Changeling
Chapter 5

Niall

The triple suns beat down on the planet’s surface, making the day unbearably hot. I could smell my orc companion walking next to me, even from a distance as I dragged my feet along. The desert plants were thriving in this extreme environment, but their fragrance was dry and sharp. As I licked my parched lips, I could feel the sweat trickling down my back beneath my leather clothing. My fellow traveler, Horn, had already stripped down to his inked skin, which displayed familiar markings of the Seelie and Unseelies that inhabited this land. In contrast, my own intricate tattoos held unknown origins and had caused issues in the past; I hesitated to expose them now.

“Bitch!” I quickly stepped back and smacked the side of my neck. Horn’s head snapped towards me, concerned by the sudden movement. I winced and examined my hand, which had stung from the impact. Horn walked over to me with a curious expression on his face. “What the fuck was that?” A growl of annoyance rumbled in my chest, and I tried to peel back the bindings of the leather. Whatever fucker had bit me was going to die.

Horn’s hand moved with lightning speed as he grabbed at my collar. Instinctively, I grabbed his wrist to steady myself as he almost lifted me off the ground. Reacting quickly, I kicked off his chest and jumped backwards. Frustration boiled within me as I spat into the dusty ground and glared up at him. The blistering heat of the summer sky beat down relentlessly, causing sweat to trickle down our foreheads and necks.

“What the hell is your problem, Horn?”

He pointed, blinking dumbfoundedly. “Matched.” He said, plain and simple.

“What?” With a final, piercing glare, my eyes narrowed and locked onto his before I looked away. The faint silver streaks that marred my normally olive-colored complexion caught my attention and drew me in. They seemed to freeze me in place, like a sudden chill on a warm summer day. My gaze remained fixed on the unexpected markings, tracing their path across my skin as if trying to decipher their meaning. “What?” I repeated. I was frozen, unable to move as Horn reached at me again and traced his fingers over the markings. It was uncharacteristically gentle of him.

“The gods were just here.” He grumbled under his breath, his sharp gaze scanning the surroundings for any lingering signs. I leaned in closer, tracing a thick line with my finger. A faint shimmer danced along its edges, a strange and out-of-place glimmer. I furrowed my brow in confusion, trying to decipher its meaning. What did this mean?

“Do you know who she is?”

“W-what?” I asked and looked up at him dumbfounded. “The girl. Do you know her? Can you feel her?”

My eyebrows drew together in concentration as I licked the roof of my mouth. I took a deep breath and attempted something I had never done before. Ignoring my partner and the world around us, I closed my eyes and immersed myself in a tranquil silence, focusing solely on a new sensation within my very soul.

In this moment of peaceful solitude, I could feel a new sensation stirring within me. A small flame ignited behind me and I quickly turned, but there was nothing there. With tentative curiosity, I straightened up and tried again.

This time, I was prepared for the warmth that crept up my neck. Closing my eyes, I fully embraced the sensation and basked in its gentle glow. It seemed almost hesitant, as if unsure of itself.

It was gentle, almost hesitant. This fire had an uncertainty about it, like it wasn’t fully sure of itself yet. Intrigued, I imagined reaching out to touch the flame, but it seemed to shy away from my thoughts.

Opening my eyes, I gazed up at the sky above as the second sun began to set. The day was already coming to an end and soon the three-day night would begin. But in this fleeting moment of connection with the mysterious person, time seemed to stand still.

“What happened?”

“I am not sure, but I think she’s asleep… It is late; we should replace some shade ourselves.”

“You expect to be able to sleep now? Knowing what you know?”

I raised an eyebrow at him. He had a point.