Keleon and Mary ran into the room. “What’s going on?” they asked in unison. Colli looked from one to the other. “I know why he did this.” The words came out in a harsh whisper. She leaned over and righted the chair, then stood to face the others. “Who?” Mary asked. “It’s Skad, Skad Elig,”…
Colli pulled her trembling hand from Keleon’s grasp. “We did it.” His smile held no reassurance. “We stopped the fire, but that’s not the battle, let alone the war.” She brushed long silver-white hair from her face. “Then what?” he asked. “I’m not sure.” A word with no meaning formed in her mind. “Skad.” She…
“Can you see?” “Enough.” Keleon moved his hand down her arm to grab her hand. “”Stay close.” His raspy voice carried the calm of reassurance. Colli wasn’t sure how they made it out. The pop and crackle of the fire, consuming what little was left, added to the heat that grew in this forsaken dungeon. …
“I’m sorry,” even without the voices, Colli knew she’d done the wrong thing. Still she didn’t dare stop to investigate. Sliding against hot twisted metal and fiery chunks of wood her legs and arms bruised, but didn’t burn as they should have. Sung’s shield protected her. Her throat grew raw from acrid smoke. Her eyes…
“Get in,” he commanded. “We don’t have time to argue.” After he pushed her into the passenger seat, he slammed the door closed. The whole car rattled. Once he took his place, the engine coughed to life, with the usual disgusting odor. “Wh…where are we going?” Collie chewed on her lower lip. “Where we first…
Warm fingers of sunlight tickled her eyelids. Collianna O’Glacken stretched. As was her usual habit, she reached for the coin that hung from a fine gold chain around her neck. She rubbed it between her finger and thumb. It’d been a good night’s sleep. For a change the voices had been quiet. Until now that…
The shadows moved forward, threatening to overpower the brightness that had grown. Use it. Trevan’s energy gathered in her. We’re here. Mary and Keleon added. We’re all here. The voices brought their own strength. The brightness she thought would disappear behind the door with Trevan grew stronger. The shadows that had tried to trip her…
Before she could finish, dark once more descended. The wind grew stronger. Even though it warmed the air around them, it brought no comfort. A violent blast knocked Colli to the ground. She stood, but remained hunched over. “Stay low,” Colli commanded. She felt the others beside her, all but Mary. She floated up. The…
“You are never alone,” a squeaky voice chimed in. “Are you going to just stand there?” Chernbog leaned toward Colli. “Your voices can’t help you now,” he jeered . It’s not us he’s afraid of. Afraid? Of me? Colli hesitated. Why would anyone fear me? The answer is in you. Look inside and join with…
Once more lightning struck. A charge pulsed through her body. No longer covered with a soft blanket of snow, the hard ground beat into Colli when another bolt, this time shaped like a ball, bounced at her feet. It passed from the ground sending shock waves through her body. Colli couldn’t stop shaking. She lay flat. …
“What.” She turned to face him. “You have more than voices to help us. Draw from inside. Stop Them.” “Stop them.” A cackle sent a shiver through her. “Chernbog, I will stop you,” Colli hissed. “We’ll stop him.” Mary’s voice came from the right. “Together,” Keleon added from her left. Heat built and spread from…
“We’ll get back.” The words ground out between Keleon’s clinched teeth. “Tell them we’re on our way.” He winced when Colli dug her fingers into his arm. Before she could complete the communication, they descended from the clouds. Wind shook the craft. Driving snow pelted the hull. Numbing fear spread through her. “But—“ “Tell them,” he…
“They’re here.” “Can we make it?” The tremor in Mary’s voice added terror to Sung’s words. “Yes.” Sung cleared his throat, determination once again obvious. “Straight to McAllister. Don’t try to make it back to the command station,” he ordered. Amazed, Colli sat watching as Keleon manipulated the controls of his precious vehicle. A flip…
“So you see,” Jovan took over the conversation, “we need you.” “Trevan needs you.” Illianna floated down from her perch. “Will you accept the training of our son?” she asked. Half forgotten, Trevan’s holographic figure picked up a block and threw it with such force that it bounced out of the surrounding area. Colli heard…
A swirl of light at the far end of the cavern descended from the highest of the stone carvings. It melted into the floor, spreading first green, then gold, and finally royal purple toward the pedestal where Colli had taken the seat. Lights dimmed, but below Colli’s feet colors continued to glow and change, forming…
“Can’t we just stay here?” Colli looked around. She’d never seen such a myriad of colors blend together so intoxicatingly. “There’ll be plenty of time for that later.” Sung stepped forward. “Don’t forget your commitment.” Colli sighed. “Yes…” She wanted to complain, but thought better of it. Ignoring her, Sung turned to his left and…
It was all fine and good to be zipping around inner space of the solar system, but Colli thought it was a waste of time. “When are we going back?” she sighed. “I thought we had an assignment.” “Now,” Sung called from the back. “Show her.” Keleon nodded. He stomped against the floor board. A lever…
“You don’t think we should be more serious?” Colli didn’t try to hide her irritation. “No,” he replied, bluntly “Uh?” Sung broke in, before they could carry the argument further. “Colli, this is Keleon Tamastersine. Keleon,” Sung looked disapprovingly at him. “This is Collianna O’Glacken. She needs your help.” “Why do I need his help?” …
A soft whisper of voices agreed with him. “Come. Sit down.” He motioned her to a chair on the same side of the desk as his own. “I need to brief you on the assignment.” “Assignment? But…” Colli ran her fingers through her silver-white hair, pulling it out of her eyes. Maybe that would help…
If not for the supporting hand that grabbed her elbow, Colli would have fallen to the floor. “Come. There is a cot prepared for you.” Sung guided her to a corner. Despite the pain, a strange pleasure filled her. The restoration and joining of deteriorated elements grew in her body, with every beat of her…
Against her judgment Colli stepped down, then down again to the next, and the next… “One, two.” The only thing she could do was count each time her foot hit a solid surface. The final stair spread out onto a wet, stony floor. Below and above, small dots of light twinkled with the soft hum of…
“Yes. That is part of the contract.” Sung shook his head. “But I wish you’d change your mind.” Colli’s resolve must have mirrored on her face, because the commander continued after a small hesitation. “Turn in your uniform and report to the infirmary.” He pulled his hair back, then wrapped it into a small knot…
“You can’t give up.” Mary patted her arm. “Your skill is too vital. You have the ability to control atmospheric conditions around you. You also have the ability to communicate with intelligences of all levels. Trevan needs you. His ability lies in bringing his solar system and ours together for the protection of life as…
“But…” Worry passed over Mary’s face. “You can’t leave now.” “Sorry. I shouldn’t have come here in the first place.” Colli turned her head to stare out the car’s open window. Sweat brought by the heat that had built all day, glued once loose clothing to her body. The planet brought more than comfort of…
“Collianna?” Trevan’s voice preceded him from the eating area. “Mommy says you aren’t going to stay.” Munching on a small gooey chunk of bread, his words took on his mother’s accent with elongated s’s and clipped r’s. “Don’t you like me?” Tears of hurt welled in his eyes. Colli tried to fight the guilt that built…