Of Sun & Moon (Midnight Guardian Series, Book 1)

by Bryna Butler

  Chapter 23: On the Other Side

  Colby rubbed his eyes, the mouse nibbled on his nose, urging him into action. “Keira!” Colby yelled.

  Ann was in position. She had already begun work to re-open the threshold. A gleam of light started to trickle through the tear. Colby ran through it and slid on his knees beside Keira. She was alone on the rooftop, lying in a pool of her own blood. He lifted her motionless body and hurried back to her waiting family.

  “Are they coming after you? Where’s Brooke?” Bianca rushed to her daughter.

  Keira lay limply in Colby’s arms. She was now barely awake, deadly silent, and as pale as a ghost. Her clothes were soaked with dark, red blood. “Are Colby and Dad safe?”

  “Yes, sweetheart, thanks to you,” her mother answered.

  Keira smiled softly and closed her eyes. As she fell back into unconsciousness, Bianca helped Colby ease her onto the bed.

  Colby turned to address everyone. “Gammen’s dead,” he said. “Brooke…Brooke…,” he gasped. He suddenly found it hard to breathe and couldn’t speak. He closed his eyes and let his knees fall to the floor in grief.

  Nana and Ann looked at each other. With silent resolve, they worked quickly to completely seal the spot of the tear. Bianca had just finished dressing Keira’s wounds by the time Colby found composure. He rose to his feet and put a hand on Bianca’s shoulder. “We have to leave here now. It’s not safe. The new leader knows where we are.”

  “It’s all right, Colby. We’ve sealed the threshold, so they can’t follow you,” Ann expelled in an effort to put everyone at ease.

  “They won’t need it. She’ll know exactly where we are.”

  Bianca and Ann’s faces reflected their complete confusion. However, Nana instantly put it all together. “Brooke. Where is Brooke?” she demanded.

  Colby didn’t answer, but he didn’t need to. Nana could see the answer in his face.

  “Am I to understand that the new empress would call this home?” she assumed aloud for everyone’s benefit. He nodded in the affirmative.

  Colby could hear the whisper of comprehension break from Ann’s lips. “Brooke,” she gasped. “I can get us out of here fast.”

  “It’s too unpredictable. Let me take care of this.”

  Colby picked up Keira’s unconscious body and led everyone, including the mouse, down the stairs and out the giant arched double doors.