Sword of Light (The Four Keys Book 1)

by J. C. Lucas

He looked at me, and seeing my expression, blew out a loud huff of air. “You are serious. It did work, Andie. You were dying from the poison, and had Teagan not been here to heal you with magic, you would be dead right now.” Turning around, he stormed out of the cave, furious with me.

  “Gah, how would I know what happened? I don’t know why he’s so mad at me. And anyway, isn’t this suit supposed to keep me safe?” I looked at Teagan, confused.

  Squatting down, his eyes were level with mine, his hands clasped in front of him. “That was scary, Andie. You were moments from dying when my magic kicked in, and the spell only worked after Hunter shifted and used his saliva to help heal you faster. We didn't think you would live. The suit keeps you safe, but your ankle was exposed while you sat,” he said quietly, looking down at the ground.

  I immediately felt bad for acting like it wasn’t a big deal. I had no idea what these guys went through watching me almost die and saving my life. I knew I would feel the same way if the shoe had been on the other foot.

  “Hey, don’t worry, you guys are stuck with me for a long time.” I smiled at him as he glanced back up at me.

  “I hope so, Andie. We need you... Everyone does.” He stood back up as a howl came from outside. I cocked an eyebrow at Teagan, but he shrugged. “He’s just letting off some steam, I'm sure he’ll be back soon.”

  While Hunter was gone, Teagan, and I practiced spells. He wanted me to learn as many as possible and explained that while I was passed out, I had gathered all the energy around me, holding on to it until I was so full I couldn’t any longer. Not knowing what to do with the energy in my unconscious state, I had released it all at once. The guys had been lucky I hadn’t completely destroyed the cave. They had to dig out the cave opening since the explosion had caused the rocks to fall, blocking it off.

  I learned how to cast a fire, how to lift a small object and move it, and he taught me how to focus on pushing energy out in various degrees. Teagan was extremely patient with me, answering all my questions, and he didn’t make fun of me when I didn’t get a spell the first time. I knew that I had a lot more to learn, but at least we were starting to get somewhere.

  We practiced for hours when Hunter finally came back. I was reluctant to say I missed him, but I had. He made this mission exciting, and in those rare moments he wasn’t growling, he was actually amusing. He was witty and had some excellent sarcastic comebacks. I didn’t like to let anyone close to me, but these two were beginning to grow on me.

  Hunter strode right up to me with a purpose, looking me dead in the eyes with a fierce expression only he was able to pull off. Frightening and amusing all at the same time.

  “Andie, I won’t apologize to you for being mad. You have no idea how terrible it was to see you in pain and dying. I wasn’t mad at you—I was mad we hadn’t prepared you well enough, that we didn’t even have the time to do so before throwing you into danger.”

  His shoulders slumped and his eyes were full of regret as he looked into mine. Patting his arm, I reassured him.

  “Hey, it wasn’t your fault. I agreed to do this, and you know what? I’ll be much more aware from now on after this experience. Teagan has even been teaching me spells, and it’s not taking me long at all to get the hang of them. It’s almost like I already knew them, like my mind and body were just being reminded of them, you know? It’s a little weird, but I guess I’m getting used to it. Now I’m gonna need you to teach me how to fight and defend myself.” I smiled shyly at him.

  Studying my face, he nodded. “I will soon. Your body needs more time to heal today. It’s been through more than it should be able to handle. And to spar with me, you’ll need all your strength.” He quirked an eyebrow as he looked at me over his shoulder. As usual, his moods were ever-changing.

  Teagan magicked a fire in the cave that was smokeless, but the warmth from it was real. We needed it since the cold air from outside blew relentlessly into the cave. My suit kept me relatively warm, though, and I imagined it was because of the magic that was woven into the very fabric. For a while, we sat around like regular teenagers, making jokes and eating some provisions. We tried hard to ration them so we wouldn’t run out. We had absolutely no idea how long this journey would be.

