Spark of Hope

Chapter VIII

True to his word, Kylo Ren appeared several times in the following days. Sometimes, the Force would teleport Rey to his room; other times, it would be the opposite. Regardless of who went where, she continued to learn under his guidance, and she was relieved Kylo never once drifted her teaching toward the Dark Side.

Astounding herself, Rey looked forward to training with the dark knight. It was her own secret, and she was determined to keep it that way. If anyone learned of the meetings, she would probably never be left alone again in the prevention of her reaching out to Kylo. Her source of knowledge of the Force in him would be taken away; how could she improve if that happened? That was the reason she kept it hidden, not her growing attraction to just speaking with him whenever they halted training.

"I don't understand something," Rey began one evening when they read the Sacred Jedi Texts instead of practicing abilities. "Everything I've read says Force Sensitivity is passed down through genetics. My parents were nobodies—they weren't Jedi, or I would've heard tales about them, and I don't think I would've been left alone on Jakku." She looked up at Kylo. "So, how am I a Jedi?"

It had taken him a while to get used to sitting on the floor like her instead of the chair. But now he immediately sat cross-legged on the rug with her instead of complaining. He remained silent for a while; she could see him thinking something over. Eventually, Kylo sighed. "What I said about your parents being no one is true... but not your grandfather."

Since he had known the truth about her parents, she honestly wasn't surprised he knew about her grandfather. "He wasn't?"

"He is the reason you are Force Sensitive."

"Who was he?"

Kylo didn't immediately answer. Again, his eyes shot around on the Text he held open in his lap as he thought. "I don't think I should tell you. I'll let you figure it out on your own."

"Oh, come on, Ben. Please?"

He looked up at her. "Knowledge imparted holds less significance than self-realization. I'm surprised Skywalker didn't drill that into your head—he did me." The corner of his full lips lifted ever so slightly in humor. "And besides, it will be more amusing for me to watch you flounder for the answer."

She scowled. "How are you certain I will discover who my grandfather is if I do not have a starting point?"

"We share a Force Bond. There is a voice in your head that you cannot identify. I recognize it from my own grandfather's memories of your grandfather. He will reveal himself when you are ready."

Rey had never done it before, but she used an old feminine weapon: charm. "You won't just tell me? It would be so much easier."

Kylo cracked a smile as his eyes turned back down to the book. "You can stop with the pitiful eyes; it's not going to work."

She gave a rueful smile. "It was worth a try."

***

The next day, Rey was strolling through the palace absentmindedly when Kylo suddenly appeared beside her. She about fell over.

"Ben! What are you doing? Someone could see you!" she whispered harshly. She glanced up and down the hallway for anyone.

"Highly doubtful," he answered. "Only those Force-Sensitive could see me, which would only be my mother. I will leave if I sense her presence."

Rey just looked at him. "You don't want to see her?"

Kylo looked down at her. "Are you so naïve to believe she will be open to seeing me among her precious Resistance?"