Romer's Candle by Winnie Winkle

Author:Winnie Winkle
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781732905092
Publisher: Winnie Winkle

Chapter Ten

Topper closed the book, laid it on the haphazard piles filling the coffee table, and rubbed her eyes as the moon glowed through the library’s windows.

“That good?” Theo lay sprawled across the sofa, resting from his flight, bear trouncing, and subsequent twenty taco meal.

“Well, it’s not what I’d hoped,” Topper admitted as her library door swung open, admitting two glasses of ice and the bourbon bottle, which poured and landed on the only unoccupied edge of the table as the drinks floated toward waiting hands. “But at least I understand what’s happening to Magic.”

Theo pushed up into a half-upright lounge, grabbed the glass, sipped, and let the silence stretch, knowing she wanted to choose her words.

“In the past, we’ve looked at the world’s balance from a one-sided footing. Our filter is that the dark rises and we knock it back to restore the balance.”

“Well, yeah.”

“Except that’s not how it works, Theo. Darkness and light are in continual flux. BOTH shift.”

Theo swung his long legs around and sat upright. Eyebrows pulling together, he gestured for her to continue.

“Right now, and earlier in New Orleans with Wellie and Trini, the light grew more powerful. It’s the piece that’s out of kilter. I can’t be positive, but my best guess is that one reason Romer solved his kaleidoscope problem was because the light’s weight increased through that fight in Louisiana.”

She wagged a finger. “That chain of events made it possible for the Daimon to raise Romer and place him as their seventh. It’s occurred before and more than once. Since their battle succeeded, lightness is off balance in an enormous way.”

“So if I’m getting you, the dark isn’t on the attack, they’re on defense?”

“Exactly. Constant motion. Swing too far in one direction…”

“And that pendulum will swing back,” Theo finished. “So every time I go after dark visitors who act like total pains in the ass, I’m making it worse?”

“Yeah, afraid so. And you won’t be the only one. Every citizen will defend their homes, families, and livelihoods. If we drive away these unknown visitors, including the bears, we are going to force Melia’s hand.”

“Well, shit. I’m not a fan of that option.”

“Theo, we both know of one simple way to restore an overabundance of light,” Topper met his eyes, and the distress filled the room.

“Take out Romer.”

“Melia will be ruthless, making the decisive choice, and I’m unsure how to help or advise. He’s my student; I care deeply for him and want him to realize his potential. Telling our town to let the dark walk over them isn’t going to sit well, and them watching their sheriff not managing these visitors won’t either. I read and skimmed forty books tonight and feel confident I’ve got a handle on the problem, but as for the solution? Nada.”

“Romer might offer himself up, he’s noble to the core.”

“Based on my reading, I have to believe that the solution has greater potential than a simple correction. More study ahead, but first, sleep.”

“Is that an invitation?” Theo dropped a lazy grin, followed by an exaggerated wink.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.