Erlanis Chronicles, 2

Blood is thicker than water, or so the story goes… 

As fast as Cora can run, there is no escaping the blood that ties her to an ancient, evil past. 

Amongst the bitter cold and driving snow, Nate must find a way to protect the love of his life, before the darkness falls and Cora is lost to him forever.

14+ due to adult situations

 

Excerpt:

Why? Why did I need to go home? Other than for shelter, no one needed me there. Nate was all I had left. He was my reason for breathing and now the sole reason I got up every morning. The thought of harm coming to Nate made my heart hammer in my chest even harder. I jammed my hands deep into my coat pockets and focused on letting oxygen flow into my lungs.

In a single moment of clarity, I knew. I mean, I knew I loved Nate; that was without question. But if I didn’t have him in my life, it would be nothing but vacuous space.

I brushed snow off the fallen tree trunk and sat down. My thinking tree. Nate and I came here often to sit and talk, read, or watch the day simply pass us by. I piled up handful after handful of snow, heaping them on top of each other until a small avalanche rolled off the log and into a heap on the ground.

You are the key.

I leapt off the log landing two feet together, crushing the peak of snow beneath my shoes.

“Who’s there?” I shoved my fists into my hips and squared my shoulders. If there was someone there, they didn’t know who they were messing with.

The rustling of leaves came from above and a sprinkling of disturbed snow flittered down in front of my face. The flapping of beating wings and the call of a solitary bird echoed overhead. I caught sight of white feathers tipped with black before they disappeared above the trees and out of sight.

“Is anyone there?” I called out again, but I had a feeling I wouldn’t get a response.

The softness of the voice rolled around my head as I lingered amongst the tall trees on my way back home.

I am the key. The answer is within my blood. What did that mean?