The Dark of Light (Starhawke Rising Book 1)

by Audrey Sharpe

  Time and space lost all meaning. There was only energy. Unbelievable, unrelenting energy. And a battle for control that obliterated everything in its path. The pressure bore down on her, demanding her surrender.

  She fought back, refusing to submit, even as the energy pressed forward, crushing her.

  And then it shot through the shield. A cry of agony tore through her. She’d lost.

  But instead of blasting her into nothingness, the energy shifted, dispersing as the tension eased and the bright light faded away.

  Only one thing remained. Breathing. She was breathing.

  Cautiously, she opened her eyes, afraid of what she might see.

  A smoking mass of metal sat at the center of the room. The children were still standing, apparently unharmed. But the Necri behind them, most of whom lay crumpled on the ground, were twitching and writhing in pain.

  The cry of agony hadn’t come from her. It had come from the Necri. Somehow they’d pulled energy through the shield and into their bodies. Those standing closest had taken the hardest hits. Their sacrifice had released the pressure, allowing Aurora to dissipate what remained.

  If not for their sheer numbers, it would have killed them. However, working as a collective, they’d minimized the damage. She sensed their pain, but not death. They would live. Especially if she helped them.

  She took a step, breaking the connection with the circle, but her knees buckled. Gentle arms caught her around the shoulders and eased her to the floor as her head swam. Something firm but yielding supported her upper body as her muscles relaxed into a puddle and her lids grew heavy.

  But that didn’t prevent her from spotting Cade’s solid form standing among the Necri across the room. Or the look of awe on his face.

  46

  She’d done it.

  Cade stared at Aurora, uncomprehending. Somehow, she’d managed to contain an explosion that had the power to tear apart the entire ship and everyone in it.

  The repercussions pounded into him, much like the wave that had blown out when the autodestruct ignited. He’d always known Aurora had power. But this? He couldn’t even begin to grasp it.

  It had clearly taken a lot out of her. Cardiff had settled Aurora into her lap, supporting her upper body so she was upright. But Aurora looked one step away from unconsciousness.

  She held his gaze as he approached on unsteady legs. Maybe the explosion had succeeded in its deadly task and he was actually a ghost in an alternate reality. In some ways, that seemed more plausible.

  He knelt, taking Aurora’s hand in his. She watched him with an intensity that made his heart thump painfully in his chest. Emotion flickered in her beautiful green eyes, and an openness he hadn’t seen in a long time, as though all of the walls she kept in place to protect herself had been wiped away.

  Emoto’s voice in his earpiece jarred him back to awareness of those around them.

  “Ellis! Are you there?”

  He tapped the device. “We’re here.”

  “What happened? Did Drew halt the sequence?”

  “No. The device detonated.”

  “It did?” Emoto’s voice conveyed his confusion. Then it edged toward panic. “What about Roe? Is she okay?”

  “Yes. She’s right here.”

  Emoto exhaled audibly. “Thank the universe. What happened?”

  “She can explain when she sees you.” Cade gave Aurora’s hand a squeeze, but she didn’t return the gesture.

  “Can you put her on? I need to talk to her about Mya.”

  “Hang on.” He pulled off his earpiece and held it out to her.

  She glanced at it but made no move to take it. Or more precisely, she acted like she couldn’t.

  Had she been paralyzed by the blast? Fear gripped him. He leaned toward her but two sets of hands held him back. Maanee and her sister appeared on either side of Aurora, blocking him from getting closer. The older sister shook her head and gently removed his hand from Aurora’s.

  He hated the loss of connection, but they seemed to have a plan. He stepped back as the girls held Aurora’s hands while linking their free hands with each other, forming a small circle.

  Aurora’s gaze shifted to the two sisters. A blue glow formed around their joined hands, and she inhaled sharply. A moment later, her energy field flared to life and she bolted upright like she’d been plugged into an electrical conduit. And in a way, he guessed she had.

