This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The author makes no claims to, but instead acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the word marks mentioned in this work of fiction.
Copyright © 2016 by Caroline T. Patti
INTO THE LIGHT by Caroline T. Patti
All rights reserved. Published in the United States of America by Month9Books, LLC.
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
ISBN: 978-1-942664-44-4
Published by Month9Books, Raleigh, NC 27609
Cover design by Monika McFarlane
To Jill Rice—-
because you said, “Pick me. Pick me.”
“Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness, to pull another hand Into the Light.”
-Norman B. Rice
Chapter One
Nathaniel
Nathaniel stood on the bridge watching the sun rise over the hills. The tangerine orb drenched the sky, casting a yellowish-orange glow over the horizon. As if the beams were aiming directly for him, Nathaniel closed his eyes and let the warmth soak his skin.
“Gorgeous, isn’t it?” Isadora mused as she gripped the railing.
“It’s the same,” Nathaniel lamented. “It’s always the same.”
“You’re restless today.” She nudged his shoulder. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”
Nathaniel cast a downward glance. “I’m tired.”
“We don’t get tired.”
“You know what I mean.” Nathaniel turned his back to the sun. “I’m tired of the same thing day after day. Nothing ever changes.”
Isadora stepped in front of him and held his face in her hands. “What is it that you want to change? Do you desire to scurry like a human, rushing off from one chore to the next, never fully knowing the futility behind your actions?”
Nathaniel blanched and backed away from Isadora’s grasp. “If you came here to mock me, you can go.”
“I came here to be with you.” Isadora inched closer to Nathaniel. She ran her index finger along his arm.
“Isadora. Stop.”
Her green-eyed gaze intensified. “No, Nathaniel.” She gripped his chin fiercely. “You stop. Stop this foolishness before you get yourself into trouble.”
He uncurled her fingers from his chin. “It’s not foolishness.”
“It is! It’s ridiculous, this feeling of what? Jealously? Of humans?”
“You don’t understand.”
“I don’t want to understand,” she said sharply. “I want you to snap out of this. We could have everything together, be everything to each other. Why isn’t that enough for you?”
The sun continued to rise as Nathaniel considered Isadora’s proposal. She was offering him a position at her side, something he’d been mulling over for quite some time. Isadora was beautiful and passionate. She would make the ultimate queen, and she wanted him as her king. Isadora, as one of The Assembled, outranked him, and because of her position, she could have anyone, and she had chosen him. Nathaniel had played in her world for a while, but he could not overcome the nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach that somewhere out there, there might be more.
Being a Guide had been mostly satisfying. Nathaniel took his position seriously, helping souls cross from one realm to the next. He was good at his job too, which is what drew Isadora’s attention in the first place. She’d told him how she admired him from afar, how she’d watched him care so meticulously for each soul. Nathaniel had been honored by her compliments, stoked by her affections, but not completely satiated.
Because he couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Eleanor Jane Levinson, known as Ellie to those closest to her. Petite with blond hair, brown eyes, and a warm smile, she lived in a small village in the English countryside. She did not deserve to be dying. But she was. Inch by inch, minute by minute, her time ticked away slowly, painfully, dismally. The doctor had exhausted all efforts, but there was nothing to be done. Her condition was too far advanced. Yet through it all, Ellie smiled. She comforted her mother and father, sang sweet songs to her little brother, Will. Though she was the one suffering, she made it a point to be the pillar of strength her family needed. She was a captivating presence. And she’d caught the eye of Nathaniel Black.
He’d been watching from a distance, waiting for her body to give out so that he could properly introduce himself, and he would’ve stayed away if not for the night he heard her pray.
“Lord, I’m scared. I know that I should be looking forward to the kingdom of heaven, but I’m scared to die. I don’t want to be alone. Please. Please, Lord, tell me that I won’t be alone.”
“You won’t be alone,” Nathaniel whispered through the darkness.
Ellie’s head whipped around to the direction of his voice. “Who’s there?” Fear crept over her face as she tried to see into the dark.
“Don’t be frightened.”
“Who are you?”
Nathaniel pondered his next move. He was treading on shaky ground, hovering in the gray area of right and wrong. He was strictly forbidden from interacting with humans until their spirits left their bodies. So as long as he stayed in the dark where she couldn’t see him, he wasn’t technically breaking any rules.
When Nathaniel didn’t answer her question, Ellie continued, “Are you an angel?”
“No,” Nathaniel answered honestly. “I am a Guide.”
“Are you here to take me?” Ellie could not conceal the worry in her voice.
“Not yet.”
“Then why are you here?”
Nathaniel couldn’t answer that, so he said, “You will not be alone. When it is time, I will come for you. I will walk you home.”
Ellie’s breath shuddered, and a faint whimper escaped her. “What’s your name?”
“Nathaniel.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Nathaniel.”
His name from her lips was the sweetest melody Nathaniel had ever heard. He was overcome with the urge to reveal himself fully, but instead he vanished. He should’ve kept to the rules and not returned until it was Ellie’s time to go, but he couldn’t stay away, and the next night he returned to her bedroom.
