The Magic Stolen From Him (The Nightlighter Trilogy Book 1) by Skylar A. Blevins

Author:Skylar A. Blevins [Blevins, Skylar A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-03-17T16:00:00+00:00

It’s been four days since Anisa died, three days since Serena’s heart was ripped from her chest, and since I told Reznor I cared for him…but today is the day we are laying Anisa to rest. How is it that so much happened in four days?

In this world, funerals are at night, and they aren’t called funerals, but a passage ceremony. From what I have been told, a passage ceremony is similar to a funeral, but it takes place after sunset, and at the end, they burn the body. Reznor told me a little about this but didn’t give me further details than they burn the body at the end; he wanted me to be prepared.

Nothing, however, could have prepared me for seeing Anisa dressed in a baby blue dress, resting on a flowered wooden platform ready to be set ablaze. Reznor’s at my side, with my arm looped through his, we cross the open field. It’s been decorated in bright flowers and glowing jars on the ground leading to where Anisa lay.

Guests are walking around the platform, taking flowers off nearby tables, and placing them on Anisa’s body, surrounding her as they bid their goodbyes. Everyone’s dressed in black, causing the bright flowers to glow in the soft light of the candles. Many are crying, but as I search the faces, I can’t find Emanuel amongst any of them.

Pulling Reznor off to the side of one of the tables, I ask quietly, “Where is Emanuel?”

Reznor looks puzzled as he searches the service. “I’m not sure, I’ll go ask around.” He removes his arm from mine, but I stop him, re-looping mine in his.

“I’ll come with you; funerals creep me out.” I step closer to him. Death has been something I never handled well. When I had my first run-in with death, I sobbed for weeks, and even now, I hate the thought and hate funerals even more.

Reznor smiles sadly, “Okay, let’s go find him.”

We stroll, looking for Emanuel, and finally find him. He’s sitting against a tree, watching everyone walk up to Anisa. His face is blank of emotion, but his eyes show the pain he feels as he sees the woman he loves being prepared for her passage into the next life.

“Anisa would have hated all of these people crying over her,” Reznor says, causing Emanuel’s eyes to drift up from Anisa’s platform to meet his eyes.

“You’re right, she would have hated this many people being here. She never liked being the center of attention,” Emanuel’s voice is practically a whisper.

“Have you been up to see her?” Reznor asks as he takes a seat next to his friend. Emanuel shakes his head no, his eyes darting back to the crowd gathering by the platform. Reznor motions for me to come to him, so I do. He has me sit between his legs, leaning my back against his chest, crossing my legs at my ankles as I rest against him. “We’ll stay with you till you’re ready to go up there.

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