Into the Light (a Lightkeeper Novel Book 1)

by Amy Manemann

  Another low rumble sounded, and the room shook again, this time nearly knocking me to the floor. Braeden kept me standing upright while he removed his sword from his jacket pocket, whispering the words to make it lengthen.

  “I’d say someone is knocking on the front door,” Braeden gritted out as another blast hit the building, this one shattering the portal wall behind us.

  Braeden swung me around, using his body to shield me when, for the second time that night, glass rained down upon us. As the last shard of glass fell to the ground, I drew back from Braeden’s arms to stare at the space where the portal used to be. I may not know much about portals, but even I was smart enough to know this was definitely not good.

  “Everyone upstairs, now!” Lancaster yelled, not waiting around to see if anyone followed him as he charged from the room.

  We ran down the portal hallway to the main room, reaching Ella’s desk the same time as Delaney, Keeley and Ryland jutted out of the pink hallway. Allora wasn't with them, and worry clawed at me. Was she okay?

  “Did you invite some friends over for a party?” It was hard to miss the grin stretching across Ryland’s face, his excitement for an impending battle evident. Boys.

  Another blast hit the building, and we all wobbled to keep our balance.

  “Something like that. I think it’s safe to say the Underworlders know Willa’s here.” Though his voice was light, Braeden's face pinched with worry.

  “Where’s Allora?” I asked Keeley, who managed a shrug.

  “I have no clue. She wasn’t in her room when the first blast hit, and the boys haven’t seen her. Don’t worry about her, though. Allora can take care of herself just fine.” Deft fingers worked quickly to strap weapons to her legs and back with practiced ease, as if facing an oncoming battle was nothing out of the ordinary.

  With a start, I realized it probably wasn’t.

  Lancaster reached over Ella’s desk, feeling beneath the edge until he found what he was looking for. Pressing the button, he stood back, waiting while the desk slid into the floor and replaced with a glass elevator. The doors slid open, and we quickly poured inside.

  “Are we under attack?” Probably a stupid question, but I forced myself to ask it, swallowing when Braeden grimly nodded.

  Keeley patted my arm consolingly, which did little to relieve the tension coiling through my stomach like a knot.

  “We’ll get you to high ground and bring the battle to us. Underworlders use Earth elements to keep their magic grounded, so the higher up we are, the better our advantage.” Keeley studied a blade before strapping it to her leg.

  The elevator doors closed, and we shot upwards through the ceiling of the main room at a dizzying speed. By the time we reached the top floor, my head was reeling, and I had a death grip on Braeden’s forearm.

  “Next time, let’s take the stairs,” I gritted out as the doors opened, and we piled out.

  We stood in an elegant ballroom, the gleam of the polished marbled floor sparkling in the iridescent light. In a room meant for elaborate parties or balls, this is where we'll fight our enemies? The elevator doors closed behind us, and the glass elevator disappeared the way it had come, sinking magically through the floor of the ballroom as if it had never been there. I shook my head, knowing if I hadn’t seen it, I never would have believed it.

  With Lancaster and Kensington assisting, the three Guardians scouted the room while Keeley remained next to me, a sword in one hand and a long-handled knife in the other. Her dark hair pulled back in a tight ponytail at the top of her head, she wore black boots, black spandex pants and a black tank top, with a variety of weaponry strapped to her arms, legs and back. Her calculating eyes studied the doors and windows closest to us, assessing each for an entry and exit point. On my other side was Evanore, her face pale in the dim light.

  I watched Braeden’s every movement from across the room. He’d shed his jacket and only wore his black dress pants and black shirt, which made him look dreadfully handsome in the soft light. If my knees weren’t shaking so badly from fear, I probably would have taken a moment to admire his physique.

  “I don't understand. What good does it do for them to attack the Council when they can't get inside?” I asked Evanore, who looked as confused and tense as I felt.

  “It makes little sense,” she softly agreed, adding “If they can't get inside, why bother at all? I don't see why...”

  Glass shattered on the far side of the room, and a flaming blue psi ball flew through the broken window. Quick on his feet, Ryland unsheathed the sword on his back and swung just as Braeden yelled, “No, Ryland, don’t!”