She appeared to be sleeping. But then she opened her eyes. “Nathaniel? Is that you?”
“I’m here.”
“Is it time?”
“No.”
Ellie relaxed against the pillows. “I was afraid to go to sleep.”
He hadn’t meant to worry her. “You can sleep tonight. You have more time.”
“I don’t want to sleep while you’re here.”
“I’ll go.”
“No.” She reached out her hand. “Stay with me. Please.”
Silently, Nathaniel agreed. Ellie took a few rattling breaths. Her time really was running out.
“What’s it like?” she asked him.
“It’s like home,” he answered.
“It won’t be home without my family.”
“I know this is difficult, but I promise you there’s nothing to fear.”
“Will you be there?” she asked tentatively.
“No.”
“That’s too bad. It would’ve been nice to have a friend.”
“Ellie?”
“Yes?”
“I would go with you if I could.” He meant every word.
Moments later he heard the even sound of her breathing as she drifted of
f to sleep. He watched and waited, not wanting to leave her just yet. When he finally did go, he was met with an unwelcomed surprise waiting for him just outside.
“Isadora, what are you doing here?”
She stood with, her arms folded across her chest, her eyes full of fury. “The question is, Nathaniel, what are you doing here?”
“You don’t belong here,” he reminded her. “It isn’t right.”
“Who are you to speak of what is right and what is wrong?”
“I can explain,” Nathaniel tried.
Chapter Two
Gage
Stepping out of the shower, I towel off, rubbing the scar on my forearm where my Hunter’s mark used to be and, for just a moment, mourn my former life. I miss the other Hunters: Jinx, Zee, and especially Rae. They were my friends, though when they were alive I never would’ve categorized them as such. We were more like brothers-in-arms. We fought alongside one another, risked our lives for each other, and in the end, they died for me. I often wonder if they are on the other side, if they are safe. I wonder if there was a Guide who welcomed them home. I hope so because the alternative—Purgatory, trapped between worlds—no, that couldn’t happen. Not to them.
I survey the contents of my closet. It’s strange to have so many choices, to know that humans take great pains in considering what clothes they wear. It seems insignificant to me, but Mercy and her friend Lyla say otherwise. So much to learn, they’re always telling me.
In the months since Mercy made her deal with Isadora, I have been assimilating into my new life. Nathaniel and I found a small house to rent. It isn’t much, and since domesticity is a trait neither Nathaniel nor I possess, I have little hope that our living conditions will improve. Mercy insisted we at least furnish the house and get a basic cable package.
On the day we moved in, Mercy unpacked boxes, organized our cupboards, and arranged our furniture. “You might as well enjoy being human,” she said as she hooked the cable box into the television.
“This really isn’t necessary,” I insisted.
She gave me that look, the one that told me not to argue with her. “Gage, the whole reason I made this deal is so you can have a normal life. I’m not saying you need to become a couch potato, but there is something to be said for Monday Night Football.”
Mercy also stocked the kitchen even though I assured her Nathaniel and I could certainly survive on takeout.
“Speak for yourself, little brother.” Nathaniel smiled wickedly at me. “Nothing will give me greater pleasure than seeing you in an apron.”
“As if I would ever cook for you,” I snapped.
Mercy stepped between us. “You’re going to be able to do this, right? Live with together without plotting beheadings in your sleep?”
Nathaniel laughed. I did not share his humor. Having him for a roommate gave me more than a moment’s pause.
“We’ll be fine, won’t we, Gage?” Nathaniel clapped me on the back. “Pretty soon it’ll be keggers every Friday night!”
So far, we’ve managed without incident. It wasn’t exactly a smooth transition, but we’re trying. Part of what makes us successful is we never talk about Mercy. I mean, her name comes up in conversation, sure, but we never mention that we both love her. It’s safer to keep that topic buried beneath the floorboards and several feet of denial. We don’t have time to worry about our feelings for Mercy anyway. We have to stay focused for the day Isadora returns to collect on her bargain.
Isadora returned Mercy to her body, gave her back her former life, and agreed to leave us, Nathaniel and I, as well as Mercy’s family and friends, unharmed so long as Mercy agreed to do Isadora’s bidding. What that entails, we don’t yet know.
What we do know is that Mercy is a Breacher, just like her mother. She can leave her body and occupy another. Yet, unlike other Breachers, Mercy doesn’t need to kill her host in order to jump from one body to the next.
Since the day Mercy returned, we haven’t discussed her plan to take down The Assembled. Every time I try to broach the subject, she shuts me down. She keeps telling me not to worry, that she can handle things. But as the weeks go by, and there’s still no sign of Isadora, my anxiety level escalates.
My bedroom door bursts open and slams against the wall breaking my thoughts.
“Gage! You’re not still asleep are you?” Mercy stops dead in her tracks at the sight of me in a towel. She quickly spins around, turning her back to me. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry,” she says as she laughs.
