Her Immortal Love (Brides of the Vrakken #2)

6. Alina

6

ALINA

I crouch behind a makeshift barricade, my heart pounding as the sounds of battle rage around me. The air crackles with magic, and the acrid smell of smoke burns my nostrils. It's been weeks since I first woke up on this alien world, and I'm still struggling to wrap my head around everything that's happened.

A vrakken soldier stumbles past, his pale skin streaked with blood. His eyes are wild, desperate. "We need more blood! The reserves are running low!"

I watch as he rushes off, shouting orders to his comrades. It hits me then - the vrakken aren't just fighting this war, they're struggling to survive it.

"Alina!" Alexei's voice cuts through the chaos. He appears at my side, his dark eyes scanning me for injuries. "Are you alright?"

I nod, unable to find my voice. Alexei's presence both comforts and unnerves me. He's been... different lately. More attentive. More human.

"We're pulling back," he says, his voice low. "The dark elves have breached our eastern defenses."

"Who are they fighting against?" I ask, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Alexei's expression darkens. "It's not just the dark elves. There are other forces at play here - gods, creatures we've never seen before. Protheka is... complicated."

I process this information, my mind racing. "And where do we - the humans - fit into all of this?"

He hesitates, and I see a flicker of something in his eyes. Doubt? Guilt? "It's... not that simple, Alina. The vrakken need you - need us - to survive. But there are those who see humans as nothing more than a resource."

His words chill me to the bone. I've suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed is another matter entirely. I think of the other humans, scared and confused, looking to me for answers I don't have.

"And what do you think?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Alexei opens his mouth to respond, but before he can, another explosion rocks the ground beneath us. He grabs my arm, steadying me.

"We need to move," he says urgently. "Stay close."

As we hurry through the chaos of the vrakken settlement, I can't help but notice the strain on everyone's faces. Resources are clearly running low - food, weapons, even the magic that seems to sustain them. And yet, they fight on.

I realize then that I'm witnessing history in the making - a complex political and social struggle that will shape the future of this world. And somehow, impossibly, I'm caught right in the middle of it all.

I huddle in a corner of the human encampment, my hands shaking as I try to focus on the small pebble in front of me. Sweat beads on my forehead as I concentrate, willing the stone to move. For a moment, nothing happens. Then, suddenly, it shoots across the ground like a bullet, embedding itself in the wooden wall with a loud thunk.

"Shit," I mutter, glancing around nervously. I need to be more careful. These outbursts of power are becoming more frequent and harder to control.

A nearby woman eyes me warily. "You okay, Alina? That was... something."

I force a smile. "Just practicing. Nothing to worry about."

But there's plenty to worry about. My abilities are growing stronger by the day, and I'm terrified of what might happen if I lose control completely. The last thing we need is for me to accidentally hurt someone - or worse, draw unwanted attention from the vrakken.

As if summoned by my thoughts, I spot Alexei watching me from across the camp. His intense gaze seems to always be on me, and I have to wonder if he's kept my secret.

I turn away, trying to appear nonchalant, but my heart is racing. I need to get a handle on this, and fast.

Later that night, I sneak away from where the others sleep. With the constant attacks, our pen isn't very secure or much of a structure at all. It's the threats outside of them that keep us in here more than anything.

The twin moons of Protheka cast an eerie glow over the landscape as I make my way to a secluded area far enough away from the huddled bodies. Here, I can practice without fear of discovery.

I close my eyes, feeling the energy thrumming beneath my skin. It's intoxicating, this power. Part of me wants to let it loose, to see what I'm truly capable of. But the rational part of my mind - the scientist in me - knows that would be disastrous.

Instead, I focus on small tasks. Lifting leaves, creating tiny whirlwinds, warming the air around me. Each successful attempt fills me with a mix of excitement and dread.

A twig snaps behind me, and I whirl around, my hand instinctively raised. A burst of energy explodes from my palm, scorching the ground where it lands.

"Impressive," a familiar voice says.

