Lost Identity: Eloria Series Book 1 | ✓

53: Traitor

7/28/3028

I was disoriented and sick to my stomach as I crouched on the barren patch among the trees—back on the plateau. Still delirious, I looked around me and discovered that the trees were sheared off, just like in Hemley Park.

This is an Ora point.

My only thought now was to find Katie before someone discovered that I had left Razelle in Passim.

Still clutching Razelle's Ora map and locket, I dashed in the direction I last remembered seeing Gundhram take Katie, toward the tree I had woken up in. I had to find her fast.

My heart pounded violently in my ears even though I told myself to remain calm.

Move faster!

I sprinted with a newfound spurt of urgency where my brain was no longer in control, but I was careless, and I tripped over a log, falling to my knees. I let out a yelp of pain and gripped my knees. The skin didn't break but I knew that it would leave a bruise.

Before I could get back onto my feet, a hand clasped over my mouth and another hand grab me around my stomach. My scream was muffled by a hand.

"Ellis, it's alright." It was Keiran with Martin, Elossai and Ilta behind him.

"Ell, what were you thinking, leaving in the middle of the night?" Martin scolded.

"Sorry," I whispered.

"Never mind that right now," said Elossai.

"How did you guys find this place?" I asked.

"You left your locket with Ilta and we followed the needle," said Martin.

"Shh! Katie is over there being held hostage," Elossai pointed out ahead to Gundhram and Katie who were sitting on tree stumps, having a seemingly pleasant conversation.

"I think I have him," Ilta said.

I turned around and saw that she had her bow and arrow aimed right at Gundhram.

"Don't fire unless Katie is clear," Martin whispered.

Just before Ilta released her arrow I slapped her arm down. The arrow ended up hitting the tree stump Gundhram was sitting on.

"What are you doing?" Ilta yelled.

"Don't kill him," I said, grabbing Ilta's arm.

"He's a Ra, Ellis Ann."

"I don't care. We can negotiate," I said before stepping out from behind the trees so that I would be in full view of Gundhram. But when I stepped out, both Katie and Gundhram had disappeared.

Gundhram was a lot faster than I thought. With just a feeling, I looked up and saw them sitting in the branches above us.

"Gundhram, we just want to talk," I said.

"Do you plan on hurting the girl?" he asked.

"No, of course not!"

"Katie?" Martin dashed out from behind the trees and stood next to me. The light that had been missing in Martin's eyes returned instantly.

"Martin!" Katie exclaimed. She turned and said something to Gundhram before climbing on his back. He leapt down from the tree and landed in front of us.

Martin and Katie held each other tightly.

"Katie, are you okay?" Martin said with tears in his eyes. Tears streamed down Katie's red face as she nodded.