Lightning Bringer: (Lighting Seeker Book 2)

Believing Herself

The sky was pink, giving the world a low peach glow as a new day began. Vale and Sky moved back to the ship, hopping over debris, Vale's heart light and full. She had spent several hours with Midnight, learning everything she could and hoped it would be enough for what she had planned at the Devinus castle.

In her final hours in the Underground, Sky had taken her to a room that had been a heaven she never knew existed. A physical library. The smell of old books that had been loved by thousands of hands was breathtaking. People sat in groups discussing their favorite topics, their voices in hushed passionate whispers as they debated the truth hidden in each written piece.

Vale had joined in a conversation about an ancient book called Fahrenheit 451, and the cassionary tale it taught about forgetting the importance of free thought, feeling the good and bad that life had to offer along with the pain that one must feel with the loss of those freedoms if you wanted to ever find it again.

She had looked around the small group. Seen heads huddled together, hands clutching copies, eyes bright with passion inspired by pages of beautifully woven words and knew she had found home. Something she had been aching for since before she had stowed away on the Lightning Seeker ship in what felt like another life. She had wanted adventure, connection, and a chance to do something that mattered. And like a person stumbling through a desert for far too long, Vale had fallen into a precious oasis, suddenly revitalized. Healed. She could hardly believe the miracle that the Underground was, soothing the wounds that Kebar had caused.

Vale took in a large breath, spirit light as she half skipped down the pavement. "That was incredible!" Vale said into the dark morning, her voice musical in its giddiness. "I've been to the blackmarkets but that was something else. It was..." She didn't have a word for it. Vale paused thinking. "Everything! The interactions. The discussions. The ability to learn things that would have otherwise been lost!"

Her eyes were bright as she turned to look up at Sky when they reached the fence that would lead them back to the ship. "Why?" She searched his face. "Of all the places in the world. Why here?" She had expected him to take her somewhere secluded. Somewhere they didn't have to steal kisses in rooms without cameras.

Sky's eyes were warm, tender as he responded. It's a whole underground world of fighters who just want a chance to experience things. Sky stared at the fence, reluctant to go back to the ship. I may not be able to fight like you, change things like you want to... He ran his hands through his golden hair, his fingers hanging at the ends, reaching for strands that were no longer there. He was still unaccustomed to its shortened length.

But that, right there is what you are fighting for. Sky gestured back the way they came. ...To give people a chance to choose their jobs, the way they live and make it so they can do it OUT of isolation. Not alone, or in hiding. I just wanted to remind you... of why you fight.

Sky's eyes were ablaze, the blue's catching in the morning light and burning to ash in a passionate glint of determination. Especially now. Kebar wants to break the part of you that believes things can change. Sky shook his head. I couldn't bear to watch you break under his wants, he signed.

"I'm leaving," Vale whispered. "In a week." The words tumbled out of her mouth.

She looked up at the sky, enjoying the sun's consistency, watching as the rays painted a new tapestry every morning. "Mortem wants me out." Vale balled her hands into fists, bracing herself for a conversation she sensed would not go the way she wanted. "And I want you with me."

Sky took a step back. No.

"If Dash and I are truly the reasons for why you are trapped there, you don't have to be afraid anymore."