Page 67 of Walking in Darkness

Aria took a spot at his side. She felt the energy wrap her from behind. The belief that burned out of Pax where he stood three feet behind her.

Their family moved slowly, as if every step they took caused them physical pain. When they’d come together, Ellis began to speak.

“We have already come to the disturbing conclusion that we are being hunted.”

A slow wave of desolation moved through the crowd. A dull gravity that pulled them toward their fate.

“But it is not only our Laven family,” Ellis continued. “It appears those of every other Laven family throughout the earth are being hunted as well.”

Horror wheezed from their mouths.

“But there may be hope in the middle of it. I will not lie and say my heart does not fear what it does not know or understand, but I trust in our brother and sister, Pax and Aria. I know it was questioned last night—if their joining had possibly caused this fallout. But they say they have found strength together. Extraordinary strength that neither of them has ever known. And it leaves us to wonder if that strength might be extended to all of us.”

Shock rustled through the bleakness, and the air shifted as they looked between each other, at their Nols, whom they’d been forbidden to seek.

Those who’d lost theirs wept, their shouts of agony piercing the air.

Bearing it was nearly impossible, the force that pummeled Aria’s soul as she watched out over her family who had been battered and dwindled. She knew Pax felt it, too, and he was suddenly at her side, slipping his fingers through hers in staunch support.

“For so long I’ve warned you of the dangers,” Ellis confessed. “But I can no longer stand here with confidence and continue in that vein. There is speculation that the edict we’d been issued to stay away from our Nols during the day may have been a fallacy. A legend that has been passed down from generation to generation. One that Ambrosefabricated to weaken us. One that I had taken as truth from my own teacher and passed on to you.”

He let go of a shaky exhale as he lifted a weathered hand. “Each of you have your own lives beyond the safety of Tearsith. Some with families. Others have found this life easier to traverse alone. But always, always separating our two realities. And maybe we’ve kept them separated for too long.”

He hesitated, then proclaimed, “Maybe it is time for those walls to come down. Maybe it is time for you to seek your Nol in the day, for we all know the grave danger that looms around us.”

The mass stirred. Unsure, though Aria could sense the glimmer of excitement that clashed with the arduous dread.

“I will not pretend to give you this advice with complete clarity, so you must decide for yourselves. I will no longer try to stand in your way. The only thing we can do is try and pray to Valeen that it is enough.”

Ellis squeezed Aria’s hand, urging her forward, a silent tip of his head for her to speak.

Aria looked out over her family, her throat thick as she forced herself to open her mouth.

What could she say?

What promises could she make?

There was one she knew she could keep.

“I know this is terrifying.” She struggled to keep the tremor from her voice. “I’m afraid, too. But I promise you, I will fight to my last breath to end the one who seeks to end us.”

Her inhalation was jagged. “Until then, be careful. Watch everywhere you go and everything you do. Listen to your hearts and find the inner strength, because I believe we are all much more powerful than we know. And if you seek your Nol, tap into the connection that you have in Faydor. Use it to protect yourselves. I believe you don’t only possess it here, but while awake as well.”

Ellis lifted his bony hands. “Fight, my dear family. Fight with everything that you have. Both here and while awake. There is much work to be done ... It is time to descend.”

Aria tracked through the bowels of Faydor with Pax at her side. The bitter cold wrapped her whole, and the howls of the depraved echoed in her ears.

They slayed each Kruen they passed.

Pushing themselves harder than they ever had before.

Their goal was to end them quickly. Their efforts were crucial since so many Laven had been lost.

But there seemed to be even more Kruen to contend with. Evil sprouting up from the nothingness. Growing in its own strength.

The chill in the air was volatile.

As if Faydor trembled on a brand-new axis, too.