  The psi ball split cleanly in half only to reshape and form two balls that raced across the floor, leaving a blazing trail of blue flames in its wake. Ryland cursed even as Delaney withdrew a net from his shoulder bag, tossing it over the nearest ball and instantly dousing the flames.

  “Idiot,” Keeley grumbled, shoving me behind her and retrieving a net from a small pack on her hip. With a flick of her wrist she tossed it over the other psi ball as it sped our way, easily dousing the blue flame. With the psi balls put out, Evanore quickly doused the flaming trails with magic, leaving only smoking remnants behind.

  “My bad,” Ryland apologized, keeping a wary eye on the broken window in front of him. “How in the hell were they able to land inside? This is sacred ground. They shouldn't have been able to breach the wards.”

  “Yeah, well, looks like they found a way around that problem.” Braeden worriedly met my gaze, and I nodded, assuring him I was fine. He seemed to breathe easier before moving into position by Ryland. “Out of practice, Ry? I see we need to work on your psi ball training.”

  Ryland shrugged, swirling his sword behind him with practiced ease. “You know me. I like to chop first and ask questions later.”

  While they continued to banter, I studied the tendrils of smoke still rising from the doused flames, curious as the tendrils began to curve and take shape.

  “Um, guys?” My eyes were glued in horror on the shapes that were merging to form larger, more solid figures. Grotesque features appeared, along with scales and claws that I was pretty sure weren’t people friendly, and I stifled the scream bubbling in the back of my throat.

  Keeley followed my train of sight, cursing softly. Raising her fingers to her lips, she let out a shrill whistle to get everyone’s attention. “Hey! We’ve got company.”

  Seeing the new threat, the men sprang into action, attacking with vigor as the snarling creatures lashed out, spewing black smoke from the hellish pits of their mouths.

  I stumbled backwards, eyes rounded in horror. “What are those things?”

  Evanore grabbed my arm and tugged me behind her, hands raised and ready to ward off anything that came our way. “Psi Demons, risen from the ash trails of a psi ball.”

  A high-pitched scream emitted from a demon as Braeden’s blade seared him in half, black blood oozing from the open wound and spilling across the floor. I watched in fascinated horror as the Guardians and Keeley made quick work of the Psi Demons until the floor was slick with blackened ooze.

  “Psi Demons, an ugly lot.” Delaney wiped his bloodied sword off on his pant leg. “Quite a mess they leave behind.”

  Braeden frowned. “Something’s wrong. How are Underworlder's getting into the Council?”

  “As in you mean someone gave them a way in?” Keeley asked.

  A roar rose from beyond the broken windowpane, chilling me to the bone. Lancaster skirted the mess in the middle of the room to peer out the window, his face instantly paling.

  “They’re scouring the side of the building.” He stumbled backwards, falling over broken debris. He barely registered the glass cutting into his palms, leaving streaks of red as he scrambled to regain his footing.

  Delaney flew to the open window and peered out, turning back to us. His expression was grim. Not exactly a good sign.

  “Looks like we’ve got incoming. Ten seconds,” he said grim
ly, stepping back from the window to rejoin the group.

  My eyes found Braeden’s, and the worry in them made my heart stop. Pulling me to him, he met Evanore’s gaze. “If the Psi Demons breached our walls, then I think it’s safe to assume these boys will be able to come inside to play as well. Evanore, I need you to get Willa to safety.”

  I shook my head, afraid to stay, but even more afraid to leave without him. “No, I can’t leave you here.”

  Braeden smiled, touching my face softly with his battle roughened hand. “You don’t have a choice, love, not when it comes to your safety. I won’t be able to concentrate on the battle unless I know you’re safe, so it’s better for us both if you go.”

  “Five seconds, Brae,” Ryland called out a warning, the noise beyond the window growing louder.

  Tears welled up in my eyes, and I grasped Braeden’s hand, knowing he was right but hating it all the same.

  “I’ll see that she’s kept safe and will leave word for you to follow behind,” Evanore promised, capturing my hand tightly in her grasp.

