Page 20 of Fading Sun

He shrugs, as if almost dying and then being brought back to life with mysterious, possibly dark magic is an everyday occurrence.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I return my focus to Morgan, who has a sheepish look on her face as she pulls her sleeve back down to cover the scar.

She takes a moment to think, then says, “I guess I didn’t want to tell you how much it hurt.”

Despite my annoyance at her, I can’t help but smile.

“I suppose it’s better that I didn’t know ahead of time that it would feel like my entire body was being burned and ripped apart,” I say. “I might not have gone through with it.”

It’s a joke, of course. I would have done anything to get my magic back.

“For some reason, I doubt much would have stood in your way,” Damien mutters, standing up and inspecting the compass.

I want to say something snarky to him, but I don’t, since he’s not wrong.

Instead, I stand as well, followed by Morgan and Blaze, so we can also get a good look at the compass.

The previously shiny metal is now tarnished, the amethyst in the center worn and dull. But most noticeably, there’s a darkness around it. Not a visible one, but an intangible one.

The spell definitely worked.

Which means, ideally, the compass will be able to call shadow souls—and other monsters—toward it when the person holding it wants to find them.

I reach for it to feel it for myself, but before I can touch it, a burst of brilliant light cuts through the sky.

The others have to shield their eyes, but I can see with perfect clarity as a woman materializes from a beam of the sun’s rays. Her golden hair shimmers around her shoulders, and her eyes, reflecting the purest light, fix on me with an intensity that peers into my soul.

Sunneva.

“Amber,” she begins, her voice strong yet soothing. “I see you succeeded in repairing your magic, although not without considerable struggle.”

“Where have you been?” I ask the first thought that forms in my mind, continuing before she can answer. “You ignored my texts. You weren’t at your apartment. I could have used your guidance—your support. But you disappeared on me. Why?”

The words come out in a rush, and I realize how angry I am at her for shutting me out when I needed her the most. And while it might not be the brightest thing in the world to raise my voice at a goddess, right now, I don’t care. She chose me to gift with her magic. I assume that means she chose all of me, including—as Damien loves to point out—my more impulsive traits.

Her expression remains serene, my tone apparently not bothering her in the slightest.

“Sometimes my absence will be necessary for you to find strength within yourself,” she explains, kind, but firm. “I wouldn’t have gifted you with my magic otherwise. And while I could guide you at every step, it’s essential for you to face challenges on your own to grow and become the most powerful version of yourself you can be. Plus, you have your friends here.” She pauses to look at them, her gaze lingering slightly on Damien’s before returning to mine. “You didn’t need me. Their help proved to be more than enough.”

“Hold up for a second,” Blaze says before I can reply to Sunneva, and all eyes go to him. “Who are you?”

“I’m Sunneva,” she says with a warm smile. “Goddess of the sun.”

His shoulders relax slightly, his stance softening. “The one who star touched Amber,” he says.

A nearly childlike amusement crosses her eyes. “You’ve heard of me.”

“Yep.” He steps back, although he’s still holding the quill, ready to do who knows what with it.

Sure, the quill is strong. But is it strong enough to affect a goddess?

If Sunneva’s worried, she doesn’t show it. Likely because she’s not worried.

“Now, let’s return to business,” she says, refocusing on me. “Congratulations on fixing your magic. Because now, you have the power you need to find and claim the Solar Scepter.”

Amber

“The what?” I ask, even though I heard Sunneva clearly the first time.

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