I never believed fate could hunt you down in the middle of the street.
But there i was — chest heaving, heart racing, a strange hand wrapped on my wrist, and her Mark glowing just like mine.
For a few seconds, we just start staring at each other, frozen, like the city around us stop moving.
Her grip wasn't tight, but strong enough to snap my arm if she wanted. Her eye were sharp — sliver, cold, dangerous — flamed with short messy hair streaking my sliver that matched the faint glow of her skin.
"You're.... Marked?" I asked. The words stumbled out of me before i could think.
A small, sharp smile curved her lips. "Took you long enough to noticed".
I tried to put my wrist free, but she didn't let go immediately. Her mark pulsed – identical to the glowing symbol running under my sleeve – like our skin was speaking some ancient languages i couldn't understand.
I swallowed hard, panic twisting in my chest.
The Queen's soldiers were still nearby. Their heavy boots echoed faintly down the alley.
If they could find us now —.
The girl's grip loosened but her eyes stayed locked on mine.
"You wanna live?" She asked, voice low and steady like she wasn't even sweating. "Follow me."
Everything in me screamed not to trust her, but the soldiers voices drewed closer, and my options were fading fast.
I nodded, barely breathing.
She released me, her movement smooth and fast as she slipped through the shadows, glancing over her shoulder to make sure i was following her.
I hesitated for half a second — then ran after her.
We darted through the narrow alley, weaving past broken fence and forgotten streets the city left behind. My lungs burned, my leg aching, but i pushed through i couldn't afford to slow down.
After what feels like forever, she led through a crumbling courtyard, vines climbing the stone wall, cracked glasses scattered across the ground. An old chapel stood hidden at the end of the alley – its doors hanging half broken, graffiti covering the walls.
She slipped inside, disappearing into the shadows.
I followed, heart pounding, hand pressing against my Mark to maffle the faint glow still pulshing under my skin.
The chapel was abandoned — long forgotten by the city. Stained glass shattered, wooden pews covered in dust, the smell of old smoke clinging to the air.
The girl dropped her hood, revealing her face– sharp cheekbones, darked lashes flamed like sliver eyes, and a scar slicing through her left eyebrow. She looked maybe nineteen, her features too fierce to be soft, and not as old as her confidence made her seem.
I hovered by the door, still catching my breath, ready to bolt if this turned sideways.
She leaned casually against the broken alter, eyes still fixed on me.
"Relax", she muttered, pulled off her glove to reveal the full Mark spiraling up her wrist. Golden symbols, glowing faintly, identical to mine.
I stared, throat tightened.
"You're Marked..." i repeated, more of myself this time.
"No kidding", she replied, one eyebrown arching. "Same as you".
I opened my mouth — a thousand questions crashing together in my head – but she beat me on it.
"Name?."
I hesitated, fingers twisting near my sleeve like i could hide the glow under my hoodie.
She tilted her head, waiting.
"Rae," I finally said, voice rough from running.
The corner of her mouth quirked, almost like the name amused her.
"Kael", She offered back, her eyes narrowly slighted as she studied me like a puzzle she haven't solved yet.
I crossed my arm, trying to steady my breathing.
"Ypu chased me", I accused. "Why? if you're Marked too — why scared the hell out of me?".
Kael shrugged one shoulder, her expression unreadable.
"Couldn't tell if you are one of us – or bait".
"Bait?" I echoed, confused.
"The Queen's soldiers set traps", Kael explained tapping her Mark. " Fake marks to lure out the real ones like you and me".
I bristled, heat creeping up my neck. "So i passed my little test?".
A small smirk played on he lips "Barely".
Annoyance bubbled up, tangled with fear and— and something else. Something sharp, pulling tight as our eyes stayed locked.
The tension in thr room thickened.
Rael glared softened – barely – before she straightened.
"You don't have to trust me". She added, voice lower now, more serious." But you are running out of options....We both are".
I swallowed hard, glancing at the door.
I should have leave. But fate had other plans–literally branded into my skin.
The faint sound of voices echoed outside again. Soldiers. Still searching.
Kael stepped closer, closing the space between us with quiet confident.
"You stay with me," she said, voice like smoke. "Or you survive alone.... for as long as that lasts".
My heart pounded. Logic screamed to run. But instinct — something deeper, pulling at my Mark, twisting fate tighter – held me still.
I met her eyes, sliver meeting brown. And for the first time, i wondered if running wasn't the only way to survive.
Maybe....just maybe.... trusting her was part of fate plan.
To be CONTINUED....