18 Their Blood is too Weak (1/2)

Ilun stared back at her, his dark eyes deep wells, his huge body shaking with excitement.

”You're here too,” she said as his claws clicked on the stone of the courtyard. ”But,” she asked, lifting her hand to touch his velvet nose, ”are you the same or is one of you a copy?”

Ilun didn't answer, he only pressed his head into her hand, following down her arm so that she could scratch his neck and ears. She stumbled back at the sudden weight of him against her body but did as he wanted, happy to see him. He's not changing here, not like he was when I woke up, he's more stable, she thought.

”I have to find that woman, ask her where you came from, what happened. How you are in the waking world.”

Ilun didn't seem to care for her mysteries, he only pressed his body around hers, urging for more pets and scratches.

”No,” she said pushing his great head away, ”We have something important to do.”

”Ah! You found him!” the voice of the shade sounded behind her and she turned, her eyes slits, the bridge of her nose wrinkled in anger.

”You!” she yelled, ”What is going on?”

The woman laughed and clapped, the beads covering her chest making soft notes with her every movement. ”I knew it! I knew you were the one! Fate sent you to me, to all of us! Sorgia, oh Sorgia, you will be so great!”

”Stop! Just tell me what's going on!” Isilla hissed.

The woman ignored her and crossed the distance to Ilun. She reached for him, cooing, her voice making small sounds.

Ilun growled and backed away snapping at the offered hand, moving behind Isilla as if her small body could cover him.

He's afraid, Isilla thought, as he pressed his nose into her palm, a low whine in his throat. He wants me to protect him, she looked back at the animal.

The woman chuckled, dropping her hand, ”Of course, of course. Is how it should be.”

She turned her attention to Isilla, ”Is beautiful, that one that you found, that you made. And in waking, how is he? Still big, still this color? Tell me!”

”He's,” Isilla started her focus thrown by the woman's excitement, ”yes, he's much the same. Now please, tell me what is going on.”

The woman smiled softly at Ilun for a moment before speaking, ”This is the mark, the first test. You and your chosen, you will be so powerful. You will do things this world has never seen before. Bring the dark and the light together.”

”You mean Arren?” Isilla asked slowly.

The woman tilted her head to the side, ”Is that his name? Where did you find him in this land?”

”He's the prince,” Isilla said slowly.

The woman's eyes opened in shock, ”Of the Dark? No. Their blood is too weak, the power does not flow through them. One of them could never help you make that.”