  47

  Aurora kept her focus on the two girls. The energy from their hands was cool and soothing, like being touched by love itself. And it was working.

  After the blue light faded and they released her, her own field remained strong and vibrant. She rested a hand on each of their shoulders. “Thank you.” She allowed her emotions to join the flow of energy she sent back to them in gratitude.

  They gazed at her silently, a look that bordered on reverence on their faces. They nodded, rising to their feet and stepping away.

  “Ellis? Roe? What’s going on?” Kire’s voice filtered out of the device Cade still held loosely in his fingers.

  Aurora reached forward and captured it, then secured it to her ear. “I’m here, Kire.”

  “You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice.”

  The tremor in his was a good indicator. “It’s good to hear your voice, too.”

  “I’m sending Kelly over with a shuttle. Can you get to the bay on the port side? It’s three levels below the Necri bay and fifty meters to the stern. The guards left it open when they evacuated.”

  She frowned. “Why the urgency?”

  “It’s Mya. She’s not doing well.”

  “Mya?” Her muscles contracted as a jolt of fear rocketed through her veins. With the cascade of problems she’d faced since the guards had brought her onboard, she’d temporarily forgotten the condition Mya had been in when she’d last seen her. She pushed to her feet. “I’m on my way.”

  “We need Williams, too. He’s the only medic we have.”

  Her gaze locked onto the teens. “Williams can’t help her. But I know who can.” The teens stared back. “We’ll be outside the bay when Kelly arrives.”

  She slipped the earpiece off and handed it to Cade without waiting for a reply.

  Facing the teens, she allowed her instincts to guide her. She focused on an image of Mya with her deep green energy field glowing around her. She felt their surprise and knew she’d successfully projected the image into their minds. Then she shifted to the visual of the Necri holding Mya, and Mya’s body slumping to the ground.

  Shock and horror buffeted her as the image registered. A dark-haired girl of about seventeen looked ill and wavered on her feet. Aurora hated causing them distress, but they needed to know what they were up against. The final image she sent was a composite rather than a memory, with Mya at the center and the circle of teens standing around her holding hands with Aurora while they generated an energy field.

  The teens began talking rapidly to each another, with some gesturing at the Necri while others glanced at her. She could sense their concern for the creatures, a concern she shared. Most of the Necri were unconscious on the floor, including her three bodyguards. They were also in pain—she could feel it—but their injuries were not life-threatening. She didn’t have the same conviction regarding Mya.

  Celia joined the conversation, the obvious rapport she’d developed with the teens allowing her to communicate despite the language barrier. After a few exchanges back and forth, the teens split up, with two boys and two girls moving to join Celia.

  Celia’s brown eyes filled with compassion and understanding as she held Aurora’s gaze. Mya’s safety meant a lot to both of them. “Take care of Mya. We’re going to stay and help the Necri. The kids will keep everyone here calm so you can go.”

  Aurora gave Celia a quick hug. “Thank you.”

  The dark-haired girl, the two girls who had helped her, who looked like sisters, and a boy of about fifteen stepped toward Aurora. She motioned for them
to follow her. “Come with me.”

  Cade joined her as she headed for the corridor. “Where are you going?”

  “To help Mya.” She continued down the hallway and turned left toward the stairway.

  “Do you think you’re in any condition to help her?”

  “Yes.” She was upright and she was mobile. Nothing was going to stop her from doing everything she could to save her friend. It wasn’t open for debate. “I need you and Drew to stay here with Celia and keep the Necri calm, but I need Williams to meet us outside the bay. Mya may have physical injuries that will require treatment as well.”

  “As well?” He caught hold of her arm. “What happened to her?”

  What could she tell him that wouldn’t generate a hundred questions? She didn’t have the time or strength for that discussion right now. “It’s complicated.”

  He held her gaze. “With you it often is.”

  Funny, Mya had said the exact same thing.

  48

  Kire was waiting for her when she exited the shuttle. Without preamble, he hauled her into his arms and held on tight. “I thought we’d lost you.” He pulled back and swept his gaze over her. “Are you okay?”

