Approaching Storm (Alternate Worlds Book 2)

by Taylor Leigh

  ‘I have to go soon,’ Marus sighed.

  The ground buckled again and a golden gleam shone around them, lighting the very air. Marus’s body began to grow a brighter orange and his face held a peace Sam had never seen about him before.

  Marus looked her in the eyes for a moment, then stepped forward and pressed his lips to her cheek gently. She couldn’t feel it. She could only imagine she could. It would have been warm. He gave her a wry smile. ‘I can get away with that now. Promise me you’ll take care of my brother.’

  Sam struggled to speak, her chest heaved as she gasped for breath against the tears. ‘Of course, we’ll both—’

  He shook his head no.

  ‘Please, Sam, you have to let me go. I don’t want to be a ghost for ever. Please, you have to trust me. I need to do this.’

  The air around them flared brightly and Sam had to squint to look at the dragon. Marus took a step towards the Light.

  ‘Marus!’ Sam sobbed his name. He kept walking. She cried out to him again, fighting to be heard over the sound of the wind.

  Marus looked over his shoulder, thoughtful for a moment. ‘You know, there’s always been a big debate between me and Tollin about what happens when you die, what lies beyond the veil…Looks like I’ll get to know before he does. That’ll drive him mad.’ He gave her a wink.

  He stopped at the edge of the portal and glanced at something on the ground. Then he laughed. Sam’s eyes flicked down to his feet. It was the ring. Broken and smoking. He shook his head ruefully. ‘And they said it couldn’t be done.’

  She looked up at the dragon and didn’t bother trying to stop the tears flooding now.

  He regarded her with sympathetic eyes. ‘Goodbye Samantha. Maybe we’ll meet again, in a different life.’

  He gave her a gentle smile and then turned. Sam watched him square his shoulders and then he took one final step and was swallowed by the Light.

  Sahabra shattered.

  Sam’s body was knocked flat from the impact and the Light was sucked from the portal in a wild rush, but Sam herself felt nothing.

  * * * * *

  Darius cast a furtive look over his shoulder as he struggled with the control panel. Sweat made his shirt cling to his back, more from fear than actual exertion. In a room that had moments before held at least a hundred ghosts, now only three remained and they clung close to him.

  The black cloud had grown to an impressive size; it was hovering up near the ceiling now, blanketing the room in darkness. Darius tried to ignore it, but it hung above him like a sword and he didn’t know when it would fall.

  Across the room, the inhuman monsters that had moments ago been human spirits, were jumping up and down in excited, frightened whoops, lunging forward and then leaping back nervously. Darius didn’t know how much longer they would stay back. Perhaps they were fighting with their last remnants of humanity. Perhaps they were just respecting the bigger predator.

  He threw his weight against the wheel he was fighting and gave it another turn. Slowly, very slowly, the power levels dropped inside of the generator. He tried to focus on the lowering bars. He kept telling himself that once the power levels were at zero, all of his problems would be over.

  He turned the wheel again. Out of the corner of his eye, he could sense the room growing darker. His pulse quickened painfully. He wanted to run. That same animalistic terror he couldn’t shake tore through him. The fear brought a new speed to his movements and he was able to move the unwilling wheel a good three full turns before his arms wobbled and he had to stop. His hands ached.

  He ran his arm across his forehead and cast a glance to the insubstantial form of Mrs Turner. She stared at him and then her eyes, so much like her daughter’s, drifted up. Darius followed her gaze and his heart stopped in his throat.

  The Darkness was dropping slowly, crawling along the wall like some inky slime mould. It expanded, reminding him of an amoeba, stretching out black tendrils along the control panel. The smoky blackness started to leak into the cracks of the machine. Sparks began to fly.

  ‘W—what’s it doing?’ Darius stammered. He and the ghosts backed up as the controls started to flash more violently.

  ‘Oh, it’s clever,’ Andrew growled respectfully.

  Darius shouted in rage as the Darkness pushed the panel outwards. Pieces of metal, dials and parts went showering every direction. It burst from the shattered panel and swooped towards him. Without much thought, Darius put himself between the cloud and the few ghosts left and screamed obscenities at it. Andrew was shouting something at him, too, but Darius didn’t hear. He glanced towards the door: it was blocked by the whooping Daemons.

