The Twelve Stars

Chapter 9

We couldn't escape. Finn and I took one look at each other and knew exactly what we had to do. We took flight and ran up the path to my overlooked house up on the hill that located our village.

"They will come after us," Finn said, panting.

"I know," I replied.

"We're not safe here."

"I know."

"They will take us to my father."

"I know!"

His next words were faltered due to my rising tone. "Do you think your uncle can help us?" he asked. Finn had never sounded so desperate. One could say that our interaction was to blame for his softened ego. And maybe that could be a good thing. I opened the door.

"We're about to find out," I replied. To my gratitude, Robyn had remained at the cabin to watch over my uncle and the Allcron Stone. During our time away, she had fetched one of the stools from the scullery to place beside Quentin's bed to keep close tabs on him. There was an old sofa by the hearth if she needed to rest. She turned at the sound of our hastened arrival and locked eyes with me as we entered Quentin's room. Next to her, Quentin's wide eyes reflected Robyn's sudden look of concern. "We need to go," I said.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Unless you want to be burnt to the stake, I suggest you do as Callyk says," Finn answered.

He was afraid. And so was I. In the time that it took for us to reach home, word had already been sent to Elder Harald about our identity as outside, the hurried stride of village sentries could be heard. A heavy thud came from the front door. We turned towards the noise and stood stock still. Fear grounded me. When neither of us answered, it came again, heavier this time. Our only route of escape was the back door, but it would only get us so far.

"There's no time, Callyk," Quentin whispered, reading my thoughts.

Then Finn stepped forward. He brought up his hands just as he had done with the Shade army and closed his eyes. It took me seconds to realise what he was doing, a feat I thought he swore never to reveal. The room turned cold as darkness took over. The drop in temperature had me turn around to see shadows creeping up the walls with Finn as the puppeteer. As he honed in on his power, the shadows reached the ceiling, its objective being the door, and snaked down the opposite wall. To my horror, a shape of a hand formed from its dark mass and wrapped around the doorknob.

"I'm done hiding," Finn said.

"Finn," I warned.

"We shouldn't be afraid of who we are," he continued. The door opened and he walked forward.

"Finn, you're not thinking straight-"

A wave of dizziness overtook me, causing me to falter in my stead. I paused in attempts to regain my bearings. Until now, I had almost forgotten about the Magick link that bound us. If he continued at the rate he was going, I feared the outcome. Through my blurred vision, I saw Finn stop too, his power being too much for him to control without the proper training. I reached out a hand to him when two village sentries barged in. One made for Finn and the other restrained my hands behind my back. Robyn and Quentin's attempts to stop them remained futile when darkness caved in and the ground came rushing up to greet me.

***

The discomfort of cold concrete surpassing the material of my trousers awoke me from my unconscious state. It took me a few seconds to recall the incident that had led to this moment. For a split second, I was confused as to why we were kneeling. That's when I looked up to see Finn next to me, barely conscious himself. Miffed voices followed. We were facing Elder Harald's domicile in the village square. Restless chatter was diminished by Elder Harald's presence as the wooden platform thudded under the weight of his boots. He may be the leader of our village, but that didn't allow for activity to go undetected, such as my secrecy for being what I was.