There was another knock, louder this time, fast and full of urgency. I rushed to the door and opened it quickly.
Millicent stood there, her eyes wide with fear, darting around like she was checking if someone followed her.
"Let me in," she said, her voice tight and anxious.
I stepped aside. She hurried in and shut the door behind her, locking it herself.
"You have to leave. Now," she said, almost out of breath, her voice shaking with worry.
"Why?" I asked, feeling panic rise inside me.
If something could scare a powerful leader like her, someone with strong magic and high status, then it had to be serious.
"Don't ask questions," she snapped, her voice sharp and loud.
"Just do what I say!" she ordered, her eyes burning like fire.
I nodded quickly and looked around the room, ready to leave. But I paused. My eyes turned to her again.
"At least tell me what danger is coming," I pleaded. I knew there was some power inside me, but the warning voice I once heard still echoed in my mind.
"Your current power might fail you," it had said.
That meant I couldn't even trust the magic I had now.
"The supreme warriors are coming," she said, her words rushing out. "What you did, it shook the balance of power. Their arrival means danger for you."
"Who are they?" I asked, unable to stop myself.
"They're the hunters," she said quickly. "The strongest among the bird shifters. They carry a magic that kills other magic. They're ancient. Cold. They don't forgive anything that breaks the rules of power. Even the bravest fear them."
My heart pounded harder. If they could destroy magic, they were truly deadly.
"The elders will call for you soon. You must stand before them before the supreme warriors arrive," she said, her voice now soft and low.
"But, isn't it already too late to run?" I whispered.
She shook her head. "You still have magic. You can survive out there."
I had no real magic. How could I tell her the truth?
Whatever power had shown up in me came by surprise, I didn't know where it came from or how long it would even stay.
"Magic? Will it really help out there?" I asked, needing to know more about this strange world I had fallen into.
"To some extent, yes. But it might fail you if you face the strongest," she said honestly, her voice full of worry.
Fear stirred inside me. I didn't want to leave the bird shifters, not yet, not until I understood what fate had brought me here. But now, they were pushing me out.
"Please help me! Hide me somewhere, I'll leave tomorrow," I begged. But she shook her head firmly.
"I can't. If the elders find out I helped you, they'll punish me, strip me of my title," she whispered, her voice shaking a little.
She lowered her gaze to the ground. After a moment, she looked up again and stared deep into my eyes.
"I don't know why I'm helping you, but something in me says I should," she said softly.
"You're not the bad omen they believe you are. I think you're just misunderstood. That's why I'm helping you. But you must leave now."
She grabbed the door knob, ready to go.
"Wait," I called out, my voice almost desperate.
She paused.
"What if I stay? Maybe the others will see what you see. Maybe they'll change their minds," I said, hope trembling in my voice.
She looked at me for a long second, then gave a small nod.
"You're brave. That's a good thing. I wish you luck," she whispered.
Then she opened the door and slipped away into the night, moving quickly and quietly.
Not long after she left, there was another knock, louder, sharper, filled with urgency.
I froze for a second, fear gripping me. Then, with trembling hands, I opened the door.
It wasn't Millicent. It was someone else. A young woman stood at the door, panic clear on her face.
"The elders are calling for you," she said quietly, her voice trembling.
"They want to see you now."
I gave a small nod, my heart sinking. I had no choice. "I'll be there soon," I whispered.
She shook her head quickly. "No, they said you must come right away."
"I see," I muttered, swallowing my fear. Then, without another word, I followed her.
We walked side by side until we reached a large hut. At each of the four corners, a fire burned low and steady. It looked like a ritual was about to take place.
I glanced up at the sky. The stars were bright, lighting up the darkness. But the moon was missing.
Selene, will you not show the moon tonight?
I prayed silently, hoping the stars alone would be enough to guide and protect me.
The girl pointed toward the hut. "Go inside," she said softly, then turned and left.
I looked around, my heart beating wildly. Slowly, I stepped inside. The hut was warm, lit by the glow of many small fires.
Millicent sat on a grand throne. Our eyes met, and she stared at me deeply, as if trying to speak without words. I held her gaze for a moment, searching for meaning in her eyes.
In the center of the room stood five fiery birds. Their feathers sparkled in the firelight, and their eyes were sharp, cold, and watchful. Their wings shifted slightly, making me tense.
Surrounding Millicent were older women, sitting on smaller chairs. Their hair was all gray, and deep lines marked their faces. These had to be the elders, the ones who would decide my fate.
I stopped in front of them.
"Stranger," one of the elders said sharply.
"You've disrespected our land," she spat, her eyes full of anger. "You stained our sacred veil."
Another elder spoke, her voice even harsher. "Why are you here? What is your purpose?"
A third elder, a woman with long silver feathers, stepped forward. "Are you a curse?" she asked coldly. "Were you sent to destroy the little peace we still have?"
I said nothing. What could I say? That I had no mission? That I was pulled here by something I didn't understand? That a voice in the light told me nothing clear?
Even if I explained, they wouldn't believe me.
"I asked you a question," the first elder snapped, raising her voice. "Answer, stranger!"
I clenched my fists, trying to keep calm.
"I don't want to hurt anyone," I said softly. "But my path is mine. I can't explain it."
The elders exchanged tense looks.
"You can't explain," the first elder repeated bitterly. "Or you won't?"
"I truly can't," I said again. "I'll leave in peace."
If leaving would make things better, I was ready. I had no reason to stay now.
A soft murmur filled the hut. I saw Millicent looking at me, her face full of worry. I could feel her fear for me.
Then the second elder raised his hand. "You are a bad sign," he said with a low growl. "We won't let you leave."
"I'll go tonight," I said firmly. "I've already stayed too long."
Yes, I had begged Millicent to let me stay earlier, but now, I wanted out. This place, filled only with women, gave me no comfort. I hadn't seen even one male since I arrived.
"You will not leave!" the first elder shouted.
"You must fix what you ruined," she growled, her voice sharp with anger.
I didn't answer. I turned to leave.
But then, a strong wind rose. No, it was more like a wild whirlwind. It roared through the air, and I heard screams as people ran to hide.
The elders stood quickly and rushed outside. Millicent did too.
I turned and looked at them. The fear on their faces said everything, something terrible was coming.
Without thinking, I followed them out of the hut. My heart was pounding. I needed to escape before whatever was coming reached us.
But just as I made my move, I froze.
In the dark sky, I saw huge, shadowy shapes, flying fast and strong. They weren't ordinary. Sharp, high-pitched cries filled the night. The sound made my skin crawl.
"Powers!" someone whispered behind me.