The Ember In The Dark novel Chapter 12

We were late and of course Eryn scolded us about how important it is to be on time. That we make a commitment and we should be responsible enough to take it seriously. Yada yada. He's gotten kind of bitter since taking the crown.

Eric was already practicing while we were being lectured. He'd make a face behind Eryn every now and then and I had to try hard not to laugh. He's a goof like Ash.

Honestly Grandpa Artie retired a lot earlier than we all thought. He said he needed to beat his inner demon before it surfaced again. Whatever that means. He left the kingdom completely. He is now a councilman for the werewolves instead. We talk every 3rd Sunday of the month. He told me he got rid of that demon, so I guess he's doing good now.

Archery went well after the long lecture from Eryn. I love the feel of a bow in my hand. The whoosh of the air when I release my arrow knowing it will strike true. It's an exhilarating feeling. We ended training and headed in to eat.

"We need to talk to mom after dinner." Ash reminded me and I sighed. I am not sure how mom will take it. I wish Talia would emerge already and give me answers.

Dinner finished faster than I would have liked. Ash eyed me, making sure I wouldn't just run away. I sighed and he and I made our way to our mom.

"Hey, we need to talk to you." Ash told her.

Mom's emerald eyes looked at us seriously. She knew whatever we had to say was not going to be good.

"Okay. Let's go to my office." She led us quickly there and closed the door behind us. "What's wrong? Did something happen at school? Do I need to bring you back here?" She shot her questions in rapid succession. She was in protective mom mode.

"God no." I said too quickly. "It's not about school. It's about me." I clammed up after that. For some reason I couldn't just say it. I looked at Ash for help.

"She found her mate and it made her wolf come out." Ash told her.

Mom's hands found her mouth as she gasped. Her eyes started misting as she looked at me.

"I knew she was in there. I'm so happy for you Ember. What's her name? Can I meet her?" She asked me.

"The thing is she told me she was behind a barrier and that it was placed there to keep me safe. She's been resting since she came out. She said it was exhausting for her." I told her.

"I can help give her energy, if that's something you would like for me to do." She offered. She was trying to be helpful.

"That's not all." Ash added, pressing me to tell her about today.

"I've been hearing people's thoughts. I heard yours yesterday when we hugged, but I thought that was an accidental mind link. Today, however, I read a human's thoughts."

Mom's face got serious and she started pacing the floor. She always did that when she was thinking hard. She's a genius so if anyone can figure this out it would be her. Mom did become a doctor after all, even after having Ash and I during her first year of college.

"Ember, we need to talk to your wolf. I'll take you with me to her. I'll heal her and then we can ask her what she knows. Your wolf knows more about you than anyone else right now. If she doesn't have answers then I'll ask the tree of life. Don't worry, honey, I'll figure this out." She placed her hands on my shoulders making sure I heard her words.

"Yeah, okay, but can Ash come too?" I don't want to do this without him.

"Of course. Everyone take a seat and grab hands." She told us, and we did just that.

I closed my eyes, focusing my attention on mom's magic running through me. I could feel a slight pull inside me.

"Open your eyes Ember." I heard mom's voice.

I opened my eyes and found us in a grassy field. The grass was about 3 feet tall. It swayed in the wind beautifully. Everything seemed a bit dull in color though. Kind of like we were in black and white. That doesn't seem normal. Past all the grass was a small creek that ran quickly. I saw the light grey wolf there, her white patch on her face made her so beautiful to me.

"Talia." I whispered her name.

"She's beautiful, Ember." Mom squeezed my shoulder.

She approached Talia cautiously, very slowly. Talia seemed out cold though. Mom placed her hand on Talia's back and they both began to glow. I forgot how warm the air felt around mom's healing magic. It always seemed to heal my heart a bit when I was near it. Talia began to growl and mom stepped back.

"Talia!" I called her name and her eyes met mine, one blue and one gold.

"Ember? How'd you get in here?" She asked surprised.