Page 131 of In Between Darkness

‘We will follow you not because we have to but because we want to.’

Versivias’ words shatter any resistance in my brain. They are clearly not going to take no for an answer. I stroke their scales and smile at them both.

“Take me to my friends,” I ask them, my first request, and they nod in unison, allowing River, Ryder, and I to climb onto Versivias’ back.

He holds us with an invisible tether and glides further down the mountain until I can see the group congregating at the bottom. They all look up, their faces a picture of shock and fear as Versivias lands ahead of them. We dismount, and I don’t waste any time searching for Nala.

She runs to me.

“Thank the Gods.” I shriek in relief as I throw my hands around her neck. “Words can’t explain how happy I am to see you.”

Her arms rejoice around mine as she squeals into me.

“I’m really sorry about Charlie, I had no idea,” Nala says into the fabric of my shirt.

“It’s okay. He fooled us all,” I reply, but her eyes are transfixed on Versivius and Skypharoh.

“Oh,” I chuckle. “This is Versivius and Skypharoh, they’re-”

“Sky serpents. I know,” she interrupts, her mouth open in the shape of a zero. “Wow!”

I look up to them both as they drop their heads and nuzzle into the palms of my hands; they rest behind me like guards. A reminder of their newfound devotion to me.

Ryder’s heavy hand makes an imprint on my back as he stands next to me. I turn into his touch, unaware that everyone is staring at me. They whisper to each other with wide eyes.

“What are they looking at?” I ask, confused by the eyes on me.

“You.” He smiles as I realise they look at me with the same devotion as Versivius and Skypharoh.

‘Speak, child. This is your time.’

Oriah’s words encourage me as I stand daunted by the eyes of the crowd in front of me, but I feel the hands of a million Stars guiding me in this moment.

“This divide has gone on for far too long,” I say, holding the attention of the crowd. “We are stronger together… I am living proof.”

The group’s eyes fix on me with awe and admiration as Ryder and River stand on either side of me. River nods his head reassuringly at me. “So, no more babies ripped from their mother’s arms because they serve different Gods. No more segregation. No more rules separating our people.”

My words linger in the air for a moment.

“We are better than that,” I continue, fuelled by passion. “Change is coming, and it has to start with us.”

A silence follows my words, and I look at the sea of faces in front of me, wondering if my words have made an impact. Then, all at once, they begin to cheer.

A crowd of hopeful expressions and undying passions stares back at me. They look at me with hope, something I have not seen in the eyes of another for so long. I feel the weight of their faith clinging to me, a blanket of responsibility I cannot ignore. And suddenly I am terrified of letting them down.

I shudder as Darryn’s words refresh my brain.

‘You will watch the world burn, knowing you could’ve stopped it.’

My muscles tense as I bury his words deep within the depths of my mind.

Ryder turns to me, sensing my trepidation.

“Hey… you’ll be okay.” He smiles genuinely, easing my fears, placing his hands on the small of my waist. I sink into his touch. His face turns more serious, his eyes tracing mine in a declaration of honesty and commitment. “No challenge is too big for Asha Calloway.”

His words should motivate me or bless me with relief, but instead, they fill me with dread.

Because in that moment.

Just then.

Only for a second.

I could have sworn I saw the rings of his eyes flash purple in the sunlight.