Filed to story: The Chosen Saga Novel PDF Free
Araiya sat down at the edge and slipped off into the water. Athan slowly circled her, and Araiya reached out and trailed her hand from his snout to his tail. She swam back to the top and waited for Shavon to get into the water. Shavon’s eyes were still wide when she lowered herself slowly into the water. Her panic renewed when Athan swam close to her and very slowly touched his snout to her hand. He backed off and waited for her to calm down. Araiya called for air to circle Shavon’s head while they swam out. She gestured for Shavon to grab onto Athan’s fin. Once they grabbed on, he dove deep and swam away from the keep.
Athan brought them to a reef before he shook them off. He swam back towards the deep while the two women made their way to the shore. Once then reached the shore, Shavon collapsed on the beach.
“That was amazing and terrifying at the same time.” Shavon started to laugh. “I swear that shark knew I was afraid of him.”
“He did.” Araiya laughed. “He understood you when you said it, you fool. That’s why he was so gentle with you.”
“That is insane. Does every Water dragon get a familiar?”
“No idea, maybe only the strong ones. Also, it doesn’t guarantee what you get. The familiar chooses you.”
“Do Chosen ever get them? Do you know? I have never heard of it from any other element.”
“I was told very rarely. I don’t know about any others, though.”
Shavon slowly pushed up from the ground. “Do you have a Water familiar?”
Araiya stretched her back, waiting for Shavon to catch her breath. “Who knows. I am not worried since it isn’t even my actual element. I doubt I will have one for Spirit.” She chuckled. “Anyways, are you good to continue? I want to be out of the water before anyone notices.”
“Yeah, let’s go. Talon should already be at the gate. He said he would distract the guys for a few extra minutes before saying he had to meet me.”
Araiya picked her way up the beach. When they first came to Water, the two women slowly made their way onto the cliffs that Araiya had leapt off. After a few minutes, they found the path that led back towards the gates.
Talon was leaning against one of the gates, smiling when the girls walked out of the forest. Shavon ran into his arms.
“Are you okay? How was the swim?” Talon brushed his lips against Shavon’s and turned to Araiya right before they all heard a deep guttural roar fill the air. “Time to go. River sounds very pissed off, which means he probably figured out you left.”
“I left a letter for him. He was the only one that deserved some answers. I told him I left since I wasn’t wanted. I said I was sorry since I knew he didn’t feel that way, but one out of four wasn’t enough to get me to stay to put up with the rest. I would be tied to all four, and I can’t do that to myself. I can’t be hated for no reason again.” She looked back toward the keep and whispered, “I am so sorry.” She turned around and went through the gate.
Talon and Shavon came through the gate right after each other. The three stood in the Chosen clearing and looked at the complete and utter destruction around the clearing. Trees were ripped from the roots. Plants were thrown about. It looked like a tornado ripped through the clearing.
“What happened here?” Shavon walked around the clearing.
“These smells of darkness. It must have happened when we went into the fire. All this damage because it didn’t get you…” Talon trailed off while he turned toward Araiya.
Araiya shivered and rubbed her arms. “I don’t understand why anyone would be after me. I am not worth all of this destruction.” She turned back to her companions. “All right, lead the way back to the village. I figure we can start there, maybe.” The other two nodded, and they all turned to walk away. Talon whipped back around when the gate lit up.
“Run, someone is coming through the gate. I will hold them off and catch back up to you guys. Stay at our place in case River looks at yours, Araiya.” The girls ran into the forest and made their way to the Chosen Village while they listened to the men argue behind them.
They made it back to the village and slammed into the cabin. Araiya leaned against the door as the two caught their breath. “Fuck, that was close.”
“Okay, it’s okay. We just have to wait here until Talon convinces who followed us that this is what you wanted, and we will be good to go.” Shavon wiped down her face.
“Yeah. Did you want to get packed and ready for the journey? I know Talon said to wait, but we are safe enough in the village, right?” Araiya looked out through the window.
“Yeah, of course, you’re safe enough here. Head over to your place and pack. I will meet you there once I have packed our stuff. Talon can figure out where we are.” Shavon quickly hugged Araiya and headed to their closet to pack some clothes.
Araiya headed toward her home to grab her stuff. She walked around the long way to stay out of sight. She had just reached the door before someone wrapped their hand around her mouth and pulled her back. She fought the person holding on to her, but all she was able to accomplish was dislodging the hand over her mouth. She stumbled and was dragged back towards the woods.
Araiya screamed as loud as she could before the person dragging her swung back and punched her in the temple, and everything went black.
The first thing she felt was the throbbing pain that radiated from her temple. She slowly raised her hand and touched the lump that had formed and split. She felt the blood that had dried down the side of her face as she felt for any more damage but found none.
“Oh goodness, you’re finally awake. You were out so long I was worried they had managed to kill you.”
Araiya cracked her eyes in disbelief. There was no way she heard the voice she did. The voice was slurred, but she was sure she recognized it. “Korine?”
“The one and only, sister.”
“Where are we?” She struggled to look around the dim room as her vision cleared. Araiya was chained to a post in a dark room. Korine’s voice came from across the room where a small shaft of light gave her shape, but most of her was in shadow as she was turned away.
“We are in Fire. Once you left to gallivant as a Chosen, I was dragged here to complete Father’s contract. You didn’t think you would get away from them?” Korine snorted. “Men like my father and my new husband don’t lose, Araiya. Women like us do. All we can do is try to manipulate them enough to survive.”
Korine shifted into the shaft of light, and all Araiya could do was gasp. One side of her face was beaten so severely that her eye was swollen shut, and her nose was askew. A flame was burned into her cheek above; the letter w. Korine turned even further into the light, and the beam showcased the brand burnt into the side of her face.
“Korine…” Tears burned behind Araiya’s eyes seeing the damage that riddled her stepsister’s face.