Page 100 of Visions of Darkness

Pax grabbed on to the hope, and he silently promised she wouldn’t have to do it alone.

“I will speak with our family before we descend,” Ellis said.

“Thank you.” Pax’s words were thick as he spoke to Timothy.

“You know I would do anything for her. For both of you,” Timothy promised before he turned and headed back toward Dani, who still stood talking with Aria.

Pax started to turn, to go to Aria so they could descend. So they could fight this beast, crush it, pray it would be her threat’s end.

Only Ellis took him by the forearm before he had the chance to move. His instruction was hushed, though cut in emphasis. “I understand, Pax. I do. So protect her while awake. Stand at her side until we see this through. We will find it and destroy it here.”

Pax gulped as Ellis tightened his hold.

“But you must leave her then. Once this is finished. And you must never give in to what I see in your eyes. You cannot risk the aftermath of giving your heart that way. You might think you’re strong enough to resist it, but you will turn on her.”

Pax wanted to argue. To swear it could never happen. Not when she was everything. He restrained himself and gave Ellis the promise he knew he was duty bound to uphold. “I will.”

“Good. Then I say we go destroy this monster.” Ellis wound around Pax, walking toward the sea of Laven. “Family, gather around.”

Pax followed, moving to Aria’s side.

She glanced at him with those questioning, fathomless eyes. He took her hand as the voices trailed off and everyone gathered around Ellis, whose expression was both direct and grim.

Their elder turned to speak to the crowd. “As Laven, we each face special obstacles while awake. We are attacked in every direction, Kruen tossing thoughts in those who cross our paths. I know you understand this firsthand. You know the complexities of this life, even though they are difficult to understand. And Aria’s ...”

Everyone’s attention slanted to her as he continued to speak. “Aria’s situation appears to be even more complex than any of us here have ever known. She has ... bound a Kruen while awake.”

Shock rippled through the mass, rumbles of perplexity, the impossibility of who she was and what she had done, and Pax clutched her hand tighter when she trembled as a flock of pale eyes swept over her.

In sympathy.

In support.

In confusion.

None of them could comprehend what was being said. None of them had an answer.

Pax was hell-bent on finding it.

“And as such,” Ellis continued, “it seems she has become the target of a single Ghorl.”

Gasps went up all around.

“Timothy and Dani have witnessed its thoughts, and those thoughts have one purpose: seeking Aria’s demise. We must stop it. For our sister. Listen as you hunt for the one who seeks her. Together, we must find it and snuff it out.”

Agreement rolled through the crush, and their family began to descend, two by two, edging up to the invisible gateway, to the force that drew them toward darkness.

Each flashed in a brilliant light before they disappeared.

Pax and Aria waited at the back, and he squeezed her hand even tighter. “However many nights we have to spend searching, we will find it and we will destroy it. Do not forget what Valeen told you. You have the power, Aria. It’s you.”

Surprise gusted through her before she gave him a small nod. “I will give everything to try to find it within myself.”

They stepped forward together.

A searing cold blistered across his flesh, and he clung to her hand as they fell for what seemed an eternity.

Darkness reigned on all sides, disorienting and confusing as they tumbled and spun and hurtled through the desolation.

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