  Yawning, I stretched out beside the fire, laying my head down on my arm and stared into the flames. I felt so tired, and when I thought about going to sleep, I remembered I didn’t have my music to help keep the nightmares away. That reminded me of the dream I had, and I sat up fast, causing the guys to jump up to defend me against some unseen foe.

  “Relax,” I said calmly, holding my hands up to them. “I just remembered something, and I don’t know what it means, but somehow, it has to be significant to all of this.” I told them about the woman in the dream, and how I had seen her before at the café. I was cautious not to leave any details out.

  Hunter made a disgusted sound and Teagan let out a slow whistle. Both glancing at the other with knowing looks.

  “Okay, what is it? I can tell you know something, so spill.” I looked from one to the other, waiting.

  “It was Freya, Queen of the Elves,” Teagan explained, an incredulous look on his face. “We had heard some noise that the Fomori had swayed them to fight against us, but none of us believed she would stoop so low. There’s always been a rift between Elves and most of the Fae because Freya has always felt she should have more power in our world. But never in a million years would anyone have thought she would side with them.”

  “So, this Freya, does she have any sway with other groups? I mean, do you think she would persuade others to join them too?” I asked, thinking ahead to what we might be facing.

  Hunter had been silent through our exchange, lost in his own thoughts and probably scheming, but he nodded at my question. “Yes, she does. She was once very close to the Shifters. One of her longtime mates was a Shifter. If she can get to him, he could persuade at least some of them to side with her.”

  “Is there any way we could persuade her to side with us over them? I mean, there has to be a way to get her to see that joining them would be disastrous,” I rationalized. Although, from the way she had acted when we ran into each other, it might be rather tricky. “What would benefit her people the most by joining us? Do you know?”

  He shook his head at my question. “Not much. You have to know her, but she’s always wanted more power, and she will get that if she joins them. We can’t let her have that much power. It would be too dangerous. I’m afraid it will be extremely difficult to get her on our side. We’ll just have to make sure no one else joins with them, or they’ll be a force to be reckoned with, one I’m not sure we could defeat.”

  Teagan listened with a thoughtful look. “Hunter, doesn't your father know Freya well? Do you think he could persuade her?” His eyes glinted with something I couldn’t figure out as he stared at him. Hunter growled low, a warning to Teagan, who held his hands up. “I’m just saying... whatever will work.”

  “Listen, you’re not helping me any by keeping things from me. If you don’t trust me enough to tell me everything and not keep secrets from me, then you both should just leave and let me get on with it,” I huffed.

  I was worn out, and my body was screaming at me. All I wanted to do was figure out a game plan so we could move forward with this mission. I didn’t feel safe being kept in the dark.

  “You want to tell her, or do you want me to?” Teagan asked Hunter casually.

  He scowled at Teagan but tipped his head in acknowledgment. “I will.” Hunter sat with his stare fixed on the ground as he spoke. “Freya killed my mother and then took my father from us.” His eyes flashed yellow, anger seeping from him as he spat the words out. My heart plummeted, and I felt genuine sympathy for him.

  “I was very young, and my parents loved each other more than anything. They had the perfect relationship. We were happy. Everything in the world seemed right until one day, the Elves visited our pack. They came peacefully, looking for a new place to
live, to learn from us, and teach us as well. Everyone got along until Freya showed up. She had a smaller group with her, but all the Elves knew who she was, and they were frightened of her, but wouldn’t disobey. She wasn’t happy they befriended us and were helping us. Freya tried to take over the first night she was there, but my mother wouldn’t have it. She stood up to Freya, and she suffered for it. Freya resented her and would intentionally cause things to happen to my mother. They were jokes at first, causing my mother embarrassment and ridicule. At first, she shrugged it off and ignored it, but the more she did, the more intense Freya’s efforts became. One day, when my mother couldn’t stand it anymore, she and Freya had an argument, a terrible one.” He looked down at his clasped hands.

  Taking another deep breath, he let it out slowly. “The next morning, I found my mother by the pond. Her throat was slit, and she was dead.” His fists clenched by his side, and his jaw tense with rage.

