Immortal Light: Into Shadow (Book 2)

Immortal Light

Into Shadow

John D. Sperry

For Patti

Without you, I would have no gifts.

Preface

(Excerpt from Wide Awake)

Lucy looked at her hands again, the source of the supposed light power she was developing. She sighed deeply and closed her eyes for a moment. I hope you know what you’re doing, Luce, the logical half of her brain said to the fantastical half. She opened her eyes and looked at Benjamin.

Yes, I want to know, she said. She decided that a leap of faith was better than wondering for the rest of her life.

Benjamin looked at her, displaying a still compassionate, but very pleased expression on his face.

Okay, he said smiling.

He paused for a second, as if choosing a place to start.

Nearly three-thousand years ago, everything changed for my people. He began like he was telling a story, and Lucy appreciated the simplicity.  We were a highly advanced civilization, like the world is today, but instead of electricity, we had the light. Through generations of kings and queens ruling with their different philosophies, we were graced with a monarchy that started us down a road that would lead us to the world I was born into: a world without war, a world of unity, where every person worked for the betterment of mankind. We were unique in the world, but it took a tragedy to get us to that point.

Lucy sat with her legs crossed in front of her and her senses focused directly on Benjamin’s every word.

About one thousand years before I was born, our queen and her special guardian, having been somehow bated outside the city, were captured by an invading city’s army in this very forest. They were both killed. Benjamin stopped himself for a moment.

First, the Guardian was tortured and killed for information about weaknesses in Zharem’s defenses; but the Guardian was strong, and she sacrificed her own life in order to keep her knowledge safe. Our beloved queen was then killed by an evil sorcerer named Krohan. He wanted her light to be part of him, so he performed what is roughly translated as an extraction. He would absorb as much knowledge as she had and then he would take what was left of her light and store it in his body.

A shiver went up Lucy’s back. The very explanation of the process sounded evil and she felt a strange, intense sorrow for the Queen.

He wasn’t able to extract her completely, so he killed her after the King’s special army had slain every man, woman, and child in Krohan’s city, searching for the Queen. When they finally caught up to Krohan and the Queen, it was almost too late. Right in front of the captains of the King’s army, Krohan absorbed the remaining light of the Queen, leaving her nothing but an empty shell.

What did they do? Lucy said, feeling the burden of the story.

They couldn’t do anything. Krohan vanished right in front of them, taking the Queen’s light with him.

An odd sort of guilt overtook Lucy as she listened to the story.

If the army had just gone looking for the Queen rather than destroy the city, couldn’t they have saved her?

Benjamin shrugged. No one knows why they destroyed the whole city. It was brutal, but we don’t really know the circumstances because the army disappeared. Their two captains were called Klarr and Aux. They were brothers, and they took their army and their story with them.

Where did they go?

Benjamin shrugged again. No one knows. They just left. Wherever they went, they’re all dead now.

Part III

Chapter 1

The pale glow of the moon shined through the hall window as Lucy made her way to the bathroom. The wood floors of the cabin felt rough as her feet struggled to wake up, and the cotton camisole she had worn to bed clung to her with the sticky wetness of a cold sweat. Her eyes recoiled as the bathroom light all but seared them.

A splash of cold water in her face shocked her body, and she bit down on her bottom lip for a second. The towel was soft and cold, and didn’t really seem to absorb the water, only move it around out of her eyes and mouth.

The face in the mirror did not surprise her, not anymore. It was an old face, wrinkles encircled the eyes, and blue veins ran across the thin, pale skin of her forehead. It was the face of a life already lived, though Lucy couldn’t remember any of it. Her life was near its apex, its climax, and she couldn’t remember a thing about it.

Out of habit, she flicked the light off and walked toward the kitchen. They would be coming soon. She knew full well that they were on their way. The sun was barely even thinking about its rise, and she knew that before its first rays could even penetrate the tree tops, she would be dead.

The teapot sat on the back burner of the stove. She grabbed it with an ancient, withered hand and carried it to the rusting sink for some water.  Her mind wandered as the vessel slowly filled. Her thoughts were of Benjamin, the only man she’d ever truly loved. He was gone. She knew he was gone, but she didn’t know how or why; he simply didn’t exist. She thought of Jack. Jack was a traitor. She couldn’t recall the circumstances of that situation either, but that’s how she remembered him. Perhaps he was the reason Benjamin was gone. Peter. Peter was the first to go. Lucy remembered vividly that Peter had simply walked away from everything.

