Chapter 9

"The Bond That Burns" 

 Cold stone and colder glares made up the council chamber.  Figures cloaked in darkness murmured to one another.  Elder Myros sat at the center, his eyes like obsidian.

 You bear the prophesied child.  An uncommon soul, meant to either unite or destroy.

 I remained calm.  It's still only a kid.

 He turned his head.  You don't get it.  We have waited for this for a thousand years.  This is not about your suffering.  This is fate.

 Destiny does not entitle you to take my kid.

 We are not requesting.

 Revan then stormed in with Jordan at his side.

 Revan replied, "Then you'll have to pass past me."

 Myros grinned.  You always were foolish.

 Touch her and you'll find out just how reckless.

 Jordan also advanced.  We could despise one another, but we all believe Lora is not yours to control.

 Elder Myros lifted a hand.  His guards brandished firearms.

 I gasped.

 This was going on.

 War... for me.

 I opened my lips to speak—but a scream tore through the hall. 

 Everyone turned. 

 Smoke came in from the eastern door.

 At Myros' feet, a messenger fell.  The Darkborn... they have come back.

 The room was filled with gasps.

 Myros stared at me, startled.  "This changes everything." 

 Revan took my hand.

 We must run.  Right now.

 For what reason?

 They are not here for a war.  They are here for you.

Kiss me.  Before the world burns again, right now.

 I did not consider it.  I just seized Revan by the collar and slammed my lips into his.  Wild, frantic, electrifying it was.  Perhaps it was the anxiety.  Perhaps it was the mayhem surrounding us collapsing.  But for one second, all I felt was him. 

 Then Jordan pulled me back.

 What the heck do you think you're doing?!

 Revan retorted, "Saving her from you."

 I pushed them both.  Not now!

 The sky was smoky outside.  The Darkborn were coming down.  Their black cloaks flowed like liquid shadows, and the ground trembled under their coming.

 We have to go!  I shouted.

 Jordan grumbled.  We ought to remain and battle.

 Revan drew me to his side.  Our numbers are few.  Should they desire her, they will set fire to this whole location to obtain her.

 You don't own her!

 She's not yours either!

 BE QUIET!  I yelled.  You two!  We're squandering time.

 Revan gazed at me.  "Do you trust me?" 

 I hesitated.   My heart pulled in two directions.   But I nodded. 

 Then come with me.

 Jordan came in between us.  Not while I live.

 Revan growled, "That can be arranged."

 Fire building in my chest, I squeezed between them.  That's plenty!  I am not running.  Running is over for me.  I'll head out there.  I will confront the Darkborn.  If they want me, they can hear from me personally." 

 Jordan remarked, "You will die."

 "Then so be it.   I will not be their pawn, though.  Not yours, not Revan's, not the Council's.

 Revan's jaw tightened.  Then he nodded slowly.  We then battle alongside you.

 The courtyard was pandemonium.  Shadows danced in unnatural ways, stone walls were licked by flames, and council guards shouted.

 A tall man came forward.  Though his face was obscured, his voice sent shivers down my spine.

 Lora from the Black Moon.

 I stayed still.  Who wants to know?

 "I am Nightbane.   Herald of the Void.   And I have come for your child." 

 Revan stepped forward.   "You’ll have to go through me." 

 "Gladly." 

 Darkborn soldiers moved forward.   Revan and Jordan plunged into the battle.   Claws, fangs, flames. 

 I backed backward, gripping my stomach.   I shouldn’t be here.   I shouldn’t be battling. 

 Then I felt it. 

 A heartbeat.

 From inside me.

 A warmth that coursed through my veins.  A radiance surrounding my fingers.

 The prophecy.

 The strength.

 The infant.

 It was shielding me.

 One of the Darkborn charged at me, but a burst of energy propelled him flying back.

 I looked at my hands.  "What the—" 

 Nightbane hissed, "She's waking up."  It has started.

 "Lora!"   Revan shouted.   "You have to focus!   Use it!" 

 I didn’t know how.   I just held my ground, heart pounding, and imagined a shield, a wall, anything to protect the ones I loved. 

 Light burst from me, pushing back every opponent. 

 Everyone froze. 

 Even Nightbane. 

 "She’s not just the mother," he whispered.   "She’s the Key." 

 Jordan stumbled to my side.   "What does that mean?" 

