“You don’t,” Valek mused. “It was destroyed in the flames as I wore it. Its pieces must be somewhere in the Regime still.”
“I love it!” She reached behind her neck to clasp the necklace chain.
Valek’s large hands replaced hers as he helped her. It fell just in front of her chest. It was smaller and more delicate than the one she used to have. She continued to study it.
“I had Sarah order it from a human merchant days ago, when we were still in the city. There is nothing enchanted about this. It is meant more as a symbol that I will forever be here to protect you, no matter what happens, Charlotte. No matter how much fire we endure.” He closed both of her small hands in his. He turned the whistle to the backside and read the letters carved there. “We will always rise.”
She smiled as she then fully understood the symbol of the phoenix and lifted her face to kiss him. “Thank you, Valek. I will treasure it.”
“I am never going to let you leave my sight again, Lottie,” he said seriously.
“I wouldn’t want you to.” She nuzzled his chin. They sat in silence for a few moments, thinking privately. He did not cross the boundaries of her mind. “We are safe, Valek,” she reminded him.
“Yes. For now, we are.” He rested his cheek atop her head.
“And you will walk in the daylight tomorrow.” She beamed. “Like the others.”
He smiled. “Yes. I will.”
They were together. Finally. They were the moon and the sun — the light and the darkness — together and to be alone to more.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shayne's first year out of high school, she penned, co-directed, and starred in the feature-length film, The Incubus, a paranormal romance, which obtained distribution and opened in over fifteen theaters across South Florida among popular chains like Regal, AMC, and Cinemark. The Incubus obtained a fan-base of over 100,000 girls online, and has garnered the attention of reporters from the Miami Herald, CBS News, and NPR Radio. Leighton also starred alongside Scream Queen, Tara Cardinal in the film, Legend of the Red Reaper.
Now, 20-year-old Leighton is excited to release her debut young adult novel series, Of Light and Darkness, set in contemporary Prague, as well as penning several other screenplays, a novel adaptation for Legend of the Red Reaper, an original pop/rock album, and acting in various film roles.
Visit Shayne online at: http://www.shayneleighton.com