The black obscurity of her memories both haunted and failed her. It seemed she was looking through a clouded window into a darkened room, and no matter how hard she pressed her face against the glass, she could only make out slight movements and shadows. 

Looking down at her teapot, Lucy saw that it was full and water was billowing out the top. She knew it was full, she had known it would fill up and overflow. It had happened before. It seemed to happen a lot. It was like a signal. That’s when she was supposed to turn to face the door because they were there, outside the door. She knew who they were; they had been there before, and she knew they would be again. Her heart pounded inside her chest, and she left the teapot in the sink, water cascading from its open mouth as she backed up toward the oven.

With eyes fixed on the door, she waited for the knock that seemed too ridiculous considering the fact that they would just break it down, anyway. It had happened before, but this time she was going to die, she knew it. It had happened before.

The thin metal handle of the oven door was cold to the touch. She pulled it open and bent her tired knees until the door rested in its open position. Without looking, Lucy reached inside and closed her fingers tightly and carefully around her one comfort: a golden sword whose beauty and perfection remained as it had been since the day she first set eyes on it. The dim light in the kitchen gleamed off the blade as she pulled it from its hiding place.

Lucy stayed her focus on the door as old bones struggled to straighten their stance. Through the solid core of the oak door she heard them. They were there and they would soon …

Rap, rap, rap.

The haunting sound on solid wood echoed through the room, and Lucy felt her body start a little. That was the beginning and the end of her nerves. With all the force of will she had, she tightened her arthritic grip on the sword and threw her light into the hilt. The golden blade seemed to almost glow with the power of the Immortal Light.

In an attack stance—something Benjamin had shown her in what felt like another life—she waited for her inevitable end.

Slowly, the painful squeal of wood being bent beyond its limits rose all around the cabin, and with an explosion of timber, the door disappeared, leaving the hulking silhouette of a man she knew well, a man who had betrayed her. Lucy still couldn’t quite remember what it was that he had done, but there he was, a reaper, an evil goon come to destroy her after so much time in hiding. Behind him stood an army of reapers waiting to feast on her Immortal Light.

The reaper at the door, the reaper she knew, was different from the rest. His heavy, slithering gait was not that of a typical weakling reaper. He walked with confidence, which made him far more dangerous than the others. He had a purpose. He desired the light of only one person. Lucy was well acquainted with that person because she wore her skin every day.

With only a few steps, she made out her assassin’s features. She could barely look at him. Though the deformity that came with his particular transformation was severe, she could still see Jack’s face through the evil, and her heart ached. She had fought him before, she knew she had, but this time would be different. This time nothing could keep her from death.

Releasing her light on her sword, she looked at the gleaming blade one last time before setting it on the ground in front of her.

Jack stopped moving and stared curiously at the sword and then Lucy’s face.

Lucy breathed evenly and kept her eyes on Jack.

As his face returned to its normal sourness, he motioned to the throng behind him as if calling someone or something forward. The body of reapers moved like a tank of snakes wrapping around a rat until finally Lucy could see something moving forward in the crowd. It was large and seemingly heavy, but reapers made everything look heavy.

As the concourse moved closer and closer, Lucy saw a white, pale hand emerge from behind Jack. Following the hand was the rest of the body, limp and lifeless. Lucy’s heart jumped into her throat when she saw the face of the victim. It was Peter. He was dead, eyes wide open in pain. His light, his soul, was gone. Lucy could tell he was dead. It was how her mother looked the night she died. With strangling emotion, she watched as the reapers irreverently dropped Peter’s body to the floor in front of her. It was no real surprise to Lucy that his appearance was still young, despite her own advanced years. He was immortal, or had been. His light blue dress shirt was drenched in blood, and sticking out from the center of his chest was the luminous golden handle of a knife Lucy knew well. Jack had killed his own brother.

Looking from the body back into Jack’s black eyes, she met his glare, and for a second she prayed she could know why he had done it. There was nothing left of the Jack that she knew but a slight resemblance. All she could do was watch as the hulking man before her bent down, pulled the knife from Peter’s heart, and walked toward her. The viperous congregation behind him began to huddle in excitement. More of them pushed their way into the cabin as Jack came uncomfortably close. His smell was nauseating, like a rotting animal, like vomit mixed with blood. Lucy wanted to heave, she wanted to scream and cry, but mostly she just wanted it to be over.

Fighting every last natural impulse she had, she stared Jack in the eyes. It was difficult, but she did it because she hoped beyond any hope that he wouldn’t actually go through with it.

Jack wiped the blade of his golden knife on his pants, his own brother’s blood disregarded as if it were marring the perfection of the weapon.

