The Wolfprism Chronicles: Excerpts

A Bargain I Made

Here is the part that no one saw and the true reason Wolfprism stayed at camp...

Enjoy.

My heart was still beating hard to the thrill of almost ripping blondie's throat out. Zan had calmed everyone down. There was something about that girl, a presence so to speak, that everyone listened to her. Whoever she was, she was obviously respected. Zan's eyes met mine and a hidden message of wonder lurked in there. With her hand, she dismissed every single glare and pair of eyes till we were just alone.

I was still trying to get over the fact that I didn't look like myself. I looked plain, mundane, and a lot like these beings. And I hated this adaption.

Zan's voice pulled me out of my reverie. "Who are you?"

"I could ask the same thing," I snapped harshly, my cold regal tone settling into my voice in habit.

Instead of shaking the girl's resolve though, a smile was on her lips. "You aren't from this world."

That wasn't a question.

I agreed, "Far from it indeed."

Zan's eyes were steady as she took in my healed wounds and scratches. "You aren't one of us then..." she trailed off, her lips turning into a questioning frown. Before I could say anything, her body took on a rigid pose, "You remind me of someone I heard, she goes by many names."

Of course, it was true. I did go by many names in many other words. Talon in the dragons, Amira in the Fae, Rune back where I was from, and my mundane surname I could never speak again. All added up to the name I went by as a commoner, as I was born. Tara. Of course I was called brutal things like the Killer, the Weapon, and the Wartress, but it was all still true.

I didn't let Zan faze me as I kept my impassive façade. "Oh really?" I asked, feigning interest. "What makes you think so?"

Zan's eyebrows rose high, her eyes gleaming in the sunset light. "Perhaps it's the way you speak. Hold your stance like a royal. The way you are perfect at hiding your emotions."

"Anyone could do that with the right practice," I countered with an admitting smile. She was a great conversationalist. I got off the bed, standing perfectly fine. It was official, everything had healed. My runes were probably shining beneath my clothes near the injuries but never gave away for alas, they were hidden between the particles.

Unexpectedly, Zan's laughter rang out in song, "Touché!" Her grin was getting contagious. A smirk had formed on my lips as well, my stance against the wall a bit more relaxed then the tense statue I was a minute before. My hands though where still in fists, ready for any movement towards me. Zan kept her distance all the same.

Zan's knowing irises met mine, "What should I call you here, among the camp?"

So many names I could've given. So many different ones. I don't know what happened to me in that moment, where my true name from my real family slipped past my lips. "Tara."

"Tara Wolfprism," Zan's head nodded in respect and I returned the favor. Some secret had passed between us then. "I can assure you, not many have heard of you by this name. If you wish, this is the name I will present you by."

"What makes you think I'll stay?" My eyes narrowed into slits, my stance going still and locked once more. Everyone in my past used me in one way or another. And I was done with it. For even if I was a Weapon of the Keepers, I will not be treated as so.

"Because of who you are," Zan's eyes said, no triumphant, no distress. Just a neutral reality check. "

"Explain," I said coldly, not liking where this was going whatsoever.

"The people who are after you are looking still. They should've found a body, or at least a faint trance of your presence if you had died..."

I almost snickered. No one could kill me except a few that I held close to my soul in a dark corner of knowledge. If someone where to search there, they would go insane with darkness before they even grasped the name. Zan gave me a stern annoyed look and I couldn't help smirk, "Go on."

"They," I knew who they was, "search by your presence. Hunt for your name. Here, in the disguise of Camp Half-Blood, you could hide well. No one would know and if you did have to venture out of this safe haven, you'd be spanning many realms and could lead them off track easily."

"Aren't you afraid I'll bring them here?" What kind of leader proposed this with knowing the fatal risks I bring upon this haven. "If I were to stay here, what do you have in mind for me? I'm not one of you."

"Not afraid at all," Zan replied to the first question immediately after, her eye gleaming with excitement. "As for the answer of your second, I know you have many talents and gifts. I bet what I heard is only partial to someone called the Weapon." I tried not to flinch. Zan's eyes softened and resumed, "I want you to be my advisor. Paranormal realms and ours are intermixing and threats are arising. You are a persuasive person I'm sure, you could help with the treaties. My campers also get into trouble many times and..."

"You want me to help them where I could." I finished with a mumble.

"In return, I'll give you a safe place to stay and a place you can start anew."

How good that last part sounded. How I could feel it in my fingertips. Biting my lip, I looked straight at her, a girl who was a leader of many. Who was wiser then her old age. And who was dangerous with the power she possessed of me. 

Zan added one solemnly, "You asked me why I would think you to stay. I think it's because you beiileve in life debts and in saving yours, you owe me."

Clenching my teeth, I knew she was right. My honor was on the line, as to my existence. It was only a matter of time before I was captured and sent back to Ca... No, I couldn't think her name.

"We have a deal." 

Those four words sealed my fate before, and now they did again.