  “See that you do.” Braeden smiled, his thumb moving from the curve of my cheek to feather across my lips. “Be safe. I’ll not be far behind you.”

  “Two seconds,” Delaney shouted above the now deafening roar, and I fought the panic welling up in my chest.

  Knowing we were out of time, Braeden jerked me against his chest, capturing my lips fiercely with his. I kissed him back just as fiercely, my fingers gripping his hair as I poured all my fear and love into that kiss.

  “Braeden!” Keeley yelled, breaking through the fog in my mind and jerking us back to the present.

  Braeden pushed me towards Evanore, his eyes swimming with unsaid emotions. “Get her out of here. Now!”

  He was already turning when the first wave blew through the windows, a mixture of pale-faced vampires and scaly, snarling horned demons looking for a fight. Evanore gripped my arm tightly. “This way, hurry.”

  We ran to a door at the back of the room, the unmistakable sound of a battle raging behind us. I didn’t dare glance back, fearing what I would see. Pushing the door open, Evanore dragged me out into the hallway. The door slammed shut behind us and Evanore waved her hand over the doorknob, the distinctive sound of a lock clicking in place echoing in the long, empty hallway.

  Fear snaked through me, and I eyed her warily. “Why did you lock the door?”

  “So no one can follow us,” she reassured me, tugging me behind her.

  I stared at her dumbly, confused. “I don’t understand. How will Braeden be able to follow us if you’ve locked the door?”

  “All will be well, Willa. Trust me.”

  I glanced back at the locked door, a feeling of dread washing over me. Something didn’t feel right here.

  “Where are you taking me?” I stumbled, trying to keep up with her faster pace.

  “To a portal. If the Underworlders have breached Council walls, then this sacred ground is no longer safe. We must leave,” Evanore threw over her shoulder, not breaking stride.

  We came to an abrupt stop midway down the hall where Evanore pushed open a door, pulling me through before shutting it soundly behind us. A blast of freezing cold air hit my face, and my breath came out in puffs of white smoke from exertion. Shivering, I rubbed my hands up and down my arms, staring around in wonder at the crystalized furniture, frozen walls, and sparkling, icy floor.

  “It’s freezing in here!” I gasped, my body shaking so hard from the cold that my teeth chattered.

  Evanore didn’t reply, instead crossed the room to an empty wall on the other side. Raising her arms, she spoke softly to the wall, gliding her hands over the icy surface until the wall began to shimmer. As the wall changed, I would have sworn the room grew even colder, and dread began to build in the pit of my stomach as a booted foot stepped through the portal, followed by another. The man who stepped into the room was inordinately tall, with waving black hair, deep green eyes and aristocratic features that were hauntingly familiar, yet I couldn’t place. As I returned his amused stare, I suddenly realized it was the eyes that gave him away, a peculiar shade of emerald green so much like my own. The eyes of a stranger, yet not.

  “Hello, Ronan.”

  Chapter 23

  A smile creased his lips, approval lighting his eyes as he studied me. “You’re smart, like your mother was. Just as beautiful too, I see.”

  His smooth voice was pleasing to my ears yet pierced my skin like needles seeking a way to burrow beneath the surface. Hands gripping my arms tightly, I eyed him warily, confusion swirling.

  “What are you doing here?” I was careful to keep my tone neutral, still not understanding what was going on. How was he here, behind Council walls?

  “Isn’t it obvious, pet? I’m here to retrieve my daughter and bring her home where she belongs.”

  Warning bells went off in my head. This wasn’t right. First the Psi Demons and Underworlders breaching Council walls, and now this? It was obvious they had desecrated the sacred ground beneath the Council; it's the only way they could have gotten in otherwise. What I didn't understand, was why? From the corner of my eye I caught the smug smile on Evanore's face, and suddenly I knew who was behind it. “You let them in.”

  Her smile widened, and she moved closer to Ronan, curling a hand into his fur covered arm. “You’re very perceptive, Willa, though a bit late in putting the pieces of the puzzle together. I set spells throughout the building to desecrate the sacred grounds, thus letting Underworlders roam free through the Council. A fitting distraction, don’t you think?”

