PRESENCE

This story is prompted by Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo Thursday photo prompt:  #writephoto.

Emme couldn’t believe it. She managed to get back to the school, back to the classroom. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Once again, her incompetence caused a problem. Ora was dead. The Three didn’t appear. No one came. For being the Chosen One, she certainly felt less than adequate.

She slumped into a desk chair and sobbed for a few minutes, feeling sorry for herself. Her mistakes risked the lives of everyone who tried to protect her. Now, she followed the rules, and Ora was killed anyway. How could this man keep finding her? Something wasn’t right. But what.

As she sat trying to get herself together, the door opened. She jerked her head up as Jadis ran inside.

“We need to get you out of here. Now. The compound has been compromised. Hurry.”

“How?—”

“No time to talk. Follow me.”

Jadis had crossed the room and was standing right in from of Emme. She grabbed her wrist and pulled her to her feet.

“Where are we going?”

Jadis didn’t answer, but pulled her along behind, running as fast as she could away from the classroom.

Finally, Jadis stopped and released her wrist. Emme caught her breath. So much happened in such a short time and she had no idea what would happen next. Somehow Jadis knew she needed help. Why couldn’t she develop her magical powers faster? How would she be able to help when she was such a burden?

“How did you know I needed help?”

“Ora.”

“But—Ora’s dead. I saw her disappear.”

“You saw what she wanted you to see. And what she wanted the attacker to see. You weren’t alone in the woods with Ora. Several of your Guard were there before you and cloaked in invisibility.”

“I—I don’t understand. We weren’t alone?”

“Never. Your survival is too important to risk going unprotected. The Guard has been with you since you tried to leave the compound for the second time.”

“So, Ora. She’s okay?”

“Yes.”

“And—”

Before she finished The Thee appeared and formed a circle around Emme and Jadis. They chanted together and everyone was transported into a grassy field with large rocks and trees in the distance.

“Where are we?”

Jadis hushed her. The Three dropped their hands and broke the circle. One pointed to the furthest rock. Jadis nodded and guided them down the flower-lined pathway. Emme followed silently.

The Three surrounded the rock and waited until they got there. Jadis lifted both palms up and chanted “da nobis accessum.”

The rock shook and split open.

Emme stood there, staring. “What?”

Jadis pointed to the opening. “Quickly. We must hurry. The Three cannot keep the shield up for much longer.”

Emme followed behind Jadis inside the opening and down the stairway that stood before them. At the bottom, Jadis stopped and chanted, “prope protegant.”

“What? How? First you open get the rock to open now you get it to close? You need to be straight with me.”

“I did as The Three instructed me. This is sacred ground for us. These rocks will grant us access and close and protect us. You must trust me.”

“I do, but—”

“We didn’t think the situation would escalate this quickly. You are in even greater danger than we expected.”

This story is prompted by Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo Thursday photo prompt: #writephoto.

To read the entire Emme’s Destiny series, click here.

Stop over and give it a try. You might be surprised at what you can compose.

Leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you.