The Crystal Key by Douglas Smith

Author:Douglas Smith [Smith, Douglas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: urban fantasy, young adult, superhero fantasy, contemporary fantasy
ISBN: 9781928048282
Publisher: Spiral Path Books
Published: 2022-09-28T00:00:00+00:00

WILL FLOATED BESIDE Walter, Jack still snuggled in his arms. Together they watched Fader and Case as they talked and laughed together. Fader could now see them all. They’d stopped holding hands, but only after Case told Fader to wait in case they disappeared again. But he still saw them.

“And he saw his sister first,” Will said to Walter.

“Love is the strongest cord of all,” Walter said. “And now, I will leave you again. The Spirit World calls me, and I can finally answer.”

“Thanks for coming back,” Will said. “You, too, Jack.”

The puppy licked at his face. Walter smiled. “You’ll have lots of time to thank Jack. He tells me he’s not ready yet to travel the Spirit Road.”

Will looked at Walter then at Jack. The puppy stared back, head tilted, ears perked, tail wagging. “Wait…what?”

“Says he wants to journey with you for a while—if you’ll have him. Says your spirit is strong and pure. That your road looks…interesting.” Walter shrugged. “And he likes you.”

“But isn’t he…yours?”

Walter frowned. “One creature cannot own another. We are friends. Friends who now take different paths.”

“But won’t he…? Won’t his spirit fade…? Doesn’t he need to travel to Doggy Spirit World soon?”

Walter smiled, nodding at Jack. “He will know when it is time to take the Spirit Road. For now, his spirit is strong, like yours. Stronger than mine. Always has been. He was on the Island when I arrived. Jampel said Jack was there when he arrived, too. None of us ever discovered how this little fellow got there or where he came from. Or how long he’s been trapped there.” He raised an eyebrow at Will. “So, will you let him join your journey?”

The little dog’s ears went back. His tail stopped wagging, and his body quivered, as if he understood the question and was waiting for Will’s answer.

Will grinned. “Jack, my friend, you are more than welcome.” Jack’s tail became a blur. Will lowered his face, and the puppy nuzzled him.

“So will Jack be with me in Dream now?” Will asked.

Walter nodded. “And when your spirit walks in the world. He will find you and walk with you.”

“You mean astral projecting? I can’t do that yet. Except through Dream.”

“I think, young traveler, you will find that has changed. Your spirit shines bright.” Walter’s eyes ran over him. “Very bright.”

The shaman said his goodbyes again to Case and Fader. With a sad smile on his face, he gazed long into Jack’s eyes. The puppy wagged its tail, its ears drooped.

With that final goodbye done, Walter once more floated down the corridor. They all watched him, Jack whining, until he disappeared into a point of light.

Will turned to Case and Fader. “Okay, folks. Let’s find our own door.” He set off along the corridor, following his and Case’s silver cords.

They fell in on either side of him. Case looked at Jack, still tucked in Will’s spirit arms. “Um…”

“Jack has joined the band.”

“Cool,” Fader said.

“Walter let you adopt him?”

“More the other way around. He adopted us.

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.