by Elle Lewis
“What do you need me to do?” I asked.
“Lay down beside the fire,” Aleo instructed.
The clearing was now dark. I hadn’t even noticed that night had fallen. The small fire flickered with light but was almost unnoticeable in comparison to the incandescent glow of three sets of wings. I had noticed earlier that their wings seemed to hold an internal light, but now that it was dark, and they were all standing together, the effect was mesmerizing. Nyx’s white and gold wings glimmered with lavender, the delicate purple light threading throughout each feather. Aleo’s exuded pure white light—like small strands of lightening—humming within the folds of his wings. The golden glow of Cato’s wings added to the otherworldly illumination that filled the small space. Inigo’s eyes burned even brighter in the darkness, the orbs of white fire almost blinding. It was an incredible yet terrifying sight.
I stood, unnerved by their beauty and power. I took a few steps forward, until I was close to the fire and then stretched myself out beside it.
Inigo stepped forward. Because the brilliance of his eyes was so intense, I focused my gaze on his metallic adam’s apple.
Inigo extended his hand, the little fiery white lights racing up and down the metallic substance of his arm. “Remain calm.”
I jerked. His mouth had not moved yet I heard his voice inside my head. It was a powerful voice—dynamic—layered with knowledge and the promise of hidden mysteries. I gritted my teeth and tried to hold onto my resolve. Although I couldn’t help being completely freaked out that Inigo could speak inside my mind. Fucking Awesome. It would make this process so much more enjoyable.
I kept my palms flat on the grass and tried not to move. The green and yellow grasses were thick and course, but thankfully the ground was dry. The fire was directly to my left. Now that I was closer I could see that it was not the normal yellow of a real fire. The flames were composed of a pure white substance, arranged in a circular formation, as if a few silver stars had been captured and now hung suspended over the ground.
Inigo knelt beside me on the same side as the fire. Only an inch separated us, his metallic body right next to my hip. My fingers trembled within the grass and hints of nausea rolled inside my stomach. Inigo reached his right hand into the silver fire, his movements slow and precise. A part of me wanted to squeeze my eyes shut and keep them closed until this was over. Or keep them centered on the dark night sky that stretched above me. But something was happening in the fire beside me and I couldn’t look away.
Inigo’s vast voice entered my mind. “Do not move.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cato take several large steps backwards. Aleo and Nyx mirrored him, putting distance between themselves and Inigo. The silver fire began to grow. Inigo’s hand remained in the star-like flames, his fiery eyes centered on the expanding substance. The white flame flowed outwards and upwards, the silvery tendrils climbing high overhead. It took herculean effort to stay still and quiet. Inigo was like a metallic statue next to me, his focus completely centered on making the silver flame spread. In moments, the strange substance converged overhead with a snap. It encased us inside its undulating form, as if Inigo and I were gathered at the bottom of a bubble. The sounds of the forest became muffled. The air inside the silver dome took on a new quality. It was now thin and crisp, like the fresh air of a mountain top.
Inigo’s voice blossomed in my mind, “The Source is infinite. The Energy it brings forth is endless, the different types countless. Energy exists on the very air, suspended in the atmosphere, fluctuating within the smallest blade of grass. To detect your natural born energy which The Source has so wisely imparted to you, the environment must be pure, with no outer influences. The silver substance that you see is my essence, my energy pushing all other energies away. Calm your mind. Be still. All will be revealed.”
Inigo removed his right hand from the silver fire, which was still burning brightly. He positioned it above my heart and then brought his left hand over my stomach. His hands hovered half an inch above me. The fire in his eyes blazed brighter and so did the silver lines of electricity that raced up and down his body. The lines of electricity extended, silver wisps exploding out like mini solar prominences. The small electric flares danced and flickered, crackling.
Fear crawled over me like hundreds of ants. The urge to move away was overwhelming. I gritted my teeth together so hard my jaw ached. Inigo lowered his hands, that last half inch of separation disappearing. His hands pressed gently over my heart and stomach, the small strands of silver electricity lashing out and dancing across my body. I expected to feel hot pain, but instead I felt cold. The wisps of electricity were like thin pieces of ice gliding across my skin. Inigo closed his eyes. He bowed his head slightly, intense concentration pulling on the sharp lines of his metallic face. The cold wisps of electricity struck my skin, over and over. And then the cold seeped into me, the icy tendrils sliding into my skin, penetrating my veins. It felt as if someone had poured ice cold water into my blood. The frigid electricity snaked through my veins and arteries, chilling me to the bone. It traveled to my chest, finally hovering in a freezing ball over my heart. The ice touched every inch of me except the left side of my body. The hot pain of Darrow’s Dark Energy remained, continuing to burn undisturbed.