  It was almost on him. A slow moving flood. He squared his shoulders and clenched the handheld tightly in his hand. Right. So this was how it all ended, then? Sam lost in a different Realm beyond his reach, a generator about to overload, a pack of Daemons behind him and the ghost-devouring blackness before him. Well, he couldn’t do anything to stop it, but he wasn’t going to run.

  He turned his eyes away from the Darkness for a brief moment to get one last look at the other Realm, flickering through the portal. He wanted to see Sam one last time.

  The sight took his breath away.

  Sam was standing again, but she wasn’t herself. She was glowing. Her whole body shone with some overwhelming light. He didn’t know why, perhaps he was losing his mind, but the vision made him laugh with relief. He shouted her name, quite aware she couldn’t hear him.

  Her golden gaze briefly turned his way, unseeing, and then the angry ribbon started to glow with the same golden light as she did. The portal grew brighter and brighter till he could no longer see Sam or the Realm beyond. Nothing but gold.

  Darius cried out, momentarily blinded by the intensity of the glow. The Darkness let out an audible scream and recoiled away from it as the Light exploded from the portal. It struck at the cloud, burning it, shrinking it. The Daemons and the Darkness were thrown into a panic. Around him, the room grew brighter and Darius watched as the dark creatures went, violently pulled towards it. They shouted out cries of protest, but it did no good. One by one, they were pulled into the gateway as if by a giant hoover.

  The Darkness thrashed about like a wounded snake, smashing into things and careening about in a destructive, alarming cloud. The Light was punching huge gaping holes in it, and every time a new band of Light struck it, the Darkness struggled all the wilder. But it was growing weaker and it was clear it was no longer capable of fighting against the pull of the golden ribbon. With a loud moan the Darkness stretched towards the farthest corners of the room, but it was being pulled too thin. And with one enraged protest it was yanked free from the room and swallowed whole.

  Darius jumped up and down, aware he was whooping stupidly with triumph.

  The ghosts around him let out a collective sigh. He turned to Mrs Turner and grinned at her. ‘You’re safe!’ he told her. ‘We all are!’

  She smiled, as if she understood, and then she turned to the other ghosts around her. As one they started walking towards the golden portal.

  ‘Wait!’ Darius cried, suddenly filled with a panic over the thought of losing her. Sam would want to see her! She couldn’t just go.

  She stopped just at the edge of the portal. The other ghosts stepped through, shining brilliantly. Her outline was beautiful and golden, she looked just like Sam.

  Darius swallowed hard. ‘Sam, your daughter, she loves you. She always did. If there was one person she ever wanted to meet, it would have been you. That’s her that saved us. Just…thought you should know.’

  The ghost gave him a smile, a beautiful, happy smile and she nodded her head. Maybe she did understand. Then she turned and was gone. Darius didn’t move for a long moment. Where had they all gone? What was through the Light? He was a little tempted to follow her through.

  ‘Quick, man, get to the panel!’ Andrew snapped.

  Darius was yanked from his thoughts. He glanced at the smoking
hulk of metal that was once the panel but didn’t argue. He dashed across the room and held up the device for Andrew to see.

  ‘Right, what now?’

  Andrew made a thoughtful noise. ‘You’ll need to reroute the stabilising unit to the power controls.’

  ‘Uh?’ Darius ran his hands through his hair, heart thudding.

  Andrew huffed. ‘The red wire. Plug it into the top of that tube.’

  It took Darius a second to spot what Andrew was referring to and then he dove for the wire and, after several stabs, shakily plugged it into the glowing blue tube. ‘So, what’s that gonna do, then?’

  Andrew shrugged. ‘If the power levels are above the stabilising line, then the entire thing will explode. If they’re level or below, then the generator will begin to gradually shut down.’

  Darius raised his eyes to the ceiling. ‘Brilliant.’

  The generator, once the wire was reconnected, let out an alarming groan. Darius backed up, watching it warily. And then, slowly, it started to tick. The noise started to rattle and the golden ribbon of light began to blink and flash. It hummed, and then, in a brilliant flare of light, it died.

