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  “Clement is suggesting, with the support of other Talans, she could control the unstable environment, use dark energy to entrap the imps, and have enough strength to close the Wander before it collapses and claims her within. It will be dangerous and will require more concentration and desire than you have ever given. But I can see the fact behind theory. If Clement were still on the council, this is the path I would side with as head elder.”

  “You feel that confident Laney would survive?” Finn asked, causing my cheeks to heat as his concern buoyed me up.

  “I am confident it is the best opportunity we have to conceal the imps and restore peace to Ama’s energy. It will require massive amounts of stabilizing light energy, of course.”

  Before Jacque could continue, the door to the study slammed open and another man dressed in flowing robes entered, breathless. His beard was shockingly orange, and only hit his chest, unlike Jacque’s. His eyes were filled with fury as his focus darted between the three of us in the room.

  “I have heard the news from the others on the council, Jacque, that Clement’s disgrace is being entertained by the head elder.” His eyes fell to me, causing my stomach to turn. I’d never felt such hatred pulsing toward me by another person.

  Jacque smiled kindly and nodded. “Yes Liam, I was explaining to this delightful young woman how she may be the answer to the problem at hand.”

  “No. Unequivocally no, Jacque. She should not exist in the first place. This paradox is what caused the upset in the great Ama. I warned you long ago we should restore order, and now look what has happened.”

  I glowered at the second elder. A powerful surge of energy racing through my body. It was a strange sensation, and quite unfamiliar. Perhaps it was possible I was connected to the strength of the universe, because I believed I could defend myself against anything the red-headed elder delivered, though my logic advised against anything foolish.

  “You mean he should have killed me,” I snipped, bringing silence to the room. “Go on, say it. I was supposed to die, so killing me would have restored the energy to its rightful place.”

  He snarled in my direction. “No one has the right to alter the way of life. When it is time for a creature to die, it should be so. Clement had no right, and you were the key to creating chaos within Ama.”

  “Or, is it probable Ama adjusted to the paradox, Liam?” Jacque asked thoughtfully.

  “What are you talking about?” Liam asked in a harsh tone.

  “Clement has informed me this young woman has been gifted with sight. Ama has warned her of unjust deaths. Mortal souls are being taken before their time, Liam. You understand we are dealing with more than a disturbance of the energy.”

  Liam’s face paled slightly, and he crossed the room so he could stand close to the head elder. “You are certain of this? It could be a ruse of Clement, hoping to earn his position at the council again.”

  Jacque cocked his head to one side calmly. “Clement has made it clear he does not wish to return to Tala. He understands he could never be fully trusted and does not wish to live a life filled with second guessing. Ask her for yourself.”

  Liam faced me, and I straightened, hoping I could show him I was strong, though inside I was crying in fear.

  “Have you beheld anyone dying before the event?”

  I sucked in a breath, surprised he had described my horrific premonitions exactly. I only nodded, finding my voice choked behind a ball of emotion in my throat.

  “Forgive me, Liam,” Finn said. “What does this have to do with stabilizing Ama’s energy?”

  Liam’s eyes were wide, and he stroked his beard repeatedly. “It means…Talans are stealing human energy to weaken the earth realm and power our own. They are trying to bring the mortal world to extinction.”

  Chapter 22

  “What!” I cried, shooting to my feet. Tears burned behind my eyes as the memory of my father’s accident filtered through my mind. “Someone intentionally killed my father?”

  Finn was at my side, gently urging me to return to my seat, but I shook him off, darting between the two elders as a vengeful rage surged through my blood.

  “It is the only reason Ama would expend energy to reach out to a human,” Liam responded arrogantly.

  “A human connected with the great energy,” Jacque added. “Ama provides the people of Tala energy to use for the benefit of the worlds, but Ama has never opened our eyes as yours were opened. Someone, or something, is throwing off the balance of order by taking lives prematurely and using the life source to power Tala. It is wrong and dangerous. It will continue to weaken your realm, while in turn destroying the light in Tala.