  Such a difficult question. “I will be. Where’s Mya?”

  “In the med bay with Jon. Star’s been watching over them.”

  Jonarel. She’d forgotten about him, too. “How serious is Jonarel’s condition?”

  “I think he’ll be okay. He took some hard hits during the fighting, but nothing that can’t be fixed. Unfortunately, he’s a terrible patient. He’s refused any treatment or pain killers until he sees you.”

  Then she needed to get moving. Motioning to the teens and Dr. Williams to join them, she and Kire led the way as they all filed into the lift. “Med bay.”

  The lift opened on the main deck, revealing the glass entrance to the med bay. Aurora’s heart rate picked up. Mya lay on one of the platforms near the back of the room. She looked lifeless. Was she even breathing?

  But far worse, Aurora couldn’t feel her. She got no sense of her at all, as though the body on the bed was nothing but an empty shell.

  “Aurora.” The croak came from the med platform across the aisle from Mya’s. Jonarel lay on his side, his face a mass of dried blood and grime that hid his beautiful skin. One eye was swollen shut. Pain radiated off of him, but his focus was entirely on her. He tried to push himself up, but she stopped him, resting her hand lightly on his arm and coaxing him back down on the bed.

  “I’m here.” She allowed a gentle flow of energy to slip down her fingers and into his skin. His expression relaxed as the pain eased a bit.

  Williams whistled as he got a good look at the blood-soaked wrapping on Jonarel’s back. “That’s an impressive wound you’ve got there. Mind if I take a look?”

  Jonarel shook his head, his gaze never leaving Aurora.

  Williams glanced at her. “I’ve got this. Why don’t you go help Dr. Forrest?”

  She could have kissed him. “Thank you.” She squeezed Jonarel’s shoulder. “I’ll be right over there.” She gestured to Mya’s bed. He nodded, though he continued to stare at her as if he was afraid to blink.

  Kire cleared his throat. “I’ll leave you to it, then.”

  “Wait.” She didn’t want him to go. He needed to witness this. It was time. “Stay. Please.” She placed her hand on his arm. “It would really help if you’re here.”

  Something shifted in his eyes, an awareness that hadn’t been there before. He nodded slowly. “Okay.”

  She released him and moved to the foot of Mya’s bed. The ache in her chest expanded as she gazed at Mya’s still form. Don’t leave me. Please don’t leave me.

  A gentle touch at her wrist startled her. The younger of the two sisters laced her fingers through Aurora’s, a quiet calm that completely belied her years shining in her blue eyes. She joined hands with her sister, who clasped hands with the boy across the bed. The dark-haired girl completed the circle, taking hold of the boy’s hand and Aurora’s.

  She wasn’t alone. She’d brought help. Mya was going to be okay.

  Aurora cleared her mind and focused on her connection with Mya’s virtually non-existent energy field. The soft pearlescent glow of her own field flowed into the circle and was quickly joined by the blue of the two sisters and the red and yellow of the dark-haired girl and the boy. The colors danced and spun through the space, encircling Mya’s body in a gentle web.

  Come back to me, Mya. Please.

  She repeated the last word over and over like a chant, willing some kind of response from Mya’s body. She tuned into every breath, every beat of her heart, every touch of the hands clasped in hers. She sensed every life force in the room—Williams, Kire, Jonarel, and the four children. She even sensed Star’s special presence.

  But she felt nothing from Mya. Nothing. Not a whisper, not a flicker, not a—

  The burst of green slammed into her so abruptly that it felt like she’d been punched in the gut. A hook latched onto her field, pulling her forward, drawing energy like a mosquito draws blood. She braced for the weakness she’d experienced on the ship following the explosion. But it never came.

  Instead, Mya’s energy field bloomed to glorious life, a cloud of emerald green that blended with the pearl of her own to create a stunning band. It spread outward, encompassing the four children. The feeling of power and healing that came with it shocked her, all the aches and pains she hadn’t even been aware of now noticeable for their sudden absence.

