Aurora awoke to Carissa gently shaking her shoulder. It was still dark, but the light of dawn was beginning to filter in from the east. Aurora began to put on a long dress, when Carissa stopped her.

“We are traveling today. We won’t have time to change.”

Aurora nodded and pulled out her leggings and long tunic. She dressed quickly, and began feeling anxious about seeing Cade again. She did not want to deceive him, but she could not go against her sister’s wishes. When she was ready to go, she turned and faced Carissa. Her sister had dressed as well, and was kneeling on the floor, packing the rest of their belongings into two knapsacks. Carissa looked up to Aurora and their eyes met.

“Remember what I said.”

“I know. Tell him just what he needs to know.”

“I will be waiting on the west side of town by the tree line. Meet me there after you are done.”

Aurora was confused, and it must have shown on her face.

“I want to see if there is movement from the forest where the crags came from. It is the best vantage point.”

“Oh. Good point.”

Aurora felt stupid for not considering that.

“You better get moving. They were up at first light yesterday as well.”

Aurora nodded, and then Carissa stood, and did something that she didn’t expect. She hugged Aurora. Affection had never been Carissa’s strong point, but she had always looked out for her.

“It’s for the best. Go.”

Aurora picked up her coat and fastened it on as she went out the door. The rain had slowed to a light drizzle, but the chill in the air was quickly becoming wintry. The small shack sat amongst a sparse stand of trees on the eastern side of the town, and she was soon within the town proper. The town was quiet, and a sense of sadness hung over it like a cloud. Watching the townspeople tending to the bodies of their dead had broken Aurora’s heart. She couldn’t shake the feeling that those people had died because she and Carissa were in this town. She continued moving quietly through the town until reaching the square. She located the Pinewood wagons, and saw that no one had made it out to them yet. She found a spot to get out of the rain, and from there, she could see anyone approaching the wagons.

It didn’t take long before Cade and his wolf appeared. She took in the sight of him, wanting to remember every detail in case it was the last time they would meet. His eyes were a vibrant shade of green that practically glowed. He had handsome features, with a strong jaw covered in a thick brown beard. He was tall and lean, and he moved gracefully. She saw the same languid grace in his wolf, and recognized the connection that some channeler’s could form with animals. How could he not have known that he was a channeler? Surely, with a power as strong as he wielded, he had channeler bloodlines on both sides of his family. The aura that surrounded him was a living thing, and she remembered brushing up against it the first time they met. It was like nothing she had ever felt before, and just the memory of it sent a tingle up her back.

Cade stopped walking next to the wagons. She could see an expression on his face that was a mixture of confusion and sadness. She again wished that she could tell him everything, but knew that it would anger her sister. She watched as Cade seemed to try and gather his thoughts.

Aurora suddenly got the feeling that she was being watched. Her heart began beating rapidly, and she tried to control her fear. She wasn’t good at this kind of thing. Carissa was the brave one. Her eyes darted around, looking to spot her observer, and finally, she saw that the wolf was staring right at her. He had not taken a threatening posture, but she could tell that he was ready to attack if need be. She felt the attention on her double, and her eyes moved upwards, and locked with Cade’s. The look on his face was one of suspicion mixed with relief. She motioned for him to come to her. Cade put his hand on the wolf’s head and began walking towards her. She saw the wolf stayed behind, and after a moment, his gaze turned away from her. With a jump, he disappeared into the back of the first wagon.

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Cade came out of the drizzling rain, and Aurora felt his aura wash over her. Somehow, it felt different than it had two days ago, but she couldn’t describe it. Up close, she saw that the man had changed as well. His eyes were now haunted, and a pang of sadness echoed inside of her. He wiped his wet hair out of his face, and looked at her, unspoken questions apparent on his face. She had to get to the point or she would say things she shouldn’t.

“Carissa and I are leaving town today.”

“Where will you go?”

“South, I think. Towards Covenhall.”

“Will I see you again?”

“I hope so.”

“Travel safe. The roads are dangerous, especially with those creatures around.”

Aurora froze for a moment, not sure how to tell him the truth.

“Look… those creatures… they are not the problem.”

Cade’s face scrunched up in confusion.

“How can you say that? Did you not see what happened yesterday?”

“The… powers behind the attack are far more dangerous than the creatures.”

Cade backed up a step from Aurora, looking more confused than before.

“What do you mean powers behind the attack? How can you know about that?”

Aurora sighed, and wished she could tell him everything.

“I can’t tell you anything else. I’ve already said too much.”

She saw anger begin to rise in Cade, and felt his aura shift. She moved towards him and laid her hand on his arm. She felt a jolt of sensation, and she felt the immense power contained within him. She almost pulled away, frightened by the raw energy passing between them, but fought the urge.

“Cade, you have to trust me. Get home as quickly as you can. Keep your family safe.”

She quickly kissed him on the cheek, and hurried away before he could reply. She didn’t look back.

Aurora stumbled through the empty town, making her way towards the western edge. Her lips and hand tingled where she touched Cade, and she was still shaky from the energy that had coursed through her during their contact. She had always felt the flow of energy within channelers, and its effect on her had never been more than a slight tingle. Cade’s powers were like a bonfire compared to a candle flame. Her head spun, and she almost ran into Carissa, who was rushing back from the forest.

“Aurora! What’s wrong?” Carissa asked her insistently.

Aurora blinked her eyes a few times, and tried to clear her mind.

“Nothing. I was just distracted.”

Carissa took Aurora’s face in her hands and lifted her chin so they were making eye contact.

“What did you tell Cade?”

“I told him exactly what you said to tell him.”

“Nothing more?”

“No.”

Aurora tried to break eye contact, but Carissa held her chin tight.

“What happened?”

“I touched him. Carissa… it was staggering. He has so much power.”

Carissa’s eyes widened, understanding the implications.

“Silas will take him to the masters.”

“We can’t go south. We have to keep him away from that horrible fate.”

Carissa’s hands dropped from Aurora’s face and she turned away. Aurora knew the place that they escaped from was nothing compared to where the masters were. If Cade was captured, his powers would make him a prized asset in the masters’ arsenal.

“What do we do?” Aurora asked quietly.

Carissa didn’t turn around. She stared out into the trees, and didn’t speak for several moments. Finally, she turned to Aurora again, a look of determination on her face.

“We find a way on to one of those wagons.”