  I gaped at her, shocked. “But why? You’re of the light. Why would you do that?”

  She shrugged. “It’s really quite simple, my dear. I desired power, Ronan offered it to me.”

  Despite the freezing temperature of the room, I felt a hot surge of anger burn through me. Braeden and the others were in a battle for their lives because of Evanore’s betrayal. How could she just stand there looking so smug?

  “You compromised the Council and put people’s lives in danger all to gain power? And you,” I turned to Ronan, who looked inordinately pleased with himself. “What were you expecting to gain for this betrayal, right?”

  Ronan grinned, which made my anger boil hotter. “Isn’t it obvious? Evanore traded power for you, though I have to say, I believe I’m getting the better bargain of the deal.”

  My mouth gaped in disbelief. “I’m not some toy for you to pass around at whim, and I’m nobody’s bargaining chip. If you thought I would come peacefully after you threatened the lives of everyone I hold dear here, then you have another thing coming.”

  “Come now, Willa, it won’t be all that bad,” Evanore tsked. “Ronan can offer you what the Light Council never could. You can have a life filled with everything you ever wanted and more. You can have a real family.”

  I snapped my gaze in her direction, fixing her with an icy stare. “Nothing comes without a price, Evanore, and I wouldn’t trade my real family for all the money in the world. I won't go with him.” Anger burned through me, anger over the situation, and anger that she'd been able to read me so well. It wasn’t too long ago that I yearned for a relationship with my real father, a vulnerable spot Evanore knew all too well. But not like this. This wasn’t right.

  Ronan laughed, the sound chilling me far more than the iciness of the room. “Funny, your mother said the same thing just before I took her to the Underworld.”

  Every muscle in my body froze. “What do you mean you took my mother to the Underworld?”

  “She would have come eventually, not that she had another choice. Arianna would have been mine regardless of what the Council believed. I knew her immense power, and I knew by binding her to me we would create the most powerful being to have ever walked this land. You, Willa.” His chilling smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

  Bile rose in the back of my throat, and I doubled over, gasping. The romantic story Evanore had told me about my mother and f
ather was a lie. They hadn’t met and fallen in love. Ronan had kidnapped her and held her prisoner.

  “You forced yourself on her,” I gritted, my heart wrenching painfully in my chest at the horrors my mother must have faced at the hands of this man. This monster.

  Ronan’s face darkened. “Arianna was mine. Mine! I made certain of that with the binding ritual that our powers were connected for all eternity. Once the spell was performed, she knew there would be no way of escaping me, and when she became with child, she resigned herself to my care.”

  My head snapped up, furious. “Yet she still escaped long enough to have me and send me away before you could get your filthy hands on me.”

  Ronan stepped forward, fury stamped across his features. I took a stumbling step back, fear bubbling up in my throat. I was helpless. I had no powers to fight the powerful wizard and no Braeden to come to my rescue. I was on my own.

  Or was I?

  “Lucian, I’m in trouble,” I reached out with my mind, using our mental connection to call for help. He said to call on him if I needed him, right? Now was probably a good time as any for him to drop by.

  “Somehow, I’m not surprised, love.” His smooth voice was laced with amusement, no doubt at my expense. I pursed my lips. Now was not a good time for jokes.

  Evanore’s hand tightened on Ronan’s arm, giving a gentle squeeze that brought him to a halt. “M’lord, perhaps it is time we retired to your kingdom. It will only be a matter of time before someone comes looking for the Lightkeeper.”

  “Not funny, Warlock. I’m in serious trouble here. Evanore kidnapped me, and she and Ronan Vale are planning on taking me to the Underworld. Could use a bit of help if you aren’t too busy.”

  “Well now, that poses a problem. All right, keep your cool. I’m already here helping your Guardian against the Underworlders invading the Council. Keep your mind open to me and, I will find you,” Lucian’s response was immediate, sending a crushing relief with it.

  “As always, you’re the word of wisdom, Evanore. Bind the girl to you before we go through the wall. I don’t want any surprises when we reach the other side.” Looking bored by the entire thing, Ronan was already turning towards the portal.