“Apparently several of them, according to Robert,” Cyrus said with a frown. “They saw the Csökkent carrying a man to the stables. When they reached the stables, they were too late to stop the horse-drawn carriage that raced away.”
Mikel, Eli, and Juana all looked at one another, knowing that the man was Zar’Asur.
“Does that mean he’s still alive?” Juana asked.
“Who is still alive?” Cyrus asked. “You think they escaped with Zar’Asur?”
“It’s hard to believe he could’ve survived his injuries, Juana,” Eli replied. “You saw what he had endured.”
“Explain what happened,” Mikel said a little too harshly, his emotions taking over again. “What did you see when you confronted him?”
“I guess we were so wrapped up in the battle with the demons, I forgot to tell you.” Eli looked guilty as he started to explain. “When we entered the room, Zar’Asur was standing in front of a large wardrobe with his back to the door. The book was open on a pedestal in the center of the wardrobe. When he turned towards us, I was shocked by the injuries to his face. It looked like someone had tried to carve the flesh from his bones.” Eli shivered. “It was gruesome! Zar’Asur spoke with his typical condescending sarcasm and informed us that he was being punished for his disobedience. His master had given his two choices. The first was to die a slow and painful death at his master’s hand. The second was to force Darian to serve him.”
“So, his master inflicted those wounds on him?” Mikel asked incredulously. “How could he do that when he has no physical form?”
“I don’t know, but his face was definitely shredded by something,” Juana replied then looked at Raphael. “Your wards worked perfectly, by the way. Zar’Asur had intended to have Eli kill me if Darian didn’t agree to serve his master. Your wards prevented him from gaining control of Eli.”
Raphael’s face brightened. “I’m glad something worked the way it was supposed to.”
“The wards weren’t the only thing that worked.” Juana’s smile became genuine. “The extra rune you put into my tattoo created enough of a barrier for me to withstand the book, even though it was open. I only resisted it for a short time, but it was long enough for Darian to draw the power away from me and use it against Zar’Asur.” Her eyes saddened at the mention of Darian.
Eli cleared his throat and said, “Darian created a fiery whip that he wrapped around Zar’Asur’s neck. Not only did it strangle him, it burned through the flesh where it touched his skin.” Eli shook his head. “Darian was consumed by the flames, and an evil grin crossed his face when he took the life from Zar’Asur. I think the book, or maybe the master of the book, was trying to take him. I was barely able to bring him back to us and convince him to leave.”
“That’s when he took the book from you?” Raphael asked, his concern plain on his face.
“Yes,” Eli replied reluctantly. “I hoped he would be here, in Magdelin’s home, recovering from his exposure to all that power. I can’t imagine what will happen to him if he keeps the book in his possession.”
Raphael looked at Mikel, but Mikel gave a very slight shake of his head, indicating that they should not say anything.
Mikel pushed his chair back and stood. “We need to have a service for our warriors, and I think sooner would be better than later.”
“You are right,” Eli agreed. “Adalina is not doing well.”
They all left, except for Raphael and Magdelin. “I hate to leave this with you, but can you put the box in the caves below? I’ll make a more permanent place for it in a couple days.”
“You know I will,” she replied and leaned over to kiss his forehead.
Chapter 32
I awoke to the ocean’s waves crashing into me and burning hot sand coating my naked body. A loud voice called my name, making my head throb.
“Get up, Darian!” the voice commanded.
I tried to sit up, but the throbbing in my head threatened me with unconsciousness.
“You still have a great many things to do.” The voice softened, and I felt a cool breeze wash over my body, easing my aching muscles.
“Now get up and walk with me,” the voice commanded again. “We have a lot to discuss before you go home.”
I pushed myself into a seated position and tried to open my eyes. They burned, and the sunlight made it feel like they’d caught on fire. I quickly closed them and heard the man next to me chuckle.
“Don’t you remember this from the last time?” He asked, seemingly amused by my discomfort.
Another wave of cool air washed over my face, and I forced my eyes open. Everything around me was surrounded by a red haze that I knew was caused by my exposure to the book. Memories of the last twenty-four hours bombarded me, and I cradled my head in my hands, rocking back and forth like a child as I tried not to be overwhelmed by them. Then the sound of the master’s voice luring me into his grasp made me break into a cold sweat. I could feel the fire burning through my veins just thinking of the power he had promised to give me.