Bending down to reach Lucy’s face, Jack almost touched his nose to hers. The smell was noxious now, and his darkened light felt like poison on her skin. She could feel him, but not like she could feel Benjamin. This was a violation, an evil light draped over her like a wool blanket covered in thick, dirty motor oil and acid. He was vile.

Having disposed of the last residue of his brother’s life from his knife, Jack raised it up under Lucy’s chin and opened his mouth as if to speak. Lucy closed her eyes. Finally, she thought as she reconsidered her fortitude and wished for a quick death.

With a sharp sting, she felt the tip of the blade slightly pierce the skin under her aged chin as if to get her attention. Her eyes shot open, and to her surprise, she was looking into the eyes of an old friend. The reddish-black was gone, replaced by two glowing blue diamonds. The true goodness of Jack’s light seemed to be fighting its way from inside of him. Breathing heavily, he kept his eyes on Lucy. His panting grew more rapid. For moments they breathed together, their inhales and exhales syncopating. Then Jack stopped breathing altogether. With wide eyes, he opened his mouth, and in his vulgar breath, he finally spoke in a tormented gravelly whisper.

Run!

Lucy sat bolt-upright in bed, her white camisole drenched in sweat. She breathed heavily as bright golden rays of sunlight poured into her room at the Raven house.

She wiped her forehead then quickly examined her hands. The skin was smooth and blemishless, not old. It was the same dream. It wasn’t like the haven, but it was becoming so familiar that it frightened her. This was, however, the first time she had seen Peter in the dream. It couldn’t have been more unpleasant. Her spine jerked spasmodically at the remembrance of it.

Just a dream, she thought. She looked around the room for her clothes. Hanging on the back of a chair she saw her jeans. She rolled her legs heavily and wearily off the bed when a knock came at the door that made her catch her breath. The image of Jack’s reaper-ized countenance appeared in her mind and another cold shiver cascaded down her back. It was absurd to think of him that way, but the frequency of the dreams had begun to play games on her psyche.

Who is it? she called quickly in a quavering voice as she pulled on her jeans.

There was no answer.

Who is it? she said again. A hint of anxious annoyance in her tone.

Still no answer. She quickly changed into a t-shirt.

Is anybody there? she asked for a last time.

The dream was playing tricks on her. She felt mild anxiety as she stared at the door. A small part of her expected the door to fly to pieces any moment. She tried to force all thoughts of the dream from her mind as she reached for the doorknob.

Lucy pulled the door open and stuck her face in the opening. There was no one there, and for a split second, she began to relax when a large body shot from the side of the door and shouted a concussive BOO! at her.

Lucy’s entire body clenched in absolute shock and fear. It was Jack. he stood in a hunched position, hands raised like claws, a bright set of teeth gleaming from his mouth. She didn’t make a sound, only stumbled backward toward the bed like a trapped animal desperate for an escape. The image of Jack’s face from the dream overlaid itself onto reality. Lucy felt the blood drain from her face as she backed into the desk and just stared at him, drawing in short hyperventilating breaths. Her heart beat like that of a scared rabbit in her chest.

Whoa, Jack said as he stood up, and his face softened. Are you okay?

Lucy’s diaphragm finally allowed her to take a deep breath, and she blinked, suddenly feeling very stupid.

"I didn’t mean to scare you that bad," Jack said.

No, I’m fine, Lucy lied, through the embarrassment of her reaction. I just didn’t expect … that, first thing in the morning.

Jack came into the room and put his arm around Lucy. I’m sorry, little sis. he said tenderly with a hint of Jack-esque playfulness. I just came to tell you breakfast is ready. He tousled her hair as though she were a little boy and headed for the door.

Yeah, I’ll be out in a minute, Lucy replied, turning back to the room to find her socks and her dignity.

Hey you, Benjamin’s warm, comforting voice said from the doorway as Jack walked away.

Lucy turned around and ran to him and threw her arms around his neck.

Oh, I missed you! she said emphatically as Benjamin closed his left arm around her and tried not to spill a completely full glass of orange juice in the other.

It’s only been about eight hours, but I’ll take what I can get, he replied.

Lucy stayed locked around his neck and absorbed his smell and his light, both were sweet in different ways. I know, but you seemed so far away from me.

I was just down the hall; how far could it be, fifteen, sixteen feet?

I know, it’s just … oh never mind, you’re here and that’s all that matters. There was a pause as Lucy took in as much of Benjamin as she could.

You had that dream again didn’t you?

Lucy released her grip and dropped her feet back to the floor. Benjamin looked intensely concerned.

