https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/blog-entry/91306/heads-i-lose goes up ten-fold -- excuse me, an order of magnitude. Grrrrrrr. Normally, I would have ended the section on a certain cliff-hanger, but under these circumstances, no way.

We begin with Luke's second day of school, and end the story with Peter's departure for college.

I had woken up and found myself in a compromising position. The universe had given me a headstart, an opportunity to save myself from the compromised state I found myself in.

I had been sprawled all over him, my left arm draped the whole way across his torso and my head resting on his chest. I'd had the opportunity to withdraw and fling myself back to my side of the bed but what did I do with that chance? I stayed because God it felt nice.

Synopsis
With Rick (now almost fully Yvette) tucked away nicely, our spotlight shifts to the star of the night: our dear Doctor Valentine.

"Amelia, come have a seat with us, dear" The queen called out to me following my curtsy, "Lovette, prepare Amelia a cup, will you?" she spoke to one of three servants that stood quietly in the corner.

"Yes, Your Majesty"

"Sit, sit" Queen Arabella turned her attention back to me as I approached.

Chapter 10

“Stuart? Bring the barrier down at the graveyard, please. The vampires have been dealt with and the portal’s gone.”

“Then what…”

“David’s trapped inside.”

“Oh, alright. Miss Ephemeris said she’d meet you at the school.”

“Why?”

“She has something for you. You may need it if you’re going to, er, do battle with…”

“Something came through?”

“You could say that. A sort of vine thing, with teeth. It’s spreading through the whole school. Nick set off the fire alarm, but there may be some people still trapped inside.”

The healers had instructed me to keep my arm in a sling for two weeks, allowing the muscles to repair themselves. While I understood the necessity, my parents' added concern was starting. They had become overprotective, insisting I couldn't go out to the lake because I couldn't take someone with me.

The escape attempt is on, their chances may not be all they appear to be... The losses may be too much to handle.

The murmur and clatter around the arena began slowly but crescendoed as people started to panic over what they had just witnessed.

Sedition, and in the presence of the Prince no less.

Groups formed and people began talking to each other, some stood as if preparing to leave.

I was no less in shock over what had just happened. A man had run on stage, interrupting the performance, and screaming the words "Dethrone the tyrant king".

The following day, I brought my dad to school, hoping to finally get some clarity on what I was. Together, we walked up to Principal Elara's office, my heart pounding with a mix of nerves and anticipation. When I knocked on the closed door, the Principal's voice called us in, and I led the way.

Hope's Light

Chapter 7

by Erisian

Book 6

Chapter Seven - Coffee

The ride through the paved cavern tunnels was short but bumpy as the transport’s suspension had clearly died a squealing death at least ten to twenty firestorms ago. I’d been locked into position in the middle of a squad again, though this time opposite me wasn’t a cranky diminutive devil blowing smoke but rather a sullen swamp-green demon similarly shackled into place whose inner rage boiled and simmered.

As evident by the constant glares of resentment and brewing rebellion he kept shooting across the aisle whenever he thought I wasn’t paying attention. My sympathy meter didn’t move much in response, I was too busy being happy that they’d given me a bright orange prison jumpsuit.

Hey, it would never have won any fashion shows but it certainly beat being naked.

Hope's Light

Chapter 6

by Erisian

Book 6

Chapter Six - Potatoes

“Why does one without need seek passage?”

The grey-cloaked spirit towering over me stood thirty-feet tall. With sandals straddling slowly rocking parallel top decks of a slender felwood boat, the voice boomed out from under a deep and shadowed hood. If the barren expanse behind had any features other than scattered ancient bone, the sound would have echoed mightily - but as things were it simply resounded loudly from above.

And given the message, I’d barely started this undercover investigation and already my cover was blown. Joy.

Hope's Light

Chapter 5

by Erisian

Book 6

Part Two

Chapter Five - Plans

Brightness sweeps away the Book’s words and echoing voice entire.

All is light, and Light is All.

Infinite yet singular, timeless yet growing, perception expands.

Perception of existence, perception of pattern.

A vision of glory beyond all glory, depth beyond all depth, and purpose beyond all purpose.

From this vantage, a locus forms. A pivot through which the Light’s perception shall guide, reach, and measure.

A pivot through which to recognize Self.

A pivot through which to Act.

Hope's Light

Chapter 4

by Erisian

Book 6

Chapter Four - Enemies

When appearing again in front of Krux and all his gun-toting troopers, I’d changed clothes. Gone was the casual jogger garb, replaced with biker’s gear of white leather: boots, chaps over jeans, gloves, and an armored jacket - one with enough pockets to wedge in all the currency I’d just recovered. My bike, of course, was stuck in a galaxy far, far, away - but I knew the pattern of this outfit well enough to replicate it.

Being an angel had certain advantages.

I'd woken up at the crack of dawn to the sound of the cocks crowing. This had been the second night in a row that I hadn't been able to get any real sleep.
 
I'd managed to sleep for a few hours after Nabo bid me good night but dreamed only of fire. Her destructive nature had infected every facet of my imagination and I feared what she would do to me.
 
'Look what she had already done' I thought to myself as I stared at our reflection in the mirror.
 

Hope's Light

Chapter 3

by Erisian

Book 6

Chapter Three - Sin

Languages are magic.

Think about it. By making weird sounds or scribbling strange markings against a surface, we transmit ideas, conjure images the recipient has never seen, and organize the very way we think. And it’s not limited to only verbal or written mediums; there is language in music, in mathematics, in dance and motion, and yes, in the act of making love. They are the tools by which we interact with each other and the universe at large, coordinating our very perceptions into meaning.

Mostly we use language to manipulate the thoughts and ideas of others, but some…well, some use it to manipulate the world directly. And what lies behind it.