Fulcrum of Light (Catalyst Book 2) C.J. Aaron (unputdownable books .TXT) 📖

searching with his phrenic mindsight, confirming that the distinct black shapes still maintained their discrete positions. Time stretched on; the apparitions remained hidden from view behind the rocks. He heard Andr let out a sigh as the world around them remained still and silent.

“Are you feeling alright? You’re acting strange,” Andr said worriedly. “I don’t see anything there.”

Ryl was frustrated; he ran his hands through his hair, tugging at the locks as they passed between his fingers. He froze as the idea came to him. Silently, he slid his way to the back of the cavern, falling to his hands and knees probing the rocks along the base of the wall. A chunk, slightly smaller than the size of his fist separated from the rest. Grabbing the loose stone, he rose to his feet, moving with all the speed he could muster in their cramped confines toward the entrance. Andr ducked out of his way as Ryl reared his arm back, launching the stone projectile out into the air to their right.

“What’s going on, Ryl?” Andr questioned, sounding less worried and more annoyed at his erratic behavior.

“Look at the rocks,” Ryl snapped quietly.

Andr slowly turned his eyes from Ryl to the cluster of rocks where he was again pointing.

The stone soared noiselessly through the air as it made its descent from the mouth of their small cave down toward the base of the ridge. The crack of its impact with the ground echoed like thunder through the silent night. Ryl watched with nervous anticipation as the sounds of the stone fracturing spread throughout the night like ripples over still water.

Before the pieces came to their silent rest, Ryl had his answer. He felt Andr tense beside him as a solitary shadow burst out from behind the stones, streaking across the open ground. The shape was nothing more than a blur across the dimly lit landscape before it disappeared behind another large, natural cairn.

Little in the sense of detail could be distinguished through the dark of the night. The creature was fast, loping across the exposed gap between the rocks with large strides of its two long legs. Did the shadows know they were close or was it chance that had placed them behind that outcropping? Ryl shuddered at the thought—the answer was ominously clear.

They were being hunted.

“How?” Andr whispered, lost for words.

Ryl knew that they were running short of time; some secrets would have to come to light. With the bouts of dizziness and the hallucinations increasing in frequency, he was convinced the sickness they'd fled was now taking hold. He took a deep breath, finding the words before responding.

“I’ve hesitated in telling you certain things about me, not in any attempt to deceive you, but to honor a promise I once made,” Ryl said quietly.

Andr nodded as he listened yet his eyes remained trained to the outside, hand on the hilt of his sword.

“There's no way to explain it without sounding detached from reality, so I'll not try to disguise it. I’ve inherited an ability to see certain things,” Ryl spoke in a hushed tone. “Unlike how you or others see things, you rely on the details provided to your eyes. I can see them in my mind.”

“What can you see with your mind?” Andr asked skeptically.

“Contrary to eyesight, I can only identify certain objects by the color or glow they give off, and only at a relatively short distance,” Ryl continued. “Until a few days ago, the only thing I’ve ever been able to see were the other tributes.”

Andr removed his gaze from the darkness outside for a moment, twisting his head to Ryl. He squinted his eyes as he studied him for a moment.

“Those things aren’t tributes,” Andr said emphatically before returning his eyes to the darkened exterior.

“I know, I don’t understand it myself. The phrenic have the answers. That hope has carried me this far,” Ryl admitted. “To me, the tributes glow a warm, yellow or golden light. Whatever it is that lurks outside, it’s cold and black. Like a void.”

Andr breathed a series of long, slow breaths, scanning the outside for a few moments before responding.

“You know, if you had told me a moon earlier that you could see things, I would have rushed you to a mender. Would have questioned your sanity,” Andr confessed. “I believe you, Ryl. As far-fetched as it may seem, I believe you. When did you first see these ... these black shapes?”

“I caught the fleeting glimpse of one our first night in the Outlands,” Ryl whispered, watching for any further movement from outside. “The glimpse was so fleeting, I thought it was my mind playing a trick on me. I never saw a trace of it again until the night of the scream. There was a solitary black shape that darted away from the direction we heard the sound. From where we found the remains. I've seen no sign of it again until now.”

“Is it just the one?” Andr asked.

“Unfortunately, no,” Ryl’s voice was downtrodden. “There’s a second, behind the rocks where I had you look.”

Ryl closed his eyes, focusing his mind. He quickly located both shapes, motionless behind their respective cover.

“They’re both still there,” Ryl continued. “Both are still motionless. What do you think they’re waiting for?”

Andr inhaled a deep breath before letting it out slowly.

“Us, Ryl,” he whispered. “They’re waiting for us.”

The pair remained on guard together, watching the rocks for any sign of motion. Ryl frequently scanned the area, finding that the creatures remained where they were hiding. The time passed rapidly, as the sudden excitement spurred their tired minds into action. Ryl caught Andr hiding a yawn out of the corner of his eye.

“You should get rest,” Ryl commented. “I can keep watch now. They haven’t moved in hours. I’ll let you know if I see any motion.”

Andr waited a moment before responding as if searching for a valid reason to protest. Begrudgingly, he accepted the offer, shifting to the back of the cave with