Veiled Shadows (The Age of Alandria: Book Two) (33 page)

“Are you doing this?” he asked with soft awe looking around able to see, letting his eyes adjust.

She nodded.

As she started to walk away again, her hand trailed down his muscular arm until she squeezed his wrist. He gripped her hand tightly before she was able to remove contact from his skin. Whether to continue being able to see or to actually
want
to touch her she didn’t yet know and in that very moment she didn’t care.
He’s holding my hand! TIGHT!
She looked into his eyes, which were swirling with energy and a light she hadn’t yet seen and still able to retain the deep chocolate color. “Daegan, I have to,” she explained, pointing into the bright light that was patiently just existing.

“No.” His eyes sparked with dancing fire once again.

“You have no idea what’s in that... light.” He pointed directly into the brightness.

Straightening her spine, she stood tall and looked him in the eyes, daring him to stop her. “I have to.” They remained in an intense stare-down for what seemed like minutes but was only brief seconds. She looked away first, not out of defeat but from distraction... he was rubbing small circles on the top of her hand where his thumb was STILL holding her hand.
What?!
She looked back up into his eyes—the confusion apparent in hers. He was steady as a rock.

“I’m going with you.”

“No. I have to face it alone. I’ll be fine.” She wasn’t really sure that was true, but there was no other choice than to die in this cave.

Searching her face, he simply looked at her. Taking in a deep breath, he gave her a curt nod, turning back into the man of stone she was more used to. Unfortunately, releasing her hand and releasing the temporary gift of sight against the blinding light was a part of it.

Kaeleigh turned and quickly stepped into the light before anyone else could cause her to falter. Soon, she was enveloped into the surprisingly cold emptiness of what lay before her. It wasn’t so much as being wrapped around with the warmth of light infusing darkness but more falling into an abyss absent of darkness. It was the exact opposite of what you would expect to feel.

But there, in the center of the vastness, was a spark of warmth. A light within the light. Blazing, beckoning, calling Kaeleigh forward like nothing she had ever felt before. A breeze swirled about her drawing her closer and binding her arms and legs against herself. Her breathing was labored and her heart beat erratically, a pulse was pounding against the inside of her skull. She knew Chel’s dad wouldn’t approve of her showing fear, but she didn’t care right now. She was afraid. They had to get free even if she didn’t. This much she knew, and that gave her an inner peace—peace that began to fill her entire being driving the fear away. If she never got to find her father, if she never got to realize who or what she truly was becoming, she knew she would do whatever was necessary to see her friends safe. Life seemed to drain from wherever she was. Even the sound of her own heartbeat and her breathing was a deadened sound... an unnerving silence.

A figure began approaching, stalking her from nowhere, growing larger as it got closer. Its shape twisted and contorted with each step it took, never settling on a single form. First some type of animal like a lion with an eagle’s head, then some kind of creature resembling a wolf, then an opaque black-cloaked figure floating like a reaper. The form finally settled on that of a young girl about the age of eight. She had fair skin practically illuminated even amidst the light which seemed to have dimmed just as she entered; her hair a light pale blond, a face of innocence, but her eyes, the fiercest pale blue ever seen. Eyes that held danger and authority, eyes that belied the other features that spoke innocence and kindness.

“You need not be afraid, young one,” she began as she stretched her hand toward Kaeleigh, but she stopped short of entering her “personal space,” as if she was contained by something unseen forcing her to remain where she stood.

Odd words coming from such a
young
face, even if her eyes were ageless and yet ancient all at the same time. Kaeleigh had the disturbed feeling that this young girl, this creature, was possibly as old as time itself. A chill ran down her spine and she felt sweat trickling down to the base of her lower back. She so badly wanted to shake it off, but she dared not move.

