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  “Interesting,” Jacque said. “You were placed into a memory and relived the thought differently. Ama must value your abilities greatly to encourage you with such a powerful force as your father. I can only assume he meant a great deal to you?” I nodded wiping the tears from my cheeks. “I think Ama has great plans for you Laney.

  “We are very grateful for your sacrifice. Now the imps are handled we can put all our focus into discovering who is corrupting the lives of the mortals. I’m sure Clement explained to you there were some in Tala who viewed humans as a burden to our society. I thought we had ratified the situation, but I see there are those continuing with old beliefs. I assure you we will do all we can to end this problem. You needn’t worry.”

  “I trust you, sir,” I replied. “I would like to help if you need.”

  Jacque smiled, and patted my shoulder. “For now, I want you to live peacefully with your family, and always know how much we value what you did for us.”

  I sipped my tea, wishing he would’ve told me it was over forever, and I could resume living with Mom, Tyler, and Finn. My boring life would never be the same after learning the truth of Tala, and the thought of returning without Finn waged a painful war with my heart. We sat in silence for a long moment, drinking the sharp minty tea and peering through the open window.

  “Where is Finn?” I finally asked, not caring if the people of Tala wanted me to join with one of their own.

  Jacque sighed, offering me a knowing glance. “Finn has returned to his father’s house. He has been honored for his great sacrifice for Tala. Finn and Aaron have changed the opinions of many of the elders. Both men being unskilled in harnessing the energy of Ama, have proven skills necessary in different ways. Aaron, leading the charge with his weapons, and Finn solving the mystery using his intellect. They will be known as great Talans, who honor Ama as much as anyone.”

  “May I see him?” I pressed, cutting through Jacque’s coy response. The yearning to feel Finn’s arms around me overwhelmed my heart, and I suddenly had the urge to run for him.

  “I understand you have strong feelings for Finn, and those are honorable. However, I must dissuade you from pursuing this union any further. Balance has just been restored, and the strength within you is a threat to that balance. Joining with anyone from Tala puts us once again at risk.

  “Finn understands, and I strongly encourage you to do the same. When your strength has returned we will help you find your way home. I will let you rest now,” Jacque said, lifting the Lux stone from the bedside table.

  “Wait, sir, please allow me to at least say good-bye,” I begged, my voice cracking.

  Jacque turned and smiled sadly. “If it is his desire, he will come. Now, rest. We will arrange for your transport shortly.”

  *

  I fought back the tears as the elders gathered around to send me off. My clothes had been returned, but they smelled like they’d been washed among thousands of roses, and had a cloud-like softness about the material. Before I’d left, Anna had handed me a bag of gifts, the people of Tala saw fit to bestow: fruits and succulents to remind me of Tala, Aaron had left me with a knife which would dispel darkness, and Finn’s parents had offered a charm of their family seal.

  Jacque held his hands against the wall, the same way Finn had done to bring us to Tala. Though Jacque’s expression was peaceful, unlike Finn’s exerted attempt. I scanned the crowd, clutching the leather bag filled with the treasures. Finn wasn’t here. I desperately needed to see him. The fear of never meeting again filled me with a despair equivalent to what I had suffered in the Wander.

  A calming breeze fluttered behind me, and Jacque’s hand on my back turned me toward the opening in the realms. “It is ready,” he said gently.

  I met his eye, hoping he would take pity on my desperation and wait a little longer. But the elder led me onward, pushing me away from Tala.

  “Wait!”

  My heart stopped as I spun around. Finn was pushing through the crowd. He still wore his jeans, but his shirt was a linen tunic flowing loosely around his body.

  “Finn, I really must protest,” Jacque said.

  “Sir, grant me just a moment, I beg of you,” he pleaded, never taking his eyes from mine.

  Jacque faltered slightly, turning us away from the mumbles of the other elders, apart from Anna who beamed with a light of romance.

  Jacque pushed us into a corner of the wall. “Just a moment,” he warned briskly, before turning his back to us.

  Finn pulled me close, clutching my body as if he were trying to snap me in two. “I didn’t think you were going to survive, Laney,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion. “I had to see you once more, before you left.” He kissed my forehead, brushing my hair from my face.

