Page 9 of Her Immortal Love

What will happen to Alina?

The conflict rages within me as we reach the edge of the camp. I should leave her here, return to my post and forget this ever happened. But something holds me back.

"Alina," I say, catching her arm gently. She turns, those amber eyes locking onto mine. "Be careful. And if you need... if you want to talk again..."

I trail off, unsure of what I'm offering or why. Alina gives me a small smile, and for a moment, I forget to breathe.

"I'd like that," she says softly.

As I watch her disappear into the crowd of humans, I'm left with a gnawing sense of unease. My loyalty to the vrakken, my belief in our superiority – it's all being challenged by this one remarkable woman. And I'm not sure I'm ready to face what that means.

6

ALINA

Icrouch 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, itshoots 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.