Page 49 of A Love of Wrath and Rapture

“Oh gods,” Thea murmurs, clutching my hand tightly before she disappears.

But I don’t run. I head right for the chaos. I don’t know what I’ll do, but I’ve got to help.

22

XEROS

Ikneel on the perch of a watchtower, overlooking the landscape and the beauty that encapsulates it.

Winter whispers winds of mist and heavy snow that fall in the distance. I wish Evangeline was sitting here with me so that we could share this sight together. It is almost as beautiful as she is.

The blue skies over the settlement are mostly clear, with wisps of either cloud passing over.

All I can hear are the goings-on of the settlement below as villagers work their duties—the clanging of metal at the smithing station, the chopping of wood, and even the children doing their part by filling the air with laughter.

But I wish my mind would lay at ease as I sit up here. My thoughts have been turbulent and restless since the first day I arrived alongside Evangeline.

All I can think about is my purpose of being here, of how strange it is to be living in a community of an entirely different species.

“If only the others were as kind and understanding as you are, Evangeline.”

My attempts to integrate have been futile. No one here has been welcoming to my presence, in fact, everyone here seems to be afraid of me.

I peer down at my claws, acutely aware of how my appearance may not be what they’re used to.

“Surely by now, they must realize that I mean no harm, that I am here to protect them.”

But I know better than to think they can reason with a creature like me. Evangeline seems to be the only level-headed human in this community, and even she is being met with scrutiny.

“I need to find a way to win them over, to gain their trust.”

But as I contemplate any means, a high-pitched shriek rings out from the direction of the gate. I spin around, scanning the area outside the entry point to the settlement.

The heavy weight of dread surges within me when I spot a wave of waira rapidly advancing, their numbers seemingly growing every time I blink.

The guards at the gate hastily rally together, but some run away in fear.

This is it, this is why I am here. The humans need me, and so I shall come to their aid and fight.

The call of duty brings me to my full height as I stand on the edge of the tower. Spreading my wings, I inhale deeply and let myself fall over the precipice.

With a swoop, my wings spring into action, lifting me when I’m meters from the ground. Now high in the air, I circle around to the settlement’s gate, trying to count how many waira are advancing on us.

But there’s just too many, coursing a wave of worry through my ancient body.

I think of Evangeline, and that is all I need to prepare myself for combat. I twist in the air and spiral downwards, my landing shaking the very ground beneath my talons.

My wings beat waves of snow around me as the wave of waira stops before me. They growl and hiss as I brandish my claws, returning the gesture of aggression.

“Go back from where you came, otherwise, none of you will be left alive.”

The waira in front merely snickers. In the blink of an eye, he pounces. My wings swing around and propel the beast, his body bouncing off of my frame like he’s a piece of debris.

Others charge forward. There’s no choice now but to fight for the sake of the humans’ survival.

I can’t help but notice the lack of fellow fighters alongside me. Do humans not wish to defend themselves? Or perhaps they expect me to do all the work?

A troubling thought, but there’s no time to reason with them.

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