My Shattered Legacy

Chapter 1

A gunshot cracked through the air. The ear splitting sound woke me with a start. Every sensation seemed heightened - the blue hue of a bedroom bathed in moonlight, the cool sheets against my skin, the searing pain in my stomach.

My hand found the injury in my abdomen. It returned to me damp with fresh blood. With a sharp breath I remembered. Kael shot me.

Now my eyes searched the room frantically, taking in every facet of my quarters. High four poster bed, carved wooden furniture, and scrolled wallpaper that traveled the length of the high ceiling were little indication of my whereabouts. My head spun.

How long have I been out? Where am I?

Swinging my legs to the side of the bed, I cried out, clutching the stabbing pain in my core. Doubled over, I let my forehead rest on my knees for a moment and tried to remember.

In my mind, the scene played clearly. Kael's eyes were cold and emotionless as he turned and shot me. There had been a moment between falling and losing consciousness that I'd reached for him, but he only watched me. Gideon said something but it was lost in my haze. Then, the world went black.

With a shudder I forced myself to sit straight, even though the effort sent a piercing pain through my core. Whimpering, I slid forward until my bare toes touched hardwood floors. Stretching far before me, wide panelled wood planks lead to a door on the far side of the room. Deep down, I knew my situation was bleak. This injury meant little hope of discovering where I was and no chance of escape.

Still, I had to try. With my fist pressed into the painful and bleeding wound, I slid my foot forward. My lungs sucked in air. I dropped my other foot to the ground with every intention of it bearing my weight. But it did not.

I hit the floor hard, first with my hip, then with my outstretched arm. Crying out, I felt my wound stretch at its borders. A sticky liquid trickled between my fingers.

For a moment I could only stare at it, half of me in denial that the injury even existed. Kael wouldn't betray me. He couldn't. He was the only person I could trust. There was a reasonable explanation. There had to be.

When a door outside my room slammed shut I jumped, a reflex that sent grey spots into my vision as my pain intensified.

A couple pairs of footsteps shuffled beyond my door then stopped without entering. Their low voices were hard to understand. Straining, I leaned toward them.

"It's easier to do it... she's still weak." Kael's low voice sent my racing heart into my throat.

"You're right of course. You're always right. You know I'll struggle because she's my daughter." Gideon's was a voice I hardly knew, but emotion made it just as poignant in my memory.

"That's why we're taking our time. Making sure it's the right move."

There was a pause. I scarcely breathed, fearing to miss the next statement. At the same time, hearing more filled me with dread.

Finally, Gideon spoke. "You're sure she wouldn't trust you again? She trusted you implicitly before."

Someone shifted, causing the wooden floors beneath him to moan. "Would you trust me old man? I shot her. She can't doubt where my loyalties lie now."

"Yes." Another pause. "I'll do it. When the time comes, I have to be the one. But if I'm not thinking or he tells me to do the wrong thing -"

"I'll know."

Footsteps crossed the floor, coming toward my door. Panicked, I didn't have the time or ability to move before the door swung wide across from me.