The pain that exploded in her head as she opened her eyes made her want to throw up. She tried to move her arms and found that she couldn’t. She slowly opened her eyes again trying to figure out what was going on. When her eyes opened she was facing a tree. Her arms were tied together at the wrist and she was hanging a few inches off the ground. She was hanging just enough to make sure she would swing. It was still dark o...

They made their way up the hill and through the woods to the back of Helen’s house. The smell of food hit Cordelia’s nose as she stepped on the porch, and she realized that she was starving. Her stomach growled loudly. Micah grinned and opened the door. She grinned back at him as she walked inside. When Cordelia looked up, Helen was standing there staring at them. The look on her face was clear, she knew. “Aunt Helen, it...

Micah stood up greeting her with a smile. His smile faltered when he noticed her expression. His hand reached towards her face and he used his thumb to rub the crease between her eyes. “Your face is much too beautiful to look so pensive.” She stood looking at him as he slid his fingers slowly down the side of her face leaving a trail of heat behind. She shuddered and her tummy tightened. “Are you okay?” he asked. “I’m fin...

Cordelia ran at a hard sprint, pushing herself harder, trying to outrun all of the emotions that had been building inside her. When she couldn’t push it any further, she slowed to a jog. Finally, slowly to a walk, she started to feel the cool air and realized she should have brought her cloak. Taking in her environment for the first time, she realized she had run a lot further than she had planned. Cordelia was almost two...

She spent most of the next day getting supplies that she needed for her house. She knew that she had at least two weeks at home because word of new Weres never came until after the full moon. Werewolves were able to change whenever they wanted, but during a full moon they had to and that is usually what allowed them to be seen by their neighbors or friends. Sometimes, however, it was a stranger unlucky enough to come acro...

“Don’t stop running!” the woman panted, dragging her son with her. The boy was scared and crying. He didn’t understand why his sister and father were not running with them. They ran for the hidden cave in the side of the mountain. “It’s a little further, son,” his mother said as she tried to reassure him even as her chest was tight with fear, rage, and grief. They made it to the river and she paused long enough to pick th...

Chapter 32, BondingErkut fell to the ground, and Nera who had taken to the air fell on top of him. Sudden pain flowed through their heads.Everyone else collapsed or grabbed their heads in pain.  Even Lowenna had to close her eyes and covered then with her hands, not knowing where the pain had come from.  It felt like someone had just thrust a red-hot poker through her skull.As the pain started to subside, she looked over...

Chapter 31 The new hunter of the mazeRique was running as fast as she could, but Lowenna was faster.  The only advantage she had was her long or high jump.  Still, Lowenna was gaining on her.  She ducked as a pale pink ball of fire shot over her head.  She couldn't die, not like this.  She had to save everyone.  She had promised Callan that she would destroy the crystal and save everyone.Lowenna was chasing her friend.  S...

Chapter 30, Lowenna LostDarcariel had a big smile on her face.  She knew the Lowenna was hers now, no more resisting, no more running.  "Stay here Jibranz.  I'm going to look at my new toy."Jibranz nodded.  He was still worried that the Lowenna would fight, and try to kill his queen.  He was staying on high alert.Lowenna stood there with a vacant smile on her face watching her queen.  She had resisted for so long, and it...

Chapter 29 Other Side Of The DoorLowenna looked at the large imposing door.  It was the first one she had seen since entering the labyrinth.  She didn't want to go back, not through the room with all those dead bodies.She tried the latch, it moved, and with a strong push the door creaked open.  Lowenna froze.  There was a dead body in the corner, not a skeleton, but an actual body.  She released the door as she looked at...

Chapter 28 the power of Darcariel The party had wandered on for a while.  Rique had made a mistake translating one of the symbols, but apart from having to double back once, they seemed to be making real progress.Everyone was still on edge, Grilk had already drawn his newly acquired sword and had nearly attacked a statue with it.  Talia was staying very close to Rique, giving Rique a boost of confidence.  Talia seemed to...

Chapter 27 HuntedThe mist was flowing through the stone paths keeping low, so it was hard to see the floor, and the air was cool and damp.  Lowenna was experiencing deja-vu.  She rounded another corner, nearly slipping on the slick floor.  Stopping for a second to catch her breath, she could feel her heart pumping.  She knew couldn’t stay here for long.   She was being hunted.  The fear she had been experiencing was getti...

Chapter 26 Praise the Elf God Dalelana.Rique was trying to keep her eyes out for any other traps as she lead the group of five.  She couldn't help thinking what had happened was her fault they had lost Lowenna, and then Azmil so soon after.  She had convinced everyone to come here.  She was so sure this was the right course of action, but now, she was starting to doubt it.  She didn't know how far or where the crystal was...

Chapter 24 Passageways and trapsLowenna had been told that Callan didn't trust her with a weapon. Which annoyed Lowenna, as she needed something to defend herself.Talia had given her some plain clothes, and Rique had stayed to help her. "I am fine Rique," Lowenna said for the third time."No, you not, a lot has happened to you and your magic gets weaker every moment. We have to find this crystal and destroy it."Lowenna slo...

Chapter 23 In Her MindIt was dark and cold where Lowenna was. She turned a corner and started running again. She had been here before, running through dark passageways, trying to keep ahead of the lion creature. Something was different. She kept getting glimpses of a beautiful dark haired woman. She knew this woman but couldn't place from where. "Run Lowenna," a dark echoing voice called out, causing Lowenna to run even f...