Spring Rain (The Witchling #4)(71)

Morgan glanced at the sky and the unusual black clouds billowing overhead. It was definitely not a natural storm, though what it was, she didn’t know.

Half an hour later, she reached the driveway leading up to the school and stopped inside the forest.

There were Dark witchlings everywhere on the driveway, their cars blocking the path to the school. More fog was here, and lightning shot off the shield as they tried to attack it.

Her chest tightened at the thought of Beck facing them alone, even though she knew it was his duty as the Master of Light. It was unbearable to think she only had one night with him and today, they might lose to the Darkness once and for all.

There must be a way to cage Bartholomew into the soul stone so we can bind him, without killing Dawn, she thought desperately and eased back from the road before anyone saw her. She walked parallel to the driveway towards the street leading into town. Her thoughts flew back to her classes, where she’d learned some of the history of the Masters and Mistresses of Dark and Light. The soul stone was created because of Bartholomew, to capture his soul initially after he unleashed Darkness. It worked once; it could work again.

Morgan texted Beck to ask if he knew how to lure Bartholomew into the stone and then started down the road, keeping to the ditch despite the knee high Darkness and water gathering there. She sloshed towards the tiny town with its single gas station and the strip mall consisting of a small grocer’s, realtor’s, coffee shop-bakery, and auto repair shop. She wasn’t able to take a path through the school campus to reach Miner’s Drop and hoped there was a secondary road or path. Her mother was staying at the rustic, four room hotel down the street, and she had the urge to return to the room and hug her mother for support before she confronted Dawn. Her cell buzzed, and she checked it.

Possible, but not sure, Beck had responded. Dawn has Decker, too.

Morgan paused, uncertain how the Master of Dark was taken. Dawn’s claim of being able to block him made Morgan wonder if the Dark air witchling could do more than block. Decker’s capture was yet another reason why she needed to be at Miner’s Drop. She tucked the phone in her pocket and trudged onward to town, stopping at the top of hill overlooking the strip mall and gas station.

Darkness filled the area behind the stores resembling smoke from a massive fire. Morgan gazed at it, heart pounding and fear streaking through her. A large van was parked out front, but she saw no sign of anyone present.

If there was one thing she knew, it was that the stone couldn’t fall into the hands of anyone who knew how to do harm with it. Beck’s life was at stake, along with all the Light in the world.

But Decker, Biji … Noah … any other innocents who were caught in the crossfire.

Morgan nibbled on her lip, wishing there was an alternative to letting others suffer but uncertain what that might be.

“You didn’t wait.”

Morgan gasped, not expecting to hear Beck’s soft voice. She turned to face him. He was dry, immune from the Darkness falling from the sky, while she was soaked. She studied his chiseled features, momentarily lost in the memories of last night, of how good he was, before she regained her senses.

He was watching her, a touch of sadness in his gaze.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “Dawn said she has Biji and Noah.” Morgan pointed. “I wanted … I don’t know. To help, I guess.” She braced herself and waited for him to send her away again.

Beck took her hand, and she calmed. “Together?”

Morgan met his gaze again, surprised.

“I think …” He hesitated. “I think we need each other for this.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” His gaze was on their destination. “The school is protected for now. Do you want to help me protect the Light?”

Morgan had never heard words that filled her with such happiness. “Yes,” she said. “A million times over! I’m going to help you save the world!”

Beck squeezed her hand, worry on his features. “I can’t lose you again, Morgan.”

“You won’t. I promise.”

“Promise me you’ll trust me if I need to do something you don’t agree with.”

She nodded eagerly, her fire dancing in anticipation and her excitement rising at being part of what he was.

“Then let’s do this.” He started forward.

The fog and water parted for them, and she held onto his hand tightly as they made their way out of the gutter to the road leading down the hill. Morgan glanced at Beck’s features more than once and saw his resolve, the determination of the Protector of Light to perform his duty. That he wanted her there, accepted her help, made her feel the Light inside her for the first time, the joy of knowing she’d found her place after a lifetime of being lost.

However short term it may be.

A quick look around the café and strip mall confirmed Dawn and her people weren’t present.

“I can sense the Light witchlings,” Beck said. “Probably Biji and Noah. This way.” He led them around the buildings to a path leading into the forest.

The earth solidified the muddy trail before they reached it and kept her feet warm while her fire flowed around her and into Beck to warm them. “Is Decker with Dawn?”

“Yes.” Beck’s voice was tight. “I did some scouting around.”