, and a grunt escaped me.

You shouldn't have come back, Rowan, she said softly. Hearing those words in her quiet voice made them sting even more.

For a split second, I thought I saw something in her face... was it doubt? It vanished so fast that I almost missed it. Almost.

Elaria, I choked out, my voice rough. I swallowed hard and tried again. This isn't you.

Her eyes narrowed, and that flicker disappeared, gone like a fleeting bad dream. Her face was a blank slate. You don't know me anymore.

I used to. I knew the girl who laughed under the moonlight, the girl who wanted to help the people by leading with everything she had – her heart and soul. That girl who would whisper my name like it meant everything. But the woman standing over me now? She was a stranger, detached and cold.

I know you better than you think, I managed, my voice gaining some strength. And I know you don't want to do this.

She let out a short, humorless laugh. What I want doesn't matter anymore.

She lifted her foot from my chest, but before I could even move, she grabbed my shirt and yanked me up. I hardly had time to balance myself before she shoved me backward – right into the waiting arms of those shadows.

Too many hands grabbed at my arms, my shoulders, my neck. They were freezing, the cold sinking deep into my skin, numbing everything. My vision went blurry, the world tilting.

No. Not like this.

I clenched my fists, calling on whatever strength I had left, and jerked myself free. Just as I moved, the air crackled, like lightning about to strike.

Elaria's expression changed again – a flicker of shock, maybe recognition – but she didn't back down.

Instead, she raised her hand.

Some invisible force slammed into me, knocking me hard down to my knees. I gasped, my whole body seizing as pain ripped through me, the terrible sensation of being pulled apart, my bones about to crack.

Elaria stepped closer, towering over me. You weren't supposed to return.

I didn't have a choice, I gasped. Something's coming, Elaria. Something worse than either of us.

For the first time, actual worry crossed her face. What are you talking about?

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to move despite the incredible pain. The people who disappeared, the weird symbols – you think this is just random? It's not. Something old is waking up. And if we don't stop it…

The air around us vibrated. A low, animal growl echoed through the clearing, making the ground tremble.

Elaria snapped her head up, her whole body going stiff. The shadows stirred, their glowing eyes flicking back and forth faster. Something was out there, ready to show itself.

A shape pulled itself out of the darkness, way too big, and distorted. It moved in jerks and spasms, and every raw, basic survival instinct in my body started screaming.

Elaria took a step back, gasping. For the first time since she'd shown up, she looked unsure, her eyes wider than they should be while she stared at what was approaching, like something was off.

What the hell is that? she whispered.

I had no idea. And that scared me more than anything.

The thing tilted its head, moving slowly and awkward as if it had no bones. Then, without warning, it leaped.

Elaria reacted quickly, throwing her hands up, and a blast of power surged outward. The blast slammed right into the creature, knocking it back – but not stopping it. It was back on its feet almost instantly, its strange limbs twisting as it let out another growl, deep and guttural.

I forced myself up, every muscle screaming in protest. Whatever this was, it wasn't going to stop on its own. And if we didn't stop it, we were goners.

Elaria, I said, my voice as pushy as I could push, letting her know this had to be done and now. We need to work together.

She shot me a look that could melt steel, but I saw her emotions that she has, but was afraid to show everyone around her that she might have that worry in her eyes. Listen to me! This isn't about us anymore, I said louder, If we don't stop it right now, we're dead.

She didn't move and listened closely but she didn't argue back either time.

That was enough for me.

The creature came again, its huge and abnormal body blocking out the moon as it moved directly for us. But this time, we were set and ready.

I moved at first with lighting speed, trying to work the energy around me. The ground under us started to act weird as if the energy was too much for it, and this energy started spreading towards the creature. Elaria at the same time, started working the magic within her, but this time it was bigger, even hotter than before.

We both hit it together as the lights started combining.

There was only white light as the ground started to shake.

Then, silence.

When the light had finally faded away, the creature was finally gone.

The whispers started to spread and roam as those sounds swirled all around us.

They had been waiting for us.