The girl watched her with an otherworldliness in her eyes, cocking her head to the side like an animal trying to understand. She spoke again. “Kaeleighnna, you have sacrificed much, but more will be asked of you in the coming days.” The girl’s eyes stared through her as if she was seeing something else unfolding before her and perhaps she was. “You have nothing to fear from me today.” Her eyes softened as she returned from wherever she had just been. “There is still much for you to learn but it must be gained swiftly. Where you go, they will guide you to unlocking the mysteries deep within yourself.”

She paused an uncomfortably long time, and Kaeleigh wasn’t sure if she was supposed to respond. Just as she thought she should say something, the young girl spoke as if she anticipated her question.

“Who am I? I am the guardian of the Way of Adbertos—the keeper of the sacrifices, though I have many names.”

“So, Abi... can I call you Abi?” Feeling completely confused, Kaeleigh shot out what was probably completely inappropriate and instantly felt embarrassed. But Abi smirked a little at her brazenness and nodded with an odd twinkle in her eyes. Feeling slightly emboldened by that, Kaeleigh continued, “What sacrifice do you require for me and my friends to continue on?”

Nodding again slowly, Abi answered her. “You have already given and you will give again and that is why I am not asking anything specific of you now. You chose your own sacrifice, giving of yourself in order for your friends to find their way out before I even asked it of you. Not only that, but I
saw
what you did for the warrior and that has been received.”

Kaeleigh absorbed all the guardian had to say. She asked, softly reflecting gratitude, “So my friends are free to leave?”

“As are you, dear child. Know this, however, you and your companions have each given on this journey, but it is only the beginning. Another has given as well...”

A vision flashed before Kaeleigh’s eyes on a screen of smoke that made her heart stop.

Hunter standing in a clearing standing tall, holding his spear steady as he prepared for the sword being swung his direction from atop a horse. Other warriors approaching—herding—him back toward his cottage now engulfed in flames. Not even fazed, he stood strong with stone resolve, keeping the warriors at bay just far enough outside where his cottage stood burning. Just then, Maleina appeared, stepping out from the shadows just beyond the tree line. Pointing unabashedly at Hunter, she brought accusations of treason. He replied with something about her own treason in a manner of riddle so that none but Maleina seemed to understand what he meant. Hunter turned to block the sword that was about to strike him from the side. She was filled with rage. Her eyes wild, she turned in Kaeleigh’s direction, gave a slight smirk, and then her eyes pierced straight into Kaeleigh’s soul with an ice so cold it burned. Maleina did something with her hands and then sharply extended her blood-red-tipped dagger-like nail directly pointed at his heart, expelling a liquid fire that soared fast and true.

Kaeleigh gasped, falling to her knees, shocked and struck to her very core. Golden tears fell uncontrollably, yet silently, staining her face as she continued to watch the vision unfold before her.

Instantly, Hunter fell. He lay nearly lifeless on the ground, the light quickly fading from his soul, his very essence draining from his body, soaking into the forest floor. Maleina had vanished. The guards among her turned and began to leave. Before his last breath, he turned and seemed to look directly at Kaeleigh just like Maleina had, except he looked into her eyes with an overwhelming love.

Kaeleigh stumbled backwards, her breath knocked out of her.
Were they both looking at me? Impossible, but I could feel it.
Maybe there was someone else there with him. Maybe he wasn’t alone.
Her heart leaped with a spark of hope that he hadn’t died alone. Shaken and numb, she kept watching.

Hunter took his last breath, closing his eyes, releasing his spirit into the very air of Alandria.

Suddenly, his image quaked and began dissolving, getting smaller and smaller—no longer a form of a being lying on the ground but a shape that resembled a very large bird. A huge white bird the likes of which Kaeleigh had never seen before. It was a very much alive bird. It cocked its head in her direction once more with piercing green eyes, intelligent eyes, familiar eyes. Hunter’s eyes. He took to the sky and the vision dissolved completely.

Kaeleigh’s worst fear had just played out in front of her. She could barely speak but whispered, “Was all of that real? Did it really happen?” Kaeleigh was lost in the sadness of what she saw and felt the truth of the images. Too broken to be angry, she instead felt empty.

