Elysium and the Spy: Elysium, #2

By Michelle L. Ross

Alex is safe in Elysium, but his parents and friends are still outside trying to make their way to the second Earth entrance. As time runs out, Alex must deal with his ever-evolving powers, a grumpy Guardian, and a spy who is relaying information to Abaddon. Will Alex manage to unseal the second Earth entrance in time to save his parents? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michelle L. Ross
• Release date: Jan 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393137177

Michelle L. Ross

Michelle L. Ross lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas with her husband. She studied English Literature at Northwest Arkansas Community College. Works by Michelle L. Ross include "Elysium and the Dominion's Prophecy," "The Sword of Vishap," a paranormal romance short story "The Summoning," and multiple poems over the years. 

Book preview

Chapter 1

Alex ducked as a white ball of holy fire zipped over his head. I told you I wasn’t ready yet, he said, glaring at Adrian.

Do you think that Abaddon or any of his minions will wait until you’re ready before they attack you? Adrian retorted. Knowing what Alex still had to face, Adrian had attacked him while his back was turned. It was the only way the Guardian could think of to get through to the boy. Elysium was peaceful and Alex felt safe there, which, Adrian noticed, had made him too relaxed.

I can handle Abaddon, Alex said. Or have you forgotten what I did to him the last time he tried to mess with me?

That was pure luck Alex. The only reason he fled was that there was no one there to back him up. You can be sure he won’t make that mistake again, Adrian said as he began putting away the weapons. This training session was over. Alex would have to learn to control his emotions better before he caused damage to some innocent bystander.

Whatever, Alex said as he began to walk away. Alex didn’t like the way his training was progressing anyway. He had been in Elysium for several weeks and every day was the same. He had to wake up before dawn each morning to get ready for his training, which began with meditation. From there he had to go to his lessons with Leif, who was teaching him to communicate with animals.

They can be your eyes and ears, he had said, which had sounded cool at the time. It became a source of irritation for Alex. He tried, and failed, to communicate with everything from birds to the giant black bears that roamed the forests of Elysium.

Archery, which came after this lesson, wasn’t so bad. It was the one thing Alex was good at, thanks to the lessons Uncle Tommy had given him over the years. Leif would sometimes compete with him, setting up various targets and asking one of the other elves to time them on their shots. Both could hit the center of the target, but Leif was faster.

A much-needed lunch break came after the lessons with Leif. Alex often sat with his new friend Luke, who was Jonas’ apprentice. Luke was only a year older than Alex. He had a rather pale complexion due to being cooped up inside with Jonas all day. He looked ill in Alex’s opinion. He had curly black hair and green eyes that seemed to always show anger and a hint of sadness.

It had only taken a few days for the two boys to realize they had a lot in common. Luke, who had been apprenticed to Jonas since he was ten years old, often complained about his training.  The two boys would often sit through their lunch complaining about their lessons and about how much they missed their parents. Since Luke was apprenticed to the Elder, he was not allowed to see his family much. Twice a year he would visit them with strict instructions not to divulge anything about his lessons. He thought this was a stupid rule since he hadn’t learned anything important yet. How dangerous could copying scrolls be? 

Alex would listen to Luke’s complaints, day after day, and it wasn’t long before he realized the apprentice was jealous of him.

You get to learn all these great powers and get to train with the elves, while I have to sit in that dark study every day copying out scrolls for Elder Jonas. It’s not fair, Luke had said the previous day.   There wasn’t anything Alex could do about it. A day copying out scrolls would be a welcome relief after all the training he’d had to endure. 

After lunch, Alex would have his mythical and magical creatures lesson with Aunt Meredith. With so many of these creatures in Elysium, Aunt Meredith had quit using her book to teach. Instead, she would take Alex out on field trips to study things like unicorns, fairies, and dwarves, to name a few. He even went with Tuffy and Wheezy on a sort of field trip to see what brownies like to eat and how they live. He still had not yet seen their village in Elysium.

Even if Aunt Meredith had wanted to teach from the book, Alex knew she couldn’t. It had been left at the cottage when they made their run to the entrance, and no one had been back since. Alex had seen more than one argument between his aunt and Elder Jonas because of this. Meredith wanted someone to go get her cat, but Elder Jonas thought, It’s only a cat, and can fend for itself. I’m not wasting precious manpower on something so ridiculous.

This, of course, would make Aunt Meredith furious, and the two would then argue until one or the other stormed off.

The one lesson that had come as a surprise to Alex was in the late afternoon. He had been taken after his lesson with Meredith on his first day in Elysium to a little cottage at the edge of town. He was told the lesson would be about history, including that of the prophecy. He hadn’t been told who would be teaching him. As the door opened Alex found that he could not speak. Standing there before him was his Grandpa Ben, a little bigger around the middle than he had been in life.

