Page 24 of Into the Dawn (The Arcadians #4)
Standing outside in a rainstorm waiting to be struck by lightning seemed to be one of the most foolish things Dominic had ever done. However, it was necessary if they wanted to return home.
Their last week on Earth had gone by in a flash. Time always seemed to go by faster when one didn’t want it to, but that was simply because every moment was precious.
He had learned a lot about his mate after completing the mating bond with her, but watching her record her songs in the studio over the last few days had been a revelation.
The fact that she could produce such wondrous music made it clear she had a gift that needed to be shared.
Her voice had the power to evoke an emotional response from her audience, and that ability had only grown stronger since her conversion.
Now, she was a goddess with a magical voice.
Her voice was hauntingly beautiful, but so were the lyrics she wrote.
She’d had to tone it down after she had all of the humans in the studio bursting into tears.
Dominic had been surprised to find his own eyes burn with emotions when he listened to her sing.
The power she wielded was amazing, but it also made it even more necessary to leave the planet.
Buddy claimed that Kylie was going to become a legend once her new album released. Dominic liked knowing that she would be remembered long after they left Earth. She claimed she didn’t care about that, but he knew a small part of her was pleased with the notion.
He hadn’t been surprised when Layla had announced that she had decided to go with them over dinner that evening, but her family’s reaction had been a mixture of shock, denial, and a little bit of envy.
After talking it over, everyone had agreed it was an opportunity that she couldn’t pass up.
Even though they were going to miss her, they were glad that she and Kylie would be together.
To ease everyone’s concerns, Dominic and Ronan had made a vow to protect Layla.
They had grown fond of the human female since meeting her, but the simple fact that she was their mate’s best friend made her family to them.
Whoever her mates turned out to be, they would have to treat her like the precious treasure she was or bring the full wrath of the Palace of the Western Forest down on them.
Besides watching Kylie record her songs, there wasn’t much Dominic and Ronan had wanted to do before leaving Earth. Sure, there were plenty of things they could have done, but it was more important to let their mate spend time with those she considered family before they left.
“So, are you really just going to stand out there until you get hit by lightning?” Jude called out.
The entire Ross family had gathered on the porch of Kylie’s house to watch them leave. They had spent the last few hours saying their goodbyes. There had been lots of hugs and tears, surprising Dominic and Ronan when they had been included.
Since Layla had decided to go with them, Kylie had given her house to Caroline, Frank, and their baby, Daniel. This way, they could remain close to the rest of the family rather than living a half an hour away.
The family was trying to be upbeat and brave, but Dominic could see the pain they were trying to hide. They all could. Separations were never easy, and they were saying goodbye to two family members that they would never see again.
“Should we have put some metal polls out there?” Buddy asked. “You know, to attract the lightning?”
“That’s too dangerous.” Abby slapped her palm against her forehead. “What am I saying? Of course, it’s dangerous. That’s exactly what they want to happen.”
“Are you sure you packed everything?” Caroline asked.
“I think so,” Layla called back. “Considering we aren’t even sure it will make it back with us.”
Kylie and Layla each had extra-large camping backpacks slung over their shoulders packed with items they wanted to try to take back to Arcadia. Ronan was carrying two packs, while Dominic had a backpack as well as Kylie’s guitar case slung over his shoulders.
She knew the chances of it being damaged by the lightning strike were high, but she’d wanted to try to bring it with her anyway. Her guitar had been signed by her whole band and had a lot of sentimental value to her.
Dominic and his brother had made sure to study each of the instruments that were in Kylie’s studio so they could try to recreate them when they returned home. Of course, they could use magic to create anything they wanted, but making some things with their own hands would mean more.
While Dominic and Ronan were dressed in their leather warriors’ garb, Kylie and Layla were both wearing jeans and several layers of tops underneath their waterproof jackets.
The rain was falling in a steady downpour now.
Each boom of thunder heralded the storm drawing closer, the sound reverberating through the air and shaking the very foundation beneath them.
Lightning slashed through the sky, illuminating the dark clouds with brief, blinding flashes.
The jagged bolts of electricity danced across the sky, but no strikes reached the ground, leaving them in a state of tense anticipation.
He knew that Kylie and Layla were both shedding tears, but the rain concealed their grief. They wanted Buddy, Abby, and the rest of them to remember smiles on their faces instead of sadness.
“We shall figure out a way to communicate with them,” he promised. “With magic, we can surely manage it.”
“Or we can ask the gods for help,” Ronan suggested. “Since you have blood ties to them now.”
“I forgot about that part,” Layla admitted with a groan. “They sound scary. I won’t have to meet them, will I?”
“Lunaria is lovely,” Kylie told her. “I don’t know about the God of the Sun since I didn’t meet him yet, but he did save my life so I’m inclined to be quite fond of the guy.”
“He is not a guy. He is a creature. And you can appreciate what he did without being fond of him,” Ronan growled.
Kylie and Layla glanced at each other before both of them burst into laughter.
When the lightning finally struck, there was no warning.
The world suddenly exploded with light, trapping them in a blaze of heat that was so intense it stole their breath.
For one brief moment in time, everything stopped.
The pain that hit him was unbearable, but it was gone almost as quickly as it had struck.
Dominic realized that Kylie was using her magic to block the pain for all of them, but there wasn’t time to scold her. Glancing back at the Ross family, he saw them waving goodbye.
Then, everything faded into darkness.