Faith… it seems to be revolving around everything I do and it is a hard lesson to learn. I have to have faith that I can save my brother. I have to have faith that my friends scattered all over Meric will survive. I have to have faith that all of Shaw’s secrets are coming to an end. I even have to have faith in my own abilities.
The evil tyrant Leticia has sent out her dark priest Neamiah to persuade the people of Meric that she is god. The people must take her mark or die. My greatest test of faith lies ahead… I have to prove to the people of Meric that Leticia’s claim to lordship is false and that the Creator is the real God.
EXCERPT
(the following excerpt is unedited and may vary upon publication)
“Charis!” I exclaimed. “How in the world did you get up here? We’re nearly twenty feet off the ground.”
“Oh, I have my ways,” she replied with a sly grin.
“Seriously? You’re not going to tell me how you did it?” I scowled indigently.
“No, but I will tell you this, the amount of things you do not know about me could probably fill the Stark Ravine,” Charis laughed and she winked at me. I couldn’t help but laugh back in return. I was so used to her cryptic ways that I knew she wouldn’t tell me no matter what I said so it wasn’t worth arguing.
“Well, since you’re being so secretive already there’s probably no use in talking to you,” I said sardonically.
“Probably not since I know you want me to tell you what happens in the future for you and Shaw.”
“Charis, you have to tell me something.” My voice came out much whinier than I indented. I sounded like a small pleading toddler asking for candy.
“I can tell you that everything will work out just as the Creator designed,” Charis replied.
“That’s not even a little bit helpful,” I snarled.
“What does your heart tell you?” Charis asked me ignoring my angry retort.
I signed and even through my frustration with Charis a smile twitched at the corners of my lips. “Shaw and I will be alright,” I replied after a moment.
Charis’ head nodded just a fraction of an inch. Usually she hated to give away future information, but I think in this case she couldn’t help but give me a little comfort. Although Charis’ affirmation was reassuring I realized I didn’t need it. I already knew it to be true. Now it was just a matter of how long it would take for Shaw and I to work everything out.
“I know that you still need a bit of time before returning to the village. Would you mind helping down from the tree so I can go back?” Charis asked me and I burst out laughing at her.
“You got yourself up here, you can find a way back down!” I exclaimed. It would be awesome to uncover at least one of Charis’ mysteries.
“If you do not want to help me I could simply move you through time again. Do you want that?” Charis said with a joking, yet slightly threatening tone to her voice.
“No ma’am,” I said hurriedly and both of us enjoyed a long moment of good laughter. Once we were composed, I moved my hand in her direction and used my telekinesis powers to slowly move Charis from my tree and to the ground. I shook my head as I watched her walk back toward the Mortif village. She was an even greater mystery than Shaw.