Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
“Alchera!” Raighne’s voice echoes somewhere in the back of my mind.
It feels like the last piece of my soul, of the person I used to be, splinters into nothing.
“Alchera?” Raighne crouches beside me, his hand settling on my shoulder.
Not even he matters at this moment.
Nothing matters anymore.
I feel dead inside.
Dead and dark.
My voice sounds cold and lifeless as I whisper, “Awo let my dad die. He just…let him die.”
Somehow, I manage to climb to my feet while Brenna sobs beside our dead father.
I look down at my dad one last time and turn my back on all of them.
I feel Raighne right behind me as I walk into the forest, silent tears rolling down my cheeks and washing away what feels like the last of my humanity.
I’ll save the chosen ten, and after that, I’ll wash my hands clean of Vaalbara.
Chapter 21
Dreams and Visions.
A world is torn apart,
while another is said to start.
So many people are gone, now dead.
The sun has turned to its infamous red.
Only ten to be taken,
while the rest will be forsaken.
Alchera
I think someone once said you can die from heartache.
They’re wrong.
Standing on the top of a hill, I watch as everyone gathers around Janak and my father’s body that’s lying on top of a stone altar of some sort.
Some are crying, while others are staring blankly ahead of them as Janak says something I can’t hear.
He places his hand on my father’s chest, and a moment later, a twinkling light begins to appear as my father’s soul drifts up into the sky to be with Awo before his body vanishes.
A woman falls to her knees, and my eyes lock on her.
For a second, I feel a flicker of interest as she claws at her chest, but Thana and Brenna help her back to her feet, then remain standing on either side of her.
Is she the elusive mother I can barely remember?
“Alchera.”
I forcefully block Raighne for the umpteenth time.
The damn man is persistent. He’s been trying non-stop to get through to me since our last talk, which, by the way, didn’t go down too well.
I regret what I said to Raighne yesterday, but it’s done now, and I can’t turn back time.
Once again, the conversation replays in my mind as I watch them honor my father.
“Alchera! Wait, please. We need to talk.”
I swing around to face Raighne, and when he sees my expression, shock flickers in his eyes.
“You are grief-stricken over losing your father,” he states the obvious.
“You’re wrong,” I hiss as I shake my head. “I’m more than just grief-stricken. I’m pissed!” When his lips part, I hold up my hand to stop him from talking. “It’s the last straw. I can handle everybody messing with me, but taking out my dad, killing him off like he’s some worthless being? No! He is my dad. He is your King!” My voice rises, and I have to pause to catch my breath.
Raighne wants to say something, but I silence him with a look of warning. “You don’t get to speak now,” I snap. “You don’t get to say anything.”
I walk right up to him so he can see every ounce of my rage as I say, “Don’t follow me. Go back to your people and tell them I’m done. I’ll save the chosen ones, but I want no part in anything to do with Vaalbara. I’m done with you and your kind. You took everything from me.” I suck in a quivering breath. “I have nothing more to give.”
Without giving him a chance to say anything, I turn around and walk away while forcefully blocking him from my mind.
I’ve also been thinking about my time on Vaalbara and how it’s changed me.
Even though it’s made me stronger, it’s also turned me into a hard, bitter person.
I suppose it’s what they wanted.
I sneak into my living quarters like a damned escaped convict while everyone’s mourning my father.
Now’s the only chance I have to wash up. I hurry, constantly listening for any movement outside, and when I’m finally wearing clean clothes, I let out a breath of relief.
I search through all the drawers, and finding a pair of scissors, I do my best to cut my hair into a less shitty style.
I’m wasting time, but when I’m done, my hair’s cut short against my scalp and standing every which way.
Fuck. That doesn’t look much better.
I let out a sigh as a pang of loss threatens to bloom in my chest, but I smother it. I don’t have time to waste on stupid feelings.
With no time to spare, I rush out of my living quarters and break out into a run toward the forest.
I use the trees for cover, and finding the stream, I follow it as I make my way in the direction of the Virtutes Waterfall.
Today, I’m getting my ass off this damned planet.