Jaliyah's Arc

Chapter 1 of 2

Jaliyah knelt by a pool of liquid silver and washed the dust from her hands. Thirteen days remained. The gem waited east, past a border she did not want to cross. She thought again of the haven she meant to build, a quiet place where every friend she gathered could finally rest. A twig snapped. Jaliyah's blade was out before she turned. A girl stood at the edge of the pool, maybe sixteen, with long black hair and blue eyes. She held up empty hands. From her belt hung a small ornate mirror, and its surface caught light that was not there. "I'm Silvana," the girl said. "I saw you in the glass before I saw you here." She glanced at the silver water. "I've been alone at this pool a long time. No family. No one looking." A yellow lizard with bat wings climbed from her pack and settled on her shoulder, fangs bared, eyes soft. "Take me with you. Please." Jaliyah lowered her blade. She knew what it cost to let someone close. She also knew the haven was only real if she started gathering its people. "Keep up," she said. Silvana smiled and stepped to her side. East they walked, and the window of safe days grew shorter with every step.