Page 42 of A Conduit of Light
“Youridehim?”Revichpatted his head, grinning.
“Yes, and who is this?”Ashrubbed the ear of a lumen she had seen but not known the name of as none of the channelers had chosen to ride her.Hercoat was patterned in black across her face and back, her legs white as snow.
“ThisisRauca.Sheis his mother.”
Ashgasped in delight and gave her a kiss on the nose, which she fully returned. “Howcharming.She’sbeautiful.”
“Thatshe is.”Revichmounted the massive wolf, watchingAshwith a sly grin.
Theyrode together across the forest,Revichtaking the lead, and when they arrived at the edge of the darkness, he glided easily fromRauca’sback and hurried toAsh’sside, offering a hand to her as she swung her legs off of her beast.
Hedidn’t let go as they neared theBlight, holding her hand tightly in his, his face rare in its serious demeanor as he stepped into the decay, muffling a cough at the death in the air around them.
“Itwas there.”Ashpointed to the spot she had bent to earlier this morning. “Ifelt the thrumming there, on that vine.”
Revichbent down on one knee, taking her with him, unwilling to let go of her as if in fear of losing her to the decay.
Hereached out and placed a hand on the surface of the obsidian vine, grotesque in its mere existence, let alone the thorny protrusions that ravaged its woody surface.
Helooked to her then, concern and fear crossing his eyes.
Shelifted her hand to the surface as well, her heart hammering in her chest. “There, you feel it too, don’t you?It’sso rhythmic.Likea heart beating at a steady pace.Thumpthump, thump thump.”
Helet go of her hand then, rising quickly, shoving both of his into his pockets.Concernbrushed the features of his face into a frown.
Sherose after him, placing a hand on his arm. “Whatis it?Iknow it’s disturbing, but—”
Hedidn’t allow her to finish, pulling a hand from his pocket and placing it on her shoulder, speaking low in the stillness of the decay around them. “Ididn’t feel it,Ash.Thereis no heartbeat.”
Chapter19
Ash
“That’snot funny,Rev.”
“Iknow it’s not funny.”
“Whatdo you mean you didn’t feel it?”
“Ididn’t feel it.Ifelt no beat—no pulse.”
“Howis that possible?It’sso obvious.Idon’t understand.”
“NordoI.”
“But—try again.Reallyfocus, push harder into the vine.”
Helowered his hand again to theBlight, his face radiating concern—over her ability to sense it or his lack of ability, she was unsure.Heshook his head and opened his mouth, speechless.Ashpushed her hand into his, trying to feel the thrum.Itwas there, clear as ever, pulsating in a steady rhythm.
“ButBaronHeimlen—”
“BaronHeimlendid not say he could feel what you do.Hetold me this morning of your discovery, but failed to mention anything about being able to feel it as well.AndI…” he trailed off and grabbed her free hand, entwining his cold fingers in hers as she stared in disbelief, “Icannot feel it,Ash.”
Shescoffed aloud.Thatwas it then.Shehad gone mad.Thebeat was so incredibly obvious that she could almost see the ripple of it as it flowed along the thorny vine, suffocating the tree it wrapped around.
“Come.Let’sleave this place.Iknow where we can talk.Ornot talk.Ijust…Iknow a place.”Hehelped her onto her lumen, the wolves eager to leave.
Theytraveled through the forest as the sun sank lower in the clear sky, its promise to return unspoken in the cool dusk air.Heled them to a stream trickling down an outcropping of heavy stone over which grew a massive maple tree, its roots running down the boulders like veins.Thesun winked behind the leaves and caused a stained glass effect, andAshadmired the beauty of it, even with the hollowness of her stomach.
