Truths in a Rift (The Traveling Rifts Trilogy: Book Two)

Chapter 1 | A New Plan

**NOTE: this book is currently under editing. Scenes you read may change in the future.

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    Okay, Wattpaders: here it is - the second book of Traveling Rifts! If you read the first book (or my profile, for that matter), then you know I don't enjoy swear words. I would really like it if you didn't display any in the comments on my story. Also, please don't say stuff with "God" in it, such as "Oh my ___" Thanks!

Peace! :D

~RobynAster

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    It had been a day. One full day since they escaped the Empire of Shadows.

Aris Waverly stood on the shore of Lake Erie, gazing over its deep blue water. A warm wind swept over its body, rippling the water in rolls, and birds chirped in the sky. Aris could hear the soft pitter-patter of squirrels leaping from tree to tree. Bushes rustled in the breeze. Up in the sky, thin clouds shrouded the golden orb of the sun as it marked the reaching of eleven O'clock.

Aris tightened the light blue denim shirt over her grey tank, both covering her thin build. The seventeen-year-old wore freshly-cleaned skinny jeans tucked into new leather boots, courtesy of the Empire of Shadows. Her wet hair was black and cut short, its corkscrew curls bouncing off her head like a mini afro, and eyes green, tired but also refreshed.

Aris gazed to the side, where her quiver rested against a tree trunk, her bow by its side. Her eyes reverted to the rectangular bulge in the quiver's side. It called her, begging her to take it out.

Before they left the Empire, Faril gave Aris a book he claimed contained the answers to her lost memories. The majority of her past sixteen years were literally erased from her mind when she converged with her dragon. She hardly remembered anything past her adoptive parents. Truthfully, that was why she was here now. Because she so desperately wanted answers she willingly went with a complete stranger to a rift full of shadow-controlling elves.

And then became a terrorist to an entire nation.

Aris grimaced.

The girl walked over to the quiver, sweat gathering at her palms. She had been so busy since their escape, she had hardly considered opening the book. Between finding a place to hide, helping the others with their injuries, and actually, finally sleeping, Aris hadn't had a moment to herself until now. She was grateful to Lake Erie. It gave her a chance to bathe and get away from the others.

And it now presented her with the opportunity to open her book.

Aris crouched down, slowly reaching out with her right hand to unzip the quiver. For a moment, she marveled at the fact the shadow elves had come up with the invention of zippers, like humans. Or perhaps they took the idea from humans.

Aris shook her head. Sitting on her knees, she picked up the book, careful not to handle it with her left wrist, which was sprained. The brown leather covers were tied with a piece of string. She bit her lip for a second. Then, as she made up her mind to finally crack it open, she heard a snap behind her.

Quickly grabbing an arrow from the quiver, Aris whirled around. The book fell to the soil below. She faced a woodland elf with long, golden hair and bright blue eyes. Through the tunic he wore, Aris could see his ribs protruding from time spent in a dungeon. He held up his hands in a sign of surrender.

"T-Taleryn," Aris said, relief in her voice.

She slowly put the arrow down, shaking a little. She was so jumpy, so paranoid they would be found out. With a deep breath, the girl deposited the shaft back in its place and quickly picked up her book, putting it back in its pocket. Her heart's thumps slowly began to decrease, and she could feel the pain in her wrist once again. She slung the bow over her shoulder.