The Call of Home

CHAPTER 17

At the shrieks of the enids on the far side of the streets, Idris wordlessly pulled me into a nearby alcove as droves of terrified beings scattered about, some shooting up into the air only to realize there were winged creatures in the sky. Tears poured out of my eyes and I could barely mask my sobs at the horrifying vision that warned us too late. Beasts came in packs, tearing and ripping through Duskhold. Idris held me tight, steadying me, quickly becoming privy to the situation at hand.

"Elyse you need to come back to me." Idris said, hands cupping my face. A body thudded right beside us from above, this poor enid female ripped nearly in half, her entrails drooping out of her body, crimson poured from her midsection. Pure terror ripped through me, my eyes nearly popped out of my head. Idris snapped his fingers, my attention returned to him. His eyes were unwavering.

"You can do this. You are trained, we have done this before in the woods. There are others that are proficient with their powers or weapons. We need to get people safe underground. There are tunnels Veshyeans carved out below for situations exactly like these. You need to snap out of it."

I can't. I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't do this. My eyes tried to drift to the carnage just feet away. He snapped again.

"Do. Not. Look. Come with me, we will kill those things, you hear me? You are not weak. You winded me with a single punch, remember? Bring her out."

I nodded shakily. Bring her out.

With trembling hands, I steadied myself and forced my mind to quiet, pulling up the part of me that Idris spoke of. I let my breath slow, my muscles tense, and felt that familiar energy coiling within me, waiting to be released. I closed my eyes for a split second, tuning in to the sounds around us, focusing on each shriek and growl until my senses sharpened, piercing through the fear that had paralyzed me.

"Good," Idris whispered, his gaze flicking between me and the street beyond. "We move fast and smart. Don't stop for anything unless someone's in immediate danger. Understand?"

I nodded, feeling the tension in my limbs shift from terror to purpose. The pounding of my heart steadied, and I found myself grasping for my dagger, the cool weight of it familiar in my grip. We slipped out from the alcove, staying low and pressing ourselves close to the buildings as we darted down the cobblestone streets.

The town had descended into chaos. Fires lit up the evening sky in sickening flashes, shadows of winged beasts sweeping through the air and crashing down on unsuspecting enids who tried to flee. Their screams filled the night, cutting through the clash of claws against cobblestone. Idris led the way, his movements fluid as he lashed out at any creature that got too close, his blade a gleaming arc of steel.

Ahead, a group of villagers scrambled to shield their young, their faces pale with terror. A beast lunged toward them, teeth bared and dripping with malice. Without thinking, I raised my hand, and a rush of power surged through me, fierce and hot. The air around me crackled as energy shot from my fingertips, slamming into the creature with a force that sent it tumbling backward, its snarl turning into a pained screech.

Idris gave me a brief nod of approval before we moved forward, ushering the terrified villagers toward a small opening hidden beneath a trapdoor on the far side of the square. "The tunnels," he called to them, pointing down. "Stay low, keep moving, and don't look back."

One of the villagers, an elderly man with deep-set wrinkles and eyes brimming with fear, grabbed my arm. "Please," he whispered, his voice cracked, "my daughter—she's out there somewhere. I lost her in the crowd."

"Get underground, that's where everyone is headed, she may be there."

The man gave a nod, his gaze lingering on me with a glimmer of hope, and then he disappeared into the darkness below. My resolve hardened, and I turned back to Idris, who was already scanning the horizon for the next threat.