A Spark Against the Shadows (Book Two) Fully Released

Chapter III - On the Mountainside

Alexis breathed heavily as the three of them slowed their pace through the forest while they gathered their breath. She looked up at the trees above her as the rain stopped as they headed further onto the mountainside. Looking back, she watched as Lukas checked on Sonya, who stood against a tree flexing her hands from the calling she used earlier.

Sonya closed her hand and took a breath before she reached up and tightened her grip around her ponytail as she drained the water from her hair. Alexis removed the hood from her head as she looked up at the light coverage of branches from the trees above. She turned as she witnessed Lukas coming her way.

"You wanted a fight within that tavern. We could have avoided it all, but you were looking for a battle," said Lukas, as he walked up to her before pushing her shoulder, making her stumble back a few steps.

Alexis regained her balance before moving a few strides forward to be inches from his face. "You think I wanted to fight those men? Where do you get thinking like that?"

She turned her head to see Sonya standing, not saying anything as she spun away. Lukas moved back into her view, blocking her sight of Sonya. He reached down and loosening the strap on his left gauntlet as he took it off. Pouring water that got captured in the leather underneath. "I know that look you had in your eyes. Kota gets the same look, and I thought you gave up this recklessness before Kota-"

"They kidnapped him," Alexis said when she finished her sentence while her jaw tightened.

"Cordelia kidnapped him from me and our family? Before she had my father killed in front of me and before my kingdom banished me?" Alexis questioned as she walked a few steps away from him before turning back around. "Cordelia made me who I am today. I am not the calm and collected woman you once knew. I have killed in my brother's name and in pursuit of finding him. The blood on my hands will paint a very different woman."

Lukas took a step backward as she moved closer to him, pointing a finger at his chest. Alexis glanced over to Sonya before staring into his brown eyes once more. "You disappeared for an entire year, too. I could have used your help throughout that time. Maybe then I would have not done something so rash and would not have been banished from those I love."

"I am sorry Lex," said Lukas, witnessing Alexis turn away from him while the rage and hurt echoed within her chest as she struggled to keep it inside. "If I could have helped during that time, I would have. I did not have a mender and only returned to the castle a little before Grace's party, but I am here now. Helping you end this war before it begins."

Alexis walked away from him as she reached up, wiping the tears from her eyes. Turning her body to walk towards a tree before rearing her hand back. She paused as she began balling her hand into a fist as she struck the tree. The air around her hand swirled in a light blue dusting of her calling. The tree cracked and splintered as she connected with the bark, leaving a swirl of Ice coming from the wood surrounding her fist.

Sonya watched as she pulled her fist from in between the ice as she walked behind her. "I know that anger. I was the same way before I headed out towards Elida. But do not lose yourself in this rage. We need a level head."

"I am trying my best not to, but..." pausing Alexis turned as she took a deep breath. "I cannot bring those people I killed back to life. Although, now we can get to her before she makes her next move to destroy more lives."

Sonya held her hand around the shoulder of Alexis for a second before moving it away. Lukas moved closer to the two of them as he stood to the left of Alexis, facing her. Positioning himself for a more stable stance, he stared at her. "What do you mean? Get to who?"

"Are you talking about the reason we are heading west instead of North? Toward the Kingdom?" asked Sonya while thinking about what she said earlier.

Alexis nodded her head as she walked in between the two of them before she reached down, checking the sword on her belt and the broken spear on her back from under the cloak. Taking a second to compose herself, Alexis closed her eyes hard as the tears fell onto her cheek before she wiped them away. Alexis as she turned, seeing the two focusing on each other. "I got some info that a beautiful woman and a man with a wolf headed with supplies into the mountain path not a few days ago."