Page 2 of Weave the Dark, Weave the Light
A few more loops gave Ari time to settle, to whisper a charm, to trace symbols in their mind, and to collect wisps of fire. Then they stepped off the frozen water, thanked it for its presence and time, took their skates off, hoisted the carrying bag on their shoulder, and headed toward the Point.
In theory, Point State Park closed at sunset, but it was also a pathway, part of the city, and this time of year, it was lit with LED trees and giant snowflakes on poles. Part of an old star fort was marked by a zigzagging path across a lawn. Ari walked under the bridge that sped an interstate over land, then water. Nature lurked beyond. Trees and shrubs. Native plants. A piece of wild at the edge of a city, bound by water.
Dried leaves scratched across concrete walkways, blown into tree beds. Some animal rustled in the underbrush. Ari strode past a tree made of lights strung like a maypole, made their way around the silent and drained water fountain, and came to a stop. They stared at the confluence of the rivers, their skates at their feet.
So much water. But fire too, in the passing trains across the river, in car engines on the interstate, and in boats slipping through the rivers.
Ari found their memory, the fine cord of emotion, that odd element, and used it to will the stranger back to them.
“Youth,” that same voice said from behind, “is bold and reckless.”
Ari’s heart stuttered. “But you came.” They turned enough to catch the brightness of the scarf. “And I’m notthatyoung.”
“I came.” Agreement, and amusement, as well. The stranger stepped next to Ari, and cold fire curled around Ari’s legs. “And youarethat young if you’re summoningme, little fire witch.”
This time, Ari turned to regard the stranger’s profile in the dim light. The hair that peeked out from their winter hat was as gray as the moon, and their scarf glittered like nothing had a right to do. Something magical dwelt inside this being. A flame that wouldn’t burn—it would cause you not to exist.
Too much power swam inside and around them, an element Ari didn’t understand buttasted. They should have been terrified. Instead, they craved the knowledge in those eyes and that skin under their fingers.
Ari swallowed. “You’re not human.”
“You knew I wasn’t human the moment I touched you.”
Ari had, but this wasn’t any elemental being they’d heard about, that was for certain. Not fae, nor phoenix—the fire was the wrong type for that. Chilling white-blue, rather than blazing red, violet, and yellow. “What do I call you?” they murmured.
Those eyes locked on theirs. “My name’s Jonathan Aster.”
Asterlike the bright flowers of late summer, the last color before the frost. “Pronoun?”
A twitch in Jonathan’s lips. “Hefeels the most correct at the moment.”
Ari filed away that tidbit and gazed out at the black water of the rivers that reflected the bright lights from the shores, the bridges, and the hills. They kept their name behind their lips.
Jonathan laughed. “It’s only polite to gift me your name, seeing as you have mine.”
Ari bristled and watched silver clouds slide across the sky. “It’s Ari Zydik. And they.”
Jonathan nodded. “Yes.” As if it were an affirmation, as if he’d known their name already, as if he’d always known Ari.
Whatareyou?This question remained on their tongue, though barely.
“What spells will you cast when you get home?” Jonathan slipped closer to the river, then turned, blocking the view. Ari had to study his face. “What will you make from the sparks you collected?”
“Is that any of your business?” Ari snapped.
A chuckle was the reply.
Jonathan was stunning in a delicate way. Strong lines. High cheekbones. Teeth as white as his scarf. His skin was darker than Ari’s pale complexion. Even in the moonlight, the golden hue was evident. Sun-touched, but that still didn’t seem like a fitting description.
Not an angel. Not a demon. Ari’d never met either, but Jonathan’s energy was wrong for what had been described in the books they’d read. He was lightanddark. There was a sense of eternity, but not timelessness. “You’re old.”
“Very.” He stalked forward. “Very old.”
“But you’ll die.” A sliver of space separated them. Ari watched blue eyes dance like the heart of the hottest flame.
“Eventually. But not for a long time.” Soft words, a thin stream of smoke in the night air.
Energy whipped around Ari. They snatched it and drew it closer, devouring it.