  “If Tala is tainted by dark energy, it will seep into all aspects of life, including the mortal realm. I believe the imps are the vessel chosen to unleash the vein of darkness, but there is a greater plan in place, and it involves manipulating the lifetimes of the humans.”

  “How is that possible?” Finn asked, his face pale as he waited for one of the elders to speak.

  “The strength of energy can do many things when used correctly, young Finn,” Jacque concluded. “You know mind manipulation is possible. If enough focus were put on a human, surges of energy could nudge them to do just about anything. They would be powerless to stop it, as it would seem quite natural.”

  I leaned back in the chair and closed my eyes as the walls seemed to cave in on me. “Just so I understand everything, I have both light and dark energy directly from Ama inside me, but I don’t know how to use it. Super. And, I’m the one thing the imps want so they can manipulate the dark energy out of hiding to take over the world. Great. Oh, but there’s more. This living, universal energy speaks to me because someone is stealing people’s lives by manipulating their actions through mind control, and my father was an unknowing victim. Awesome.” I covered my face as the tears leaked out the side. The defensive sarcasm wasn’t enough to bury the pain seeping out of every pore.

  If what Jacque said was true, then Ama had warned me, I should’ve fought harder to save my father’s life.

  “You cannot change the past,” Jacque said reverently. I peered at him through the spaces in my fingers. He smiled like a kindly grandfather might to his grandchild, and his eyes twinkled like stars. “I know you are blaming yourself for what happened to your father, but you cannot dwell on something over which you had no control. You were only a child, my dear. Ama reached out to whatever energy source available. She does not know the difference between an infant and an old man like myself. She relies on energy. Please do not spend another moment blaming yourself.”

  I was surprised, but his words soothed my tormented soul. Clearing my throat, I straightened and met Jacque’s knowing gaze. “So, there is nothing I can do about the individual stealing human life yet, but you believe I can stop the imps from spreading darkness by entering the Wander?”

  Liam chuckled darkly. “Jacque, you cannot be serious. That is the plan? Opening the Wander and risk the lives of good people?”

  “Liam, would you kindly take these notes to the council and explain my final decision? The paradox, should she agree, will enter the Wander, embrace the dark energy and entrap the imps for good. The rest will be dealt with in due time with more investigation, and, of course, is something we can handle as a council.”

  Jacque handed Clement’s rolled notebook to Liam, whose face turned a deep shade of red and offered one last seething glance in my direction before stomping out. Liam made me nervous. His expression was filled with disdain for my every movement. It was clear he was one of the elders who believed I shouldn’t exist.

  I leaned forward on my knees, and Finn followed suit. We sat in a tense silence for a short while before Jacque asked me to give my final answer.

  “If I have the support of the people of Tala, I am willing to enter the Wander. Just tell me what to do,” I replied firmly.

  Jacque was elated and began digging through a large bookcase with hidden compartments along each
shelf. I knew Finn was watching me, so I slowly faced him.

  “You don’t have to do this,” he whispered as Jacque gathered several items.

  “I do, Finn. You heard everything I heard. It is the best way to put a stop to the imp’s chaos. I will be okay. You’ll help me, right?”

  He pursed his lips together tightly and focused on the cracks in the wooden floor. “What if I fail? What if it isn’t enough, Laney?”

  I linked my fingers with his and leaned in closer. “I won’t quit if you don’t, Finn. I feel it deep inside that I can do this. It’s what I’m supposed to do. I don’t know how I know it, but it’s there, burning in my heart. I need you supporting me as I go into the Wander, Finn. Please say you’ll be there.”

  Finn covered my hand with both of his, squeezing tightly. He closed his eyes as if thinking hard about how to answer. Finally, he met my gaze with all the determination in the world. “I will be there Laney. I won’t ever quit.”