Alexei steps out of the shadows, his eyes glowing in the moonlight. I freeze, caught between fight and flight.

"How long have you been watching?" I demand, my voice shaking.

He takes a step closer, and I resist the urge to back away. "Long enough," he says softly. "You're getting stronger, Alina. But you're also getting careless."

I stare at Alexei, my heart racing. "Have you told anyone?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Alexei shakes his head, taking another step closer. "No. I'm here to help you, Alina."

I laugh bitterly. "Help me? Why would you want to do that?"

He reaches out, his hand hovering near my arm but not quite touching. "Because you're different. Special. And because..." he hesitates, his eyes searching mine. "Because I care about you."

My breath catches in my throat. I want to believe him, but I can't shake the nagging doubt in the back of my mind. He's a vrakken, and he seems to be important. How can I trust him?

"Why should I believe you?" I challenge, even as part of me yearns to.

Alexei's expression softens. "I was human once, remember? I know what it's like to be thrust into this world, to feel lost and scared. Let me help you understand your powers. Control them."

I bite my lip, considering. The offer is tempting, but dangerous. "And what do you get out of this?"

He smiles, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "A chance to remember what it was like to be human. To feel... connected."

Against my better judgment, I nod. "Okay. But if this is a trick..."

"It's not," he says firmly. "I promise."

Over the next few weeks, Alexei and I meet in secret. He teaches me to harness my abilities, to channel the raw energy into something more controlled. It's exhilarating and terrifying all at once.

But it's not just about the magic. As we spend more time together, I find myself opening up to him. We talk about our past lives, our hopes, our fears. I learn about the complexities of vrakken society, the pressures Alexei faces as a leader.

And despite my best efforts, I feel myself falling for him.

One night, as we sit beneath the alien stars, Alexei takes my hand. "Alina," he says softly. "I've never met anyone like you."

I look into his eyes, seeing the conflict there. He's torn between his duty to his people and his growing feelings for me. And I'm just as conflicted.

"Alexei," I whisper. "What are we doing? This can't... we can't..."

He leans in, his forehead resting against mine. "I know. But I can't stay away from you."

I close my eyes, breathing in his scent. It would be so easy to give in, to let myself fall completely. But the rational part of my mind won't let me forget the reality of our situation.

I'm sitting alone, lost in thought, when a small group of humans approaches me. Their faces are etched with desperation and hope. My stomach twists as I realize what they're about to ask.

"Alina," a middle-aged woman says, her voice barely above a whisper. "We've seen what you can do. Your... abilities."

I tense, glancing around nervously. "I don't know what you're talking about."

A younger man steps forward. "Please, don't lie to us. We've all seen it. The way things move around you, the energy you control. You have magic."

I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. There's no point in denying it now. "What do you want?"

"Help us escape," the woman pleads. "Use your powers to break us out of here. We can't take it anymore."

My heart races as I consider their request. Part of me wants to help them, to free us all from this nightmare. But the rational side of my brain screams warnings.

"And then what?" I ask, keeping my voice low. "Where would we go? The dark elves are out there, and they're even worse than the vrakken. We'd be running from one captor to another."

The young man's face hardens. "At least we'd have a chance. It's better than waiting here to be picked off one by one."

I shake my head, the weight of their expectations crushing me. "You don't understand. The magic... it's not reliable. I can't control it well enough to guarantee everyone's safety."

"But you're learning, aren't you?" another woman chimes in. "We've seen you practicing. Please, Alina. You're our only hope."

Their words hit me like a physical blow. I think of Alexei, of the trust we've built. If I help these people escape, I'd be betraying him. But if I don't, am I betraying my own kind?

"I... I need time to think," I stammer, overwhelmed by the magnitude of their request.

The group exchanges glances, clearly disappointed. "Don't take too long," the middle-aged woman warns. "We're running out of time."

As they walk away, I'm left with a churning pit in my stomach. The weight of their lives, their hopes, rests on my shoulders. And I have no idea what to do.