  I cupped my hands around his face, embracing the surge of energy between us. “They can’t keep us apart,” I hissed, ignoring the trails of tears dripping along my cheeks.

  “They can, Laney,” he said, wiping them away. “I feared it would happen. I tried to fight this … but I don’t want to.”

  He kissed me passionately, and I believed it truly could be the last time we saw one another. I held him tightly, never wanting to let go. It wasn’t fair, and I would never give up until we were together again.

  Finn smiled when he released me, wiping my fresh tears and holding his own at bay. “I will see you again, Laney. I promise. Please, stay safe.”

  Jacque’s hand wrapped around my arm, pulling me away. “It is time, my dear.”

  Finn smiled, tucking his hands in his pockets. I felt as if my heart were cracking into a million pieces. I wanted to believe Finn, that he would see me, but even a day without him was too long. The pull between us was too hard to ignore. He had changed my life forever, and I would never be whole without him.

  As I battled between running to his arms again, I was ripped away, his sad eyes the last thing I saw, and thrown into the tumultuous portal. My body was tugged and ripped in all directions once again, until my face slammed against the down comforter lining my bed. I still clutched the leather bag against my chest as I reluctantly turned onto my back.

  My empty apartment seemed colder and unremarkable. The sun was setting and people preparing to enjoy the evening were strolling about the streets outside my window. My heart ached as I released a sob when I saw the forgotten ketchup bottle still out on my kitchen counter. I was home, and though it should’ve brought me solace, I couldn’t shake the knowledge there was a real possibility I would never see Finn again.

  *

  My mom laid out a mouthwatering pot roast smothered in cooked carrots, soft potatoes, and dripping gravy on the table. Tyler added water to the goblets with one hand and blasted a text message with the other. I added a plate of chopped fruit the elders had sent with me. The red, purple, and ocean blue slices piled high into a beautiful array of colors.

  “Where did you find these?”

  “At a farmer’s market in Boston,” I lied quietly. “They are amazing, they called them Talan fruit. Wait until you try them.”

  “I’m glad your trip went well,” Mom said, once the three of us dug into the meal. Tyler’s cell phone rested next to her napkin, held hostage until after dessert.

  “Yes, it was interesting, but I think it helped me see I don’t want to stay at the bank. I’m going to take some classes at the community college. It feels as if I’m meant to do something more.”

  My mom’s eyes brightened. “Really? Lane, I think that is great. Any ideas on what you want to major in yet?”

  I shook my head, pushing my food around on my plate. For days I’d waited in my apartment for Finn. I returned to work, feeling as if the monotony of my life might strangle me after the adventure of the Wander, Tala, and Finn. After two days of moping around, I’d realized he wasn’t coming…at least not yet. I had to do something. There was still a dark force out there, and I vowed I would be ready to help stop those stealing life from my world. I would make myself so powerful, Ja
cque would have to include me, and in turn I would see Finn again.

  “Tyler said you’re taking martial art classes too?” My mom’s voice broke me from my trance. “Why did you want to do that?”

  “I just want to make sure if something happens like what happened with Justin, and there isn’t a guy like Finn around, I want to be ready. And it’s great exercise as a bonus.” I shifted in my chair, feeling the wrapped knife Aaron had gifted me rub against the side of my shin. I’d carried it with me since I’d returned, vowing to never be left defenseless again.

  “Yeah right, you just think the trainer is hot,” Tyler teased.

  I flushed and stuck my tongue at my little brother. Mom simply beamed, buttering a flaky roll.

  “Whatever the reason, I’m really proud of you, Lane. I see profound changes in your future. I think you’re on the right track.”

  “I think so too, Mom. I think my life is going to change a lot, and for the better.”

  The End…for now

  Author Notes

  Dear Reader,

  Laney made it through the Wander and learned there’s a little more to herself than she thought.

  But will the elders of Tala succeed in stopping those stealing human life?

  Laney won’t give up until she is rejoined with Finn and can help stop the dark manipulation for good. But will the elders keep them apart?

  Or is Finn the person she thought he was? And what who is the one who truly wanted her to open the Wander?

  It could be possible stepping into the dark realm was all part of a larger, more sinister plan.

  Order book 2, The After Plague now on my website. You don’t want to miss what happens.

  Get the After Plague Here

  All the best,

  LJ

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  LJ