6. Elowen
6
ELOWEN
A ldric, as Raziel addressed him, stands in the middle of the courtyard, his presence magnetic, demanding attention. His ghostly white skin seems to glow under the rising sun, contrasting sharply with the dark, tight clothing that clings to his powerful frame.
His dark hair is mussed in short, uneven strands, almost like it was hastily sheared, giving him a wild, untamed look. Those dark eyes—deep and almost black—pierce through the air with an intensity that I can’t shake. His lips are a bright red, a clear sign of recent feeding.
I can't tear my gaze away from him. Never have I felt such an immediate and intense attraction to anyone. My heart pounds in my chest as if trying to break free.
But then his words hit me again, like a cold slap to the face.
Dark elves attacked , he'd said. No one survived.
My stomach churns, and my vision blurs with the images of my past—my family, their faces twisted in agony as dark elves slaughtered them. I ball up my fists so tightly that my nails dig into my palms. The pain is grounding, a reminder that I'm here, now.
"I can't believe they've found us," I whisper, the words barely audible. I didn't even mean to speak to them. "How did they find us?"
Aldric's eyes meet mine, and for a brief second, it feels as if my soul is being sucked from my body. His eyes draw me in, and my body is already yearning for him despite my brain's protests. I can't even make sense of the effect he has over me, and I have to rip my gaze away just to get a breath.
I should be focusing on the matter at hand. Not this vrakken. As I lift my head, I turn toward Selene and Raziel to gauge their reaction, pointedly avoiding looking in Aldric's direction. And I see the pair bent together, talking when Raziel nods and steps back.
Selene turns from Raziel, placing a hand on his shoulder, as she looks around the crowd. "We need to prepare," she says.
Some murmurs start up, but I'm still frozen, still reeling from Aldric's news and his very presence. How can someone so beautiful bring such horror with him?
"We'll need everyone," Raziel states with authority.
Murmurs start up then, but I'm still focused on the horrors. They are moving on to the future as if there's nothing to be done, but I can't stop myself as my body moves of its own violation.
I push through the crowd, my heart hammering against my ribcage. My eyes lock onto Aldric's, demanding answers he hasn't given yet. I can feel the urgency in every step I take.
"What about the humans?" My voice cuts through the murmurs like a blade. "What happened to them?"
A small, sad part of me hopes he says they are all dead. It's better than being with a dark elf.
Aldric's gaze shifts to me, his expression unreadable, masked by those dark shadows around his eyes. He doesn't answer right away, which makes my anxiety spike even higher.
"Some were taken," he finally says, his voice gravelly and weighted with sorrow. "Most were slaughtered."
His words slam into me, knocking the breath from my lungs. The images flood back—faces of friends and fellow slaves, their laughter and hope, now replaced by screams and blood. Rage bubbles up inside me, hot and fierce.
"They took some as slaves?" My voice is barely more than a whisper.
Aldric nods, his face grim. "Yes. The dark elves always need more to torment."
My vision blurs for a moment as I try to process this information. Slavery is a fate worse than death for many of us who have experienced it firsthand. The thought of those humans—our people—being dragged away to suffer under the cruel hands of dark elves is unbearable.
I straighten up, feeling a steely resolve harden within me. I won't let this stand. I can't.
"They need to be saved." I look to Selene, knowing she understands how I feel. "The dark elves can't just take humans."
Selene steps forward, placing a calming hand on my shoulder. "We will," she promises softly.
But it's not enough for me to wait for plans to be made or orders to be given. My entire body buzzes with the need for action.
Raziel must see a look on my face because he holds up a hand to slow me down. "We will plan our counterattack carefully," he says firmly. "Rushing in without strategy will only lead to more deaths."
The ferocity in my heart doesn’t wane, but I nod in understanding.
The fate of those taken burns like fire in my veins. This isn't just about revenge anymore; it's about justice and saving others from enduring what I did.
I'll fight for them with every ounce of strength I have left.
Aldric's voice rings out, clear and commanding as he looks at Raziel. "We need to increase training. Everyone needs to be ready to fight."
