Ark of the Light

SIX: GRACE'S DARKNESS

Emilia and Jovanna were the first to arrive. Jovanna had to keep Emilia from burning the entire church down when she saw Shaden. It took Zoey nearly an entire hour to talk the pyrokenetic down. Nicholas and Axel managed to arrive around the same time. Both of the boys were suspicious, but Axel warmed up to the shadow quickly. Nicholas remained on the cautious side, but unlike Emilia, he quelled any outright forms of aggression. A few days later, Lexis and Shadow came. Unlike the others, Zoey hadn't time to prepare them for Shaden. She wished she had.

Spring's warmth had settled on the church, a soft breeze keeping the heat at bay. Lexis swung open the door, shouting hello throughout the rooms. Shadow followed closely, dragging their bags along. She pivoted to walk backwards into the kitchen, happily chatting with Shadow. He smiled at her, only half listening as he glanced around for the other Ark members. Shadow's gaze landed on the figure standing behind the kitchen counter. Shadow froze. He took in the figure's tall, lean build and pointed ears- longer than Shadow's own. His clothing was odd, as if unplaceable to any particular time period, but still loose and monochromatic. Two thin tendrils of blackness wrapped themselves around the figure's biceps. The creatures long, black hair was tied up into a high pony-tail. A shadow. More importantly, a shadow holding a knife in the middle of the Ark.

Bags dropping, Shadow placed himself between the figure and Lexis, preparing himself for a fight. He snarled at the figure.

Lexis peaked over Shadow's shoulder, confusion pinching her brow. She opened her mouth, then snapped it shut as she spotted Shaden. "What's going on?"

Shaden lowered the knife, slowly raising his hands. "Let me explain."

Blackfire swirled around Shadow's hands. "I hope so."

"Shadow," Lexis whispered into his ear, "let's figure out what is going on first."

Shadow relinquished his flames, but did not relax in his stance. Lexis slipped out around him. She held her hand out to Shaden.

"Hi, I'm Lexis, what's your name?"

Shaden's gaze darted from Lexis' outstretched hand and Shadow's clenching and unclenching fist. Shaden smiled, canines flashing as he took up her offer. "Shaden. Zoey told me about you. Thank you for being willing to assist me."

Lexis grinned. "No problem, that's what we're here to do. Even if Shadow is a little cranky."

"I am not cranky," Shadow puffed, finally loosening his shoulders to cross his arms in a pout. Lexis giggled, letting go of Shaden's hand to pick up her bags. She looped her arm through Shadow's, skipping off to find the others with him in toe. Shadow chuckled. He turned his attention away from Shaden. For the moment, he would squash the feeling of dread clawing at his gut. It was nothing. Right? Shadow spared one final glance over his shoulder before disappearing down the hall. For that brief moment, he caught Shaden's eyes as the shadow smirked. Shadow swallowed hard. It had to be nothing.

***

It did not take the Ark long to settle into their familiar routine- Zoey having drawn up chore charts and summer reading lists, as if she had known the entire fall that they would be gathering again. Still, they found time to put away textbooks and head outside to enjoy the mid-day sun before the weather became unbearable.

Jovanna stood stiff, wooden bow in hand as he notched the arrow and pulled back the string. He stared through the sight, aiming for the target haphazardly painted on a tree. He looked over his shoulder to where Emilia watched. Beside her Nicholas was shooting his own arrows with surprising accuracy while Axel's jaw continued to drop further and further, only making Nicholas cockier. Passed Nicholas, Shadow helped guide Lexis' arm as she shot, flinching back at the recoil.