Ben had taken a liking to certain pastries in Elysium that were not available on Earth. He liked them a little too much and had found his clothes began to get tighter and tighter until he finally had to be fitted for a new wardrobe. Ben grinned at his grandson. Surprised to see me? he asked, eyes twinkling with laughter.

Alex could only nod. He still couldn’t seem to find words enough to voice his feeling at that moment.

I’m sure you have been told that Elysium is where the good souls go when their bodies perish. While they are here they are given bodies identical to the ones they had on earth, without all the pain and sickness. When Yahweh opens the gates to his kingdom we will all be given new bodies, different from what we had on Earth, Ben explained.

Alex was beginning to get over his shock. He had been told that Elysium was a sort of waiting room for the good souls. But it also seemed to be a world of its own where creatures and people could live almost the same way they did on Earth. And some of the creatures and people had not died, which confused Alex. It appeared as though Elysium was some sort of hub to several worlds, including Earth.   Even after three weeks there Alex could not quite believe he could see people who had passed away on earth. At one history lesson, Alex was able to meet Joan of Arc. She even offered to help train him in swordplay. Adrian had refused to let her. He felt Alex needed to concentrate on controlling his emotions before he got into swordplay again. The sword Adrian had given him was now under lock and key in Jonas’s study. 

But if Alex was going to be honest with himself he had to admit it was not the monotony of training that was bothering him. He hadn’t seen his parents or Ali since the night they left Meredith’s cottage. No word had come yet on whether they were even safe. Alex tried to tell himself they were fine, but he did not know. To make matters worse, Jonas wouldn’t send anyone to go get them. They didn’t even know Alex was safe in Elysium, or that the entrance had been opened.

It seemed the only person who understood his pain was Luke. And Alex still wasn’t sure about that. He wouldn’t have considered Luke a best friend. Not like Luther anyway. Luther would have been excited about Alex’s power. Luke was jealous. Luther would have been sympathetic to Alex’s problems with controlling his powers. Luke’s opinion was, At least you have powers to lose control of. Almost as if Alex’s thoughts had summoned him, the apprentice appeared.

Hey Alex, Luke began. Guess what I heard?

That you get to start learning the powers of the Elder? Alex guessed. He couldn’t think of any other reason Luke would be so excited, but the now sour look on Luke’s face told Alex that was not it.   No, it’s nothing that exciting.

Well, what is it then?

You have to promise you not to say anything to anyone. I wasn’t supposed to hear this, so act surprised when they tell you.

Spit it out already, Alex snapped. He was frustrated with Luke beating around the bush.

They have received word about your parents.

What? Alex gasped.

Yeah, there is a messenger at Jonas’s place right now. I heard them talking and Jonas told the messenger not to say anything to you yet. They didn’t want you getting excited before they had the chance to learn more.

Where are they? Did the messenger say?

On their way to Tommy is all I know, but you knew that already. I guess you’ll hear about it once they’ve received more information. But I thought you might want to know.

Yeah, thanks Luke, Alex said. He was lost in thought too much to notice the look of disappointment on Luke’s face as he rushed away.

Alex quickened his pace in hopes of reaching Jonas’s before the messenger left. As he reached the porch, the front door opened. A very large flying insect began buzzing around Alex’s head making a lot of noise. He tried to swat the bug away, but it came back with a vengeance. Alex was about to swat it away a second time when Elder Jonas appeared and yelled, No Alex! You’ll hurt her!

What? Alex asked as he continued trying to swat the insect.

That’s not a bug you’re swatting at. It’s a pixie, Jonas explained as he caught the angry pixie before it could dive toward Alex again.

A pixie? Alex asked, confused.

Yes, a forest pixie to be precise. She has come with a message from your parents.

This is the messenger? I expected someone a little, um, well, bigger.

You should know by now that size has no bearing on what a creature may do. Sometimes it is better to be small and unnoticeable. And how did you find out there was a messenger here at all I’d like to know? Jonas asked, suspicious.

Oh, uh, I um...

It was that errant apprentice of mine wasn’t it? Where is he anyway?

He was right behind me I thought, Alex said as he looked around for Luke. He was kind of glad his friend wasn’t there since he had managed to land the apprentice in trouble. Although, Alex thought, he managed to get into trouble enough on his own a lot.

Oh well, you may as well come inside and hear what news the messenger has brought. Jonas led Alex into his study with the irritated pixie buzzing behind them.