  “No one could prove Freya had killed her. She was very persuasive. She had my father eating out of her hand within days. I tried to appeal to him, to tell him she was behind it all, but he wouldn’t listen to me. He was certain someone had stolen into our camp one night and killed her, echoing what Freya was telling all of us. She had him utterly and completely wrapped around her finger.”

  “That’s terrible,” I whispered, heartbroken for him. “I can’t imagine how you felt to have your father dismiss your concerns. I’m... so sorry.” I walked over to him, placing my hand on his shoulder. I knew how terrible it was to lose someone, but to experience what he had was unthinkable.

  He looked up at me, his eyes not quite as steely anymore, but pain radiated from them. “It got worse when he professed to be in love with her only three months after mother’s death. They were together for years. She was horrible to me, but never in front of my father. Never where others could see and corroborate my claims should I voice them. It wasn’t until years later, when she found someone else who was more powerful to latch onto, that she left us alone, and it devastated my father.”

  My heart ached for him, for what he had been through as a child. No wonder he was so surly most of the time. I swore to myself we would somehow make Freya pay for everything she had done.

  For hours, we plotted and planned, but I still had so many questions. I knew we were traveling to Finias to find the Sword of Light; I just didn't know what I would have to do to get it. Hunter and Teagan didn't seem to have any idea either, but both felt sure we’d figure it out on our way.

  I was a planner. I liked to know what I was doing ahead of time and what to expect. Not knowing frustrated me.

  We finally settled in by the fire, too tired to discuss anymore. It would be a long journey ahead of us, and we needed our strength. As soon as I rested my head on my outstretched arm, I fell into a deep sleep.

  “You will conquer those who wish you harm, and after many trials and tribulations, you will save our world. You need to make the correct decisions for this to happen, though. One wrong move, like a house of cards, can make everything come crashing down around you. Use your gifts when possible, but most of all, take the help that is given freely from your allies.” The smooth voice floated on the air as I sat in red flowers alone. Dragonflies of all different colors lazily circled above me, and I felt peace.

  Chapter Ten

  I woke up slowly, but I could have slept forever. The warmth from the fire made me content and warm, and the memory of the dream made me smile. It wasn’t often I had a peaceful dream and not a nightmare. Maybe it was a premonition that today would be good.

  Throwing my arms into the air, I stretched, my fingers brushing against something above me. Startled, I opened my eyes, and the sight filled me with horror. A hand slapped over my mouth as I opened it to scream.

  “Shh. Don’t say a word!” Teagan whispered in my ear.

  I couldn’t take my eyes off the black form hovering a foot above my head. It stared down at me with round yellow eyes and had furry pointed ears that twitched in the light of the fire. It looked like a strange mix of monkey and cat. It didn’t seem menacing; it wasn’t trying to hurt me. The creature looked at me with intelligence and curiosity in its eyes, gauging my reaction too.

  “It's a Phooka,” Teagan whispered again, his breath gently blowing on my ear. “He’s judging whether you are worth helping. Let's hope he believes you are.” His hand slid away from my mouth.

  The Phooka floated away from me to settle on the floor of the cave licking the fur on its arms, grooming itself like a cat.

  “No, I am nothing like one of those foul creatures.” A gravelly voice came from the Phooka as he turned away from his arm, giving me a look of disdain. “I’ll thank you to never compare me to one again,” he stated, then resumed his licking.

  “Uh, okay. I totally agree I was wrong, and you aren’t like a cat. Because, um... cats don’t talk, for one. They also can’t hear my thoughts. That’s getting old!” I grumbled to whoever would listen.

  “Andie, you’ll have to get used to the unexpected. It’s all around you now. If everything surprises and irritates you, we will have a long road,” Hunter said emphatically from across the cave.

  I noticed he had stayed back from the Phooka during the entire encounter, tense and wary, only relaxing once he saw it had made its mind up that I was worthy.

  “I know, I know. I’m working on it—I really am.” Turning to the Phooka, I had more questions.

