Chapter

4

Shadowstep

We had just lit a fire in a cave somewhere near the city there we hope the creatures wouldn't find us. The orange light danced on the stone walls increasing the loneliness in the silent cave. I gulped, fearing to close my eyes lest a monster jumped from the shadows.

"Okay, Snowflake, what happened after I had passed out?" My voice shook slightly and I could feel myself shaking, I was bitterly cold and still somewhat scared.

She didn't answer she just sat and watched a small light somewhere in the direction of the city. As though I was telepathic I knew exactly what she was thinking. I walked forward to her and covered her back with my wing as a hug and gave her some company. I tried to smile but instead my eyes filled with tears. I knew it was hopeless to comfort her when I was in a mood such as the one I was already in. I sighed and turned around toward the fire. I groaned and collapsed to the ground, my very bones aching and sore. I shut my eyes and immediately sleep came, a deep refreshing sleep...

I woke up a few hours later, my mind was alert and my heart beat accelerating, Snowflake was screaming in pain cause of the wound in her thigh. I got up was nuzzled her softly like a worried mother.

"Shh, its okay, Snowflake, I shall see if I can find some red gems...I won't be too far away. Just wait here," I comforted. I skipped out the cave, wide awake and wide awake.

"Okay," She whispered in a weak voice as my shadow disappeared into the night.

It did not take long for my to find the gems. I spotted them just under a group of berry trees and I carefully dug them out the ground. Soon I had a good pile and I returned to the cave. When I got to the cave later I was shocked to see the sight before me.

"No!" I screamed in terror and ran forwards. Snowflake was strung up into the wall, two large metal spikes buried deep within her wings. I took her pulse and found out that it was extremely low. With tears in my eyes pulled out the spikes from her wings. I smashed the gems to dust and tried to heal her wound, slowly they started to heal. Suddenly I realized that I can't leave her alone just in case something that that happened again.

Next morning I was still awake and at my guard. I was sleepy eyed and yawning because for whole night I heard someone say something behind me in low, long whispers and groans.

"Cynder my fate was sealed but you broke the seal before death arrived I will always be grateful for that, thanks." Snowflake whispered her eyes still closed and her breathing shallow.

"You would have done the same for me," I said looking to the sky, the sun slowly rising and forming red, purple, pink and gold clouds. "I think we need to move sooner than later, while we still have some cover of darkness."

"Okay, can you give me one more day to rest then we will leave," Snowflake groaned and tucked her head under her wings. I sighed, Snowflake didn't seem to realized that I wanted to move out that day. I looked down at her, maybe it was for the best that she didn't move. Just behind Snowflake I spotted a letter. Ii was half concealed in dirt and small stone. I walked up to it and yanked it from the soil causing dust to few everywhere. I coughed and waved my hand in the air, scattering the dust particles. The dust settled and I sat down next to Snowflake to read the message.

Last warning. Shadowstep

If you don't kill Cynder and Snowflake, is this last time you breathe, you disgusting creature.

Understood ?

"Hmm, Snowflake, do you know who someone called Shadowstep is?" I asked her. She lifted her head and shook it. Then suddenly her eyes widened and her pupil became small dots.

"I am Shadowstep and now I am here. Hahahahahaha!" Did I heard a dark voice evilly laugh from somewhere in the cave.

"Look out, Cynder, to your right!" Snowflake screamed, pointing behind me. I

I turned my face to the right as fast as I heard her scream. I saw the creature that looked like the one I killed in the village, but this one had a giant sword that he swiped over my chest. I felt a wave of nausea sweep over me and I roared in pain. I spat some blood on the cave floor, the strange red substance seeping into the dirt. I dove into a shadow dive and appeared behind the creature.

"Check behind you," I snarled. As he did a U-turn I swiped my tail blade and chopped he's neck. I watched as his now lifeless form dropped to the ground.

I fell to the floor almost right after he did. There was darkness and silence for a long time.

I woke up next to Snowflake with a bandage over my chest. I didn't feel any pain in my chest or left leg and Snowflake's wings were healed. I lifted my heavy head and peered around. A shadow was sitting next to the camp fire.

"You! What are you doing awake? you should still be resting!" The shadow scolded as he looked at me. I saw what he looked like he had a white mask with 3 stripes over the right eye and a smiling mouth. He also wore a black cloak. I could bet that he was a bounty hunter.

"Why are you helping us?" I asked him.