An eternity of lightning

Chapter 6

Lord Bernard bowed fancily in front of Astrild, and she curtsied back, a room-brightening smile on her face, showering pink radiance across her cheeks. Her gown of jade and gold highlighting the emerald green of her eyes, and the dark curly locks of hair bouncing devilishly in an up-do. 

“May I have this dance?” Bernard asks, and Astrild is suddenly thrilled, smiling and nodding as giddily as an infant might have done. Astrild offers him her gloved hand, and he takes it gently, almost careful not to crush her fragile skin. 

“I’m very happy you decided to come tonight, my lord.” Astrild’s ivory face turns a light shade of carnation pink, and Bernard sense the true joy within her eyes. 

“Of course, my dear. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” 

 

Miles safely tucks his sister into bed, as she smiles up at him, and he tells her a story. “Once upon a time. . .” He begins, and trails on into a story of Cinderella, Crystal’s favorite, and when she’s finally asleep, ventures out of her room to call Chocolate. 

“Hey, Choc.” he says, when she answers on the second ring. 

“Mile. I’ve been waiting to hear from you. Are things not going well at home?” she asks, sounding slightly concerned for him. 

“Well. . .No. Not really. Chocolate, I know this is going to seem weird, and completely crazy, but how much do you know about the spirit world, astral projection, that sort of thing?” 

“Mile, please tell me what’s going on.” 

“I. .Can’t. At least not now, I don’t even have an idea what’s going on yet. I need you to help me. With whatever it is. You’re the only person I have to turn to.” Miles said desperately, and Chocolate must’ve heard the desperation in his plea, for she sighed, before finally replying. 

“I’ll tell you everything I know.” 

Astrild sits before her fire meditating, trying to reach one of her spirit guides, the current one she named Rain, for the first time they’d connected it had been the first rain of all in the long desert months she’d spent in the south. 

“Rain.” she hums, trying to raise her vibration and level of consciousness so she’d hear her guide better. I don’t know why I have a spirit guide when I don’t even have the privilege of owning a soul, Astrild thinks, as she hears the melodic voice echoing in her ears. 

“I need your help.” Astrild confesses. “I am lost. I have lost my way on the way to righteousness. Will you guide me?” 

“Yes.” the voice echos, sweet as an angel’s. 

“Then tell me how to destroy the monster I’m after. . .” 

Miles sits across from Chocolate on his bed, quietly, for it’s too late for him to really be having people over, but it never stopped him before. For some reason, he was nervous this time, as if he actually cared what his parents said or thought. 

“Chocolate,” he begins again, hoping that he can convince her that he really isn’t crazy. 

“No, Mile. You’re right. I’ve heard of evil before. I know some people use magic for wrong. Just not this degree. She’s possessing your little sister?” She asks, her eyes wide, and confused. 

“No--Yes. . .I think so. I don’t know for sure. I mean, it sure seems like Crystal’s being possessed, it sure isn’t her, I’ll tell you that for sure.” 

“But if she were as you call her, a witch, then why would she be after a six year old?”

Miles shrugged, “I was kinda thinking the same thing. I was hoping you would help me figure that out. I thought tribes knew a lot about spirits and stuff.” 

“The elders do. I’m so inexperienced, really. I think we should talk to one of the chiefs.” 

“No- I mean. I took the chance only telling you. I really can’t have more people look at me and tell me how completely insane I am, I don’t want to be so vulnerable.” he pleads, and Chocolate sighs.

“I’ll learn things on my own then. Just give me time, Mile.” 

“How much time, Choc? I can’t afford losing the only sane family I have left. The only little sister I have.” he chooses his words carefully, trying not to fall too far into the trap of how much he really did care about his sister, although he knew it was childish to try and hide his feelings. 

“Not much, Mile. I will help you, soon though, promise.”