Knock it off, Lucy said. It’s just a dream, no big deal. She started for the kitchen. What’s for breakfast?

The kitchen was full of noise as she walked onto the already warm wooden floor. Everyone was up and at it. Peter was reading the news on his phone, Klarr and Aux were cooking away at the stove. It had been six months since their arrival to the Raven house. They were a unique pair, brothers from another world, a world even Peter, Jack, and Benjamin didn’t know. They were from a part of Zharem’s history that predated the utopian society from which the Ravens sprang by a thousand years. Their use of the Immortal Light was more raw and practical.

Upon seeing Klarr near the stove, Lucy noticed a crowded counter full of ingredients that looked like they would most likely be lunch or dinner. They were spread across the three feet of granite adjacent to the large pot already cooking on the flame.  This was the show. Lucy absolutely loved to watch Klarr cook. It wasn’t the food he made that was so amazing, it was how he did it.

Wiping his hands dry from the sink, Klarr walked back to the stove. This was it. Lucy watched as his hand gently dropped to the counter, fingertips down. For a second they rested there before the magical dance began. Suddenly, the container of salt began to slide across the counter. It weaved its way around other objects until it came to rest in Klarr’s now open hand. He lifted it and dumped in a good tablespoon. From there the game was on. One at a time, ingredients shot to his grip; he used them and replaced them: tomatoes, celery, basil, garlic, onion, oregano. It was amazing to watch, and the entire process took less than a minute. It truly didn’t matter that he was making, what Lucy had deemed, an absolutely amazing pasta sauce, it was that it was done almost unthinkingly with the Immortal Light.

Lucy heaved a pleasant sigh as she leaned against the counter and surreptitiously placed her own hand against the stone. With as much light as she could manage and without looking like she was trying something, she tried to summon the salt.

Nothing happened.

Oh, well. Next time, she whispered to the blue container.

As she opened the brushed aluminum door of the refrigerator, she felt Benjamin’s light envelope her. As far as she could tell, he was still in the living room.

Don’t be mad at me, she thought and sent it out with her own light like a telegraphic message.

It wasn’t so much that they could literally talk to each other through their own light, but they could convey messages, emotions. That was one thing that was evident from the beginning. She could feel his needs and desires.

I’m not mad. The return message was honest.

Lucy shut the refrigerator and walked into the living room, leaving the morning commotion to the kitchen.

Benjamin was on one of the overstuffed leather couches, the one nearest Lucy’s room—his old room.

What’s the matter? Lucy asked concernedly. Benjamin just looked at her with frustrated eyes.

She walked over and sat down next to him as closely as she could and curled up with her legs under her, dropping her head on his shoulder.

It’s just a dream, she said trying to assuage his concerns.

That’s not what’s bothering me.

Well what, then?

Benjamin adjusted his position so he could see Lucy’s face. It’s that you won’t let me … you know.

Lucy’s demeanor changed abruptly, and she sat up forcefully, making sure to look directly into Benjamin’s luminous green eyes framed by his slightly longer, luxurious dark brown hair.

No! Absolutely not! She stood up and started to walk toward her room. No! Don’t even, she said sternly, not looking at him as she entered her room and shut the door.

The door closed firmly as she wanted to drive home her point. Throwing herself on her bed, she landed on the white body armor that Jack had made her. Staring blankly up at her was the Raven family seal on the sleeve.

He better not try anything. I’ll kill him, I swear, she spoke to the bird in the seal. Part of her wished it could talk back. Oh what do you know? she said, sitting back up. She picked up the coat and threw it on. Let’s go play, she said to the bird on her arm as she lifted up the mattress of her bed and pulled out her beautiful golden sword.

The scabbard was attached to an ornately designed white leather belt that she wrapped around her waist and buckled snuggly so the whole thing hung perfectly down her left leg. There you go, she said as she patted the leather sheath.

She grabbed her backpack and was just about to snug it up when she felt Benjamin’s light outside the door followed instantly by a knock.

"Lucy, please; just a little something? I promise it won’t be much. Just you and me, no one else. I want to do this for you."

Lucy sneered and gripped the handle of her sword. Not a chance!

Why? You have to let me do something.

Lucy walked to the door and drew her sword. She pulled the door open to reveal Benjamin standing there. She glared at him and placed her sword in front of her as if to threaten her true love with serious harm.

Don’t you dare; I don’t want anything, and I don’t want you to even think about doing anything. She raised the point of the blade to just below his chin. Is that clear? She tried to sound stern.

Benjamin suppressed a smile.