My breath became uneven and quick. It felt like an eternity that I lay there, underneath an electric silver dome, as Inigo’s essence delved into my body. I began shivering uncontrollably not knowing how much more of this I could take. I forced myself to stay calm. Inigo tilted his head, as if he were listening to something. He quickly moved his hands, placing them on the sides of my face. I couldn’t help the gasp that escaped my lips. The wisps of cold electricity cascaded down my cheeks and nose, across my lips and neck. Inigo leaned in closer, his metallic face contorted with effort. And then suddenly, his expression smoothed. He opened his eyes.
His hands still held my face and I was unable to look away. I gazed into the fiery light of his eyes and in that instant, I saw millions and millions of stars suspended in the deep black of space. Beautiful nebulas exploded with light and vibrant color. Beyond it all—at the very end— was The Source. Its transcendence held me utterly transfixed. Its omnipotence descended upon me—pressing against my mind—an unbearable force of limitless power. I screamed.
Inigo released me and the white electric orb that surrounded us disappeared. The silver fire to my left went out and Inigo stood in one fluid motion. I stayed where I was on the ground, shaken and weak.
Inigo’s voice boomed in my head. “The human was given Genesis Energy at her birth.”
The reaction to Inigo’s pronouncement made me unbelievably frightened. Aleo, Cato and Nyx rushed forward. Aleo immediately took the lead, launching into a series of orders while Cato and Nyx gazed down at me, their eyes wide.
“Genesis. It cannot be,” Nyx whispered.
“Inigo, we leave immediately,” Aleo stated in a commanding voice. “The Four must be notified. Considering this information, I am confident they will give the order to destroy Darrow. They will most assuredly approve additional Warriors to come to our aide.”
Aleo turned to Cato. “Take her somewhere safe while you await our return. Go immediately, waste no time. It is absolutely vital that Darrow gets nowhere near her, understood?”
Cato nodded. “Understood.”
Aleo then addressed Nyx. “Nyx, you must be pulled from your quadrant longer than expected. Patrol the outer rims of the galaxy while Cato remains on earth guarding the human. If you sense Darrow’s presence, alert Cato at once.”
“And who will guard my quadrant from the Dark Ones? I cannot abandon it.” Her tone was respectful but stern.
“If you do not do this, there may not be a quadrant left for you to protect. The human holds Genesis
Energy. You know what that means. Now go.” Aleo demanded sternly.
Her face hardened but she obeyed. “As you wish.” Nyx shot into the sky, quickly disappearing, the lavender glow from her wings leaving a purple streak in her wake.
“I will return as quickly as possible,” Aleo said.
I heard Inigo’s voice again in my mind. “At this time, only the defense aspect of Genesis has been activated, but it is only a matter of time Aleo, before…”
His voice faded as Aleo and Inigo left, both soaring into the night sky at the same time.
Cato and I were alone in the clearing. The trees swayed overhead, blowing in the warm air. Insects chirped. Water lapped somewhere in the distance. I continued to tremble. What was Inigo telling Aleo? It was only a matter of time before what?
Cato knelt beside me. “We must leave now, Sloan.”
I looked up at him. “Where will we go?”
“I will take you someplace safe,” he answered. “You are weary. May I?”
I nodded.
Cato gathered me into his arms, cradling me to his chest as he stood. I was still cold, and his bronze skin was comfortingly warm.
I tilted my head back so that I could meet his eyes. “Cato, what is Genesis Energy? What does that mean?”
He shook his head, his godlike features stern. “Later. We must leave.”
I was too scared to argue. Was catching a brief glimpse of The Source too much for my human mind to handle? Or had it been Inigo’s cold electric energy penetrating into my cardiovascular system that had me this shaken? Probably the whole damn experience.
Cato bent his knees slightly and then launched into the sky, his massive golden wings spreading to their full width as soon as we were above the tree line. The last thing I saw before losing consciousness was the moon. Wispy clouds glided across its luminous beauty, silver stars nestled closely at its side. The resplendent light filled my vision in a burst of loveliness and then everything went black.
--END OF BOOK ONE--
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elle Lewis lives in Orlando, Florida with her husband, son, and a phenomenal orange cat named Cheddar. She is a nurse by profession, but her heart belongs to monsters, fictional worlds, and all things conjured up by the imagination. She dreams of one day moving to the mountains and living in a small town that resembles The Shire.
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