Page 10 of Light Up the Night

“Fools. The both of them,” she said, looking down her nose at me. She nodded like she had seen something in me that was deemed worthy before reaching out. I expected her to shake my hand but ended up being hauled to my feet. “It’s my magic that seals the worlds. It’s what’s kept us safe all these years since Phillip’s kin went missing. You bring back those that took him, and I’ll see you through to the other side.”

I focused on keeping my brows even, but oh how they itched to meet. How in all of Rochambeau and the Forest Wilds was I supposed to sift through an entire world to find another missing man… What were we even talking about?

“Do I have your word?” the woman impatiently demanded.

I had plenty of words. What I didn’t have was time. Every second I spent here under the treetops was another moment I risked catching their damn Affliction. Not to mention the fact that Lazarus’ fate was likely becoming grimmer with every passing day.

“Simply name them.”

“Her Kings.” The woman tipped her head toward the Beyond.

“Nemmy—" Niles began.

“Niles,” she smoothly countered, her stare froze on him until he shut his mouth. Even then, it took her forever to return her attention to me. “She has half a dozen. She can spare the two that justice demands.”

“Which two?” Pariah groaned, kicking his weight off a nearby tree.

Nemmy spat in the grass, her whole face seemed to sour when she saw him. “Ryver and Kais. Be at the ready at dusk, if you would.” She sniffed before ambling after her husbands.

I glanced around for the sun. It was almost impossible to find through the trees.

“Less than an hour,” Niles clarified.

“We came to see if you would join us. In case we need a show of force,” Messiah explained. “We were hoping your offer of help whenever we needed it was still open.”

“Oh,” Niles thoughtfully acknowledged before scanning the row of huts. “Dusk then.”

He slapped his thighs and stood. With a final nod, he was off to collect his men, while I struggled to find my wits.

“Fated Few,” I mumbled under my breath.

“Do you really think she has magic?” Keif asked, craning his neck toward Nemmy and her men.

“No.” Pariah laughed. “Tis a tunnel of caves, but I’m sure she knows how to find the entrance better than I do in the dark.”

Messiah gave a low familiar hmm sound and began to guide me toward the center of the village. I felt like one of the many wares on display. People looked and admired from afar. Cries of awe rippled through the young ones who recognized Messiah from their day of emancipation.

Finally, the excitement died down and a glow could be seen in the distance. Nemmy led a procession of warriors with a husband at each side. Their many torches illuminated the area until we were surrounded by them.

“You are bid safe journey and surrounded with my protective light. A blessing for your cause… and ours,” Nemmy said before bowing her head and walking through the center of us. The guards split to allow her exit and us to follow her. They escorted us to the edge of the village before releasing us to the care of Niles’ men.

We walked in a blanket of darkness for the better part of another hour with our men. The only light was that which Nemmy held. In each hand she carried a primitive looking torch. After a while, the Forest began to change. The soil became drier and the leaves began to crunch under my boots. When the moon was at its highest point, the ground became rocky.

Nemmy stopped and tipped her head. She surveyed the stars and waved her torches. First side to side, then she spun one like a circle and flung it straight ahead. A flash of wall was all I saw before the torch landed just inside a cave entrance.

Nemmy stood proud, daring anyone to say that it was not her magic that had opened the terrain.

“An honor,” Messiah politely murmured before taking my elbow and encouraging me past my unblinking stare. “Just walk.”

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