Is this funny to you? I’ll … I’ll do it; I’ll cut you or something.

Benjamin’s smile turned to disappointment once again. Okay, okay, I won’t do anything. But you have to remember, if I don’t do something for you … He looked over his shoulder to where Jack was doing pull-ups on the bar that spanned the doorway of the basement. … there’s no telling what he’s going to do. Benjamin looked at Lucy with the face of cunning victory.

Lucy’s eyes widened, and she held her breath. She hated the sensation that came over her lately when she saw Jack. Why did a stupid subconscious dream have to have such an effect on her?

Lucy threw the door the rest of the way open. Why does anyone have to do anything? It’s not that big a deal, and I hate the attention.

Because it’s your first birthday with us, Lucy.

But I don’t care. So what, I’m turning seventeen. That’s not even an important birthday. At least wait until I’m eighteen.

Benjamin walked confidently toward Lucy and wrapped his arms around her. Just one little birthday dinner?

Lucy looked up skeptically. Fine! she said defiantly. Just dinner.

And maybe a few smallish presents.

No presents! she heaved back.

Okay, no presents.

You promise?

Scouts honor. Benjamin straightened up, crossed his heart, and held three fingers up on his right hand.

Fine, Lucy said in the most defeated tone possible. But only a small dinner, nothing fancy, and I get to wear jeans.

Deal! Benjamin replied emphatically.

Lucy fell into his arms and grabbed him strongly around the waist. Okay, so I lose, you’re happy. Can we go play, now?

Benjamin’s light filled the room, and Lucy reciprocated. Absolutely.

With intense glee, Lucy pulled herself free. Good! I’ll grab some waffles, you get your sword, and we’ll meet outside.

As she bounded for the door, Benjamin grabbed her by the arm and pulled her gently back toward him. Actually … he said and Lucy reluctantly came back to him.

What? I’m hungry.

I was thinking of doing something a little different today. Something down at the bay.

At the bay? Like what? Won’t the natives think it’s weird when they see a tall guy attacking a small, frail little girl with a sword?

It’s tough to explain. Why don’t we go to the bay, and I’ll just show you. No swords.

Lucy frowned at him. No swords? she protested. What the heck are we going to do with no swords?

Go get your waffles and meet me in the garage; we’ll go from there.

Lucy sized up his demeanor, examined his light, and smiled in accord. Okay, she replied, then reached up as far as she could, pursing her lips for a kiss. Benjamin met her halfway. She briefly pressed her lips against his then bounced toward the kitchen.

What are you so happy about? Jack called as he dropped from his pull-up bar and followed her to the kitchen. His enormous stature made everything around him seem like a nine-tenths scale model of itself.  Again a small chill chimed its way up Lucy’s back.

Oh, you know, just going to practice saving the world and stuff, she said, forcing a wide smile, not wanting to fully turn her back on him.

Oh, is that all? he said nonchalantly and headed toward the kitchen. Happy birthday, by the way. He winked as he disappeared around the refrigerator.

What’s that supposed to mean? Lucy said, following him, her eyes narrowing skeptically.

Benjamin walked into the room strapping on his wristwatch.

What’s going on? he asked.

Jack sarcastically placed the tips of his fingers over his mouth as if to insincerely say oops, sorry.

Nothing, Lucy huffed as she approached Benjamin. Is he seriously planning something? she whispered.

Benjamin shot a disappointed glance at Jack.

What, what’s that look? she said to Benjamin, and then turned back to Jack. What are you planning? she all but growled.

He’s not planning anything, Benjamin said as he wrapped Lucy up in his arms. His light was comforting.

Okay, she said, feeling pacified. No birthday. She pointed an accusatory finger at both brothers. I mean it, not from anybody! She said it loud enough for the whole kitchen to hear, and the hubbub stopped momentarily.

No birthday, Benjamin repeated. Just our little dinner.

Lucy squeezed him.

I’ll meet you in the garage, he said. She smiled as he left the room.

Lucy pulled a cold waffle off the top of a stack near the waffle iron. She glared at Jack playfully, but was still unable to shake the version of him that tormented her thoughts. She took a bite of the waffle and headed for the front door.

As she passed one of the living room end tables, she heard the vibration of a smart phone. Looking down, she noticed Jack’s iPhone screen had come on. She wouldn’t have given it any thought except that she saw Kat’s name on the screen. It was a text message.

Lucy picked up the phone and unlocked it. The message was simple enough, but it made her upset.

Kat: You there?

