Where the Void had groaned before, it now roared, and for a moment, Luc feared he’d made a dreadful mistake.
But instead of billowing in a heightened rage against the protective dome, the dark mist fell back; it parted where Luc’s sword had been, folding away from the blade instead of rushing toward it. He swung his sword a second time, and the darkness spilled away like one of Earth’s tides returning to its ocean. In the Void’s wake, only light remained: a small space of empty white.
Luc produced a piece of quartz from his pocket and a small set of tongs. He held the quartz out into the light to see if it would vanish, but it did not, suggesting that the darkness had completely fled that space.
It was as Luc had predicted—when combined, the properties ofos lucisand the Void were far more powerful than they could be alone.
“Is that…” Braun ventured. “The Void…it’s gone! It’s going away!”
“Indeed, it is.” Luc smiled. “We must test it further.”
Boldly stepping through the barrier, Luc spread his wings and hung in the non-aether, surveying the white path he’d cut through the Void. Already, the Void was swallowing it up again, but if only he were to make it larger…
Luc struck out again. And again. And again. The Void growled, but relented, scurrying back at his command.
“Braun.” Luc held out his hand. “Come. We’re going to Earth.”
“Earth?” Braun surveyed the path Luc had created with nervous amazement.
“There’s something else I need to test. Are you coming with me?”
“Um…”
“Or do you prefer to wait around for them to realize I’ve escaped?”
“Yes, sir…I-I mean no, sir. I mean…” Braun inhaled, appearing to gather his courage. “I’m coming, sir!” he replied, taking one tentative step out of the barrier, then another. His wings unfurled, and when he was also hovering in the midst of the darkness, a grin broke across his face. “Wow!” he exclaimed. “This is amazing!”
“You can be amazed as we go. Now come on.” Luc waved him over. Despite himself, he smiled as he turned back to his task.
He would miss the young warrior when he left.
Present Aeon
All of Heaven seemed to be in the Banquet Hall for the continued feasting, Lila’s group included: Beni, Castor, Eva, even Adrianna. Under the vaulted stone ceilings and the light shafting through the stained-glass windows that lined half the room, the angels feasted on savory pies and stews, sweet breads and cakes, nuts and fruits.
When they’d come in, Castor and Beni had sat down next to each other at one short oak table, and Lila had sat at the table’s head. This left Eva to take the seat next to Lila, across from Castor, and Adrianna to take the seat across from Beni. To their left and to their right, angels greeted and jostled one another; they shouted and laughed at the long tables that characterized most of the vast room, but the mood at Lila’s small table remained subdued. Even Beni, taking the hint from the rest of the group, picked at the flaky crust of his bean pie.
“So,” he attempted, “did you all go to a couples’ thing without me? Or have you beendoingcouple things without me?” Beni grinned.
“Oh, honestly!” Eva exclaimed. “Does your mind always have to go there?”
“Hey, I’m just asking! Everyone’s obviously pissed at each other.”
“Everything’s fine, Beni. Eat your food.” This came from Adrianna.
“Everything’sfine?” Eva snapped. “That’swhat you have to say? This is the first time we’ve eatentogether since?—”
“I told you I’d explain everything soon.”
“Soon?When issoon?No. This has been going on long enough, and I demand to know what you’ve been up to or else I’ll…I’ll…”
“Eva, shut up, will you?!” Castor groused. “Not everyone wants to hear your high-pitched whining all the time. No wonder Adrianna leaves. She’s probably sick of hearing it after an aeon.”
“Hey!” Lila jabbed her knife at Castor. “You better watch your mouth when you’re speaking to her.”
“Or what? You gonna tell your little friend? Is he going to punish me from his position on the—Oh, wait. He’s not there anymore.”
“You know what? Maybe I will. And I have news for you.” Lila tipped her chair back and gave him an icy smile, a cool stare. “You were right. Weweremore than friends during lessons. You might even say we werefriendly.”
