The road grew darker the farther they drove. Trees lined both sides, tall and silent like they were watching. Ember had never heard of Raven's Peak before tonight.
Now she was being taken there.
Against her will.
"Where is Raven's Peak?" Ember asked, holding the book tight against her chest.
"It's a hidden town," Lyra said. "Normal people can't find it. It was sealed long ago."
"Sealed? Why?"
"Because of the curse."
Ember tensed. "Curse?"
Lyra didn't look at her. "You'll see soon."
The road changed suddenly.
One moment, they were in normal forest. The next the trees turned darker, twisted, wrong. The sky grew gray even though it should still be night. Ember shivered.
"We passed through a barrier," Lyra said.
"A what?"
"A protection shield. Raven's Peak is inside a different space now."
Ember stared out the window. The world outside looked dead. Broken signs. Empty houses. No lights. No people.
"What happened here?" Ember whispered.
"The shadows happened," Lyra said quietly. "A long time ago, this town was full of magic. But the shadows came and destroyed everything."
Ember didn't understand. "Where are the people?"
Lyra looked straight ahead. "Enslaved."
Ember went quiet. The word felt heavy.
They drove past an old metal gate and entered what looked like an abandoned town. But Ember could feel something—like unseen eyes watching.
"Don't look back," Lyra said suddenly.
"Why?"
"Some things follow fear. Ignore them and they stay away."
Ember swallowed and forced herself to look only ahead.
Lyra stopped the car in front of a large stone building. It looked like a broken castle, half-burned by time.
"What is this place?" Ember asked.
"The Hall of Clans," Lyra said. "You need to meet someone."
They stepped out of the car. The air was cold, unnaturally cold. Ember followed Lyra inside, walking through tall doors into a great stone hall.
A man stood in the middle of the room.
Tall. Dark hair. Strong arms. Sharp jaw. Eyes that didn't reveal anything.
He looked dangerous without even trying.
When he saw Ember, one of his eyebrows lifted slightly, like he wasn't impressed.
"Who is he?" Ember whispered.
Lyra's voice was calm. "A guardian. His name is Kael."
Kael stepped closer, eyes fixed on Ember. Something unreadable flickered in his gaze.
"So," Kael said slowly, voice smooth and deep. "This is the girl from the prophecy."
Ember frowned. "I have a name."
He walked around her, watching her like a wolf circling someone lost in the woods.
"She doesn't look like much," he said to Lyra.
"I'm not supposed to impress you," Ember snapped.
Kael stopped walking and looked at her again. This time, there was a dangerous amusement in his eyes.
"I like her," he said.
Ember glared. She already didn't trust him.
Lyra stepped forward. "Kael will train you. He knows how to fight the shadows."
"I'm not staying here," Ember argued. "I want to go back home."
Kael stepped closer, voice low. "There is no going back."
Ember met his eyes. "You don't scare me."
Kael leaned in just a little.
"Good," he said softly.
For a moment, Ember felt something strange. A challenge. A spark. A warning.
This man was trouble.
And she would have to stay near him.
Ember followed Lyra and Kael deeper into the Hall of Clans. The stone walls were covered in strange symbols burned into them. The air inside felt heavy, like old magic still lived here.
They entered a wide training hall. It looked like a war room—old weapons on the walls, scars on the floor from battles long ago.
Kael turned to Ember.
"We start now."
Ember frowned. "Start what?"
"Training," Kael said. "You need to learn how to stay alive."
"I just got here," Ember argued. "I haven't even slept"
A blade flew toward her face.
Ember gasped and ducked. The knife struck the wall behind her, shaking from the impact.
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Ember yelled.
Kael walked over and pulled the blade from the wall like it was nothing.
"Lesson one," he said calmly. "Never argue in a war zone."
Ember glared at him. "You could've killed me!"
"If I wanted to kill you," Kael said, looking bored, "you'd already be dead."
Ember clenched her fists. "I hate you."
"Good," Kael said. "Hate keeps you alert."
Lyra stepped between them before Ember could throw something at him. "Kael, enough."
Kael looked at Lyra but said nothing.
Lyra faced Ember. "You must understand something. You're not safe. The shadows will come again. You cannot run from this."
"I didn't ask for any of this," Ember said.
"No one asks for destiny," Lyra replied softly.
Ember looked down. Her hands were shaking. Kael noticed.
"Pick it up," he said, tossing her a wooden training sword.
"I'm not fighting you," Ember said.
"You don't have a choice."
Ember caught the sword and held it awkwardly. Kael raised his own weapon his looked heavier and made of steel.
"That's not fair," Ember said.
"I wasn't trained to be fair," Kael replied.
He moved fast.
Ember barely blocked the first hit. The second strike sent her stumbling back. Her arms hurt from the force.
Kael didn't slow down. He attacked again and again, pushing her, testing her. Ember tried to tried to keep up, growing more frustrated.
"Stop holding back," Kael said.
"I'm trying!" Ember shouted.
"No," Kael said. "You're afraid."
He struck again, knocking the sword from Ember's hands. It hit the ground and slid away.
Kael stepped close, eyes dark and cold. "Fear is what gets you killed."
Ember backed away from him, angry tears burning behind her eyes. "You don't know anything about me!"
Kael stared at her. "I know weakness when I see it."
Something snapped inside Ember. She grabbed the sword again and charged but Kael moved too fast. He swept her legs and she fell hard.
"Again," Kael said.
Ember pushed herself up, breathing hard. Pain shot through her body.
"Again."
She stood with effort.
"Again."
Her arms shook but she raised the sword.
Kael watched her and for a second, his hard expression changed. Just a little.
He respected her.
Lyra spoke quietly from the side. "Enough. She needs rest."
Kael looked like he wanted to continue, but he stepped back. "Training starts again at sunrise."
Ember glared at him. "Can't wait."
Kael smirked and walked away.
Lyra touched Ember's shoulder. "You did well."
Ember let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "If this is just the start… I don't know if I can do this."
Lyra looked at her with calm eyes. "Yes, you can. But you must decide something, Ember."
"What?"
Lyra held her gaze.
"Are you going to run from who you are or fight for who you could become?"
Ready for chapter 3?🔥