Hearing movement coming out of the kitchen, she hastily placed the phone back down on the table, but it was too late. She looked up to see Jack staring at her with a mouth full of waffle. She was surprised to see that his expression was more of guilt than anger. The two of them just stared at each other.

What’s going on? Jack said, and Lucy couldn’t fake a pretense.

I don’t want her to get hurt, was all Lucy said.

I don’t either, Jack replied. It’s just friendly, I promise.

It was odd that such an older man by two-thousand years was answering to Lucy, but she knew the ramifications of a relationship between a girl with no Immortal Light ability at all and a man who was probably closer to returning home to a mystical city of gold than spending another lifetime in this world.

Please don’t respond, Lucy pleaded.

Jack looked blankly but sympathetically back at her. Then he nodded. Okay, he said, obvious disappointment in his voice.

Thank you, she replied with a weak smile.

The garage was at least ten degrees cooler than the outside, and Lucy felt herself shiver. She wandered over to the long work bench on the back wall. The top was made of thick plywood. She ran her fingers across the grain, feeling the texture and the natural light conductivity in it. Sitting near the edge of the table was a red and blue screwdriver. Lucy eyed it and then looked down at her hand.

I can do this, right? she said to the table. She nodded her head and took a deep breath. Yeah, no sweat. It just takes concentration, that’s it, just a little concentration.

Summoning up her light, she pulled it from all around her until it built up inside of her. She didn’t know exactly what to do; the majority of what she did with the light came more or less automatically, so directing it or commanding it was difficult for her.

With her eyes focused on the screwdriver, she tried to reach out with her light like she was going to simply grab it. Klarr had told her that the light would eventually become a part of her like an arm or a leg, that she could control it with just a thought. It hadn’t happened yet.

Every thought was focused on her task. C’mon, she grunted. Why is this so difficult?

Out of frustration, she gave up. I suck at this! she said a little louder than anticipated.

You suck at what? Benjamin’s voice came from the far side of the garage.

Oh, nothing. I was just trying to do that thing that Klarr can do with … well … everything.

Benjamin walked over to the bench and looked at Lucy who was staring hopelessly at the elusive screwdriver. He placed his hand on the wooden surface.

You mean this?

With seemingly no effort at all, the screwdriver shot across the table into his hand.

Yes! That! How do you do that?

Benjamin looked at her with a warm smile.

When you figure that one out, you’ll wonder how it was that you were ever not able to do it.

It’s seriously that easy? Lucy asked in frustration.

No, I never said it was easy.

But you just said—

He took her by the hands. Why don’t we go do something way cooler than using the force.

Lucy contorted her face a bit. Cooler than moving stuff without touching it? What’s cooler than that?

Benjamin climbed onto his motorcycle and tossed Lucy a helmet. Way cooler, he said with a cunning eyebrow raise.

Lucy looked slyly skeptical. Okay, oh mysterious one, show me ‘cooler’.

Hop on, then.

Lucy threw on her helmet and tightened her backpack straps as she swung a leg over the back of the Ducati and wrapped herself around Benjamin’s waist.

The ride down the road only took a minute or two, but in the brightness of the morning summer sun, those few minutes were a coastal dream. With her helmet visor up, she took in the smell of the sea air and could almost taste the salty moisture that hung over Coos Bay three-hundred and sixty-five days a year.

As they rode into the parking lot of Sunset Bay—the temporal model of Lucy’s haven—she groaned.

So many people already, she mumbled, her chin restrained by the thick padding of the helmet.

Benjamin pulled into a spot, and they both removed their headgear.

"I don’t plan on staying here," he said, pointing to the pavement.

Good, Lucy retorted, understanding his meaning. She then eyed Benjamin like a lioness about to pounce. Race ya, she said as she took off down the grassy embankment toward the beach. Benjamin followed, but he wouldn’t catch her.

I’m getting better, she called over her shoulder, laughing.

The two of them collapsed in her fallen tree under the cliffs. The sand was soft and cool.

Lucy jumped immediately to her haven and called Benjamin. The effect, anymore, was instantaneous. It was no longer a matter of summoning enough light to call him over, it was more like leading him through an open door; their connection was barely lost in transition to the haven plane.

So, she said, her eyes focused intently on his as he held her tightly. What’s cooler than moving stuff with your mind?

Benjamin chuckled. It’s not with your mind, it’s with the Immortal Light. We call it ‘the force’, he said, and Lucy looked blankly at him. "You know, like Star Wars?"

Lucy just stared.

"You know, Star Wars?"

Lucy sighed at what she saw as a childish and totally boy comparison. Yeah, I get it … it’s dumb. Tell me what’s cooler than … she raised her hands as air quotes were sarcastically required, ‘the force’.

