Chapter 19: The Grave Between Us

Eira felt the fiery tug in her chest, a strange, insistent pull that seemed to guide her deeper into the forest. It burned faintly, yet it was cold at the same time, like frost meeting flame. Her heart pounded as she followed the sensation, her breath hitching with every step. She didn’t know where it was leading her, but something about it felt urgent—important.

The trees thinned, and she stumbled into a small clearing. Her eyes widened as she froze in place, her chest tightening. There, in the center of the clearing, was a freshly dug grave. The earth was uneven, hastily packed, and scattered around it were burned leaves, their edges curled and blackened. Eira’s mind raced, her thoughts immediately flying to Ember.

Her heart began to hammer painfully in her chest. “No,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “No, no, no…” She dropped to her knees beside the grave, her hands trembling as she clawed at the dirt. Tears blurred her vision, spilling down her cheeks as she frantically dug into the soil.

“Please don’t be dead, Ember,” she sobbed, her voice breaking. “I don’t even know you, but I need you, sister. I need you. You’re all I have. Please…”

Her hands worked faster, dirt caking her fingers as she dug deeper. Her tears fell freely, mixing with the soil as desperation consumed her. The fiery tug in her chest grew stronger, almost painful, as though it were urging her to stop. But she couldn’t—she wouldn’t. She had to know.

Suddenly, a strong voice echoed in her mind, deep and commanding. That’s not Ember.

Eira froze, her breath catching as she whipped her head around, her wide eyes scanning the clearing. “Who said that?” she demanded, her voice shaking. The forest was silent, save for the rustling of leaves in the wind. The voice didn’t answer.

Her hands trembled as she turned back to the grave, her heart racing. “Who’s there?” she whispered, fear creeping into her voice.

I am Nyx, the voice said, calm yet powerful. Your frost wolf guardian. Eira, I can sense auras, and this is not Ember. I advise you not to dig further. You may not like the outcome.

Eira’s breath hitched, her body trembling as she stared at the grave. “Who… who could it be?” she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her curiosity gnawed at her, battling with the fear that gripped her chest. She hesitated, her hands hovering over the dirt.

But the need to know was too strong. Ignoring Nyx’s warning, she continued digging, her movements slow and hesitant. The soil grew colder as she worked, her fingers brushing against something soft. Her heart stopped as she pulled at it, revealing long, stringy blonde hair.

Eira gasped, dropping the hair instantly as her lips trembled. “Samantha,” she muttered, her voice cracking. Her hands moved frantically now, uncovering more of the body. When she finally saw Samantha’s scarred, fragile face, a broken sob tore from her throat.

The one person who had comforted her, cared for her, and loved her was gone. She was too late.

Eira collapsed beside the grave, her body shaking as she sobbed uncontrollably. Her tears fell onto Samantha’s lifeless face, her cries echoing through the clearing. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I’m so sorry, Samantha. I should have been here. I should have saved you…”

She sat there for what felt like an eternity, her grief consuming her. The fiery tug in her chest had dulled, replaced by a hollow ache that left her feeling empty. She didn’t know how long she stayed there, but eventually, Nyx’s voice returned, firm and urgent.

It’s time to move, frostborn. I sense soldiers coming.

Eira’s head snapped up, her tear-streaked face twisting with panic. She stood shakily, her legs weak beneath her. She looked down at Samantha’s grave one last time, her heart heavy with sorrow. “Why would Ember kill Samantha?” she thought bitterly, anger bubbling beneath her grief.

Nyx’s voice stirred again, calm but insistent. You are mistaken. Ember did not—

Before Nyx could finish, a soldier’s shout rang out from the edge of the clearing. “There she is!”

Eira’s blood ran cold. She turned and bolted into the woods, her heart pounding as she ran as fast as her legs would carry her. The trees blurred around her, the sound of soldiers crashing through the underbrush growing louder behind her. She clenched her fists, her frost powers flickering faintly as adrenaline coursed through her veins.

“I’ll avenge you, Samantha,” she whispered fiercely, her voice trembling with emotion. “Even if it means killing my sister…”

The fiery tug in her chest flared again, pulling her deeper into the forest. Eira’s resolve hardened as she ran, her mind racing with thoughts of vengeance. She didn’t know what lay ahead, but one thing was certain—she wouldn’t stop until she found Ember.