Chapter 27: Taken

Olisnia sits near Alma, both hands over the metal restraint. She hums softly, her pale gaze glowing. Eliana watches intently, awe warming her chest. She could swear that the tattoos lining her body are actually moving, shifting.
The metal begins to creak under her hold and it quickly begins to crumble, into dust.
“Oh,” Eliana leans back in surprise, a giddiness building in her stomach. She grins, “That is amazing.”
Alma smiles softly as well, her shoulders drooping.
Both of the men stand off to the side, their arms folded as they watch the Drulian.
“Does she hold power over us,” Evyn questions. “Is that why we all feel an attraction toward her?”
Jasper cocks his head to the side as he watches Eliana. He sneers, “The reason we have so much trust for her, is because it is the magic of the Drulians that created us. It is engrained within us not to harm our masters.”
Evyn cocks his brow, “Wait, so if we wanted to. . .”
“As far as what mama taught me, we can still kill them. This emotional barrier just makes it more difficult.”
“So, if she steps out of line,” he begins cautiously.
“I will destroy her,” he bares his teeth in a scowl as Olisnia moves to the next restraint.

>><<

“Where have they gone,” Olisnia asks as she runs her hand along Alma’s newly healed wrists.
The werebird is sound asleep, peaceful.
“They wanted to check the perimeter, since I said I felt I was being watched,” Eliana explains sitting near the Drulian.
She nods, “It is good that we have some time alone.”
“Why is that?” Uncertainty begins to bud in her chest.
“There is a topic I would like to discuss with you.”
“What is it?”
Olisnia hesitates for a moment, her gaze never leaving Alma, “You are aware that the werecats are still alive?”
Blinking, Eliana takes a moment to register what the Drulian has said. “The healer in Viptan told me, but I did not believe him.”
She nods, “They are very much alive. The majority of them live on the island of Shidon, where they can hide from the greed of humanity.”
Forcing her brow to remain still, and not furrow, Eliana questions, “Why are you bringing this up?”
“Because there was one werecat that stayed on the mainland.” Olisnia sighs and drops her hand from the werebird.
“Why would they stay when their clan has left?”
A soft smile creases her lips and Olisnia takes a deep breath in. “It is because—”
Alma begins to stir, groaning as she stretches gently. Her eyes slowly open, squinting as she gets used to the lighting.
“I will speak to you of it another time.” Olisnia stands irritation twitching in her brow. “I will find us some food; you must be famished.”
Before Eliana can call after her, she is gone, slamming the door behind her.
Alma shifts, trying to sit. She grasps at her head, wincing. Steadying herself, she leans back against the wall.
“Do not move too much, Olisnia only recently healed you.” Eliana reaches out, guiding Alma’s movements. Concern widens her eyes, and she refuses to sit back.
The werebird sighs, her gaze staring at the door. “I do not enjoy being inside, can we go out? I would love to see the setting sun.”
The Princess cringes, “I am not sure it is safe. The men have not come back yet from checking the area.”
“Oh, that is fine.” She nods, interlocking her fingers.
Eliana watches as Alma sits quietly, rubbing at her hands anxiously. She presses her lips together momentarily, before blurting out, “Here, let’s go.”
Alma’s eyes pop open, her mouth hanging out, “Oh, are you sure?”
Eliana nods, easing the werebird to her feet. They inch their way across the floor and out into the quiet air of dusk. They stand there for a few minutes, watching as the bright sun slowly falls below the buildings.
“Thank you so much for saving me,” Alma speaks softly, her eyes on the sky.
“I have not done a thing. I have only comforted you.”
She shrugs, “That in itself is enough.”
Eliana smiles, watching the werebird revel in the sunset.
“I wonder if I will ever see my homeland again.” Sighing, she looks back down at the ground. “For now, I am stuck wandering aimlessly, trying to find my way back.”
“You can travel with us. Do not worry,” Eliana insists.
Alma presses her trembling lips together, tears building in her dense gaze, “Are you sure? I will not be a bother?”
She shakes her head vigorously, “Of course not. I cannot promise what may happen once I arrive home, but I assure you, once I am there, I will do all that is in my power to get you back to your home as well.”
“Oh, thank you,” Alma’s tears fall, and she reaches out, clinging to Eliana’s hands.
The Princess, her heart aching for her new comrade, pulls the young Boquiv in for an embrace. When they part once more, she smiles.
Alma’s expression freezes, fear lining her features as her grip on Eliana tightens to the point of pain. “Eliana, run.” She pulls the Princess, but her stubbornness causes her to stand her ground.
“Alma, what’s wrong?”
She begins to turn, following the werebird’s gaze.
Before she has a chance to register what she sees, a bag is shoved over her head and Alma shrieks next to her.
Terror explodes in her chest and she kicks out as thick hands yank her arms behind her back. She throws her head back, making contact with her kidnapper’s face. He groans, loosening his grip momentarily.
“Leave her be,” Alma shrieks once more, but soon her cries are muffled, and Eliana is being picked up.
“Alma,” she screams violently thrashing against the restraints being placed on her wrists. “Alma! Please, don’t harm her! That’s all I ask, please!”
“Then behave,” a rough voice spits in her ear.
She sobs, giving in to her kidnappers, her energy depleting from her body. “Alma,” she says once more before she is thrown onto what feels as a wooden wagon. Where are they taking her? She remembers now, the moment before the bag was thrust over her head. Fear tightens its grip on her heart, the Climont colors burning into the back of her mind.