Preface
“Mom? Dad?” I asked nervously as I walked into my house, which seemed empty. “Hello? Anyone home?”
No one answered me. No one was even home. But I did not know that. I looked around an empty house scanning for my parents for hours.
I was only ten years old. I could not understand. I refused to accept the fact that my parents were gone. Even today, sometimes I can't believe that they are gone.
Chapter One
I did not perform some heroic deed. I did not fight like a warrior. I did not act like the young warrior I was. All I did was faint as if I were a dainty, delicate princess. But I was not dainty, nor was I delicate. And I wasn’t even a princess.
I could feel a pair of solid arms carry my body, but I could not see to whom the arms belonged. Soon, the person holding me put down my body on something soft. After what felt like an eternity, my eyes fluttered open. I was lying on a bed in a colossal tent that looked like a hospital. I looked up and saw a boy standing over me.
“Who are you? And what do you want with me?” I asked the anonymous boy trying to sound like my usual fierce self.
“My name is Rhan, ” the boy said, trying desperately to hold a laugh back.
“What do you want?” I screamed at Rhan, attempting to get out of bed.
“Whoa! Cofia was right about your fierceness. I am your escort, Vala. My job is to keep you safe,” he said in a way like he was trying to be older than he was. And with that, Rhan prevented her from getting out of bed.
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“What do you mean I can’t fight?” I asked at the very top of her lungs.
“I mean what you think I mean,” a man she guessed was a doctor replied soothingly.
“But, fighting is, like, a part of me. I was born to fight, not sit around all day and do nothing,” I yelled, blinking fast like she was fighting back the tears.
“Vala. There’s no reason to be upset,” Rhan said soothingly.
“Yes, there is! I can’t fight. I’m useless!” I howled as if I were a coyote howling at the pale moon.
“You’re not useless. You can help us plan. When you get better, you can fight,” Rhan replied.
“What do you mean I can help you plan? And who, may I ask, is ‘us’?” I asked, my voice dripping with poisoned honey. “I am the daughter of Xara and Jelric Alinac, two of the best warriors. I can’t just plan. I have to fight.”
“By planning, I mean you are great at planning. You are intelligent,” Rhan responded. But he did not answer whom he was talking about.
I still had many questions. But I kept my questions in. I didn’t want to sound dumb, especially to a cute boy. No- I should not think about romance. I have other priorities. And a pretty boy was not one of them.
“Cofia will meet with you tomorrow,” Rhan said as he walked away. “Just letting you know, she doesn’t talk much.”
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“I’m Cofia Ravin,” said a stunning girl with blonde hair so light it was white, hazel eyes, and scars across her face.
“I have a few questions for you. Could you answer them?” I asked Cofia.
“Okay. Try me.” She quietly said. She tucked a strand of hair behind her hair.
“Why didn’t Rhan tell me his last name?” I asked her.
“That’s not for me to tell you,” Cofia responded shyly.
“Who are you? And what do you want with me?” I asked her the same question I had asked Rhan.
“I am Cofia Ravin, the daughter of Leiea and Jai Ravin. I’m the…." she did not finish her sentence. She could not finish her sentence because a black dog-like creature with wings pounced on Cofia.
I got my sword ready to attack the monster, but Cofia was petting the beast. I stood there staring at her. Cofia then got up and scratched the creature on its head.
“What is that?” I asked fearfully, ashamed that I was scared of an adorable animal. I needed to be brave, and not afraid of everything that comes in my path.
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