Knights of Light (Book 2 of The Conjurors Series)

Chapter 2

"No. Zunya and whoever he's working for are keeping tabs on us, I'm sure of it."

"Sanguina?"

She shrugged. Thinking of the woman she had almost killed, whose life she had ultimately saved with a power that still confounded her, left her with mixed feelings. Despite the fact that, logically, she knew Sanguina was likely still a threat, she didn't have the alarm bells going off in her mind like she used to. Still, she hoped that Sanguina would never bother her again. She could never forgive her for the way she had forced Henry to use his magic for her own evil devices.

"For now, let's wait for Chisisi to get here to guide us. If we leave, it will be hard to get back in touch, and right now, he's our best bet for getting you and Henry back to the Globe, where you'll be safer," Thai said.

He reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. The contact left Valerie's heart pounding. She thought she saw her longing reflected in Thai's eyes, but he quickly let go of her hand. She knew that he'd never look at her like she looked at him. To him, she was a buddy, a kid. He'd probably had girls much prettier and more charming throwing themselves at him all the time before Tan had entered the picture. Somehow, that thought darkened her mood in a way that even Zunya and Venu hadn't been able to.

That night, Valerie's dreams were full of the Globe. She wandered the winding streets of Silva and walked around The Horseshoe, marveling at the elegant white guild buildings where Conjurors learned their trades.

"Took you long enough. I thought you were never gonna fall asleep," Cyrus said, and she saw that he was walking next to her as if he had been there the whole time, like he always did as her imaginary friend years ago.

"Why didn't you visit me while I was awake instead?"

"All our best memories are here on the Globe. Besides, I have something fun in mind."

Cyrus pulled her down a narrow alley between two strange buildings—one that glittered as if the walls were studded with tiny diamonds, and one that was carved out of the giant trunk of a tree. But, before she could take the time to examine them, they burst through the alley to an open courtyard. It was empty and dark.

"What are we here for?"

"Just wait and let me concentrate. I want to remember this right for you. Look up."

She stared into the night sky and gasped as a flood of multi-colored lights exploded above her head with a low bang, like fireworks. Beautiful designs were etched into the night sky, far more complex than anything she had seen on the Fourth of July on Earth.

A unicorn galloped across the sky, mane flowing behind her—clearly a tribute to the oldest Conjuror and a founder of the Globe, Azra. Scenes from the Globe's history flashed in the darkness, blending seamlessly—babies born, castles built, and wars fought. It was a living, glowing tapestry.

At the end of the display, the night sky flashed with a hundred colors at once, and then the light seemed to fall to the ground like rain. When it hit her, it was soft, like dozens of petals against her skin.

Valerie was mesmerized, and she turned to Cyrus to see if his awe matched her own.

He grinned at the expression on her face. "Pretty amazing, huh? That was the Illuminator Guild's showcase this year. It's one of the biggest holidays on the Globe, and I've been waiting for years to take you to it. I wish you'd been here to see it in person."

"That was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life."

"Happy Birthday, Val."

"Thank you, Cy. I really do miss this place. Even though I wasn't here long, it was home."