Abi simply nodded her childlike head, looking so innocent but with the darkest eyes that pierced your soul.

“He was the only family I had. I finally found him and now he’s gone?” Trying to keep a little control by taking deep, cleansing breaths, she asked a little more audibly hoping to get answers. “I don’t understand. What happened and why did you show me?”

“It is true,” Abi replied sadly. “It is a great loss to us all. But his true form, his spirit form, is not truly gone. His form will now be that of the great white L’inolyth. It is very rare and only bestowed upon those chosen to be honored in such a manner by The Orchids and the Ancients in an agreement which is rare on its own.”

“Abi? Who was he looking at?”

“You already know the answer to that.” Abi paused and her eyes softened as she looked into Kaeleigh’s eyes. “He wanted you to know. He felt your presence there with him. He was not alone.”

“But I wasn’t even there. How is that even possible? I mean this happened
days
ago! How could he have known where or
when
I’d be?” Kaeleigh hung her head in her hands, shaking it back and forth.

“The King had gifts no one understood or even knew the depths of. He was capable of much. And still is.”

Wait! What?
“Did you say
king
?”

“Why do you ask things you just heard me say? That is a human trait I believe you need to rid yourself of. We say what we mean here, or we don’t speak at all.” Kaeleigh nodded. “But yes, I said king. He did not tell you, I see.” She said it more fact than question so Kaeleigh shook her head no, feeling the need to respond in case she was supposed to answer.

Abruptly, Abi looked behind Kaeleigh into nothing then back at her without so much as a blink. “It is time to go.” She turned and began walking away into the light that had faded into the background.

“Wait! What do I do now? Please!” Kaeleigh reached out to grab Abi’s arm then immediately thought better of it when Abi’s eyes darted toward her out of the corner of her eyes in a not-so-friendly manner.

“You all go now. Continue the journey you began. You will get answers where you are destined.”

“How will I find my father? Hunter was going to help me find him,” Kaeleigh asked, almost panicked.

Abi started to bend into the light as her form began morphing again. On a whisper her voice surrounded Kaeleigh.

“His is not my story to tell.”

The light blinked out instantly, leaving Kaeleigh kneeling on the ground in the dark. She stayed still a moment trying to piece herself together.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Hands gently grabbed onto her, and her friends knelt beside her, surrounding her. She felt their confusion and concern, but mostly their love and support. Kaeleigh knew with them, her friends—her family—she would be all right. She felt a confidence surge through her that she had never felt before. Mixed with the sadness of her loss, Kaeleigh felt a new sense of purpose. A new peace in who she was becoming. A new strength to fight. Through the darkness, they would find light. Hunter was gone, but somehow she felt closer to him than ever. This was now her home and she would fight for it—for Hunter... for her mom... for her
family
.

Kaeleigh looked at her friends with gratitude and a deeper sense of love. Though veiled in shadows, they would find truth and freedom not only for themselves but for Alandria. Their journey would go on.

Thank you for reading
Veiled Shadows
!

Morgan Wylie, originally from the Pacific Northwest, now resides near Nashville, TN with her husband and daughter. She and her husband work everyday at their individual and combined creative pursuits while she learns to balance being “Mama”, wife, and mediator to the many voices and muses constantly chattering in her head. 

You can find her and news on her books at the following:

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Glossary of Terms~

Alandria:
A realm parallel to our mortal realm inhabited by several races of magical beings and creatures. Created by the Originators also known as The Orchids.

Exhile:
Another realm, where the condemned souls of the non-human go to spend eternity in unrest or until they are devoured and absorbed into the land, whichever comes first.

Ferrishyn:
(fair-i-shin) They are the warrior race of Faeries, mostly male, in the territory of Feraánmar. They serve as hunters, guides, and guardians. Elite members become a part of the royal guard for the Paladin.

Earth Faeries:
The most common race of Faeries. They are cultivators and growers for Alandria, their magic strengthened from the earth itself even as they give back to it.