  “Wonderful,” Jacque interrupted. “I’m glad you’ve established your determination. Now, this isn’t meant to offend, Finn, but I’m no stranger to your struggle harnessing energy. If it’s all the same to you, my dear, we will need to find others to help support, as well. Though I’m sure Finn will give it his all, it’s better safe than sorry. Now, come along, it is time to gather at the Wander.”

  Chapter 23

  Jacque led Finn and I up a winding staircase to an upper floor in the side tower. The room was large and round, but hardly glamorous. A small sofa with cushions which seemed to be made of straw rested against one of the gabled windows. A wooden bench had been built into the wall with only a few lumpy pillows lining the back for comfort. My mouth watered, however, when I saw a small tray on the windowsill filled with sliced fruits and vegetables and a round loaf of steaming bread.

  “I will gather the elders and will appeal to some of the townspeople. Wait here and prepare. It will not take long.”

  “Will you be needing my assistance, Jacque?” Finn asked to my disappointment. I didn’t want to be alone.

  Thankfully, Jacque shook his head. “No. When it is time, then we will need your service. And Finn, we are most grateful for the risk you took bringing this to our attention.”

  Jacque slammed the door, and I didn’t wait another second before traipsing toward the food. A strange yellow fruit which glistened with juices smelled so sweet, I thought it might be candy. The flavors meshed together on my tongue like a dance, as both the bitterness of a lemon, but the sweetness of a strawberry slid down the back of my throat. I tore off a piece of the bread and gnawed on it as if it would be my final meal—which I supposed could be true.

  After washing my meal down with a ladle filled with the fresh, pure water which energized my body more than anything, I turned to speak to Finn. The window had stolen his attention, causing me to pause. His melancholy state left him in deep thought as he rested on the lumpy sofa.

  “Finn? Are you all right?” I asked cautiously, taking a few steps closer.

  He didn’t budge, his jaw taut and his neck muscles clenched as he looked away. My hand crept closer, almost afraid to interrupt his thoughts. When I brushed his skin with my fingertips he whirled around, standing from the cushion, and closed the space between us in two steps. His eyes were blazing, with anger or passion, I couldn’t be certain, but it was enough to push me backward.

  “None of this makes any sense,” he snarled, taking a step forward with every tentative step I took in retreat.

  “But, Jacque just explained it all. For the first time in days I’m finally understanding what’s happening,” I mumbled.

  My breath caught in my throat when Finn’s hands clasped the sides of my face. “No, I can’t explain why I am feeling … this … for you. I need you to stay safe, Laney, and I can’t understand why it matters so much. I’m going insane imagining something terrible happening to you.

  “Why does every touch feel as if I’m burning inside? This shouldn’t be happening. I am Talan, and you are human. These things…these emotions simply don’t happen between realms.”

  His voice was raspy as he leaned his head against mine again, his thumbs running along my jaw. My heart throbbed so rapidly inside it was slightly painful. I wrapped my arms around him, closing my eyes to simply feel his closeness.

  “Does it matter if we’re from the different worlds?” I whispered. “If we both feel the same, what is the difference?”

  He stroked my hair and sighed. “It isn’t meant to be, Laney. Never have Talans and humans joined in a union. Never. I can see the opposition already if we even tried, which makes this all the harder to resist.”

  “I don’t want to resist, Finn,” I breathed.

  Our eyes met. Everything surrounding us seemed to pause as we moved our lips ever closer. Finn’s soft touch along my face shifted to the back of my head, fervently tangling my auburn strands in his fingers. With parted lips, he finally kissed me.

  I’d always wondered what people meant when they described a melting kiss, but it was all clearer as my body dissolved into his. He kissed me again, wrapping his strong arm around my waist, pulling me onto my toes. The slight stubble on his face brushed against my lips again and again, sending my heart into a pounding tirade.

  If a moment could last forever, and end too soon at the same time, this was the moment. I twisted his shirt in my fists, hoping the electricity passing across our mouths would never end. Slowly—reluctantly—Finn pulled his face away.

