by J. C. Lucas
Sword of Light
The Four Keys, Volume 1
J.C. Lucas
Published by J.C. Lucas, 2020.
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. SWORD OF LIGHT First edition. June 15, 2020. Copyright © 2020 J.C. Lucas. Written by J.C. Lucas.
Cover Art by Maria Spada
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Sword of Light (The Four Keys, #1)
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Dedication
For my Mom, Grandmother, and Meme. Thank you for helping me to realize my dreams, to indulge me in my passions, and for always having faith in me
Chapter One
At sixteen, I didn’t expect to have to deal with another death in the family. Even in my wildest dreams, I never imagined I would be sitting in a social worker’s office, waiting to be taken to a new home. Yet here I was, a week after my nan died, with no family, no close friends, and no idea what my future holds.
Fiddling with the strap on my bag, I looked around the mundane office wondering where the social worker had gone off to this time.
Anne had swooped in the same day that the ambulance took Nan to the hospital. She had picked me up from school and rushed me to Nan’s side, just as she took her final breath. I held onto her cold hand for hours, numbness taking over before Anne finally pried me away.
She pulled me from the hospital room, murmuring nonsensical words to me, but I hadn’t paid any attention. I stared back at Nan as we walked away, my heart a heavy lump in my chest, my eyes burning from the tears that I had shed.
It was at that moment, as Anne shuffled me away from the woman who had raised me, that I noticed soft lights swirling around her body, faster and faster through the air until they disappeared. At the moment, I had chalked it up to distress, exhaustion, and maybe the headache that had been pounding behind my eyes. But as I sat here now, thinking back on that day, I was sure that I hadn’t imagined them.
Anne strolled around the corner, a tall man following behind her. He wore a suit and tie and carried a fancy briefcase. His stature next to Anne’s shorter one made her appear as if she were only four feet tall. The guy, who looked a little like the used car salesman who always ran cheesy ads on TV, raised his eyebrows as he looked me over before dismissing me to once again chat with her.
I really didn’t care who he was, but his response irritated me for reasons I didn’t understand. Fear about what would happen rippled through my body. Would the slimy-looking man take me somewhere I didn’t want to go? My breath came quicker as anxiety began to set in. It seemed to happen a lot lately. It made me lightheaded, my chest tight, and caused me to feel as if I were spiraling out of control.
Gritting my teeth, I resolved to be tough and tamped down the cold feeling, putting it away in its own little box. I would get through whatever was next by myself. I didn’t need anyone.
Chapter Two
Curling up in the backseat as close to the car door as possible, I couldn’t help but stare at Anne as she talked to herself. She kept looking over at her purse, giggling and shaking her head. She’s so weird.... A few days ago, I decided that she must have a screw loose or some kind of chemical imbalance.
Her laughter made my ears burn now, and rage festered inside me. How could she be happy when my world had been torn apart? She could at least try to act like she cared that Nan died. Why couldn’t she put herself in my place and see how horrible it felt for me to leave my home? Here I was, going to live with someone I had never met before, and she was laughing! I couldn’t believe how insensitive she was.
Narrowing my eyes, I stared daggers at the back of her head.
The rain picked up as we sped down the highway to Junction, and outside the window, tall trees obscured everything else. They were so different from the trees back home. Not at all like the red cedar or spindly pecan trees that dotted the landscape in North Texas. These trees soared high into the sky, growing so thick together that it was impossible to see through them. Huge oaks and towering pines grew together in masses. What would it be like to climb to the top of one and sit so high above the rest of the world? I imagined myself up there, screaming my anger at the world. It might at least make me feel better for a little while.
“Andie, are you doing okay back there?”
I glanced at Anne and caught her looking at me in the rearview mirror with wide green eyes. Remaining silent, I gave her a blank stare as she looked back at me, her eyes scanning mine in the mirror. I was furious that she even dared to talk to me. She should be used to this by now. Not once had I responded to her since she picked me up, and I wasn’t about to this time. Who did she think she was? She didn’t care, not for one minute.
Huffing, I turned away from her to gaze out the rain-streaked window again. She probably thought I was a brat. And honestly? I didn’t care.
Anne turned the car onto a dirt road lined with more trees, and we bumped down the rock drive. At the end, tucked away with tall trees appeared a small white house. Flowers of every color decorated the landscape, brightening the dreary day. As the car pulled up in front of the house, there were no other homes visible from where I sat. The surrounding woods encased the home, and trees were all I could see for miles.
This place was so different than what I was used to. Nan’s house had been in a suburb, with cookie-cutter homes. Each one had been the same, side-by-side with no yard to speak of. I was never fond of the proximity between them and rarely opened the curtains in my bedroom for fear that the next-door neighbor might look in. I wouldn’t have to worry about any neighbors here, that was for sure.
“Andie, I know you don’t want to be here, but Celeste was your Nan’s friend and she agreed to take you in. This place will grow on you, I promise. There’s so much waiting for you here.”