The authority in his tone leaves no room for argument, yet as I glance around the courtyard, I’m struck by the lack of response from the others. Vrakken stand idly, some exchanging glances, others looking bored or uninterested. My eyes widen in disbelief.
How can they not see the urgency? The threat that looms over us all?
"We must be prepared," Aldric continues, turning slightly towards Raziel but making sure his words carry to everyone present. "The dark elves won't stop with one base. We need every warrior trained and ready."
His passion is palpable, almost contagious. But it’s met with a disconcerting apathy. A few vrakken nod absently, but most just stare blankly or return to their previous activities. My blood boils at their indifference.
Raziel steps forward then, his presence commanding immediate attention. "Aldric speaks the truth," he declares, voice resonating with authority. "Training will be intensified starting today."
But even Raziel's words seem to have little effect on the majority of the vrakken around us. Their apathy is infuriating.
I turn to Selene, who is still standing next to me, her hand warm on my shoulder. "Why don't they care?" I fume, keeping my voice low. "This isn't just about them. It's about everyone, all the bases. The dark elves are a threat to all of us."
Selene's eyes flicker with understanding and something deeper—frustration, maybe? She nods, squeezing my shoulder gently. "I know," she murmurs. "But the vrakken... They've forgotten to fight. You know how they can be."
Before I can respond, Jessa approaches up behind Selene, Nikolai not too far behind her. "Can you believe this?" she says angrily, her hazel eyes flashing with determination. "The vrakken should want to protect their base, their home."
"We were just saying the same thing," Selene says with a nod. Their support feels like a lifeline in this sea of indifference. I draw strength from Selene's words, from the fire in Jessa's gaze.
"We can't just stand by and do nothing," I say, my voice gaining confidence. "We need to fight back, to show them we're not afraid."
Selene and Jessa exchange a look, and then Selene nods, a fierce smile curving her lips. "Raziel did say everyone needs to fight," she points out.
I blink. "Are you saying…"
"You'd be a great warrior," Jessa agrees. "Don't let them underestimate a human." She shrugs with a soft smile. "Or a vrakken if that's what you want to be."
My heart pounds with anticipation and resolve as I step forward, my voice clear and unwavering. "I volunteer to join the battalion," I declare, my gaze sweeping over the gathered vrakken. "I'm ready to fight for our home, for our people."
Aldric steps closer, and I can feel his gaze sizing me up, evaluating every inch of me. My heart races, and I swallow down my nerves, trying not to stare at the bulging muscles that ripple beneath his tight clothing. His presence is overwhelming, a force of nature that threatens to consume me.
"What's your name?" His voice is low and commanding, making it hard to breathe.
"Elowen," I manage to say, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside me.
Aldric raises an eyebrow, his dark eyes scraping over me in a way that makes my whole body heat up. For a minute, I feel exposed, vulnerable under his intense scrutiny. My skin prickles with anticipation and a need I try to bury.
But then he shakes his head, breaking the spell. "It will be great for you to learn self-defense," he says, his tone dismissive. "I'll set up some training for the humans."
His words cut deep, stinging like a physical blow. "Excuse me?"
He shrugs one shoulder. "You should learn to defend yourself. But you're not built for the battalion."
I'm not built for the battalion? The anger surges up inside me, hot and fierce. How dare he brush me off so easily?
As Aldric turns away, effectively dismissing me, I can feel the fury bubbling over. "I'm stronger than you think," I snap, my voice sharper than I intended.
He pauses but doesn't turn back around.
"I've fought dark elves before," I continue, stepping closer to him despite the burning humiliation in my chest. "I won't be sidelined just because I'm human."
Aldric finally turns his head slightly, one dark eyebrow arched in mild interest. But there's still that air of dismissal around him that only fuels my anger further.
He may not believe in me now, but I'll show him—and everyone else—that I'm not just some weak human to be coddled and protected. I'll fight for my place here with every ounce of strength I have.
My jaw sets as I watch Aldric turn to the other vrakken. He won't forget my name again—I'll make sure of it.