Prologue

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It's nighttime; dark, cold, and wet. The chilly air was shocking my lungs as I inhale deeply. The droplets of rain were like needles piercing my skin. Aching cramps reside in the sides of my stomach proving that I am in no shape of running.

With each footfall a jarring pain shoots up my legs. My heart hammers against my chest and a jolt of terror runs through my body.

The sound of footsteps echo off the walls of the dark alley ways from the men who were chasing me. They seem to make no effort in finding me once more. Adrenaline pumps as my legs move faster craving to be free from the danger.

My hands trembled, and I can feel sweat drenching my skin. The boots I wore weighed me down. My breaths came out in spurts, ragged and heavy. My feet slipped outwards when rounding a corner of a building to the open streets of the city. The lamps were dim, shadowing the parts of the sidewalks in darkness.

The dark thunder clouds above shrouded the sky with furious lightning that threatened to strike the earth. The rain began to fall heavily, splattering on the pavement of the roads.

With a tight grip, I hold onto the only meaning that could keep me alive. An envelope my brother had given to me before we split up from the chaos of tonight's events.

His instructions were clear, but my mind was scattered with panic. The one thing I knew to do was run, run for my life. The late night or what most people define as early morning is lacking individuals making it difficult to find safety.

I peer upwards, scouting for a sign or a street name to tell me where I am when a glowing light catches my eye. The red sign was brightly lit up, like it were inviting me to enter. The one word out of the whole name of the joint had my heart soaring.

Tavern. I read, remembering now.

This has to be the place my brother mentioned. My tired body screamed in joy and practically bathed in the reassurance that washed over me.

"Grab her!" A man's voice ordered making me realize how much I had slowed down.

Fear consumes my consciousness once more, blocking all my thoughts. Slowly, my feet began to pick up a quick pace again bringing me closer to the building. Without looking back, I could feel the group of men closer than before. Perhaps, even an arm length away.

My hand reaches outwards, grabbing the handle of the red painted door, opening it with ease. Warmth floods out enveloping me in comfort and drawing me in without question.

I hurry in to scan the inside for someone, anyone, or even just a place to hide when my frantic eyes land on him.

What could have been mere seconds felt like forever to me. The man standing behind the counter of the bar lifts his head to peer up at me.

A pair of golden eyes like the sun sweep in my very existence. The power they withheld glued my feet to the ground. My gasps for air brought a concerned expression on the man's face.

The man was well defined, sharp jaw and angular cheekbones. His perfect lips slightly opened beginning to say something when my own words caught him off guard.

"Soren," I say breathlessly. "I need him..."

"

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