 "It means," Nightbane remarked, "we’ve only just begun." 

 And with that, he vanished in smoke. 

 We stood in silence, the courtyard burned and fractured.   Bodies lay still.   Revan’s shoulder was bleeding.   Jordan’s hands trembled. 

 And I... 

 I was glowing. 

 What just occurred to me?  I murmured.

 Revan ambled in my direction.  "You didn’t just protect us.   You destroyed half the field.   That’s ancient magic.   Power from the old bloodlines." 

 Jordan’s eyes were wide.   "No one has seen that kind of magic in centuries." 

 I felt faint.  That makes no sense.

 Revan remarked, "We need solutions."  Only one can provide them.

 "Who?" 

 The lady I gave birth to.

 Jordan frowned.   "She’s dead." 

 Revan grinned grimly.   "That’s what I let the world believe." 

 I blinked.   "She’s alive?" 

 He nodded.   Concealed.  Deep into the Forbidden Forest.  We will have to go tonight, though.  Before the council seals you away.

 Jordan snarled.  You are not bringing her anywhere alone.

 Revan sighed.  Okay.  Fine. But if she makes us toads, I'm blaming you.

 We moved quickly and quietly that night.  True to its name, the Forbidden Forest was thick, frigid, and unsettling.  Creatures observed us with luminous eyes. 

 I stayed close to Revan.   Jordan was on my side guarding me.

 We approached a moss-covered entrance concealed in a tree trunk. 

 Revan knocked once more.  Then one again.  Then said softly, "Mother."

 Not a thing.

 The door then opened with a squeak.

 There stood a lady inside.  Tall, graceful, with silver hair and golden eyes.  She resembled a queen.

 Revan.

 Mom.

 Her eyes scanned us and settled on me.

 You brought the young lady.

 She's more than only that, he remarked.  She is the one.

 Her eyes narrowed.   Then we are already late.

Lora, I cannot lose you.  Not once again.  Just believe me, please.  Jordan's voice breaks and I can feel the genuine need in his speech.

 My heart pounds excruciatingly against my ribcage as I gulp.  This is not meant to occur.  Not in this manner.  Not with that guy.

 Taking a trembling breath, I attempt to calm my anxiety.  The decision's weight hanging in the air between us seems more than it ever has before.  Will he let me down again?  After all?  After the years of suffering, after the falsehoods, after the treachery?

 The candle's soft glow dances about us, creating shadows all over the space.  I have never been so divided.  I wish to flee.  I wish to escape this harmful draw between us.  But my heart, too, beats for him.  It always did.  No matter how much I said I despised him, no matter how much I tried to force him out.

 But now, here he is, standing in front of me, his eyes begging for pardon, and my head is yelling at me to be strong, to not fall for it.  Not once again.

 Jordans...  I breathe out and move back to separate us.  His body's heat remains in the atmosphere.  I can feel the draw, the magnetic attraction that’s always been between us. 

 Jordan, you have no idea what you are asking, I say softly, my voice trembling with emotion.  You believe you can just stroll in here and request pardon following all?  Following you—

 Lora, I understand.  I understand.  But what do you expect of me?  What am I meant to do?  Now, his remarks are frantic and desperate, like a drowning guy grasping for the final thread of safety.

I can hardly look at him.  The past two weeks—two months—weight seems stifling.  "I don't know, Jordan," I say, my voice cracking and a knot forming in my throat.  I no longer know what to feel.  Your decision has already been made.  You choose her.  You have selected your bundle.  Not me. Never me.” 

 I can hear the sudden intake of breath, the way his chest rises and falls with the struggle of holding it together.   But when he talks again, his voice is low and forceful. 

 I didn't pick her.  They were not my choice.  You must trust me, Lora.  But I had to decide things I couldn't reverse.  Decisions I had to make but didn't want to.  For the pack.   For the future.” 

 His words should be soothing, but they cut like knives.  How often have I heard him claim he had no option?  How often has he said the pack justified his abandonment of me?

 I shake my head and wave my hand to push him away.  Jordan, you always have a choice.  You simply never selected me.

 For a time, the quiet between us hangs thick.  His eyes deepen, and his jaw tightens.   He moves nearer, his stare never leaving me.   Though I hold my ground, the intensity in his eyes makes me shudder.