The Awakening

Chapter Thirty Three

Their footsteps echoed against the cold stone as they walked, causing each of Avelon's nerves to rattle. Each step closer to the exit had her eyes darting around in caution.

Balor would find her. Soon.

Thankfully, to her utter surprise and relief, it had not taken Lugh long to navigate through the dimly lit halls of the palace. Before she fully registered it, they stepped into the main hall. The area they had come from, had been entirely on the other side of the palace. It was a side to the palace Avelon had yet to visit, apart from the brief encounter and meeting she had with Ernin.

The polished marble floor in the hall gleamed under the flickering torchlight, casting elongated shadows that danced along the walls, stirring a deep unease in Avelon. Her shoulders ached from their constant tensing. Scanning the crowd almost proved futile as she searched for Brianne. The room had been buzzing with Fae who were gathered to see Balor. She almost hissed at the thought. Her eyes roamed over the crowd once more.

Avelon's heart clenched at the sight of her friend's familiar brown-haired head. Brianne was standing close to the main door, animatedly discussing something with a guest. Her head bopped as her hands swung in explanation.

"Brianne!" Avelon called. Lugh tensed beside her at the sound. As if sensing the urgency in her voice, Brianne's head whipped around, her wide eyes reflecting the anxiety that coursed through Avelon. Brianne curtly excused herself from her company and hurried over to Avelon.

"You're here." Avelon whispered under her breath, her voice barely carrying above the low hum of conversation. Her face pinched as she hinted to the fact that Brianne was not supposed to be in the hall at all.

Brianne's smile was timid as she threw a nervous glance at Lugh, who stood idly next to Avelon watching their exchange. Her eyes were laced with concern as her glance turned toward Avelon. Diverting her eyes, Avelon almost did not notice Lugh's expression change from a mix of confusion to slight apprehension. She frowned at the sight, snapping her attention back to Brianne.

She had no time to question Lugh.

They had to leave.

"Yes, I am here. In the hall." Brianne replied, her voice flat, as if she were reciting a line from a piece of paper. Her eyes darted to Lugh again, widening in question for Avelon to answer. Avelon pursed her lips.

"Lugh, thanks for bringing me without question," Avelon said abruptly, turning to Lugh. Anxiety knotted her stomach as her thoughts spiralled. She could feel the air thinning into what she knew would only bring chaos.

She had to act fast. "But Brianne and I have to go. Now." She nodded toward Brianne, who returned a nod of agreement.

Urgency surged within her as she grabbed Brianne's arm with a firm grip and steered her toward the exit. Brianne hesitated only for a moment, her eyes searching Avelon's face for answers. She knew, by the urgency in Avelon's behaviour, that something was wrong.

She relented and allowed Avelon to pull her toward the exit.

Avelon cast a quick glance back to Lugh, who silently stood watching them as they retreated. His face visibly conveyed his confusion and worry. She had wanted to explain and had almost paused to offer him the reprieve of more information, but a dark flicker caught her attention. Her head snapped in the direction, causing her to pause. Brianne skidded to a stop, almost toppling over Avelon.

Shadows, thin and quivering, started forming in the furthest corners of the palace- appearing out of thin air. The sight of them had made her movements quicken into pre-hysteria. The air inside the hall felt as though it was thickening- so much so that it was hard to breathe.