Page 18 of A Love of Wrath and Rapture

With the darkness of the night coming soon, I’ll be able to soar across the skies undeterred, just like old times. I remember the Astreldi used to hunt in packs at night, lunging down for our prey and coming back up with squealing creatures that silenced easily with one swipe of our claws.

The desire to find Evangeline consumes me, compelling me to flap my wings furiously against the wind. The mountains are particularly unforgiving, especially during the winter months. There are some spots on this land where the snow doesn’t touch, but the places where it does are deadly and desolate.

Only strong, furry creatures would survive there. Something tells me that Evangeline, while strong in spirit, may lack the physical power to make it through the night if she is alone.

What if she’s being accompanied by others?

I ponder that thought while I fight through the wind. My jaw clenches, unable to shake the idea that something is putting her in danger. What else could explain this foreign emotion within my body?

“Evangeline,” I say to the skies, willing my way forward as the mountain winds only pick up in strength. “If only you could tell me exactly where you are, I would arrive by your side in an instant. But where are you?”

The ringing of the wind deafens my ears the further I get. I descend slightly, unable to fight against the looming clouds above my head. Small specks of snow start to cloud my vision, making it difficult to see clearly through the storm.

Gritting my teeth, it dawns upon me that I do not have the strength I once had to fight through this snowstorm. I descend even farther until I linger above the treetops, their needle-like leaves occasionally brushing and cutting against my skin.

My eyes scan the horizon endlessly, searching for any signs of movement anywhere. Perhaps my eyesight is no longer what it used to be because I see nothing. Worse, I can hardly hear through the strength of the wind while I’m flying.

A pang of disappointment hits me, but that doesn’t mean I’m giving up. Not at all. I plan to find Evangeline and keep her close. She’s the reason why I’ve been given a second chance to live and I will protect her until the end of my days if need be.

I also need to learn more about this connection between her and me. How did she awaken me? How did she bypass a dark elf curse? Does she know the intricacies of ancient magic? Is she an Astreldi, like I am? Or something else entirely?

“What if she’s a creature I have never seen before?” I wonder aloud. “Not a dark elf, not an Astreldi, but something else?”

As I’m too consumed by my thoughts, a hanging branch strikes me across the chest. In my anger, I reach out and snap the branch off from the bark before launching it towards the ground below. A few creatures on the ground scurry and squeal in surprise.

Their pathetic noises give me pause. My ears perk slightly, focusing on the way their bodies move through the foliage below, desperately searching for a hiding spot.

It would be so easy to take one as a meal. I could swoop down through these trees, drag my claws across one of their supple bodies, and sink my teeth into their warm flesh. Its blood would squirt out of the wounds and I would lap it up greedily. My last meal was eons ago, after all.

I’ll have to stop for food soon. My stomach longs for the taste of blood again.

But I intend to put all of my needs aside for Evangeline. I must find her first. My mind will not allow me to think about anything else right now, even if my body begs for a bit of food and rest.

Everything will be worth it once my eyes land on Evangeline. I don’t know what she looks like, but I’m sure everything will make sense once I have her nearby. If I can feel her connection, and her angst, from far away, I can only imagine what I’ll feel when I have her close by.

I long for her. I crave her. I can’t wait until she can be by my side.

8

EVANGELINE

Ifeel my body wracking with tension as I remain steadfast in my defiance. The senior members of the council glare down at me with disgust for what I’ve done. I return the same expression, praying my courage will somehow persuade their hearts as cold as our climate.

But even as I wear a brave face, fear reaches its tendrils inside of me. Slivers of doubt worm their way into my mind, whispering that my resistance is futile.

It won’t work, why are you trying? Just give up…

I swallow the lump in my throat, trying to drown out the noise. But it only grows louder as a chant begins to pick up amongst the gathering of settlement residents.

“Expel her! Expel her!”

More and more chime in, shouting their clear disregard for my well-being. The pit in my stomach grows deeper with each chorus. Even the children are chanting.

“No,” I mutter, a voice silent amidst the loudening notes of anguish.

Never have I felt more unwanted, aghast rushing through my veins as my heartbeat quickens. If I were to drop dead now, would that satisfy these people?

I try to push out the thought that they see me as the runt of the settlement, facing the council once again and swallowing my fear.

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