Search for the Extinct [Last of Elves book 2]

Fifty-Two: Aura

Aura

It's so different outside the temple. I thought I would never leave it again. I never thought that my mother would let me leave.

I thought she wanted me to stay with her. Always.

For a moment, the quill paused, and the wet parchment was wiped dry.

I miss her. I hope that Ali and Kura let her come and visit. I don't think Kura would be happy, but if it makes me happy, maybe they will consider it.

I don't want to make Kura hate me.

I always thought that she only tolerated me because of her brother.

My father.

Again, the quill stopped moving, but it was still shaking. Shaking with emotions that surged through it.

It's hard to believe. I still don't know what to call him. Whether to call him Ali, like I am used to, or to call him my father, because he is.

It's too hard.

I think I just need to relax, to find myself here again. When I was here before, I found a calmness in me, a calmness that I'd never felt before.

I think it's because of my father. Because I'm half elf.

Maybe it's the connection that they feel. The connection to the land.

The stories always said that the elves had a connection to the land. When my mother told me the stories, she always mentioned the connection they had, and how the health of the land affected the strength of their magic. Since Ali's my father, she must have known learnt about it from him.

Apparently they have magic. I know my mother's faded once, years ago. Then it came back. She always said that her magic was tied to the health of the land too. Maybe they have more in common than they think.

A quiet beastkin rumble interrupted the quill's motion, but it resumed soon enough, no longer shaking.

Kú has grown so much in our travels. So has Hunaja and Vakt. They are all nearly adults now, I think. I think that Kú will leave us soon, to be on her own, to find a mate of her own. I don't really want her to go. I like being with her. She is fun to be with. She's always playing tricks on the beastkins, and they can never catch her, because she can fly.

She's so pretty. With the silver in her feathers and fur. I hope that if she leaves, she will come back to visit.

I'm not really sure what I'm going to do here. But this place feels like my home now, more than the temple ever did. I want to help Ali and Kura with whatever they do. I don't want to be ignored or forgotten. I just want to help.

Maybe Ali will teach me how to hunt. Or Kura. Kura seems better at it.

I once said that I wanted to know who my father was. I've found out now, and I'm glad I have.

But I'm selfish. I want to know how to talk, how to laugh. I want to have a voice.