THE DEVIL'S DIAMOND

The Legends of Litheria-Prologue

Wind whistled and tore at my ragged dress as rain cascaded from the darkening sky. The dress was no match for the freezing wind as it whipped through the thin material, piercing my skin like thousands of tiny needles. Wrapped in my arms, I could feel William shivering inside the blanket that I had covered him in. I pulled him tighter against my chest attempting to shield his little body from the cold.

Pain shadowed each step I took. My whole body ached. I could barely feel my toes or my fingers, but I knew I had to keep going.

For William I'd give my life to protect him. He was all I had. In my heart, I knew he was something special. I would not, nor could I, let him die.

William was a Coi, a half-breed, unlike any other. If anyone knew of or even guessed at his birthright he would be hunted down and killed. As a Coi his abilities were unpredictable. He would have an extremely powerful gift, but it could take him years to master and control it. Because of that, the Kingdoms of Litheria considered all Coi to be a danger to them.

William was also the son of the last known shape shifter. A dreadfully evil creature that could take on any form throughout Litheria and reeked havoc on the land.

As William's mother, I could be destroyed for not turning him over, but even knowing the consequences, I couldn't bring myself to do it. He was my son and nothing would ever change that. Tears ran down my face at the knowledge that I could not keep him. I would never get to see my little boy grow up.

"Mama what's wrong?" William asked. I looked down to see his chocolate brown eyes boring into mine.

"Don't worry about it. I'm fine." I lied, faking a smile as I choked back a sob. Using my free hand I brushed his dark hair out of his eyes, kissing his forehead. "Whatever happens know that I always have and will love you."

"I love you too, mama." He said, his voice slurring as sleep got the better of him. He nestled his head against my chest as I cradled him like a baby.

Tears had begun falling like waterfalls from my eyes. Instead of crying out loud, I cried internally. Mud sloshed under my feet from the down pouring rain. Thunder had begun rolling across the night sky as dusk turned to night. Numbness had spread throughout my body now. My arms and legs felt like bricks as exhaustion seeped threw me.

By the time I reached the gates of Shearwood, jagged bolts of lightning had begun ripping through the rain. A feeling of unease spread threw me as brilliant light illuminated the sky. I walked cautiously as the night fell into blackness once more. When I was sure no one was around, I slipped threw the metal gates into Shearwood, staying close to the wall.

"Halt. Who goes there?", a deep voice asked. I turned to watch as three men approached me.

Dread consumed me. I didn't come all this way to fail. Laying William on the ground behind me, I took battle stance. I waited until the man who spoke was only arms length away before I attacked, slamming my fist into the side of his head. It took all of three seconds before he crumpled to the ground unconscious. Even exhausted and pained humans were no match for an elf.

The second man charged with his sword drawn. In my peripheral vision, I could see the third man running for help. I jumped aside as the second man swung his sword, narrowly missing my throat. I kicked him in the chest knocking him to the ground. He dropped the sword in surprise. I picked it up from the ground and with all my weight I shoved the sword into the flesh of his chest. Blood poured from the wound as he scrambled to cover it.

"What-tt-t are y-you?" he stuttered, gasping for his last breath.

I didn't reply as I turned away, leaving the man to die. Scooping up William, I ran behind the closest house, praying that no one saw where I went. Suddenly, blaring alarms sounded throughout Shearwood. Men were everywhere, slogging through the mud, armed for battle.

A door opened at my right, and I turned to look into soft gray eyes of an old woman. I waited for her to scream or call for the men, and it would all be over. There was no way I could take on that many men as exhausted as I was and keep William safe. It was hopeless.

When she didn't do anything but stare at me, I held out my child to her begging with my eyes for her to help me.

"Please," I said. It was all I could manage and even then it came out as a horse whisper. The lady put a shaking finger to her lips silently telling me to be quiet. She took William from my arms, beckoning me inside. I shook my head.

"Please take care of him", I whispered.

She nodded solemnly. William was safe. It was all I could think about before I disappeared into the thundering blackness once more.