Page 123 of My Eternal Light

Ryuu inhaled, then smiled. “It would mean contacting a few darker spirits.”

“Can you handle it?”

He stepped back and placed a fist over his heart. “Consider it done.” He turned and sat down cross-legged on the floor. To anyone else it looked like he was meditating.

“Meryn?” Oron asked, coming closer.

“Whatever you are planning, it will never be enough,” she said.

Oron went to head toward the kitchen, and she grabbed him around the waist. “No!” she screamed. “No!”

Oron froze. “Let me go.”

“Never. You’ll have to kill me,” she said, through clenched teeth. She felt the tears then, as she realized she had just killed his mother.

Lily went to Darian. “If you love your brother, take him from here, even if he hates you for it.”

Oron could only try to extricate himself gently, as he did not want to hurt Meryn.

Darian hesitated.

Seconds later, Oron slumped, and Kendrick caught him. “Take him back to Éire Danu, now Darian,” he ordered.

Darian straightened, his eyes blazing, but then he saw the rage in Kendrick’s eyes. He simply nodded. “Will you tell us what happened?”

Kendrick looked to Brennus. “Eventually. Once we’re home, in the light of your new sun,” he promised.

Darian lifted Oron. “They will suffer?”

Meryn wiped her eyes and pointed to Ryuu. “More than any other if I have my way.”

Darian opened a portal. “I will be back to get you.” He stepped through and the portal closed.

From the corner, Ryuu stood. Where Darian’s portal had been edged in gold, this one was jagged shadows.

When the twisted creature stepped through, Doran held up his sword.

The entity laughed. “You do not think we belong in your world?”

Ryuu stepped forward and went to speak, but the entity waved his hand. Ryuu was frozen in place, his eyes wide. When she looked at him, she could almost hear his words of warning.

Meryn stepped in front of her uncles. “I believe you belong in this world for days like today.”

The entity stared down. “Go on.”

“Humans have forgotten much. We need beings like you to remind us.”

“What would you like to remember?”

Every question felt like a test. She was beginning to appreciate Xavier.

“We forgot how to revere ones such as you. We would like to offer up these gifts,” she said, pointing to the Eirsons. “I will not lie. If you accept these gifts, you will be helping us as well. But, the way I see it, this is the type of rare situation where everyone wins.”

The entity chuckled lowly. “I get entertainment, your enemies are tortured. If everyone wins, what do they get?” he asked slyly, pointing to the Eirsons. It was a challenge. A test.

She stepped closer to the being, trying not to choke on the heavy smell of sulfur. “They get the gift of immortality.”

The entity’s eyes widened. “I was unsure about answering this summons, the guardian spirits hardly ever serve anyone half as interesting as you. You have not disappointed me.” He leaned in and smiled. “You have been touched by something I have not sensed in many millennia.” He turned back to Ryuu and waved his hand. The squire fell to his knees. “You are spared. She was worth the trip.”

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