Evmor: The Calling

Chapter 19

Here I am, back with the new chapter of The Calling. I just finished up another test today and it's late at night/early morning right now. I'm feeling rather emotional (in a good way) so: Thank you everyone who is reading and I hope you know I really do appreciate it. I feel like it hasn't been that long since I started this book but I realized it's been 8 months already! As people say, "Time flies when you're enjoying yourself". I'm content with the progress I've made so far and you should know, it's all thanks to you, reader <3 So please keep reading and simply enjoy this!

Chapter 19

The screams of terror, cries of desperation, and the muffled sobbing ricocheted inside my head in a continuous torrent of sound. I heard the tinkling of crystals, the deafening sound of shattering glass, and the crash as it hit the ground. The smell of smoke was thick in the air, added with a coppery tang of blood.

The ground under me lurched and I was jerked awake, gasping in fresh air. I was disoriented for a moment, watching strips of light land on the dark floor. The back of my neck ached and the muscle felt bunched up. My head felt like it was stuffed with cotton. I gazed dazedly around at the small space, trying to figure out what was going on. Then, with sharp realization, I found I was inside a wooden box. It was moving too.

I leaped up in alarm and saw that it was a wooden cart. I grimaced to find that the bodice of my dress was still uncomfortably tight. I would have to deal with it for now. As I looked around my eyes landed again on the strip of light. Finding a crack in the wood, I raised my hands to brace myself against it to peer out, only to find that a sizzling flame of purple bound my hands in front of me. It was chafing at my skin. Ignoring the discomfort, I looked out through the slit. I saw towering trees that blocked the sunlight, the occasional glimpses of rolling hills in the far distance visible through the spaces between trunks. In mild panic, I tried smashing myself against the wooden wall. It didn’t budge.

Sitting back on the ground with a frustrated huff, I tried to calm my pounding heart. Where was I? Where were these people taking me? Had I been kidnapped?

I pricked up my ear to the outside, hearing the muffled sound of hooves on the ground, the clanking of metal against metal, and the muted sound of conversation. Calming myself, I peeked through the slits again and what I saw sent a cold chill down my spine.

Several men surrounded the wooden prison as it lurched across the uneven ground on wheels. They were all dressed in uniform black, and I caught glimpses of gray streaks lining their shoulders and arm. One turned in my direction, giving me a glance at the front of his uniform, and I saw with dread the insignia of Cimerias: a crescent moon with silver vines wrapped tightly around it. As if sensing my gaze, the soldier bared his teeth in a mocking smirk.

I backed away from the wall and settled on the floor again. Cimerians had kidnapped me; that was for sure. But what was I supposed to do now? I couldn’t idly sit by and let these men deliver me to King Maurus. The thought of meeting the king sent a gripping sense of panic through me.

I remembered how I had sent Killian flying through the air, how I had shielded myself and Erebus from the falling glass—Erebus! Where was he? Did he know Cimerians were at the masquerade? Had he been part of the plan? The thought tasted bitter in my mouth. I cautiously edged towards the wall once again and took a look around. There were only groups of soldiers riding here and there, but there was no hint of Erebus around. Disappointment battled with relief; I wasn’t sure how to feel about that.

The men outside were arguing in loud voices and I edged closer to the wall to press my ear against it. I caught words like change and clothes and strained to hear better.