Monsoons and Monsters by Amy Sumida

Author:Amy Sumida [Sumida, Amy]
Language: eng
Format: E, P, U, B
Published: 2017-12-03T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-Five

We stepped out of the Aether onto a sparkling strip of a path that hung suspended without support. Around us, there was open space; as in outer space. The frigid darkness extended out to all sides; only the path was solid, though the shimmering translucence of it wasn't all that convincing. I glanced behind us and saw an abrupt end, like the plank of a pirate ship. I could almost feel the tip of a cutlass at my back, driving me forward. Just a few steps and I'd fall into heaven—and not in a good way. My stomach clenched with fear even though I knew it had to be an illusion. God Realms couldn't actually be located in space; they needed to be tied to Earth. Still, the illusion was impressive. Stars twinkled around us; one group forming a distinctive pattern to our left. The center of it was brilliant white, with a ring of stars and planets spiraling out from it, creating a hazy blue glow.

“Is that the Milky Way?” I asked Toby.

“It is,” Toby confirmed. “Welcome to the Sky Road, Vervain.”

“This is amazing,” I whispered. “But where are we really?” I gave him a sly smile. “We're not actually standing in space, admiring the galaxy.”

“No.” He chuckled. “I believe we're in a region of the God Realm that corresponds to North Dakota.”

“Fascinating.” I smiled and shook my head. “I feel like I should be humming the theme song for Star Wars.”

I stared across the vastness of space and felt wonderfully small and insignificant. Yes; it was wonderful. After battling gods for so long, and even saving the world, being insignificant had a heart-aching appeal. I could have stayed on that road for hours, just gazing upon our galaxy, staring at that far-off Death Star we called the Sun, and contentedly feeling absolutely useless.

“Starlight beneath your feet and within your hair,” Toby whispered, his elegant fingers stroking the lock of sparkling hair at my left temple. “I have never seen anything more beautiful.”

My breath caught in my throat as I turned my gaze slowly up to Toby's. His eyes had darkened to the point that I couldn't see the ring around his irises, but I could easily read the emotion in them. His head angled down, the sleek fall of his hair sliding forward to block out the stars, and the black feather he wore knocked into my arm. It was just a soft smack, but it sent a bolt of energy zipping into me, making me gasp as Toby jerked away.

“I'm sorry,” Toby muttered as he looked away from me, his eyes conveying utter confusion. “I don't know what came over me.”

“It's fine,” I said gently as I took his hand. “Things are strange between us, but they don't have to be awkward anymore, remember? Let's not go backward.”

“Okay,” he agreed, and his smile returned.

“Vervain, you didn't have to run off like that,” Re's voice ended the odd moment between Toby and me.

“And you didn't have to make everything about you,” Azrael said to Re.

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