Chapter 161 CHAPTER 161

Chapter 161 CHAPTER 161
They arrived at the river just after dawn. They had been walking for hours through the forest, the trees growing sparser until the land opened into a wide, icy valley. The river cut through the centre, its surface frozen solid, and frost clung to the rocks along the bank.

Talia stopped the moment she saw it.

Elara felt her tense, her small hand tightening around Elara’s fingers. “It’s cold,” Talia whispered.

“It does,” Elara agreed.

Kaelan stepped beside them. “We’ll take it slow. The ice looks solid, but we’ll test every step.”

Raven crouched near the edge of the river, brushing her fingers across the surface. “The Elders’ magic is close. Very close.”

Saphira joined her, eyes narrowing. “I can feel it too.”

Talia swallowed hard. “Is that why my chest feels weird?”

Elara knelt in front of her. “What does it feel like?”

“Like… like something’s pulling. Not hard, just… tugging.” Talia explained.

Raven stood. “That’s the seed recognising the source.”

Elara’s stomach twisted. “Is it dangerous?”

“Not yet,” Raven said. “But the second stage is coming.”

Kaelan looked between them. “How soon?”

“Soon.” Raven sighed. “Come on, lets get across this.”

They crossed the river slowly. Kaelan tested each step, listening for cracks.

Elara held Talia’s hand the entire time, keeping her close, but halfway across, Talia stumbled.

Elara caught her instantly. “Easy.”

Talia nodded, but her eyes were unfocused. “It’s louder now.”

“What is?” Kaelan asked gently.

“The magic,” Talia whispered. “It’s… talking.”

Elara froze. “Talking?”

Talia nodded, her voice trembling. “Not words. Just… feelings. Like it wants something.”

Raven stepped closer. “What does it want?”

“The Elders,” Talia said, voice cracking. “It wants to go to them.”

Raven exchanged a look with Saphira. “The second stage has begun.”

Kaelan moved closer to Talia, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You’re ok, we’ve got you.”

Talia nodded, but her eyes were glassy, distant.

Elara squeezed her hand. “Stay with me.”

Talia blinked hard, focusing on her. “I’m trying.”

They continued across the ice, but Elara could feel the shift in the air.

By the time they reached the far bank, Talia was shaking.

Elara pulled her into her arms. “Talk to me.”

“It’s… it’s pushing,” Talia whispered. “Not like before. It’s not scared this time. It’s… curious.”

Raven knelt beside them. “Curious how?”

Talia pressed her hands to her temples. “It’s looking. Like it’s trying to see through me.”

Elara’s eyebrows furrowed. “Raven?”

“I know,” Raven said quietly. “This is new.”

Kaelan crouched in front of her. “Look at me.”

Talia lifted her eyes.

“You’re stronger than it,” Kaelan said. “You hear me? You’re stronger. And you’re not alone.”

Elara felt Talia’s grip tighten around her arm as she nodded. “I’m stronger and not alone.”

They set up camp near a cluster of boulders, using them as a windbreak.

Talia sat wrapped in blankets between Elara and Kaelan, her eyes half‑lidded, her breathing uneven.

Raven sat across from them, “It’s learning,”

Kaelan’s jaw tightened. “That’s not good.”

“No,” Raven agreed softly. “It means the next flare will be different.”

Saphira added, “It will try to communicate. Or control.”

“Control her?” Elara asked.

“Not fully,” Raven said. “But it will try to influence her. Make her move toward the Elders.”

Talia curled into Elara’s side. “I don’t want it to.”

“You won’t let it,” Elara said fiercely. “And neither will we.”

Kaelan wrapped an arm around both of them, pulling them closer. “We go to the Elders on our terms, nothing else.”

Talia leaned into him, her head resting against his chest. “You’re warm.”

Kaelan huffed a soft laugh. “Big wolf. Lots of heat.”

Talia smiled weakly. “I like it.”

Elara watched the exchange, her heart softening. Talia was starting to trust him.

Raven stood. “We should prepare for the flare.”

Elara stiffened. “Now?”

“Yes,” Raven said. “It’s close.”

Saphira nodded. “We’ll take shifts. Elara, you need rest.”

Elara hesitated, then nodded. She lay down beside Talia, Kaelan settling behind them, his body a warm, solid barrier against the cold. Talia curled between them, her breathing soft but uneven.

Raven and Saphira took positions near the fire.

The night deepened, and then it began.

Talia jerked awake with a gasp.

Elara sat up instantly. “Talia?”

“Elara…” Talia whispered, her eyes glowing. “It’s… talking again.”

Elara pulled her close. “What is it saying?”

Talia shook her head. “Not words. Just… feelings. It’s trying to show me something.”

Kaelan sat up, alert. “Show you what?”

Talia pressed her hands to her temples. “A place. A… face?”

Elara’s heart pounded. “A face?”

Talia nodded, trembling. “It’s blurry. It’s pushing again.”

Kaelan placed a hand on her back. “Push back.”

“I can’t…”

“Yes, you can,” Kaelan said. “You’re stronger than it.”

Talia squeezed her eyes shut, breathing hard. But the glow intensified.

Raven raised her hands. “It’s starting.”

The flare built slowly this time, the air thickened, the ground humming beneath them.

Talia gasped. “It’s trying to pull me.”

Elara held her tighter. “Then hold on to me.”

Kaelan wrapped his arms around both of them, anchoring them with his weight and warmth. “You’re not going anywhere.”

The magic surged, but it wasn’t wild, it was deliberate, reaching outwards.

“It’s looking for the Elders,” Raven whispered. “And it’s getting stronger.”

Saphira added her magic, then the flare peaked, then faded slowly, leaving Talia trembling in Elara’s arms.

Elara stroked her hair. “It’s over. You did so well.”

Talia nodded weakly, tears slipping down her cheeks. “I’m tired.”

“I know,” Elara whispered. “Sleep.”

Talia curled into her, exhausted.

Kaelan brushed a hand down Talia’s back, then met Elara’s eyes. “We’re running out of time.”

Elara nodded, her throat tight.

Raven and Saphira settled back near the fire, keeping watch.

Kaelan shifted closer. “You’re doing everything you can. More than anyone else could.”

Elara looked at him. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Kaelan’s expression warmed and he leaned in slowly. Their foreheads touched first, then his hand cupped her cheek.

Elara exhaled, leaning into him.

Kaelan’s voice was barely a whisper. “We’ll get her through this.”

He kissed her. It wasn't a deep kiss, but more like a kiss full of promises and love.

When they finally pulled apart, Elara rested her head against his shoulder, his arm wrapping around her as Talia slept between them.

She looked down at Talia, and then back at Kaelan, and she smiled to herself. They were her family.

And she will do everything she possibly can to protect her family. No matter the cost.