Page 244 of Swords of Soul and Shadow
Maybe she should be cold toward the woman. She was half the reason Hallie was here now. She should retract her hand and demand answers.
But she might also be Hallie’s way home.
Navara bypassed her hand and pulled her into a hug. She smelled of jasmine, mint, and a hint of cinnamon. It was a scent Hallie only knew from the memories stored in this woman’s journal, though she hadn’t realized it until then. It spoke of soft mornings and nights spent sewing beside a generous hearth. She couldn’t help relaxing in the woman’s grip and hugging her back.
“I’m sorry,” the woman whispered in her ear. She pulled back and cupped Hallie’s face. “You have done so well, my girl.”
Despite reading her journals, Hallie had never interacted with the woman before her—she hadn’t expected to be recognized in return. “I’m sorry…I’m not sure how you…”
Navara let go of her face and held out her hands for her notebook and golden quill. Jack handed it over, and Navara put both into the satchel at her side. “I did not take on my father’s Essence power, but I can recognize it in you. You still radiate with it, which tells me you’re not here to move on, but for another purpose. The prophecies foretold of a day such as this, and if the power has chosen you, then I am certain you will succeed.” She glanced back at the Gate. “It also tells me the Aurora must be set back to rights soon, or we shall fade to nothing.”
Hallie’s stomach clenched. She knew. She knew what her father had planned with resetting the Gates. What did that mean? Did that mean she wouldn’t allow Hallie to return?
The ground shook so hard that the only reason Hallie didn’t fall over was because Jack caught her and Navara. The sun winked out, and the land plummeted into darkness. She thought she heard screaming, but before she could scream herself, it was over.
It had only been a moment, but it shook Hallie to her core. It reminded her of the quakes she’d experienced in Myrrai, but the darkness…that was new. Whether that was because she was in Valora or because something terrible was happening, she didn’t know.
Once everything had stabilized, she looked back at the Gate. Maybe it had sensed Hallie’s presence, like it seemingly had when she’d been in the Yalven city, and had reacted to it.
But it looked the same. Towering Zuprium bricks, a transparent, glassy center. It was entirely unaffected.
Jack gasped and pointed up toward the mountain. Thick, bulbous black smoke floated from one of the faraway peaks. Hallie’s stomach roiled. It reminded her of the Yalvar fuel after the quake when she’d returned to Kyvena, the one that had hit while she stood in the Stradat Lord Kapitan’s tent. Saldr had said something about Jagamot then.
A knowing sort of terror shone in Navara’s eyes. She turned to Jack. “Did anyone else come through the Nether Gate?”
Jack’s ears turned pink. “I thought so, but when I checked, no one was there. You know how the Gate is.”
Navara shook her head. “I’m afraid the Aurora is the least of our worries now. Let’s get to the village and check the souls.” She sighed. “I do not believe it is your fault, Jack, but I have a feeling that the man you tried to help the other day is the one causing the issues.”
She started back toward the village. Hallie and Jack hurried behind her. Hallie asked, “Who was it? Do you know?”
Jack’s face was missing some of its spunk, but he answered, “One awfully rude old man.”
“What did he look like?”
Her twin eyed her oddly. “Why?”
“Just tell me, would you?”
He sighed and waved a hand. “Long beard. Brown-gold eyes. Thought he might be a bit like Gran here.”
It was like a punch to the stomach. Loffler. It had been Loffler. He was trying to bring back Jagamot, and now he was here in Souls Meet. She was a little out of breath and also trying to keep the panic out of her voice, “That man, did he say anything? Like where he came from? Or how he died?”
Jack shook his head. “Refused to speak to me, but when I tried to lead him to the village, he ran off.” Jack snorted. “Wish he’d come at night. Then Addi would’ve had to deal with him. He’s better with the grumpier types.”
Hallie hated to be the bearer of bad news, but she was the only one who might be able to stop whatever horror was heralded by that tarry smoke. “I believe the man was Abram Loffler, an Essence wielder who somehow brought back Jagamot.”
Navara muttered something in Yalven. It was too quiet for Hallie to hear.
“Gran?” Jack asked uneasily.
They were almost back to the village. Navara took out her notebook and quill. She scribbled something before stuffing it all back in. She picked up her pace. “If he’s up in the mountains, he’s looking for the Chronal Gate and the remnant of Toro that resides in this place.”
“Are we too late?” Hallie asked, pointing back at the smoke, dread starting to bleed to terror at the sight of it.
Navara shook her head. “If he was, we’d already be gone.” She stopped and turned. “We need to combine the Essences into the swords. It is the only way. I’m not sure I can access either of them from this side, but you might could…you said you came through the Nether Gate? You didn’t pass first?”
Hallie shook her head. “I don’t…I’m not sure. I used your journals to get here. And somehow the last one opened it. I was pushed in…by someone, and I couldn’t get back.”
