In the Shadows

Chapter 1: Rescues

Alexandra's POV

I ran out of the room after the White Cloaks who had my family and Aaron's in hand.

"Release them!" I shouted at the men. They turned and looked at me.

"If you kill one of us the others will die," one man said. I looked at Christine, who gave me the slightest of nods. I took a deep breath as I closed my eyes and lowered my bow. Christine would take care of them until we were able to rescue them.

When I opened my eyes they were gone. I ran back into the ceremony room where I saw people cleaning up and taking away the injured. I saw Aaron on the floor unmoving. Oh God no, please not him. I ran over and knelt beside him. "Aaron please," I begged. I saw no external injuries so I set my head on his chest to see if his heart was beating, and I heard the reassuring beat of his heart, it was weaker than usual. His breathing was abnormal as well.

"What should we do?" Cecil asked.

"Take the injured to the infirmary," I replied as I stood up.

"And the people who were captured?" he asked hesitantly.

"We need to deal with the injured first and then we will go out and find them," I replied.

"I do not think you should do the rescue mission," he suggested and I just glared at him. "We will wait for you."

I walked to the infirmary and started to treat the men including my brother. Aaron was able to save him, but I was not able to save them. I should not have graduated. I knew that, I knew that I was not ready. I should still be training. Aaron or Cecil would have been able to save them, but I failed and now they were in the hands of those monsters.

"Alex." I felt Joel's hand on my shoulder. "You should take a break. There are only minor injuries left and we can deal with those."

I stood up and walked over to Aaron's bed where I sat down beside him. He still had not woken up. "Will he be alright?" Cecil asked.

"He should. There are no major injuries that I can see," I replied.

"Everything will turn out okay, you have to believe that," he said.

"I messed up Cecil, I messed up. I messed up and they were captured," I stated quietly.

"Do not blame yourself, and you know Aaron would say the same," he replied before he walked away. Soon all the men who were able to left. I insisted on staying by Aaron's side. I heard him groan.

"Aaron?" I asked as I leaned forward.

"What happened?" he moaned.

"They were captured, your siblings, Christine, and Lynn," I replied.

"Then we must go rescue them," he stated as he sat up and then groaned as he went back down.

"You need to rest," I replied.

"I could tell you the same thing," he said a playful smile appearing on his face. "Besides I know you are going and if you go I go."

"Elliot is only sending a small team, Cecil and I were chosen to go, so rest."

"I will go in Cecil's place."

"You are staying here and that is final. If you go you will only be in the way, Cecil and I will handle it."

"Alex there is no way in fucking hell I am letting you out of this guild by yourself."

"You are staying here Aaron."

"No I am not." He grabbed the tea that was on the table next to him and drank it.

"Goodnight Aaron," I stated.