Page 15 of Stormvein
“Is that creature her familiar?” another asks, pointing at the mist stalker.
“We believe it might be. It appeared when her power manifested.” Mira speaks when I don’t.
“It’s similar to an actual mist stalker, but not entirely. There’s something different about it.” The speaker is an older woman.
Its head swings toward her, and its mouth opens, tongue lolling out, as if acknowledging her observation.
“Whatever it is,” Lisandra says, her voice firm. “It’s connected to what’s happening. The prophecy speaks of storm following shadow. And what we’re seeing now may be the fulfillment of those words. It seems Ellie is becoming the Stormvein, as predicted.”
“What matters is finding Sacha, not trying to decode vague prophecies written by people who never saw this coming.” I don’t know anything about the prophecy, but if they’re anything like the ones from my world, I know they can mean anything ornothingat all. “You’re all acting like this prophecy is more important than the fact that Sacha might still be alive!”
“Ifhe survived, and as much as I wish otherwise, I don’t think he did, the Authority will have him now,” Lisandra says. “We don’t have the resources to be able to return to Ashenvaleand perform a rescue mission. Not without proof he’s there. All it would achieve is more of our people being killed.”
“So, you want to forget about him? Donothing? After everything he did for the Veinwardens?” My voice rises despite my efforts to remain calm.
“Of course not. We gather information. We determine exactly what that crystal weapon is and how to counter it. And,” she looks directly at me, “youlearn to control whatever power has awakened in you. If youarethe Stormvein, then it means the prophecy is right.”
A glow rises along my forearms, faint at first, then harder to contain. Several people squint or turn away as the shadows around the walls distort and bend. Veinwardens adjust in their seats, hands drifting toward weapons.
“And how am I supposed to do that? Sacha—” My voice breaks on his name, grief momentarily overwhelming my anger. “Hewas the only one who could help me, and he’s?—”
“Not the only one,” says a voice from the doorway.
I turn to find an older man standing there. His face is familiar, one of the elders who rarely spoke during the meetings I sat in on, but when he did, Sacha listened.
“Telren.” Lisandra dips her head in a sign of respect.
"I’ve studied the old texts about Veinblood powers," he says. "There may be something in them that could help you understand what’s happening. The prophecy speaks of more than the storm’s arrival. It speaks of its purpose."
Lisandra nods before I can respond. “So be it. Telren will work with you, Ellie. The rest of us will focus on what comes next. Lord Torran is dead. No matter how much we wish otherwise, we cannot afford to waste our strength chasing shadows. The Vareth’el wouldn’t have wanted that.”
Her conviction is absolute. Her voice doesn’t falter. She believes that Sacha is gone, and it makes me want to scream.
I want to make them feel what I feel. I want them to agree that he’s not gone, that this isn’t over. But I can’t ignore the logic in her approach, however much I hate it. I can’t demand they rush back to Ashenvale and search for him. I don’t have the power or the authority. I need to find another way.
If Telren knows anything,anything at all, about Veinblood powers, maybe he can help me understand what happened at River Crossing. What happened to Sacha. What’s still unraveling inside me.
"Fine. I’ll work with Telren.” I meet Lisandra’s gaze. “But only until I can control this enough to be useful."
"Useful for what purpose?" Lisandra asks, though I suspect she already knows what I’m going to say.
"For finding Sacha." It’s the most obvious answer in the world. It’s the only thing that matters.
Several of the Veinwardens exchange glances, their expressions a mix of concern and interest. They’re evaluating whether I might somehow fill the void Sacha’s absence has created. Whether I can lead, or whether they’ll need to find a way to control me. The thought of either is terrifying.
"One step at a time, Ellie," Lisandra says. "First, learn control. Then we’ll discuss what comes next."
The meeting continues, moving on to other matters—supply routes, Authority movements, defensive strategies. I listen with half an ear, my thoughts returning to the ring tucked beneath my tunic, and the memory of Sacha reaching for me in the dream ...
And the silence where his voice should be.
He’s out there. I can feel it like a thread connecting us, tenuous but real. And whatever this power is that’s taken root in me, I’ll learn to wield it. Not for prophecies or leadership, but for one simple purpose.
To find him.
Even if I have to tear Ashenvale apart stone by stone with my bare hands to do it.
Chapter Four
