THE HEIRESS VOW - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: The Hunt Begins
Ava’s breath puffed out in white clouds as she and Liam trudged through the dense forest. The path they followed was barely more than a suggestion, a narrow trail of beaten-down grass and broken twigs. The late afternoon sun struggled to penetrate the thick canopy overhead, casting long, eerie shadows across their path.

“We’re close,” Liam murmured, his eyes scanning the trees. “The village should be just beyond that ridge.”

Ava nodded, clutching the worn map they had acquired from the old man in the last town. Her fingers traced the faded lines, feeling the weight of her past pressing down on her. Every step brought her closer to answers, but the questions only seemed to multiply.

As they crested the ridge, the village came into view—a cluster of small, weather-beaten houses nestled in a clearing. Smoke curled lazily from a few chimneys, and the faint hum of activity could be heard.

They approached cautiously, the villagers’ eyes on them with thinly veiled suspicion. Whispers spread like wildfire, and children were quickly ushered inside.

Liam stepped forward, trying to appear non-threatening. “We’re looking for someone. An older woman, possibly in her sixties. She might have come here a long time ago.”

A group of men, clearly the village’s self-appointed guardians, stepped forward. One, taller than the rest with a grizzled beard, crossed his arms. “We don’t take kindly to strangers asking questions. What do you want with her?”

Ava felt a surge of frustration but forced herself to stay calm. “She’s connected to my past. I need to find her to understand where I come from.”

The man’s eyes narrowed. “People come here to forget, not to be found.”

Liam shot Ava a look, silently urging her to back down. But she couldn’t—she had come too far to be turned away now.

“Please,” Ava said, her voice softening. “I just need to talk to her. Then we’ll leave, I promise.”

There was a long, tense silence before the man jerked his head towards a house on the edge of the village. “She lives there. But if you bring trouble, you’ll answer to us.”

Ava nodded gratefully, and they made their way to the house. As they approached, the door opened slowly, revealing an elderly woman with kind eyes and silver hair pulled back into a neat bun. She looked at Ava with a mixture of recognition and sadness.

“You’ve come,” the woman said softly, stepping aside to let them in.

The interior of the house was simple, but well-kept. Ava and Liam took seats at the small kitchen table, the woman sitting across from them.

“I know who you are,” the woman began, her voice trembling slightly. “You’re Ava. I’ve been expecting you.”

Ava’s heart pounded. “You knew my parents?”

The woman nodded. “I was your nanny. I cared for you when you were just a baby. My name is Eliza.”

Ava’s eyes widened. “Why did you leave? Why did they send me away?”

Eliza sighed, wringing her hands. “It wasn’t their choice, Ava. There are things about your birth… secrets that had to be kept to protect you.”

“What kind of secrets?” Ava pressed, leaning forward.

Eliza glanced at Liam, then back at Ava. “You were born into a powerful family, but there were forces—dark forces—who wanted to use you for their own ends. Your parents sent you away to keep you safe.”

Ava felt a chill run down her spine. “What do you mean? What kind of forces?”

Eliza hesitated. “Magic, Ava. You come from a long line of powerful magic users. But there are those who seek to control that power, to bend it to their will. Your birth was… special. It signaled a convergence of power that frightened many.”

Ava sat back, her mind reeling. Magic? It sounded impossible, but deep down, she felt a resonance with Eliza’s words.

Liam broke the silence. “Why now? Why is it safe for her to know this now?”

Eliza’s gaze hardened. “It’s not safe. It’s never been safe. But you deserve to know the truth, Ava. And there are things happening—dark things stirring again. You need to be prepared.”

Ava’s determination solidified. “What do I need to do?”

Eliza reached out, taking Ava’s hand in hers. “There’s a place—a sanctuary where you can learn to harness your power, to protect yourself. But getting there won’t be easy.”

Ava nodded. “I’m ready. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Liam squeezed her shoulder. “We’re in this together.”

Eliza stood, moving to a small cabinet. She retrieved a worn, leather-bound book and handed it to Ava. “This was your mother’s. It will guide you.”

Ava took the book, feeling its weight and the significance it held. She looked up at Eliza, gratitude and determination in her eyes. “Thank you.”

Eliza nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. “Be careful, Ava. There are those who would do anything to prevent you from uncovering the truth.”

As they left the house, the weight of what she had learned settled on Ava’s shoulders. She felt a mix of fear and excitement. The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, she felt a sense of purpose.

They walked back through the village, the locals watching them with a mix of curiosity and wariness. Ava held the book tightly, knowing it was the key to unlocking her past and her future.

Just as they reached the edge of the village, a voice called out. “Ava!”

She turned to see Eliza standing at her door. “There’s one more thing you should know.”

Ava and Liam walked back, their hearts pounding. Eliza’s face was pale, her eyes haunted. “There was a prophecy about you, Ava. That you would either save the world or destroy it.”

Ava’s breath caught in her throat. “What does that mean?”

Eliza shook her head. “I don’t know. But whatever happens, you must stay true to who you are. Only you can decide your fate.”