Dark Secrets by Jessica Burnett Page A

engagement that day. I even showed her the ring my grandfather had given me a long time ago. When I asked her if she thought my fiancée would want to marry me I thought for sure she’d come off with another sarcastic remark. Not knowing she was my fiancée, she told me anyone would be stupid not to. She even admitted to liking me and without thinking, without first explaining, I kissed her again.
    We were interrupted once again, but this time for a good cause; Kai was in danger.
    After the battle, Ember was badly injured and when she awoke she overheard a few of us talking about my need to tell her the truth. She went ballistic and I lost my temper. I found out things I didn’t know before; things I shouldn’t have forced out of her; things I regret not being there to protect her from.
    Life has never been the same since. I doubt she will ever forgive me.
    One thing is certain… without her I am nothing.
    I have spent my entire life trying to fill the void in my heart and when I finally did it was torn away from me.
    I’m such an idiot.
     
     
     
     
    “I’m walking over dead grass
    Running over dying sassafras
    Where’s the life?
    Where’s the wonder?
    Our world’s been struck by thunder
    We’re left to ponder what it is we did
    How we couldn’t have seen it
    We’re acting like a bunch of kids
    And our world’s gone to shit
    The time of purification is near
    Who will survive?
    Who will care?
    Can we make this right?
    Can we fix our wrongs and see the light?
    Only time can tell
    We cannot fail
    This is our world to heal.”
     
     
     
     
     
    Seventh Chapter: Magic
     
                  Chill morning air nipped at our skin as we traveled through the Elven Forest. We are about twenty miles from the kingdom and walking on foot. The dense woods stretch for as far as the eye can see. Morning dew coated the leaves of every tree and dripped down on us as we passed underneath.
                  I wanted to feel useful so I offered to carry one of the bags and Kai. Kai was strapped on my back in a baby carrier; the bag strapped on my front.
    I yawned, stretching as much as I could. My entire body was sore; my legs ached, my back pinched, and my muscles felt knotted. We have been walking for days and we’re not even halfway there.
                  Lachlan took the lead, silent as ever, while Derek walked behind me and Damien walked a little to my left. I turned to look at Damien, who looked a little upset, and tripped over a tree branch that had fallen on the ground before me. For a second I thought I would fall and hit my face, but mostly I worried that I would hurt Kai. Luckily, someone caught me from behind.
                  I turned around to see who it was; disappointed to see it was the last person I wanted near me. Derek held on a bit longer than he should have, staring deep into my eyes. I pulled away quickly and brushed myself off.
                  “Thanks. But, I got it now.” I quipped. “How are you doing back there, baby?” I turn my head slightly to ask Kai.
                  “I’m fine, Mommy. Thanks Derek.” He said with a grin.
                  I turned around and started walking again, quicker this time to catch up to Lachlan and steer clear of Derek.
                  We stopped to rest around noon to eat. The sky burned with the hot orange sun. I sat on an overturned tree and took Kai off my back, sitting him beside me, while Derek prepared the meal to be cooked and Lachlan started the fire. Damien wandered off, to where I wasn’t sure.
                  I stared into the flames, mesmerized by the orange glow radiating off it. Kai interrupted my reverie by asking if we could practice magic. Kai has been learning quite a bit lately. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day he surpassed my abilities. He is quite extraordinary. He recently learned how to levitate. No matter how many times I try I