Search for the Extinct [Last of Elves book 2]

Twenty-Six: Aura

Aura

It took a while, but my mother didn’t chain them again. I’m glad. It hurts to see them bound, to see the ropes digging into their skin. I read about the redvine. They say it’s the only thing that can hold an elf captive. From what I saw, they say right.

The quill stopped moving, shaking with anger.

I hate that they were captured. They’re being kept here. My mother refuses to let them leave. I don’t know why.

I want to know how Ali knows her name. Unless … he was the elf that was burnt. It seems more than likely. I wish it wasn’t true.

I want to go back to their home. I want to live in the forest, live with the beastkins. I want to ride like Ali taught me – with laughter and recklessness. Not caring about what could happen.

He said to trust the horses. They don’t want to get hurt, and they enjoy the fun as much as we do. I tried. I think I understand.

With a clatter, the quill dropped to the page. It was a long time before it was picked up again. The breeze flowing through the room was warm and sweet, but it was the sound that had stopped the writing. It came again, the eerie call of a nightbird. When the quill was finally picked up again, the sun had disappeared, causing a candle to be needed.

I haven’t heard a nightbird call like that in years. I thought they had all been hunted. I want to see one, wonder at their flight, watch a baby one grow up. I don’t think I’ll ever see Kù again.

I want to be outside again. I want to live with Ali. With Kura.

They understand me. They understand the way my blood is restless, the way I live. I think it’s because they are the same. They live for the wild, live like wild things. I want to be the same.

I think that if they had been chained again, they would die.

I don’t think they even noticed that I saw what the rope did to them. Ali didn’t take his eyes off my mother. I don’t know why. And Kura just wanted to find the beastkins again. I didn’t blame her, and I took her to them. They were happy to see her, and me.

I saw what the rope did. It had left burns on their skin, around their wrists. They were red, and looked painful. Neither of them seemed to notice though.

It makes me wonder. Had it happened to them in the past so often that they no longer think about it?

It’s a scary thought. I hope it’s not true.

I don’t know what I’d do if it was.