Blue Shadow Legacy by Anca Antoci

Chapter 1

Goosebumps pebbled on her skin as the wind blew her hair into her eyes, forcing Rae to squeeze them shut, thus missing the view. The gargoyle held her in a vice-like grip, flying over the creeks and away from civilization.

“How much do you know about me, Devlin?” Rae broke the silence.

“I know I must keep you alive for the Resistance to stand a chance. I neither know nor care what makes you special,” he answered, hoping she would feel offended and shut up. Today was not his day.

“I’ll tell you anyway, but I’ll do it once we reach the cabin, so I won’t have to repeat it. One thing I can tell you, though, is that I have Seer blood, and now and then, I see glimpses of the future. That’s how I knew your name and that we’d be friends. Not long ago, I dreamed of this, I think…,” her voice trailed off, and she turned her head to see what was happening behind. Harshaw became smaller and smaller.

“What do you mean?”

“I dreamed of you flying above the trees with a woman in your arms. I hadn’t realized it was me, though. And something else. There was a fire, people screaming,” she was relieved the woods looked peaceful underneath them. Something was off, different from her vision.

“It wasn’t you. That happened a couple of days ago at Shadow Grove. The council breached the camp and slaughtered everyone they found, burning the camp down. Very few escaped.”

The pain was fresh in his voice.

“Who were you carrying?” she asked, and her voice caught in her throat.

“A young witch. She had a vision before they attacked the camp. We were surrounded, and the only way we could flee was up. I couldn’t save anyone else,” he added with a pang of regret.

“So, no one else made it?”

“There was one more, a vampire who came there from Oak Grove. I think she heard the witch talk to me and had enough sense to run fast.”

“Jessica,” Rae hoped she was okay.

“I think that is her name,” he replied.

Below, a faint light got her attention.

“Is that the cabin?” she asked as he started to descend.

“Yes. Brace yourself. I’m not good at landing with a package.” He warned before he got too close to the cabin. Devlin let her go in front of the door while he landed on the roof, making a loud noise.