Again, she peered at me in the rearview mirror, and I shrugged, looking away from her while she lumbered out of the car. She was short and broad but carried herself as if she were a six-foot-tall duchess. Her long brown ponytail swayed in time with her hips.
I sat in the backseat with my arms crossed, watching her before looking over what was to be my new home.
The screen door at the top of the porch opened and an older woman wearing a long blue skirt and a flowing white shirt stepped outside. Her gray hair was long and braided, her face remarkably unlined for someone her age. Must be good genes, I thought, curious about the lady I would live with. She glanced at me, smirking as if she was aware of some inside joke that I wasn’t privy to.
Walking over to Anne, she wrapped her in a hug.
I wonder how they knew each other. The familiarity between the two made it seem as if they were friends. They spoke for a moment before the woman patted Anne on the shoulder and headed over to the car. Opening the back door, she leaned down to look at me with eyes that were a bright sapphire blue and seemed to see into my very soul.
“Hi, Andie. It’s so good to finally meet
you. I’m Celeste. Won’t you come inside so we can visit for a bit and get better acquainted? I’ve been awaiting your arrival all day.”
She smiled warmly and seemed genuinely happy that I was there. It seemed strange that someone would willingly open their home to a sixteen-year-old teenager who they’d never met before. For all she knew, I could be a serial killer or a thief who would rob her blind.
She reached inside the car, her face relaxed and her eyes sparkling. I did not doubt that Anne had told her all about my crummy attitude, so it surprised me that she seemed so accepting. Glancing down at her hand, I hesitantly grasped it with my own. Warmth raced up my arm, and a tingling peacefulness took over, easing the tension in my body. Baffled by it, I pondered where it came from.
I unfolded myself from the backseat, stepping out of the car. Anne already had my bags in both hands and my backpack slung over her broad shoulders as she shuffled to the steps.
Celeste continued to hold my hand as she led us up to the porch, the strange warmth racing from her hand to mine. I was floating in the cozy feeling as we walked up, and I felt too tired to question it.
Looking around the porch, I spotted a sign by the door that stated, “Haven.” Those words hit me hard in the gut, tugging at emotions I had kept bottled up for the last few days. Heck, the last week since Nan passed. She had always been my Haven. My safe place, the one I always thought would be there for me. Losing Nan was the hardest thing I had ever been through in my life.
I never wanted to feel like that again.
I couldn’t remember either of my parents. Mom died when I was two, and my father disappeared soon after. No one knew what had become of him. Not a single letter was sent. Not a payment made on any of his credit cards. Everyone just assumed he was dead.
Nan had been the one constant in my life, and like any teenager, I had taken for granted she would be around forever. My chest ached and tears pooled in my eyes, so fresh was the pain from her loss. I turned my head away from Anne and Celeste to hide my despair. I couldn’t bear for anyone to witness my pain.
As if sensing what I tried to hide, Celeste squeezed my hand a few times before gently letting it go to usher us into the living room. It was bright, with a ton of plants scattered around. The greenery gave the room a clean and peaceful vibe. A sofa sat in the middle of the room, looking worn but comfortable with blankets draped over the back, and knickknacks littered various side tables. What caught my eye, though, was a bookcase covering an entire wall, floor-to-ceiling, with every shelf full of books.
Celeste and Anne talked, but their voices became only background noise as I wandered over to the gorgeous bookcase, running my fingers over the spines of classics and old books I had never seen before. It was amazing! My love of books and my despair at having to leave all my favorites behind was completely and utterly washed away by seeing this wonderful display.
Nan always said I had an old soul. She indulged my love of books and would take me on a weekly trip to the local bookstore to let me pick out one book each time. I was always cautious, taking my time to make sure the book I picked out was one I would read and enjoy multiple times. It had to fuel my imagination and draw me in so much that I got lost in the story, imagining I was part of the adventure. For the most part, every book I got did just that. I’m sure some people would say I’m a nerd, but I wouldn’t care. A lot of the time, I found that reading books was better than being around most people.
Looking at all the different titles, I noted which books I wanted to read while I was here. The books were a bright spot in this situation. But Celeste and Anne didn’t need to know that. I hoped if I were enough of a brat, they’d return me to my old home, as silly as that hope might be.
Scowling, I turned around and plopped down in the most unladylike manner possible, causing Celeste to raise her eyebrows. She studied me but surprisingly made no mention of my rudeness.
Walking over, she and Anne sat down, both watching me, perhaps waiting for an outburst. I rolled my eyes, staring at the books in front of me. I would not give them the satisfaction.
Celeste cleared her throat, breaking the silence. “Becca—well, your nan, was an extraordinary friend. We met when we were young girls. You remind me so much of her. It’s uncanny! Even though I hadn’t seen her in years, we wrote to each other as much as possible. So many of her letters were about you and how much joy you brought her. One day, I’ll let you read them if you like. You were her entire world. I understand that you're having a tough time, but I hope you’ll let me help you get through this.”
