The Source (Chronicles of the Elements #1)

Chapter 17

Aiden began to trek up the craggy, jagged path at the base of the mountains while trying to keep an eye out for trouble. The sound of a crow cawing loudly suddenly cracked the silence all around and startled her causing her to trip over a hunk of rock poking up out of the ground. "Shit!" Aiden hissed as she felt her ankle twist and then begin to swell.

She saw a small cave mouth just ahead and hobbled quickly inside with fire in hand just in case the cave was occupied. Thankfully, it was empty, so Aiden sat down against the back wall and brought her healing magic to the surface mending the minor injury so that it wouldn't deter her once she reached the stronghold.

Just as she got it fixed and stood to resume her climb, a flash of light startled her. She blinked in response as a figure appeared before her. "Fiadh?"

"Aiden! You're okay!"

"What are you doing here? You shouldn't be here!"

"Neither should you. What were you thinking Aiden?"

"I have to do this, Fi. Danu said so."

"Not like this. Not by yourself. You left without even saying anything! Since when do we keep secrets?"

"Really, Fiadh? What about the whole Fae thing?"

"Well, you kept a big secret from me too."

"What are you talking about?"

"I know about you and Cillian. He told me one night."

"What?" Aiden asked trying to pretend ignorance about the topic.

"Darren was being particularly moody to us all because you wouldn't be with him until after your battle. Cillian was in my room venting and let it slip that he knew better than Darren what a gift it was to have you. It all spilled out then. Why did you not tell me?"

Aiden stared for a long moment before responding, "I did not want to be the cause of a friendship ending."

"Well, we have no time to discuss it further. We have to get out of here. Liam and a few Valkyries are here too. Everyone needs to get to Siog Riocht to meet the others."

"No. There is no other choice but to go to Olc."

"There is always another choice. You need to plan and strategize. The forbidden magic is strange and unpredictable. Be smart, Aiden."

"I am, Fiadh. I have realized that maybe we've been wronged by the Fae, and maybe Olc was right all along."

"Oh. Well, if you think we should hear what he has to say, we will."

"I think it is the best plan. Caden has already been hurt and part of our kingdom has been damaged. I have to stop this."

"Then let's go do it together," Fiadh smiled holding out her hand to her friend.

Aiden sent a blast of her elemental power towards what she knew was not Fiadh. Her lightening and fire melted away the illusion that surrounded the imposter. A female soldier writhed in agony in the dirt of the cave floor as Aiden pulled back fire and seeped the water from the body before blowing the dried out husk away with the wind.

The fake had said that Liam and the Valkyries were close meaning Olc knew she was here as well, so Aiden knew she had to find them and admit to herself that it was stupid of her to rush into this hasty plan. She could not live with herself if something happened to them for coming after her.

Aiden covertly peered out of the cave in an attempt to detect any danger or reinforcements coming to aide the shifter, but she only saw a single raven flying overhead that she decided not to let see her just in case it was another trick. She ducked back inside and brought her magic to the surface readying to defend herself when she saw another flash from the entrance that revealed Fiadh standing there.