  She glanced down. Mya’s eyes were open, though still unfocused. But her breathing had returned to normal and color was rapidly suffusing her skin.

  The wave of energy pushed outward, washing over Kire, Jonarel and Williams. Kire inhaled sharply. He wouldn’t be able to see the energy, but he would certainly feel it when it touched him.

  This was the moment she’d avoided for years. But she couldn’t hide from him any longer. She met his gaze, afraid of what she’d see in his eyes.

  Only one emotion dominated his entire being. Joy. Thank you he mouthed silently as a small smile touched the edges of his lips.

  Her heart warmed as her fears washed away. He knew. And he understood.

  Movement in her peripheral vision drew her attention back to the bed. Mya’s eyes had finally cleared. She was gazing in surprise at the four teens holding vigil around her. Her energy field had resumed its normal state, vibrating with health and vigor as it flowed around her body. The expanding wave from the circle slowly dissipated as Aurora released her own field.

  The teens let go of their clasped hands and moved back. Aurora took Mya’s hand in both of hers, grateful for the warmth and vitality that had replaced the emptiness. “How do you feel?”

  Mya’s voice rasped, unintelligible. She swallowed a couple times and tried again. “Strangely enough, I feel good.” Then she grinned. “But you look like hell.”

  Aurora laughed. She was probably right.

  Mya’s gaze shifted to the teens. She pushed herself into a seated position while Aurora snagged a pillow off the nearby platform. She stuffed it behind Mya’s back to prop her up.

  “I think introductions are in order,” Mya said.

  Yes, they were. “They don’t understand our language.” Aurora indicated the teens. “But they rock at the non-verbal communication.” She turned to the young girl beside her and indicated for her to start the introductions.

  The girl gave a slight bow in Mya’s direction. “Maanee.” She touched her chest then gestured at her sister.

  “Paaw,” the older girl said.

  Mya smiled and pointed at herself. “Mya.”

  Paaw smiled back shyly, and then executed a graceful hand movement that ended with one palm extended flat toward Mya and the other held palm-inward over her heart. She said a word in her language.

  For some reason, Mya flinched.

  Aurora frowned. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” Mya avoided her gaze,
turning to the teens on the other side of the bed.

  The dark-haired girl spoke first. “Raaveen.”

  “Sparw,” the boy said.

  Then all four turned their gazes to Aurora and waited expectantly. “Oh!” She’d never told them her name. She placed her palm flat on her chest. “Aurora.”

  The children smiled and nodded, as though they approved. Then Paaw made the same elaborate hand gesture and indicated her. “Sahzade.”

  She froze, the small hairs on the back of her neck and arms lifting. She stared at the girl. “What did you say?”

  Paaw frowned, glancing at Mya and her sister in confusion. She gestured at Aurora again. “Sahzade.”

  There was no mistaking it the second time. Aurora’s voice leaked out in a harsh whisper. “How do you know that name?”

  49

  Kire’s reality had shifted, but Roe looked poleaxed. All the color had drained out of her face.

  How could the girl, Paaw, know Roe’s childhood nickname?

  The teen glanced at the others for support as Roe stared at her like horns had sprouted from her forehead.

  Roe finally keyed into the girl’s discomfort. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” She spoke to the girl, but her gaze shifted to Mya. “I just don’t understand how you could know that name.”

  Mya gave a subtle shake of her head.

  Roe’s spine straightened. She wasn’t happy. But she was doing her best to hide it. She placed her hand on Paaw’s arm. “It’s fine.” When she smiled, some of the tension eased from the girl’s shoulders.

  Motion to Kire’s left caught his attention. Jon was sitting on the edge of the med platform with Williams behind him. The doctor was staring at the shredded remains of the tunic covering Jon’s back. As Jon stood, Kire blinked. The deep green skin underneath that had been a mass of ugly now looked smooth and healthy.