  ‘It’s gone! I think it’s worked!’ Darius cried.

  Andrew grinned. ‘Oh, I really am a genius.’

  The generator’s internal light began to dim, and then, very suddenly, blinked out. The dead silence that followed was almost too deafening. Darius let out a deep breath of relief he didn’t realise he’d been holding.

  He’d done it. He’d actually done it! He jumped up and down, unable to contain himself.

  ‘You’ve done it! We’ve done it! We’ve saved the world!’

  Andrew yawned languidly. ‘Wonderful. Congratulations, I’m amazed someone of your mental capabilities was able to pull it off. I should commend myself for my brilliant directions.’

  Darius stared at the smoking generator, unable to slap his grin off of his face.

  ‘Good job, kid,’ Arkron said proudly. ‘I’m impressed.’

  Andrew grumbled something. ‘Right, well, now if you have no further need of my valuable time, I’ve got a safe to crack.’

  Before Darius could say a proper thanks, the image of Andrew blinked from the screen.

  He sighed, the adrenaline rushing from his system in a draining haste. He took a deep breath. ‘Right Sam, now it’s up to you. Just come home.’

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Sam stared up at the ceiling, dazed. She felt hollow and empty now that the portal had closed. Water soaked through her clothing. The room was flooding. She was finding it difficult to collect her thoughts. She was still glowing softly, but it was fading from her skin rapidly. As if left, Sam felt gradually worse.

  She let out a miserable groan and pressed her palms over her eyes.

  Promise me.

  She blinked several times stupidly. The room had been sucked clean. The only evidence Sam could see of anything that had happened was the smoking, crystal dust that had once been the stone. The Daemons were gone, either fighting the flood or sucked away by the incredible portal. What was…?

  Tollin!

  Sam lifted her head and scrabbled to her feet in a sudden jolt of energy. No. She would not let Tollin share his brother’s fate. She had defeated the Darkness and it wasn’t about to have the final word by taking him from her. No. Way.

  Sam raced towards him, splashing through the water, fighting down her growing panic till she was at his side. He was unmoving and pale, freckles standing out starkly. She dropped to her knees and cupped his bloodless face between her hands. Her trembling fingers ran to his neck; she could feel no pulse. Against her will she had to look to the horrible, gaping wounds in his stomach. It left her with little hope.

  Her chest felt as if it were crumpling in on her. She had failed; hadn’t gotten to Tollin fast enough. He was gone. It was all her fault.

  She was alone, completely alone.

  ‘Tollin, I’m so sorry…’ she cradled his head in her hands, but he didn’t respond. Damp hair hung across his forehead. She couldn’t reach him.

  The last remnant of Light from Sam’s hands lit up his skin, giving it the false appearance of life.

  A wracking whimper escaped her lungs.

  Sam grasped Tollin’s limp body in her arms and sobbed. She had never felt so alone in her life. Tollin was gone, and that part of her was gone too. It left a gaping hole in Sam; might as well have lost her heart.

  She traced his odd, now pale features. They were normally so expressive but now slack.

  She thought back to the netherworld. Had he made it through the portal in time? Or was he still here, trapped? If she died, could she find him?

  No. Stop it. He’d never forgive her.

  Sam lifted her hand, gripping the horrible knife with the intent of hurling it from her before she did something stupid. It was then she noticed how bright her hand was glowing. Her whole body shining with the last of the Light, like gold lit on fire. It made her a little angry. What good was it if Tollin was gone?

  She ran her hand gently over the ugly wounds in Tollin’s belly, throat closing up. She wasn’t going to leave him. She couldn’t. If this was how it all ended, then she would be at least be comforted she’d done what she could. She’d guard their bodies as long as she was able. Sam gritted her teeth as she promised that to herself. No-one would harm them ever again.

  Besides, she had nowhere to go. She could only wait till this place filled with water. Perhaps there was some a way to the surface, but she would not know how to reach it. Or what awaited her there.