“Is that really what you want?” the voice asked.
I had momentarily forgotten that I wasn’t alone. The fire must have been visible, not just something I felt. I looked over at the man next to me and realized it wasn’t a man at all. A tall, glowing presence stood before me, overpowering me with His sense of vastness.
“No, that is not what I want,” I replied. My harsh voice startled me, and my throat felt like it was burning, but I was so intimidated by the presence of this being that I couldn’t ask for a drink to quench it.
“I didn’t think so, or you wouldn’t be here now.” He started walking down the beach, and I slowly rose to my feet to follow Him. “I assume you know who I am and why I’m here, so I’ll skip the introductions,” He said. “You have accomplished an impossible task. Raphael will secure the book and the evil it contains, thanks to you.”
I remembered taking the book from Eli, but not all my intentions for it were good. I struggled with the decision to leave it in Santuario. I knew it was the master who had tempted me, trying to lure me into serving him, and he had nearly succeeded. I shuddered at the thought of betraying my family.
“Your task now is to seek out others like yourself. The Council suffered many losses today and will need to heal physically and emotionally. In time, there will be one who is destined to bond with you, and together you will bring balance to a broken world.”
I followed Him silently, uncertain how to reply to His commands. We walked along the scorching sand for about ten minutes, when He stopped and pointed towards the edge of the forest that lined the beach. There was a small cabin nestled in the trees.
“You’ll find clothes, food, and water in the cabin. Make good use of them.”
I nodded but remained silent.
“Do you really have nothing to say?” He asked incredulously. “You must have a dozen or more questions running through your mind. Ask them while I’m here, as I won’t make this appearance often.”
“Are you telling me that I’m a Watcher, like Juana?” I asked, and He nodded. I thought about my next question. “How will I know who my partner is? Or where they are, or how to find them?”
“Santuario has many talented people. I’m sure one of them will be able to assist you with that knowledge,” He replied and waited for my next question.
“You said my new task is to seek out others like myself. What do you mean? Am I looking for people who can burn themselves alive, or am I looking for people who can conceal themselves like I do? And what am I supposed to do with them when I find them?”
“Mikel needs more eyes and ears in the world. Your recruits should be able to blend in with the world around them and see what others cannot.”
“Does Mikel know that I didn’t betray him?” My guilt and shame threatened to overwhelm me. I still couldn’t believe that I had even contemplated joining the master.
“Did you take the book to Santuario?” It was a rhetorical quest
ion. “Of course, he knows. You should not fear returning to your home. You will be welcomed with open arms.”
“Thank you for saving me and for healing my broken body.” I looked at His glowing form with awe.
He chuckled and turned towards the ocean. “The world still needs you, Darian. I couldn’t let you die today.” He disappeared just before His feet touched the water.
I smiled and turned towards the small cabin.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A large carriage, pulled by two tired horses, raced through the night. Its occupants watched the unconscious form lying in the seat across from them with wary eyes. It was difficult to believe he was still alive. They had seen his punishment many times, but the scorched skin around his neck and his shallow breathing were new. They had not been present during his struggle against the Watcher and her Sentinel, so they were not aware of how he received his injuries.
He stirred and emitted a hollow groan, trying to raise himself to a sitting position. His fiery eyes flickered in the darkness, moving quickly around the inside of the carriage.
“Where is the book?” he demanded, his voice no more than a rattle.
“It was not in the room when we found you, Master,” the nearest Csökkent replied, looking at the floor, afraid of the punishment he would now receive for having lost the book.
Zar’Asur started to chuckle, but it quickly turned to a cough. One of the Csökkent handed him a canteen of water. Zar’Asur snatched it from his hands and drank deeply.
“So, the book was gone when you arrived?” he asked, his harsh voice sounding closer to normal.
“Yes, Master,” he replied, still looking at the floor.
“Those fools have no idea what they’ve done,” he said with a wicked grin. “I am no longer bound to the master’s wishes. He will no longer summon, command, or punish me. I am now free to make my own decisions.” His grin turned into a full smile, but there was nothing pleasant about it. “We have an army to build and a Council to destroy.”
Thank you for reading Light’s Rise, the first book in the Light in the Darkness series. Please consider leaving a review. They are very important for authors, not only for advertising, but also for feedback about the book. I want to know what you loved about the characters or what you didn’t. Your thoughts and ideas are what make the book successful.
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