by Tacori Bean
“Calvin, it’s me you want.” I slowly stepped forward, arms and wings out. Blocking Damon from any move of Calvin’s sword, “Let them go and I’ll stay.”
“Journey!” I heard Asmund call my name.
I forced myself to stay focused, “No more fighting.”
Calvin froze, his eyes searching my trembling face.
“Let them leave, and I’ll stay here.”
He seemed to think for a moment, before sending a chilling glare at me.
“No!” Damon screamed from behind me as he grabbed me by the waist and pushed me to Asmund, who pulled me through the portal.
Tears streamed down my face as Damon, being cut down by his own brother, watched me. He fell to the white floor, before disappearing from my view.
My voice was not heard over the surging magic, “...Damon…”
~31~
Asmund POV:
I FELT AROUND me once the bright light disappeared.
Snow. We had been taken back to Secret Hollow.
Tristan and Ozara were standing to the side, speaking to another woman and a sickly pale elf.
I stood and that is when I saw her, fallen to her knees. Her golden brown hair fell in layered waves around her slight tan face. Large angel wings drooped behind her, and she shook uncontrollably. Tears fell from her glowing emerald green eyes, but never did she look more beautiful.
“D-Damon…” The name escaped in whispers rather than cries.
I would forever be indebted to the blond guard who gave his life for hers.
“Journey…” I knelt beside her.
Her emerald eyes met mine, reddened from the constant tears, that only worsened as I wrapped her in my arms and let her cry, soothing her gently. She shook and muffled her sobs with her hands. I could feel the intense magic slipping away from her as the large wings on her back disappeared and her eyes ceased to glow. It escaped her and manifested itself into a large, dark leather journal. A large tree was engraved on the cover and numerous other designs covered it.
Journey also spotted it and after drying her eyes and reaching for the journal, ran her fingers over the cover.
“The Mystics’ Journal…” She whispered to herself, still nestled in my embrace.
Soon, the elf walked up to us, tucking a piece of faded blonde hair behind her pointed ears, and her still voice spoke softly, “Journey… Is it really you?
Journey looked up from where she sat, “Piper? You're here.” She gazed to the other woman who had now stepped up to us, “Mi-Milku? What about the fighting? A-And the war?” She sniffled.
A shadow crossed Piper's face and Milku spoke in a low, sober voice, “Journey, the war has been over for twelve years…”
“T-That's impossible.” The words escaped my mouth as Journey stepped up to them.
“Time works differently in Althea's Realm.” Piper whispered, before pausing and looking around, “Damon… didn't.”
Journey embraced the elf before turning back to where the portal once stood, “I’m going to bring you back, I promise…” She whispered.
Then she turned back to us and smiled, tears spilling down her cheeks.
She was stronger in that moment then she had ever been.
~~~
My head rested against the tall winding trunk of the Mystics’ Tree and I stared at the eruption of pink leaves overhead.
I found myself sitting here more often. It was the only place I could drop my fake smile, and let the endless tears fall. My eyes wandered down to the Mystics’ Journal that sat beside me on the soft ground. I had already read through the first few pages numerous times, but always stopped myself.
It was filled with everything I didn’t want to know. Words that proved everything I knew about the Mystics was wrong. Everything I had been told were lies.
And only I knew the truth.
~Acknowledgments~
I just want to start off by saying a huge thank you to you, the reader. No matter how you came across this book, I hope that it swept you away and immersed you into this wonderful and crazy world, allowing you to escape the limitations of reality. Also, that it touched you in your own unique way, as I often pray it does.
To my parents, thank you so much for your support and help in reaching this goal, that to many seemed impossible. But most of all thank you for believing that your not-so-ordinary daughter could really put the stories in her head onto paper. And for pushing me towards my dreams, because of your persistence they are slowly coming true.
To Mrs. VH., I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done to make this book possible. You have given both your time and extreme amount of patience to help make this book complete. Not to mention your increasing amount of guidance. I could never express how amazing you have been through this crazy process.
To Mrs. Beverly, you have been such a great help with any questions I have had and have been more than supportive ever since we met. What you are doingㅡhelping kids express themselves and write their own storiesㅡI believe it will change kids’ lives for the better.
To the rest of you, my family that stood beside me and supported me, my friends that believed in me, fellow authors that inspired me, and followers that gave me motivation to keep going, this is becoming real, thanks to you.
And most importantly to God, for giving me battles that made me turn to writing, giving me the passion to write, and providing opportunities to make it possible. Without You, I am nothing. I hope this book and any others to come bring glory to Your name, as I pray it does.
~About The Author~
Tacori Bean lives with her parents, horse, and two dogs in the suburbs of North Alabama. She found her love for writing as a light at the end of a dark tunnel, and felt that God called her to help other teenagers and adults who may be going through what she once did. When she isn’t in school or writing, she spends time reading, horseback riding, or playing with her two pups. She published her first book at 15 because she believes that anyone who wants to write, can write.
Find out more about the life of a teenage author at www.fb.me/TacoriBeanAuthor