My stomach clenched as I pushed down the feelings her kind words evoked in me. My emotions were all over the board, and I didn’t want to be that weepy girl everyone pitied.
Toying with the fringe from the blanket hanging over the back of the couch, I tried my hardest to act indifferent. I didn’t want Celeste to know I was hanging on to her every word.
The women shared a knowing look and rose to walk together toward the front door. They murmured to each other for a while, but no matter how hard I strained, I couldn’t make out what they were saying. Anne turned back, talking to herself again, and looked around the room.
What was she up to now?
Spying a book lying on an end table, she exclaimed, “AHH, there you are! Don’t be stealing my thunder again!”
She gave the book a crazy evil eye, and I tried to figure out what the heck she was going on about. Gazing back at me, she smiled, wiggled her eyebrows, then snorted before turning away to walk outside with Celeste, leaving me bewildered.
Staring at the book, I tried to make sense of what I had witnessed. The book was thick and covered in brown leather, the title not visible as the backside of the book was face up. Looked like a normal book to me, albeit an old one.
Shaking my head, I stood up from the couch, stretching my arms above my head to relieve the tension in my shoulders. A strange noise came from the next room, and I lowered my arms to listen.
What was that?
The sound drifted through the air again, and I realized it was someone whistling. Curious, I followed the sound into a sunroom filled with different plants and flowers. Some were regular houseplants, and others were tropical. The sweetness of jasmine permeated the room, tickling my nose. The whistling grew much louder as I walked around a pair of tall bamboo plants.
And there it was. A birdcage with a beautiful blue parrot swinging on a perch, whistling its heart out. The parrot’s eyes were closed as it whistled, while it swung back and forth on the little wooden swing. It seemed content, and happiness rippled off its feathers. A giggle rose in my throat before bubbling out at the funny picture the bird made. I slapped my hand over my mouth to muffle the sound.
I shouldn’t be happy—definitely not giggling! I frowned at the parrot for making me laugh, as if it had done it on purpose. Opening its eyes, the bird cocked its head and squawked at me.
“Hello!”
Its eyes were wide and staring at me as if it were waiting for me to say something back. Staying silent, I watched it tilt its little head side to side and step from foot to foot.
“Hellooo!”
The volume of the screech startled me, and I jumped high in the air, putting a hand to my chest as my heart beat erratically. Jeez! This bird has some lungs!
“I see you’ve met Charlie.” Celeste glided into the room, smiling fondly at the parrot. “He found his way here with a hurt wing, and I did my best to heal him. We’ve been friends ever since, and let me tell you, he keeps me on my toes. Charlie is quite the chatterbox, and it’s always a mystery what he will say next.” Walking over to the cage, she leaned in as Charlie leaned forward, and she kissed the tip of his beak.
“Love you, love you!” The bird sang to her, preening from side to side. He turned his head to look at me as if expecting me to kiss him too. Nope. Not going to happen. His skills were impressive and all, but kissing a bird is not my thing. Shaking my head, I gave him a disgusted look before walking over to th
e large windows to gaze at the surrounding woods. Chatty Charlie prattled on in the background as I looked out.
I had never seen so many tall trees in one place. The woods were thick, and the darkness called out to me, promising solitude and an escape from reality. I couldn’t wait to explore. It was strange, but there seemed to be a pull on my soul to go there now.
Celeste called to me and I shook the strange feeling off. She must have said my name a few times, trying to get my attention.
“Dear, are you all right? You were lost in your thoughts. Why don’t we go upstairs, and I'll show you your room? Then we can have some tea and chat awhile. Or if you prefer, you can rest a bit. Whatever you’d like.” She gestured to me, and I quietly followed her through the house to the stairs.
Halfway up, art hanging along the wall caught my eyes, and I stopped to study one of the paintings. It was a picture of the night sky filled with stars painted so beautifully that it was as if they really twinkled. Underneath the diamond-laden sky lay a green forest with small golden lights sprinkled throughout the trees. Fairies peeked out between leaves, as others danced around a circle of stones on the ground below. Each one wore delicate dresses made of flowers, and tiny slippers made of leaves. Inside the circle of stones sat a book with a glowing symbol gracing the cover. The ethereal quality of the painting was stunning. Whoever had painted it was exceptionally talented.
We continued up the stairs. The bedroom Celeste brought me to was gorgeous, and I mumbled as much as I walked around. A small white desk sat under a large picture window, with writing instruments and paper laid out. I imagined myself sitting there on a beautiful day, writing, doing homework, and looking out the window. At night, I would watch the moon shine down on the top of the great oaks. A full-size wrought iron bed rested against the wall, the coverlet, white with tiny blackbirds, and pillows were piled high. I longed to jump on the softness of them and wallow around.