  I leaned my head against his chest, breathing the fresh scent of his body, the spicy mixture of citrus and pine … and an invigorating smell which was unique to Finn. His steady hand gently stroked my hair again as I listened to the wild beats of his heart match mine.

  “I don’t know if I can do this,” he whispered, trailing his fingers along my shoulders. “I can’t watch you go into the Wander.”

  “Please, Finn,” I begged, clutching him tighter as my eyes clenched shut. “I need you there. I’m frightened too, but something deep inside tells me this is the only way. I know I can do this, but not without knowing you’re there.”

  Finn pulled back and scanned my face. “I’ll be there. Just promise me you’ll come back.”

  I didn’t have time to answer. The door flung open, and I was surprised to see Aaron joining us in the room.

  “Jacque asked me to bring you the Lux stone, it will connect our energy to you when you go into the Wander,” he said to me, oblivious of the closeness he’d interrupted.

  Aaron placed a milky stone on a long, silver chain around my neck. It radiated a refreshing surge of peace and serenity. Any nerves I felt seemed to disappear the moment it rested against my chest.

  “How do you feel?” Aaron asked, excitedly.

  “Wonderful,” I admitted, lifting a quizzical eye. “I feel energized and peaceful at the same time.”

  “Fascinating,” Aaron whispered. “It’s true then, you have a pure energy of Ama running inside you. The Lux stone is connecting with the vein inside you. It will be a major help when the dark force of the Wander is pulling against you. Now, come, Jacque is ready to explain how you will channel the energy to entrap the imps.”

  Aaron bounded from the room, with a friendly slap to Finn’s shoulder, leaving us alone. Finn ran a hand through his hair, looking out the window once more. I held out an open palm, expectantly. His fingers tingled with energy against mine when he tightly squeezed my hand.

  “We will get through this,” I encouraged, amazed at how the tides had shifted. I stood in a new world, comforting Finn, who days earlier had rescued me from the nightmare of my childhood.

  He only returned a grim smile and kissed my hand gently before leading me from the tower to face our fate.

  Chapter 24

  I was overwhelmed by a boisterous crowd in the main entrance of the tower. A dozen men and one woman in long robes stood divided, and silenced when I stepped into the room. Finn’s parents, Aaron, and other villagers I hadn’t
met stood in somber silence watching the elders’ attention shift toward me.

  It was a near even split. Liam and five angry-looking men of all ages seemed to want nothing more than to see me destroyed in the most torturous way possible. The others standing behind Jacque seemed to relent to the plan, though they peered down their noses curiously; one man with a curly gray beard focused intently on my hand clasped with Finn’s.

  “You are close. It is unwise to allow your emotions to block Ama’s desires,” he whispered to Finn.

  “I have relented to Ama’s wish. I will not stand in the way of the plan, Titus,” Finn responded.

  Titus stroked his graying beard and nodded.

  “Leave them be,” the soft-spoken woman elder with a rich fawn complexion said.

  “Anna, I am simply warning him. I sense a strong pull toward this woman, and such desires can be dangerous.”

  “I am Anna,” she said next to my ear. “I am the lone female elder and am tasked with reminding these old blaggards Ama provides energy of the heart as well. Do not worry, the desires you are feeling can be strong and just might help you in the Wander.”

  Titus rolled his eyes, and Anna chuckled. “A woman’s heart is something you wouldn’t understand, Titus.”

  I returned her gentle smile as she patted my shoulder before she joined next to Jacque who was beginning his address to the small crowd.

  “We all understand and agree, this woman, whom we have always named the paradox, will enter the Wander. It was discovered imps attempted to unleash the dark energy vein of Ama on the human realm. Ama is open and exposed, and this could be dangerous for all. This young woman holds the pure energy of Ama and is willing to manipulate the darkness of the Wander to entrap the imps forever. The dark energy will be undoubtedly powerful, so despite having strength we cannot understand, she will need our support with light energy. We will create the opposition to combat the spreading of the Wander power with our strengths. If we do not provide the opposition, there is a chance the Wander will devour the light of our world.