Benjamin stared with a scandalized look on his face. "Dumb? You think Star Wars is dumb?" He shook his head in mock disgust.

Lucy looked back unfathomably incredulous. Yeah, so what? Show me the cool stuff! she said, punching Benjamin in the arm.

You know that hurts, he said as though he were going to cry.

What? I’m sorry, Lucy said, looking down to where she connected on his arm with her tiny balled up fist. I didn’t mean to hurt you. She felt horrible. She must have used some light.

Not that, he replied. "You think Star Wars is dumb?"

"Good grief, get over it. You’re like a little boy, you guys and your Star Wars, and Star Treks, and Stargates, and Star Whatevers. SHOW ME THE COOL STUFF!" she finally yelled playfully at him.

Benjamin smiled at her frustration. He had the carrot, and he was teasing her with it.

Okay, I’m sorry, that was mean, but we’re not done with this accusation of dumbness, Benjamin insisted.

Lucy stood up with a death glare in her eyes.

Alright, follow me, Benjamin said, standing up and taking her hand as he walked to the water’s edge.

Arriving at the soft foam of the surf, he squatted down and pulled Lucy toward him.

Since we’re in your haven, this will only be a preview, but we’ll do a lot more with it tonight in the Haven Room. Are you ready? His face was bright with mild excitement.

Lucy lit up as though she was stuck in a web of anticipatory bewilderment. Yes! Show me! A broad smile came across her face as she bent closer toward the tide.

Benjamin took a handful of water and held it in front of her.

Watch this, he said. His voice made Lucy even giddier with anticipation.

As Lucy watched the small puddle of water in his hand, she saw it start to glow. From the center of his palm came a visible light. It grew brighter and whiter as it spread throughout the water until it began to rise up off of his hand to form a glowing sphere, something the size of a baseball. Benjamin’s hand looked almost on fire from the glowing orb. Lucy stood amazed. Benjamin just smiled then grabbed her hand and pulled her fingers open. He cupped his free hand under her open hand, and she felt his powerful light envelope her. She was trembling slightly, and she didn’t know why, but when Benjamin rolled the bright sphere over to her, she felt a sensation of light like nothing she had ever felt before. It was like holding a ball of pure electricity; it was absolute power.

She felt trepidation as it rested in place. Lucy’s face must have shown what she was feeling, because Benjamin took the ball from her and dipped it back into the ocean waves. For a moment the foamy tide glowed brightly, and then the ball dissipated in the water as though it were a material substance of more than just energy.

As Lucy watched the light spread out in the tide, she realized that the glowing sphere she had just held scared her. It scared her because she knew that someday she would probably have to use it.

Benjamin stood watching Lucy’s  expressions change. She had a feeling that her face couldn’t be too encouraging to him.

Are you alright? he asked tenderly.

Lucy blinked a couple of times. She didn’t know the true answer to that question.

I don’t know, she responded.

Did that bother you?

I don’t know; I don’t think so. She stood up and Benjamin followed her. What was that? I mean, I know what it was. At least, I think I do. She looked into Benjamin’s eyes. Do I know what that was?

That was the Immortal Light in its purest form.

Lucy nodded her head. That’s what I thought.

Normally it’s not something we can see, but there is a way to make it more … tangible.

And when you do that with it, it’s more … Lucy inquired.

"It’s much more powerful," Benjamin replied.

Lucy nodded again. Her thoughts were chasing each other around in circles. 

I know what you must be thinking, but I want you to know that I didn’t show you that to scare you.

Lucy took Benjamin suddenly by the hand.

No, it didn’t scare me. It was just …

Benjamin waited, his luminous eyes focused on Lucy.

This is real, now, all of it. I think I was in a little bit of denial until just now.

Benjamin didn’t respond.

I’m the Guardian, Lucy said. It’s my job to know how to use the Immortal Light so I can complete my task. This is real.

Lucy, I’m right here for you. I’m here to train you, to teach you, and to support you. I won’t ever leave you alone.

Lucy straightened her back from its slouched position and stood taller. With one hand, she squeezed Benjamin’s warm fingers. With the other, she gripped the hilt of her sword.

I have to do this alone, don’t I?

No, Lucy, you don’t have to, not if you don’t want to, not if I have any say in the matter.

She smiled warmly at Benjamin and kissed him softly on the cheek.

I love you so much. Her voice was steady and firm.

