Reign of Embers

Chapter 35- Lillia

Aelin

"I just don't understand where they could be, we've literally searched the entirety of the Staghorns," Rowan sighs, running his hands over his face in defeat.

Weeks of searching have found no answers towards where Lysandra has disappeared to, bringing with it further fear as to where Hollin is hiding. New search parties go out every few days but only bring back news of death and destruction in communities throughout the mountains and Terassen.

"The problem with Zraleski is that they are made of shadow - they can hide in plain sight. That's why we've had so much trouble tracking them after all these attacks. I'm assuming wherever Hollin is hiding works in a similar way," Lorcan says from across the war room table, late afternoon sun casting shadows on his exhausted face. A huge map of Erilea sits before us, pins of where we have explored littering the Staghorns. "Not to mention they can manipulate whatever magic the host possessed. For all we know there could be shapeshifting demons among us."

We've all thought of that horrible scenario numerous times, but spies are a part of court, so we remain vigilant and avoid giving them anything to talk about.

"So do we try their tactics? Lorcan you are a shadow man yourself; can't you blend into the shadows?" I ask, already knowing what he will respond with.

"Different type of darkness, I tried to blend in but I'm more of an in-your-face murdering darkness, shadows are softer, more susceptible to change - that's why the Zraleski are so good at it. They can manipulate organic matter to their bidding."

"Why can't Hollin make it a bit easier for us. I like to be able to sense my enemies before they attack me." Elide complains - we are all getting fed up with this game Hollin is playing, we just want a decent night sleep without being woken up by the screams of someone being possessed or stolen. Even Dorian and the others had to leave to go back to their respective kingdoms due to the sheer number of attacks throughout the continent, but especially here, only those who live here are willing to stay in Terassen.

"I'm just worried we are going to be running around fighting to find Zraleski, and we won't realise Hollin is in the castle until it's too late." I say just as a strong kick stabs my abdomen; "I thought you were asleep," I mutter to the twins, massaging my belly - they really enjoy stabbing me with their limbs, and due to there being double the usual number inside me it seems to be never ending. I'm dreading the next few months if I'm experiencing this already, even if it means they're healthy - the joys of being six months pregnant.

"Hopefully you'll get some sleep tonight Aelin if they're active now instead of the moment you lie down." Rowan says next to me, he's been loving feeling the twins kick, and now that I can distinguish between the two, we are starting to think of names. However, for the time being our friends have been giving them nicknames - the current ones being Moon and Star. Moon is the twin nearest my rib cage and causes my eyes to flame slightly silver when they kick. Star's kicks cause my eyes to appear to flame slightly gold.

"Hopefully, but I doubt it. Baby Moon may be awake now, but Star will decide to wake up just as Moon goes to sleep." I sigh, stifling a yawn. "Anyway, back to Hollin. How many people have gone missing now?"

"Last count was 47 people in Orynth alone - including 13 dead, there have been lots of near misses as well, but that data was this morning, it may have changed by now. Out of all of them we have only killed 10 demons, mostly this week," Lorcan states. "In the whole of Terassen it's in the hundreds, maybe even thousands." Our report stations work overall but they rely on someone travelling there, then that guard to send a letter to the palace. Many of those letters may well have been intercepted, or survivors killed before being able to report any incidences. Some villages have been rendered empty from the demons. Animals are another count entirely, and the whole of Erilea is suffering immensely. The attacks started as a rare occurrence, but in the past week they have been ramped up to a whole new level.