### Chapter 7: An Uneasy Alliance
Ember didn't wait for me to recover. She turned on her heel and began walking, her fiery staff illuminating the forest ahead. Nightshade nudged me, urging me to stand, and together we followed her into the dark.
The silence between us was heavy. Ember led the way, her pace brisk, while I struggled to keep up, questions swirling in my mind.
Finally, I couldn't hold it in anymore. "So… are you going to tell me what's going on, or do you just enjoy being cryptic?"
She stopped abruptly, spinning to face me. Her fiery hair caught the light, making her look like a living flame. "You want answers? Fine. But keep up."
I raised an eyebrow but didn't argue.
"You're what they call a Conductor," Ember began. "You have the ability to control creatures that would otherwise kill anyone who dared get close. It's rare. Dangerous. And incredibly valuable to the wrong people."
"Valuable how?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
She sighed, twirling the staff in her hand. "Think about it. A power like yours could control an army of monsters. It's not just about survival—it's about domination."
A chill ran down my spine. "And who are these 'wrong people'?"
"Let's just say they don't take no for an answer," she said, her tone dark.
I glanced at Nightshade, its golden eyes meeting mine as if it understood everything we were saying. "Why are you helping me?"
Ember hesitated, her fiery confidence flickering for the first time. "Because I've seen what happens when they get what they want. And because… I've lost someone to them before."
Her voice cracked slightly, and she quickly turned away, marching ahead before I could press further.
Nightshade growled softly, and I instinctively reached out to touch its fur, drawing strength from its steady presence.
As we walked, the trees grew denser, their branches twisting together like a cage. Ember suddenly stopped, her staff raised.
"What is it now?" I asked, keeping my voice low.
"We're not alone," she said, her eyes scanning the shadows.
I followed her gaze, my heart pounding. At first, I saw nothing. Then, a figure stepped out from the trees—a tall, lean man with sharp features and piercing green eyes. His black cloak blended into the darkness, but his presence was impossible to ignore.
"Kael?" I blurted out, relief flooding me.
Kael's lips quirked into a smirk. "Miss me already, Dominic?"
I didn't know whether to laugh or punch him. "You fell into a ravine!"
"And yet, here I am," he said, brushing off his cloak as if he hadn't just defied death.
Ember frowned, her staff still glowing. "Who's this?"
"He's…" I hesitated. How could I explain Kael? "He's with me."
Kael's smirk widened. "Nice to know you're claiming me now."
Ember rolled her eyes. "Great. Another stray. Just what we needed."
Before I could respond, Kael stepped closer, his gaze locking on Ember. "And you are?"
"Someone who doesn't have time for introductions," she shot back. "We're being hunted, and standing here isn't helping."
Kael glanced at me, his expression softening slightly. "She's not wrong. But we need to talk. Now."
Ember looked ready to argue, but Kael ignored her, grabbing my arm and pulling me aside. His touch was firm, but not rough, and for a moment, I felt a strange sense of comfort.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low.
I nodded, though my head was spinning. "I'm fine. Kael, how are you alive? What happened back there?"
He hesitated, his usual cocky demeanor fading. "I'll explain everything. But first, you need to know—this isn't just about you anymore. They know what you can do, and they're willing to destroy everything to get to you."
"Who's 'they'?" I asked, my frustration boiling over.
Kael's jaw tightened. "The Order of Voss. They're the ones sending the monsters, and they're not going to stop until you're theirs—or dead."
Ember joined us, her arms crossed. "The Order of Voss? Fantastic. As if we didn't have enough problems."
"Let me guess—you've dealt with them before?" Kael asked, his tone skeptical.
Ember glared at him. "More than I'd like."
Nightshade growled again, cutting through the tension. I turned to see glowing eyes appearing in the distance, the shadows shifting unnaturally.
"Time's up," Ember said, raising her staff.
Kael drew his blade, his expression serious for the first time. "Stick close to me, Dominic. You're not facing this alone."
And for the first time, I believed him.