Chapter 7 Scorched Memories

Camilla POV

Every evening under the cover of night, I move through quiet woods to reach the charred clearing where my boots make gentle contact with ash-covered ground. The moon remains low in the sky like a silver flame while I kneel on the ground where fire once raged. The jagged black scars on the ground become a tactile map of my memories filled with pain and betrayal. A surge of grief ascends from my chest while tears flow down my cheeks.

I settle back on my heels, closing my eyes while I experience the burning sensation from that night moving over my skin like spectral embers. The sound of breaking wood mixed with the sound of flames, while I noticed Lucien turning his face away from me. A mixture of guilt and sadness twists within me while my heart seeks forgiveness, although I yearn for revenge. My fingers press tightly into my fists while white-knuckled from the chill of the ash.

Even though I am filled with anger, I shiver as the breeze brings the smell of pine and smoke. The breeze makes my cloak fall open, so I pull it tight, hoping it can protect me from my past. I inhale deeply and detect the metallic taste of sorrow on my tongue. I vow again: I am determined to navigate the boundary that exists between hatred and love.

I stand and pace the clearing's perimeter while my shadow extends beneath the moon. Memories appear as fading flames while his hand rests in mine and his voice carries gentle promises. A deep yearning inside my chest remains unnamed. The memories disappear from my mind as I fix my gaze on the darkened soil.

A distant light briefly captures my attention while my breath catches and halts in my throat. When I blink my eyes, the vision vanishes, leaving nothing but smouldering thoughts in my mind. My heart pounds fiercely while I advance, searching the darkness for any sign of life. The quiet of the night responds to me by carrying the soft sound of the wind.

I squat beside a charred tree stump and spot new tracks in the ash, which belong to a human. My heart pounds against my ribs because I couldn't have created these tracks. Whoever came here followed me. I stand up with my cloak fluttering around me as I survey the surrounding trees.

It sounds like branches snapping softly behind me as I turn with my staff ready, and adrenaline fills my ears. A figure moves into view with their hood pulled down low while their face remains concealed by darkness. The rapid beat of my heart signals danger and yet hints at an even more sinister threat. I raise my staff and emit a low growl, demanding the intruder reveal their identity.

The figure approaches me while moonlight sparkles on the silver ring displaying the council's emblem. A gasp escapes me when I notice the council's mark on the clay token I had to take. My gut tightens with simultaneous feelings of anger and dread as I watch the stranger lift the hood. Lucien's uncle stands before me while his eyes narrowing from guilt and fear.

His mouth distorts when our eyes lock together, and I squeeze the staff so fiercely that my knuckles turn red. "I'm asking what brought you here," I whisper, betrayal rendering my voice unstable. His hand trembles as he lifts it upward while the moonlight dances off his silver ring. "They sent me to monitor you," he confesses through a hoarse voice.

The staff falls from my hand as shock overtakes me while the dense wood creates a resounding thump against the ash. His confession comes at me like a devastating tidal wave, revealing his role as another of their spies. A torn heart fills me with roaring grief and fury. As I retreat, my cloak follows behind, leaving a cloud of ash in its path.

He extends his hand filled with remorse, but I pull away, keeping my eyes filled with intense anger. I urge him to leave my side as my voice turns icy cold. He lowers his head as shame presses heavily against his shoulders. He murmurs, "I'm sorry", then disappears into the forest.

I stand alone in the clearing while my chest heaves from his confession, and my mind reels. Moonlight strikes my skin with an unforgiving brightness that feels like a judgment. As I walk toward the middle of the ashes, my resolve strengthens with every step. Should all my trusted ones betray me, I will face my situation alone.

The wind picks up the embers near my feet, which prompts me to crouch down and collect the ash. Dark powder trickles through my fingers from my grasp as grief escapes. The ash flies up into the air as I watch it dance through the chilly light of the moon. The ash moves away, taking with it a fragment of my grief.

Now my tears pour unrestrained while each droplet honours what has been taken from me. My fists tighten until my nails dig into my skin. As I breathe in this place, my thirst for revenge becomes increasingly satisfying. By wiping my cheeks, I allow moonlight to remove the tears that sorrow left behind.

I stand motionless while spreading my arms wide to draw power from the heavens above. My hair and cloak flutter in the breeze that seems to respond to my presence. A secret force beats beneath my feet as I stand in touch with the earth's hidden energy. It hums with power and promise.

My hands touch the ground while kneeling as I absorb that quiet energy. Through my body runs the subtle heat of warmth against the chill of ash. The power surged through my veins as it flowed up my arms. An ancient presence stirs within me, and my heart beats with its awakening power.

The broken and desperate voice of Lucien haunts my thoughts from that night's battle. My eyes close tightly while I promise to wield this power for both him and myself. I will command this power to serve my purposes either as a protector or a destroyer. The idea in my mind has the metallic taste of iron.

With my cloak fluttering around me, I rise and make my way back through the trees toward the packhouse. My boots move me effortlessly across the ground while the power below my feet pushes me forward. My skin, slick with sweat, feels cool when the night air makes contact. I feel alive and terrible.

When I reach the clearing's edge, torches suddenly ignite along the path to lead me back home. The packhouse stands before me with its windows blinking back lantern lights. The familiar shape of the building makes my heart spin as it stands both as my haven and a place filled with deception. Standing at the doorframe, I brace myself with my hand resting against it.

The hall echoes with hushed voices that sound both gentle and important as the new day begins. I push open the door, then proceed along the glowing path leading to Lucien's door. With every stride, my pulse pounds while my energy beats like a heart. I lift my hand to knock.

The door opens before I reach for it, revealing Lucien, who stands before me with pale skin and wide eyes. His eyes scan past my figure down the hallway with fluorescent panic. I advance with my voice soft but confident and ask him, "What is it?" He looks at me while his mouth moves silently.

The council elder whom I spotted at the clearing stands behind him while holding a blood-stained dagger. The moment Lucien meets my eyes, his breath stalls abruptly. A cold sensation grips my blood as it freezes within my veins. As the elder's blade swings in my direction, Lucien whispersurgentlyly "Don't trust her."

The corridor fills with an overwhelming silence when the door slams shut behind me, creating a prison of fear and betrayal. A chill floods my bloodstream while my heart reveals an uncontrollable latent power. The final lantern extinguishes its light and leaves us surrounded by darkness.