Shattered Light Read Online Free Page B

safe.”
    Gasps rang through the room but Col merely smiled. “Good on you. Just remember that flames burn oxygen so make sure that the area you work in is well ventilated.”
    Makki was staring at her mother and other folk were moving further away but there was a look of determination in the eyes of several who moved out of the crowd and stood around the edges.
    Col didn’t know what they could do but they would do it if they had to. She returned to the exterior of the building and shot anything that moved. Her family was inside and no one was getting past while she lived.
     
    * * * *
     
    The capitol was finally quiet. Other parts of the world were still under attack but the population of the great city was safe.
    Trala rubbed a grimy hand over her face. The shadow was next to her as he had been throughout all of the attacks. He had watched her back and kept her from a fatal injury while she was still adapting to Resicor’s presence.
    “Fine. I think it is time to tell me who you are.”
    “My name is Envix. I am master of darkness of the Citadel.”
    She sighed. “Why didn’t you say that?”
    He shrugged. “It wasn’t time.”
    She made a face. “Fine. Resicor is in communication with the other worlds via the portals. I want to find out where we are needed.”
    “Ask the Sector Guard.”
    She turned to the orb following her and asked, “Can you get an assessment for me to determine where I need to be?”
    The orb spun and projected the side of a hill where four Raider vessels were on the ground and there were tubes around them.
    “Jaykot Prefecture. Thank you, Relay.”
    The orb spun happily.
    She turned to Envix. “It is only ten minutes at a decent speed.”
    “Let’s go.”
    She took off and as he flew with her. “Don’t you get tired?”
    “I feed on darkness. There is plenty of dark acts here so I am fine.”
    She blinked and realized that he meant emotional darkness. “Right. Well, thank you for your help. I have not had enough time to properly bond with Resicor.”
    “I know. That is why I was sent to guard you.”
    “You have done a very good job.”
    He laughed. “I have always taken pride in my work.”
    She eyed the horizon where searchlights were flaring and rotating. “I am glad because your work isn’t over yet.”
    His tone was grim and his tendrils of darkness lashed outward restlessly, “It never is.”
     
     

Chapter Five
     
     
    Removing their clothing and weapons was an easy way to determine who was a Raider once she was down on the ground.
    Envix made a strangled noise every time she denuded the attackers but he didn’t say anything else. Naked people didn’t put up as much of a fight.
    Trala’s interest was in those tubes.
    They were not loading them with members of the population. They were already occupied by someone else.
    Did you know about this?
    Resicor’s voice was quiet. I cannot see what you can see here. I can see it through your eyes but it is nothing but a hillside to my senses.
    How is that possible?
    I would really like for you to find out. I can supply power for you but I do not have any vision here. This is frustrating for me. This is my skin.
    There was a low rumble in the surrounding soil.
    Calm down. There seem to be folk in those tubes. I don’t want you shaking anything up. They seem to be coming out of that cavern.
    What cavern?
    Never mind. Continue your conversations.
    Be wary, Trala. I don’t know why I can’t see.
    I will get to the bottom of it.
    Envix was at her side and he gestured for them to go around.
    Knowing that her own talent didn’t allow her to fly and not counting on Resicor’s to hold her up she moved to the side of the hill and landed.
    Envix brought his shadows into play and hid her from view. He kept his body close to hers and they moved silently through the scrub and brush of the hillside, approaching the open cavern. They slipped in past the Raiders carrying out another of the long tubes.
    Through the shadows she could