The Shadows of Erisdar (ON HOLD)

Chapter 12

The garden was a great outlet for Alex. When she had explored the entire garden, she decided to fix it up. If her life could not return to the way it was, then she would at least return the garden to its former beauty as best she could. It also kept her mind off the strange dreams she'd been having.

Her first attempt to escape ended in a painful shock from the warded garden wall. But that didn't stop her. She began digging near the back wall, hoping the wards didn't extend underground.

Darryl was also at the house more often, only leaving for short periods at a time. He also spoke to her more often, asking if she needed anything and one afternoon, he gave her a bag of brand-new clothes as well as her weapons, which astounded her. She was glad for the clothes, they were exactly what she needed: shirts, loose and tighter trousers, and some sleepwear.

Alex began to feel a little more comfortable with the new changes. Archery targets had even shown up in the garden, yet she still yearned to go out into the forest. More often than not, she found herself staring out of the window seat at the forest beyond.

The first moment she was alone after getting her bag back, she rummaged through it desperately. The bracelet from Darcy was in there, and after all this time, she was sure Darcy would be beside herself with worry.

She probably thought the Gasham had gotten to her and that she was now stuck there. Alex was desperate to make contact with her.

"Ah-hah," she exclaimed when she found it. Without wasting a minute, she went to the nearest mirror and activated the bracelet.

After several painstakingly long minutes, the mirror finally shimmered.

"Alex!" Darcy exclaimed. "Thank the gods you're alive. I was so worried. I sent a letter to Mr. Morley to give to Jason, and he told me you'd been taken by that beast."

"I know, I wanted to contact you, but I didn't have my bracelet with me until now," Alex explained.

"Well, what happened?" Darcy asked.

"You might find it hard to believe." Alex said, "The shadow wolf is actually a man. A shifter, like a werewolf, just bigger and more dangerous."

"You're kidding." Darcy gasped.

Alex shook her head, "He brought me to some secret place where I've been kept under lock and key since I ran. He says I'm not a prisoner, but he can't trust that I won't expose them. However many of them there are."

"Why are they so secretive, though, and why help you in the first place?" Darcy questioned.

"Well, to be honest, the Gasham were actively searching for me, and if it weren't for him, they probably would have found me before I'd gotten very far," Alex confessed. "But by now, things should have settled down, and I can make my way to the guild. I'll be safe there."

Darcy didn't know much about Alex's other training at Eldara, except that it was elite and closed to outsiders. "Do you think he will help you get to the guild?"

"I don't know." Alex mused, "It seems they have enemies as well, and they seem to know what the guild is about, which is probably why they're wary of me. But it looks like I'm starting to build trust. I got my stuff back today, at least, which is why I could finally talk to you. But I can't wait forever. I'm hoping the ward on this place doesn't extend underground, then I can dig myself out."

"Well, if you need help. Let me know. I know you want me to keep quiet about all this, but if you'd like, I'm sure I could convince our Alpha to help you." Darcy added.

"Thank you, I'll keep that in mind," Alex replied gratefully.

"Always." Darcy said sincerely, "You're my best friend. I'd do anything for you."