Favored by God

I couldn't sleep.

The spare bed Vera had offered was more comfortable than the forest floor, but every time I closed my eyes, I saw them – Ms. Clementine's tears, Micah's final charge, the wolf's burning ruby eyes. Even Vera's wards of protection, glowing faintly along the cabin's walls, couldn't keep the nightmares at bay.

A soft whimper drew my attention. Rowan was twitching in his sleep, caught in his own dark dreams. Maya lay still on her bed, her breathing finally even and peaceful after Vera's healing. But something else bothered me – a whisper of voices from outside.

Carefully, I crept to the window. Vera stood in her garden, talking to... nothing? No – as my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could make out a shadowy figure, too tall and thin to be human.

"—getting worse," the figure said, its voice like rustling leaves. "The barriers weaken. More will come."

"I know," Vera replied, her usual grandmotherly demeanor replaced by something harder, more militant. "But what would you have me do? Take in every refugee? Train every survivor?"

"These children..." the shadow began.

"Are my concern now," Vera cut in sharply. "The girl especially. That level of magical potential..."

"Could be dangerous if not properly guided," the figure finished. "The boy with the sword, too. There's something... different about him."

I held my breath, straining to hear more, but a floorboard creaked beneath my foot. Vera's head snapped toward the window. By the time I dared look again, she was alone in the garden.

"It's rude to eavesdrop, young one."

I spun around. Vera stood in the doorway – but I hadn't heard her enter.

"I..." I started, but she held up a hand.

"Sit," she commanded, gesturing to the kitchen table. "Since you're so curious, we might as well talk."

As she prepared tea, I watched her movements more carefully. Despite her age, she moved with the fluid grace of a trained fighter. How had I not noticed before?

"Who was that outside?" I asked finally.

"A friend. One of many who keep watch in these woods." She set a steaming cup before me. "But that's not what you really want to know, is it?"

I met her gaze. "Who are you? Really?"

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Someone who failed to stop things before they got this bad. The wolf that attacked your orphanage – it's not the only one. More monsters are appearing, stronger ones, in places they shouldn't be. The natural order is unraveling."

"Why?"

"That's the question, isn't it?" She sipped her tea. "Something is breaking down the barriers between our world and... others. Places where nightmares dwell. The Guild sends hunters, but they're just treating symptoms, not the cause."

A chill ran down my spine. "What's causing it?"

"If I knew that, I wouldn't be hiding in these woods, would I?" There was bitterness in her voice.

"You're training us, aren't you?" I realized. "That's why you took us in."

She set down her cup. "Smart boy. Yes, though not for the reasons you might think. The girl, Maya – her magical potential is extraordinary. With proper training, she could become something remarkable. Rowan too, though his talents lie in different directions."

"And me?"

Her eyes seemed to peer straight through me. "You, Kai, are a mystery. There's something about you... something that doesn't quite fit. Like you're more than you appear."

My heart raced. Could she somehow sense my reincarnation?

"But that's a discussion for another time," she continued. "For now, know this: I'm offering you all a choice. Stay here, train with me, learn to survive in this increasingly dangerous world. Or leave tomorrow, and I'll point you toward the nearest town."

"If we stay," I asked carefully, "what's the cost?"

She smiled – a real smile this time. "Complete honesty. No more secrets. No more hiding your true potential. And absolute dedication to your training."

"I need to discuss it with the others."

"Of course." She stood. "But remember – sometimes the most dangerous monsters aren't the ones with burning eyes and sharp teeth. Sometimes they wear human faces and speak with honeyed words."

I couldn't tell if it was a warning about others, or about her.

"Get some sleep, Kai. Tomorrow will be... interesting, regardless of what you decide."

As I lay back in bed, my mind raced. Vera was clearly more than she seemed, and her warnings about the world's dangers were troubling. But we needed help – needed training if we were going to survive.

Maya stirred in her sleep, mumbling something about fire. Rowan had finally settled into peaceful dreams. Looking at them, I knew what my vote would be. We would stay. We would train. We would become strong enough that no one could ever hurt us again.

But as sleep finally claimed me, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were stepping onto a path that would change us forever – for better or worse.