The sentiment was real, more real than anything she had ever expressed before, but there was something rising up from deep inside her that she hoped never to experience again. It was something that, when her parents were attacked, took over her body for hours and refused to let go. She was afraid of what was coming.

I need to see my dad, Lucy said.

Chapter 2

ZHAREM- 1012 BC

There was a bridge ahead as Klarr and Aux ran from the beams of light that followed them. They had been chased by soldiers before, but it had never been this bad.

Crossing into the darkness underneath the bridge, Klarr reached into his pocket and pulled out a small cylindrical device.

What are you waiting for? Throw it, Aux said, peering out from behind his brother.

Not yet. They’re not close enough. The device in his hand was something of his own creation. Once activated, it would send out a blast of electricity that would immobilize anyone within ten yards. Electricity was utilitarian in a city built with the power of the Immortal Light. Because of the simple and elementary nature of electricity, Klarr’s device was easy to make and perfect as an unexpected weapon for a minor outlaw. Klarr and Aux had used it before, but the soldiers were getting wise. Just a quick jump to his haven and a soldier could bypass the effects altogether. It had to be a complete surprise.

Aux drew a silver sword from the scabbard that hung at his waist.

Klarr looked down at his brother’s hand. Put that away. What are you going to do, stab one of them?

If I have to, Aux said in a low, gravelly whisper. He was younger by nearly two years, but his towering height made him seem the older of the two. He was quiet but scrappy. There wasn’t a fight he ever backed down from, and that included trying to tackle a soldier when he was ten.

Klarr glanced again at the sword. You’re crazy, he said, flashing a cunning smirk. The two of them bumped forearms, and Klarr went back to his lookout position.

The silver canister had a single button on it. Klarr pushed it and prepared to throw when, from behind him, there came a giant beam of white light and the projected voice of a soldier barking for them to lie down on the ground. There was little time before his own weapon would immobilize him and his brother, but he couldn’t see anything to be able to aim.

To the brothers’ misfortune, this particular canister had been thrown together too quickly, and the safety measure released too early. As Klarr drew back to lob it into the light, he felt a jolting bolt of electricity grip every nerve in his body, and he fell to the ground like a dying animal.

The effect was disorienting, and he found it quite terrifying. Having never tried it out on himself, he was impressed by his own inventiveness, yet disappointed in his precision in creating it.

He couldn’t move a single muscle in his body even after the charge had ceased. It took a few seconds before his extremities began to tingle like they were waking up. He then realized he could move his eyelids. His neck relaxed allowing him to rest his head on the ground.

Blinking and trying to look around, he felt his arms and legs being pulled together and bound with cords. He was roughly lifted up by his shoulders and feet and dropped into a vehicle, most likely a prisoner transport. As he hit the floor his suspicions were confirmed. These carriages all looked and smelled the same: blue lights and sweat. In the front corner of the box was a single chair for a single soldier whose job it was to watch the prisoner and, if necessary, immobilize him.

The transport began to move, and they were off to the Monkey, again. The monkey was the informal nickname for the reformatory. Every pyramid and government building had a symbolic designation.

It only took a few moments before Klarr was finally able to move his entire body. As soon as he was sure he could move everything, he shot upright and looked around. Aux lay peacefully next to him with his hands on his chest. His eyes were fixed on the small blue lights above them. He was shaking his head. Klarr turned toward the soldier who stared stonily at him.

The thing that baffled Klarr the most was that they hadn’t even been causing trouble that night. He and Aux were on their way to the arena to watch a match when soldiers came from nowhere and demanded they surrender. Any normal person might have quietly given up, but it was Klarr’s natural instinct to run at the sight of soldiers. Aux, his faithful-to-a-fault brother and partner in crime, followed him.

What is this all about? Klarr demanded of the soldier sitting in the chair. We haven’t done anything.

The soldier maintained his stony glare.

It’s no use, Aux said. He’s just a flunky. He probably doesn’t know anything anyway. You know they only put the muscle in the back. The brains stay up front where it’s safe.

Klarr looked at the soldier who remained composed despite his visible irritation at the comment. A slow chuckle started in Klarr’s stomach and began to move up to his vocal chords.

You’re absolutely right, brother. You’ve got to be pretty low on the list to be put back here. He looked fruitlessly for a reaction.

It’s not a list, Klarr. Aux retorted in his quiet drone. It’s a test. They cut off your nibs with a dull knife. If you don’t make a sound, you’re stupid enough to ride in the back.

Klarr looked at the soldier. Is that true? Are you totally nibless? A wide grin stretched across his mouth, and he could see the corners of the soldier’s lips begin to quiver. "Sweet gods,