  Sam’s fingers curled around Tollin’s wet shirt and she lowered her face to his chest, breathing in his scent, which was almost completely masked by the smell of blood. She knew she was still sobbing; she hadn’t stopped since she’d reached him. Little sparks of light jumped from her fingers and danced across his skin. It was sort of pretty.

  Gradually, Sam felt the Light drain away from her completely. It left her empty.

  Sam rested against his chest for a long time, choking and hiccupping on sobs when a miserable groan jerked her brain back to reality.

  She pushed herself up on shaking arms and looked down at Tollin, whom—if she was not mistaken—was breathing. His face was scrunched up tightly, like someone looking into a bright sun, but he was without a doubt alive! Sam, terrified she might be hallucinating, let out a wild laugh and threw her arms around his neck, causing him to grunt in pain.

  ‘Oh, that’s one of the more pleasant things I’ve awoken to.’

  ‘Oh, Tollin, you’re alive!’

  Tollin groaned and opened his eyes. He shakily brought his hand up to the back of her head and patted her pleasantly. ‘Samantha Turner, I’m glad to see you!’ he said with good humour, which caused Sam to cry all the harder. He tousled her hair.

  The Light! That must have been what had done it! Sam didn’t know how to explain it, but somehow the Light had managed to heal his wounds, keep his soul in his body.

  She sat up and ran her hand over his stomach. He raised his head up questioningly to watch her, eyebrows cocked in a slightly amused arch. Closed, fresh pink scars striped his skin.

  ‘That’s incredible,’ she breathed.

  Tollin gave his shoulders a little pleased shrug. ‘I get a lot of exercise.’

  Sam rolled her eyes. ‘Knock it off, you!’

  She pressed her head to Tollin’s chest, revelling in the sound of him breathing, the sound of his heart beating. Tollin held her for a long time. She wanted to stay there. Never let him go. Sam decided in that instant that she never would. Nothing would ever hurt him again, as long as she lived.

  ‘Tollin?’ she breathed.

  ‘Yes, Sam?’

  ‘Let’s go home.’

  * * * * *

  Arkron kicked at the glittering dust of the red stone and stared up at the shattered chair, looking just about as chuffed as a person could be, Darius thought.

  ‘How’d you manage to destroy it?’ he ask
ed.

  Arkron shook her head. ‘I didn’t! It just started shining with this bright light and did itself in. The whole chair just broke apart. Wish I could take credit for it, but it was some higher power.’

  Darius sighed heavily. ‘I can’t believe all of this. I mean, everything I’ve seen. Dark clouds, people from the past, ghosts, Daemons, portals to other worlds…I had no idea any of that existed and here I am, suddenly thrown into the middle of it.’

  Arkron nodded distractedly. ‘I know; it’s a lot to take in.’

  Darius shook his head. ‘It kind of screws you up, doesn’t it? I mean, it’s not like anyone can go back to normal life after seeing all of that. Can they?’

  Arkron glanced over at him. ‘I guess not. I’ve never had a normal life, so I can’t really say. But I can tell you, there’s no other life I’d want besides the one I’ve got!’

  Darius bit his bottom lip. ‘So, this is what you do, then? All the time you just fight stuff like this?’

  ‘That’s about right.’ Arkron smiled.

  Darius took a deep breath and launched into the speech he’d been preparing since the madness had ended. ‘Look, Arkron, for what it’s worth…I dunno if you ever need any help here on Scottorr, you’ve probably got it all under control, but if you need me…I’d be happy to help.’ He laughed. ‘I couldn’t go jumping to other Realms or anything like that, never! But…I’ve seen what can happen when people fall asleep to this stuff, and I don’t think I can fall back asleep again. I just…I want to help. If you’ve got anything for me to do, I’m here.’

  Arkron flashed him a broad grin. ‘You’d be surprised how much trouble this planet gets into! There are thousands of species of creatures out there that can Realm jump: fighting vampires, robots, Daemons, crazy pirates, aliens, that’s every day for us! And…’ She turned thoughtful, ‘and I’ll admit, I’m not always here, able to keep an eye on this one Realm…’ She smiled at Darius. ‘I could use someone here, who’d be devoted, willing to learn, who knows about all the mental stuff! Having you introduced to it this way saves me a lot of recruiting time!’