As they sat down the pixie landed on Jonas’s desk. She glared at Alex once and turned her back to him. That one glance was enough for Alex to realize the pixie looked nothing like an insect. How could he have even mistaken her for one? She had long red hair braided down her back and intense green eyes. She wore a yellow tunic that seemed to emit a strong scent of honeysuckle. In a tiny scabbard tied around her waist there was an ornate handle that Alex presumed belonged to a pixie sword. Those things were odd enough, but the pixie’s wings were what caught his attention. They were the most beautiful, shiny iridescent wings he had ever seen.

I’m sorry I swatted at you, Alex said. He hoped the pixie would forgive him. He had never seen one before. But the pixie turned toward him and stuck her tongue out.

That’s enough Clover. He said he was sorry, Jonas scolded.

With great reluctance Clover flew to Alex. She scrutinized him for a few moments before nodding and saying in a high, tinkling voice, Apology accepted chosen one.

Ugh, I wish you wouldn’t call me that, Alex said. It made him uncomfortable when people referred to him as the chosen one. Truth be told he felt like a chosen loser most of the time.

Well, what should I call you then? Clover asked.

You can call me Alex.

Alex the chosen one, Clover said with a bow.

No! Just Alex, and please don’t bow.

Are we all done with introductions? Jonas asked. We need to get on with this discussion so Alex can get to his lessons.

Clover flew over to Jonas’s desk again. This time she perched on top of his ink bottle and faced Alex. A tiny little human with wings, Alex thought as he watched her. Now then, Jonas began. What all did my apprentice tell you?

Not much, Alex said. He hoped that would keep the apprentice from getting into too much trouble. He said that there was a messenger here about my parents. Then I came here to find out what I could. He said you weren’t going to tell me anything yet.

And we weren’t either, Jonas said. But Clover gave me enough information that I felt certain I could tell you that they are fine. They’ve been through a bit of a scrape, but everyone escaped unharmed.

Scrape? What kind of scrape? Alex asked. He was relieved that they were fine, but it was obvious to him they were still in danger. Why didn’t Jonas send some Guardians to get them?

Yes, they had a run-in with some of Abaddon’s minions. I imagine the Dark Angels informed Abaddon that your parents and Ali weren’t with you when you came to the cave.

Well, what happened? How did they escape?

You’ll find out soon enough Alex. Calm down for a minute. I’m going to let Clover tell you what happened since she was there.

Chapter 2

It had been a long , difficult journey for Curtis and the others. The two fairies, Novak and Andromeda, hadn’t helped matters much. Sure they helped Curtis, Lynn, and Ali escape the cottage unseen. Unfortunately, they had been a terrible nuisance since. All they did was primp and preen like a couple of snobs. It was almost too much for Lynn to take, but she reminded herself that they needed the fairies if they were going to make it to Tommy.

That first night they made it to a small town about ten miles from Meredith’s cottage. Unused to walking such long distances, they were exhausted and hungry. The fairies found a small inn and suggested they all stay there, but Curtis pointed out that would not be a good idea. Abaddon would find it easier to track them if they tried to stay in motels on the way. So, they had made camp outside town and ate what Meredith had packed for them.

The next morning Andromeda said she had found them a ride for a couple of hundred miles. They all followed her to a truck stop where she pointed to a large semi. The trailer was empty and she had heard the driver say he was going to pick up a load further east. That sounded good enough to Curtis. While the trucker was inside eating at the diner, the group snuck into his trailer.

It wasn’t long before the big rig was cruising down the highway with five uncomfortable passengers. Lynn groaned as another wave of nausea hit her. She should have known better than to ride in a windowless trailer. Motion sickness was a constant companion on road trips, even in a car with windows. Without windows, it was unbearable. Curtis watched his wife become more ill with each passing mile. Why don’t you lie down? he asked.   

Lynn could only nod as she attempted to get comfortable. Ali was bored more than anything. If she had brought her mp3 player at least she would have had some music to listen to. But she had left it, along with several other items, at Meredith’s. There wasn’t even anyone in the trailer she could talk to. Lynn was too car sick, the fairies too wrapped up in themselves, and Curtis was too busy fussing over his sick wife. Perhaps a little nap wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

As Ali was about to drift off into a good, sound sleep, the truck swerved. The trailer began to jackknife. Everyone jumped up, trying to stay balanced as the truck continued its erratic behavior. What was going on out there? Curtis shuddered to think about it, but he knew he had to. If any of Abaddon’s minions had found them he had to be ready. They had to get out of that truck. When the truck finally came to a stop, Curtis motioned for the others to follow him. You three should put on your pouches, Novak whispered.

What about you and Andromeda? You won’t be able to get out unseen, Curtis observed.

We will manage, but you three must remain hidden for as long as possible, for Alex’s sake.

"You’re right,