Lightning Bringer: (Lighting Seeker Book 2)

Carving Despair

"I will give you both a moment alone before you leave Miss Vita." Kebar turned and walked out, leaving Vale and Sky alone. Vale waited until the door closed behind Kebar before letting out an uneasy breath, then she sprinted towards Sky and threw her arms around him, burying her face into his chest, enjoying the sound of Sky's mechanical heartbeat, whirring in a calm, clear rhythm that reminded her that he was real and alive. She took in the smell of eucalyptus and copper that filled her lungs from his skin, the warmth of his body against her face. Relief flooding her that the boy in front of her was intact. 

But she took a step back when he tensed underneath her touch. He stared down at her, his brows furrowed in a mix of anger and detachment.

Exasperation bubbled up inside of Vale, surprising her with its ferocity. Why did you run from me?  Vale signed, her motions ripping through the air like a knife.

Sky's eyes were cold, a bitter sheet of ice filling his normally gentle sky eyes. You left and joined the rebellion, Sky signed, his gestures far less graceful than they had been six months ago, coated in accusatory bitterness.

Vale stared at him, confused, waiting for him to explain. When he just stared back she shook her head. So? We needed to fix things. We agreed to do that.

Sky looked away, his jaw tensing. I agreed to warn them. But I never wanted to be a part of this. Of any of it. That's why I left. And I wake up to find out that you are not only gone but that you are heading up missions, throwing yourself in reckless danger.

Vale blinked, hoping that by taking a beat and then refocusing on him, that his words would refocus, take on a different meaning. That the conversation wouldn't result in something breaking between them. That it would bring the Sky she knew back and replace him with the cold boy standing before her. But it didn't. His words sat heavy in her heart, his ice-cold eyes like a slap to the face. "Why didn't you say anything?" Vale whispered voice cracked.

Vale wanted nothing more than to reach out for his hand, to feel the warmth of his calloused scared fingers against hers. But his guarded posture held her in place. Breaking her heart into a thousand pieces. The boy she knew, the one who had guided her to safety, who had saved her from being spotted by enemy eyes, the one who had followed her into battle was done. No longer wanting to walk the path she was on. She hadn't even realized they were on two different roads until they were far apart, with no connecting road in sight.

Sky signed again, his fingers a blur of angry words as he took a step towards her. I was injured after taking down that AI ship. When would I have been able to tell you?  Vale took a step back, suddenly needing space at the anger sparking in his eyes.

He took another step towards her. I thought that we had done enough to help. That by getting the information for... His hands paused, like a verbal stutter as his fingers fluttered in place for a moment... Dash... I would have done my part.

"Sky." It was the only word Vale seemed capable of uttering. She forced her breath to even out, putting a pin in that part of their conversation, too terrified to continue down that road. "But why are you here? With them?"

Sky's eyes narrowed slightly. You already know why.

Vale shook her head. "I know what others believe." They would accuse him of coming back, of betraying the rebellion. But he wouldn't do that. It would kill Dash and everyone else. "I'd like to hear your version. Your story. Nothing is ever as simple as people like me to believe."

Sky's eyes softened and for a moment Vale glimpsed the boy she had fought to find. The boy she had brought back from near-death multiple times. The boy who held her close when she was afraid.

He took a step back from her, looking away, and pulling her hope away with him. I came here of my own free will Vale.

Vale grabbed his hand, needing to stop him from lying. "I don't believe you. You wouldn't come here and endanger yourself. Endanger-."

He yanked his hand away. Don't say his name.

But he needs you Sky.

My family needs me here, Sky retorted.

"And what? He doesn't count?!? The rest of us don't count?!?" Vale couldn't help but shout, angry tears rising into her eyes. "You left! Without a word!"

You left me first! Sky replied, his eyes flashing with a wave of anger that ripped through his eyes and split through Vale's body like a lightning bolt.

"That's not fair," Vale replied.

None of this is, Sky signed and turned to leave. You should go. Get back to your rebellion while there still is one.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Vale walked towards him and pulled him back around to look at her. She gripped his arm tightly, angry at the threat.

Sky pried her fingers off of his arm like she was burning him. It means...

He flexed his fingers, his nervous tick. ...that we know who everyone of you is, Vale Vita, Lightning Bringer. And if you don't leave right now, we won't let you go. You will be trapped here, a prize to be showcased against your rebellion.

Vale winced, swallowing her anger and pride, trying one more time to pull him back. To get him to come with her. To pull him away from whatever had broken him. She looked into his cold eyes signing the phrase that he had signed to her six months ago. The words that had led to the admittance of his feelings. To their first kiss.

I want you with me. She took a step towards him, catching a flicker of something in his eyes, cutting through the storm. We made a promise to each other. That I would watch over you, watch your back. Let me do that now.

Vale, I mean it. Go. Sky replied, his eyes narrowing in warning, like a crack of lightning flashing across the sky.

We stay together. We do this, together, Vale signed urgently.

The door behind them opened. "Sounds like a lovely conversation," Kebar said dryly. "But Sky has things to do my dear, and you have your... hobby."

Vale rolled her metal hand into a fist. Turning, she swung her metal fist towards Kebar with all of her might, lightning cracking through her fist with wild furry. She was determined to break him the way he broke Sky, to take him down and silence the threat against everyone she loved.

But Sky was suddenly blocking her, shielding Kebar. And before she could stop her swing, she hit Sky, knocking him to the ground, electricity coursing through his body.

Vale let out a single scream, moving towards Sky. She was suddenly surrounded by AI's who shoved her to the ground, keeping her from reaching him. "Sky!" Vale shouted over the sound of the AI's metal bodies wrapping around her, blocking her view of the beautiful boy lit up by the angry light. "No!"

His eyes found hers for a single moment, anger and grief filling his beautiful face, carving despair into every corner of it like a breathtaking statue. Then, her world went dark.