Excerpt: Prophecy

Tala wiped a tear away from her nose with a crumpled tissue. She could see Bakarne, his face coated in sweat. His hands drifted in the air as he played the intense music, the strain showing through his tightened eyes.
The drums started beating and Tala could feel the power underneath her toes, like a throbbing heartbeat. Her own heart raced to keep up, and her breath caught at the back of her throat.
The music rose, and Tala watched a delicate maple violin bob in the air as it played its solo. She strained to study the marvellous engraving of lilies along the ebony fingerboard. The instrument must have cost a fortune, and on her teaching salary she certainly would never have been able to afford it.
The music was coming to an end, and Tala held her breath as she waited. With a crash of the cymbals, it was over. As the crowd around her erupted in applause, she allowed herself a wry smile, before clapping with them. She strained to see Bakarne over the heads of the people standing in front of her, but when she caught a glimpse she realised he wasn’t looking her way, and let her hands fall by her sides.
As he left the stage, Tala quickly scooped up her threadbare bag from under her chair, and swung it over her shoulder. Hurriedly she ducked past the people in her row, and left through a side door that led towards the dressing rooms. Reaching Bakarne’s she knocked gently, and entered.
She took a step back when she saw the sight within. Her hand flew to her mouth in horror. She should have known.