“Just give me a sec,” I tell her.
Slowly, she spins back around. She’s radiant. Her auburn hair is redder than it was just a few days ago. Her skin, sun-kissed and glowing, looks healthier than ever before. She wears little makeup, but she doesn’t need it. Mercy is, by far, the most beautiful person I’ve ever known.
“Hey, kinda naked here,” I say, holding the towel tightly around my waist.
She bites her lip and closes the door behind her.
“What are you doing?”
She starts toward me. “I need to tell you something.”
“You can tell me after I put some clothes on,” I say, backing away.
She continues her approach. “Actually, I think your current state of vulnerability works to my advantage.”
“What?”
“Gage, for a while now, I’ve been thinking about everything. About me. About you.”
My throat constricts, and I can’t swallow. Mercy stands directly in front of me, within inches of my rapidly beating heart.
“You risked everything for me. You put my life before yours.”
“Mercy, stop.”
“Is that what you really want?”
“It’s for the best. I think.”
“You’re absolutely sure about that?”
She tilts her chin. Her breath mingles with mine.
“Mercy.”
“Gage.” She winds her hand around the back of my neck and crushes her lips to mine in one swift movement.
Need, desire—these are emotions that humans respond to. Humans are impulsive and spontaneous, the exact opposite of the controlled, thoughtful Hunters. But I am no longer a Hunter. I’m human, and my human body reacts before my brain can stop it.
The kiss is forceful and heated. All I want is the taste of her mouth. It isn’t like me to lose control like this, and I expect Mercy to shove me away, but she doesn’t. Her hands are on my waist, then up my spine. My body shivers, igniting parts of me I didn’t even know I had.
Before I know it, we’re stumbling toward the bed.
Her lips are everywhere: my jaw, my neck, my collarbone. I audibly groan when she kisses the hollow spot along my clavicle. I claim her mouth again, and I feel there’s a strong possibility I will go on kissing her forever.
Abruptly, she stops and pulls away. She quickly scoots off the bed. “We can’t. I’m sorry.”
The entire room goes cold. “You’re sorry?”
“I have to go.”
The door slams. She’s gone.
I flop against the bed and listen to the blood pumping in my ears. What the hell just happened? Self-doubt and worry take over as I wonder what I did wrong. Was I too aggressive? Too eager?
Footsteps come down the hall, and I sit up, hoping she’s returned. “Mercy?”
Nathaniel opens the door. He assesses the situation, me in only a towel, my flushed cheeks and the embarrassed look on my face, the tangled bed sheets. My hair has to be a mess from when Mercy—I stop myself from finishing the thought.
His eyes narrow, and his mouth pulls inward. He leaves the room without saying anything.
Hurriedly, I make myself presentable, throwing on a pair of dark jeans and a black T-shirt. I find Nathaniel in the front room not watching television. He stares ahead.
Cautiously, I approach. “You’re back early.”
“Yep.”
Gulping, I swipe my hand across the back of my neck. “Should we talk about this?”
Nathaniel rises from the couch. His coal eyes match mine in color and in shape, though his are more deeply set and, at present, burning holes into my face.
Retreating, I throw my hands up and say, “Or maybe we don’t need to talk about this right now.” He stalks toward me until I’m pressed against the wall. “I don’t want to fight you, Nathaniel.”
Briefly, a look of pain contorts his face, but he quickly recovers. Skulking back to the couch, he flops into the cushions. “Fine.”
“Fine?”
“I don’t want to fight with you either. It’s been too quiet, and Isadora is just waiting for us to drop our guard.” After a deep breath, he seems to mellow even further, but he’s too calm, eerily calm. “But when this is over, mark my words, brother, there will be words about this.”
“Knock, knock,” Mercy says as she pushes the front door open. She looks to Nathaniel, then to me, then back to him. “What’s going on?”
Blush rises to my cheeks. I can’t register the exact emotions I’m feeling at the moment. There are too many to count. “You came back,” I say to her.
She looks confused, her auburn ponytail swishing against her shoulders as she continues to look at both of us like she’s watching a tennis match.
“You can cut the innocent act,” Nathaniel snipes at her. “I know.”
Mercy’s left eyebrow disappears beneath the hair that has shaken loose and fallen across her forehead. “You know what?”
Leaning toward her I grasp her elbow and whisper, “I told him the truth.”
“The truth about what?”
“Seriously, you don’t have to do this.” I gesture toward Nathaniel. “I told him.”
“Okay, somebody clue me in because I am completely lost.”
I don’t know which one of us figures it out first. Nathaniel and I exchange a look, the spark of truth transmitting between us. “Oh shit,” we say in unison.
Releasing my grip on Mercy, I back away until I’m leaning against the wall. I need something to hold me up before I die of embarrassment.
“Still waiting for an explanation here,” Mercy says. “Guys, what the hell is going on?”
Nathaniel, barely concealing a grin, says, “It seems as though Gage had a visitor this morning.”
Into the Light Page 1