  “If you don't mind me asking, do you have a name? And are you here to help us?” I asked eagerly, sitting cross-legged on the floor beside him.

  He lay down, his head resting on his paws in front of him and his long fluffy tail swishing back and forth. Blinking a few times, he looked at me and yawned.

  “Ahh... I have many names, but you may call me Emric. I don’t know that I am here to help you, but I am here to make sure you make the right decisions going forward. Is that helping? Some would say so, but alas, some would say no. Only the future knows, only you can tell, and only then will you know if I’m helping,” he said in a confusing jumble.

  I laughed because as mixed up as his answer seemed, the quirkiness of it delighted me. His mouth lifted on one side as he gazed at me with sleepy eyes in what I could only guess was a Phooka grin. I smiled right back at him, excitement bubbling for what the day would hold.

  After packing up and walking outside, I blinked at the brightness from the moons high in the sky. The vivid blue horizon was fascinating to me. Paired with the endless sea of red flowers, the bright colors in this land were incredible. I followed the guys as we walked down a narrow path that would take us to the bottom of the cliff, and into the field of red. Emric followed me, his fluffy tail swishing behind him. After a few treacherous areas where rocks underfoot gave way, and I narrowly missed falling over, we reached the bottom.

  The flowers were even more impressive close-up and spanned far. They were taller than all of us, the size of a dinner plate, and their petals looked as soft as silk. I reached up to run my hand over one, and Hunter grabbed my wrist, pulling my arm back down.

  “Don’t,” he said, shaking his head at me as he let me go. “That poison that almost killed you? It’s made from these flowers. The petals might not do you any harm, but let’s not take a chance, eh?” He winked before turning around.

  The wink confused me more than anything so far on this journey. I wasn’t sure what to think about the wink, but I acknowledged the butterflies that circled in my stomach. I wished he were nice more often.

  Teagan led us through the field of flowers, and again we fell into a single line. I tried to be super careful not to brush up against any of the flowers. I had no intention of going through that pain and agony again. The endless field of flowers made me think of the movie The Children of the Corn. Except this wasn’t a field of corn, but a field of giant red flowers.

  “Hey, Teagan? You’ve never told me about your family. I mean, I know you’re a Warlock, but that’s about all.” I wanted to lea
rn more, and we all needed something to pass the time.

  “Well, my dad is a Warlock and my mother is a Witch. Both are high-ups in the Coven. They’re out of town a lot on Coven business, especially now that I’m older. I don’t have any brothers or sisters, so eventually, they want to turn over their leadership to me. You grow up fast when from an early age you’re expected to lead a large, powerful group. A lot of things are already decided...” He trailed off.

  I could only imagine the pressure, knowing he would be the head of some huge magical organization. I didn’t understand what all that entailed, but I could see how the responsibility weighed on him already. I wondered what he meant about other things being decided for him.

  “Well, hey, at least you know something about your future. Me? I don’t even know what I’ll be doing, let alone if I’ll be alive.” For some reason, I felt like opening up a little more to Teagan. Maybe it was because he had been so kind to me, sticking up for me when he felt like I needed him to, or the fact that he had been there for me from day one of this new adventure. But I took a chance, hoping I didn’t sound silly.

  “You know, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my dad. Can you believe he was a Warlock too? I mean, what if you met him one time or another in your Coven? I wonder what he was like, and if he would have liked me had we ever met. Growing up, I really didn’t think about him. All I knew was that he left. But now that I know he tried to save my mom and something happened, well, it’s opened up a whole lot of questions in my mind.”

  I glanced at him, and he gave me an encouraging look which gave me the confidence to continue. “What if he’s alive? He might be out there somewhere and need help. Or maybe he has been staying away to try and keep me safe. I know it sounds silly, but if he were still alive, I’d want to find him.”

  Teagan stopped walking, putting his hand on my arm as I stopped too. “Andie, I don’t really have any words that could make you feel better. I do want you to know that if there is ever a time you wish to try to find him, I’ll help you. I promise.” His gray eyes were solemn as they stared into mine.