Spring Rain (The Witchling #4)(14)

“I’m not going out there and killing everyone I don’t agree with.”

“I’m not suggesting you do,” Decker replied icily. “I’m saying, maybe to understand the Light, to protect it, you have to become more a part of it.”

Beck studied his brother and followed his gaze. Light had never responded to him the way Dark did to Decker. Decker had barely recovered from his dive into the Dark and needed his counterbalance to prevent him from losing control. The Light was nowhere near as dangerous, yet Beck didn’t think he was ready to lose himself to something too great for him to control. He wasn’t even certain the Light could connect with him like the Dark had defined Decker. Decker and his Dark were intimately intertwined.

The Light seemed too fragile still, and he feared losing it as much as he did failure.

I’m not worthy of partnering with the Light like that. Beck thought. “Interesting idea,” he said finally.

“I uh … heard … there’s more than Dawn threatening the Light,” Decker continued with some discomfort.

“Heard. As in, after you stabbed someone to death, you learned their secret.” It was a gift each Master shared with his respective flock – the ability to see the memories and thoughts of those who died.

“Yeah. Dawn’s managed to stir up a small rebellion of people who aren’t happy about being cut off from the Light.”

“Awesome,” Beck said sarcastically. “How many?”

“A couple dozen. I’m working on tracking them down, but she’s managed to use Bartholomew’s magick to shield a lot of them.”

“I didn’t think crazy was contagious.”

“I can’t say as though I blame them entirely. Not a day goes by when I don’t wish I could be a normal Light witchling, someone deserving of Summer,” Decker replied.

“You wouldn’t try to destroy me and the Light though.”

Decker raised his eyebrows. “What part of a homicidal Master of Dark barely in control on his best day makes you think I wouldn’t?”

“The part only a Master of Light can see,” Beck retorted. “The part of you Summer sees.”

“You people are more lost than I am.”

“Whatever, Decker. Summer and I know the truth, even if you refuse to admit it.”

Decker shrugged. “Ever wished we’d paid more attention in school? Like in knowing how Tranin trapped Bartholomew in the soul stone a thousand years ago?”

“Every damn day. I don’t think the problem is us, though. I’ve been over every history book I could find about that time period. The records are barely there. Nothing more than the story we know now, that Tranin trapped Bartholomew with the soul stone and banished his soul to the Dark where it belonged. Do the souls buzzing around your head have more information?”

“Not that I can find. Bartholomew is so strong. I think the knowledge was lost on purpose sometimes.”

Nothing’s easy. Beck sighed. “You want to take care of this?” Beck motioned to the cave where the Dark crouched.

“Yep.”

“I’ll let Amber know. I’ve got a day of admin crap ahead of me.”

“Have fun.” Decker rolled his eyes. “If she hears of any other pockets like this, have her call me directly.”

“Will do.” Sensing Decker’s Dark surge, Beck stepped away and summoned his fog.

He envied Decker’s seamless ability to wield his Dark power. While the earth worked with him, the Light was generally aloof, and Beck didn’t know if it was simply the way it worked or if he was, as usual, doing less than he was supposed to.

“More paperwork!” Amber said cheerfully the second he appeared in her office.

There are days … Beck grimaced. “Hand it over. I’m here the rest of the day.”

“Oh, I found something you were asking me about last month.” Amber added. “History books about Tranin and other Light Masters.” She rifled through her drawer and pulled out an antiquated book a foot and a half long that smelled musty. “This one was recorded in the eighteenth century.”

“Hmm.” Beck accepted the behemoth book. “Might not be early enough.”

“You never know. A lot of knowledge has been lost over the years. This is a recording of oral traditions the author recorded to try to preserve them. Maybe there’s something we’ve forgotten over time.”

“It’s possible.” He sat down at the small table Amber used to prepare her lesson plans. Beck flipped the cover of the book open and sneezed. “Where did you get this?”

“In the basement. We have a lot of junk down there. I was looking for equinox decorations and stumbled across a few old books.”

The elements wanted it found. Coincidences didn’t happen in a world where magick interwove with everyone and everything. Beck’s attention went from the book to the administrative tasks Amber needed. With some reluctance, he decided to tackle her tasks first before hauling the large book home to read.





Chapter Five





“Can, um, Red make my drink?”

Morgan looked up from where she was washing her hands at the end of her shift. The request came from a college-aged girl, one of her usual customers, though she was about two hours late today.