Masquerading Shadows

By Reese Jula

MASQUERADING SHADOWS begins as the age of innocence evaporates and the dark night of the soul appears. At seventeen, Bridget Julia McNeil has already explored the world and experienced great love. All seems right in her universe. But the obstacles that await Julia will challenge her in ways she never could have anticipated.
Love. Spirituality. Motherhood. Loss. All will force Julia to confront her true self. And she must do so alone: Darius, the celestial guide who watches over her, loses track of Julia. They must wander alone in separate realms.
How will Julia manage to survive what’s about to happen?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Mar 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781982264086

Reese Jula

The vision for the trilogy, Darius’ Endless Cord, came streaming through during six weeks of daily meditations in Auroville, India. Reese Jula has been a healer most of her life. Her healing modalities have taken many forms, from therapeutic touch to energetic karmic clearings. From 2003 to 2013, she led a nonprofit organization, Sustainable Global Leadership Alliance, dedicated to teaching young adults new paradigm thinking and sustainability practices. A loving mother, grandmother of five, wife, and multi-dimensional Soul, Reese lives in the high desert of New Mexico. Spirals of Light is the 3rd and final book in the series “Darius’ Endless Cord.”

Book preview

Copyright © 2021 Reese Jula.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by

any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system

without the written permission of the author except in the case of

brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Balboa Press

A Division of Hay House

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.balboapress.com

844-682-1282

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or

links contained in this book may have changed since publication and

may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those

of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher,

and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use

of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical

problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The

intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help

you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use

any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional

right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are

models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Edit and Copyedit by Jenna Paulden

Line Edit by Erica Zvaifler

Book cover design by [e-mail]

Interior Image Credit: Lauren Grace Garceau

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New

King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson,

Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-9822-6409-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9822-6408-6 (e)

Balboa Press rev. date: 03/12/2021

DEDICATION

To my friends Mark and Peggysue

who have supported me

through the last 30 years.

Gratitude dear ones…

CONTENTS

Acknowledgment

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I thank my mom and aunt for

being strong women role models

throughout my life.

And all my sweet and powerful sisters:

Kathleen, Devie, Jen,

Leslie, and Rhonda.

I thank all of my friends

from around the world for supporting me,

no matter what I choose to do with my life.

CHAPTER ONE

Julia McNeil’s dark night of the soul careened toward her—and it would not be ordinary. Not much of her life had been normal: her parent’s divorce when she was five, her mother’s carefree parenting style, LSD at eleven, massage school at fourteen, and a year-long trip around the world at sixteen. This unconventional childhood impelled her into adulthood quickly and kept her striving for the next challenge. Though she remained unconscious of it, a black cloud of insecurity deep inside drove her to prove her worthiness in new and unique ways. Even now she was restless for the next adventure, and she hadn’t even graduated from high school yet.

41121.png

Julia-the-human’s guide, Darius, had been by her side since the time of her souls’ birth, eons ago. Together they navigated the ever-changing realms of the Milky Way. Every now and then, specifically for educational purposes, they would incarnate together during the same lifetime. Julia, aka Jewels-the-soul, was strong willed and often left Darius frustrated on the sidelines as he observed her myriad of radical choices.

Darius saw the internal struggle within Julia’s subconscious. Her conflict had become exquisitely clear to him. She was driven by the insatiable yearning to fill a void of emptiness within her heart. However, she could not accept unconditional love—human or divine—because she was constantly sabotaged by the needling message that she was undeserving of experiencing wholeness. Unable to stop Julia’s trajectory, Darius watched her withdraw from her lover Cameron’s gift of steady, patient love. Darius’ radar sharpened as he realized Julia’s chosen path of evolution would not be easy, especially since she was emotionally incapable of receiving Cameron’s love. Darius sighed. He had hoped Cameron, aka Eridani-the-soul, would remain with her for the duration.

Jewels-the-soul had made a choice to throw all safety nets away and to evolve at all costs. Hang on Jewels, he shimmered. Your stubborn determination indicates to me that it’s going to be an unpleasant cycle, but you will get there in the end. And I will do my utmost to assist.

41123.png

Julia and Cameron returned from their journey through the Philippines, Thailand, India and Nepal, and landed in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Cameron’s brother lived. At Cameron’s insistence, his brother had grudgingly provided them a place to stay until they found a home of their own.

Julia was unhappy every moment in New Mexico. Her day job as a waitress was unbearable. At night she stayed awake laboring with intellectual gymnastics, sorting through a variety of ideas and possibilities. Part of her wanted to save money and start traveling again as soon as possible. But she had also begun to feel overwhelmed with sadness, missing her friends from school. She tossed and sighed, vacillating between two pulls. I want to be with people who have known me since I was a kid. I’m not ready to give up on those friends. I even miss school and being normal, whatever that is! Cameron wants me to join him in making serious life plans…like settling down together. I just don’t know! Maybe I have to go to Colorado and feel what it’s like there, even talk to my old teachers about being reinstated as a student.

In the light of day, her conviction grew. Cameron agreed she should travel to Colorado to see her old friends. He didn’t know that she planned to ask if she could return to high school there. During that four-day visit, Julia realized that all of her classmates were about to graduate in June, and she resolved to graduate with them. A new excitement filled her.

Still, the dreaded conversation with Cameron would have to happen soon. Though she deeply loved him, something pushed her from inside to separate from him for a time. I trust Cameron will recognize how important it is for me to graduate from high school. I crave independence! I want to make my own decisions without having to explain myself to another. It’s time to launch my personal power.

In her vivid imagination Julia had crafted all kinds of alternate pictures for her future. Some of them included Cameron. Some did not. Now the thrill of a new accomplishment lured her. Graduating is so much better than working in a dumb Mexican restaurant! Cameron has to see that, she thought defiantly. While her head was busy with all these thoughts, Julia’s heart thumped in a dull monotone. She didn’t remember precisely when this numbness had permeated her being. Something inside felt muffled and unclear—yet it insistently pushed her away from Cameron and prepared her to take on the next set of challenges.

Julia did not know that the true reason for her desire to be free lurked in the darkness that she had yet to face. Her subconscious judged that she did not deserve Cameron’s relentless devotion. This twist in her psychology prevented her from fully appreciating all the ways that he loved her. Her relationship with Cameron was threatened by the current stage of her personal development. One way or another, her soul was in charge of this journey, and the ride had already begun.

Julia was positive that her mom, Andie, wasn’t attached one way or another if she graduated from high school. The entire time she had been traveling, Julia had only received one letter from her laissez-faire mother—a self-absorbed narrative about Andie’s relocation to Hawaii. Julia often wondered if her mom ever worried about her. In her heart, she admitted, I don’t think so. She has always touted freedom, but I’ve never felt that protective mother instinct from her. Reluctantly she accepted that fact. The bond with her mom had always been complex. She knew Andie supported her life choices, but she was unclear about whether her mother truly loved her without judgments attached. Her mom was a maverick; a young, impulsive woman inherently more engrossed with her own affairs than her children’s. Even so, Julia respected Andie, knowing she had done her best under the circumstances. After all, it couldn’t have been easy as a single parent in the 1970’s.

Julia’s father presented a different set of complexities. At least, she mused painfully, my dad does not love me wholeheartedly. Or at all, I guess. Daily, she strained to put the projections of her father behind her. The letter of scorn she had received from him a year ago still haunted her. In fact, it had blindsided her. The next ten months of traveling had been tainted by his rebuff, often sending her into a persistent depression. So what if he thinks I’m going to become a sponge on society?! I’ll prove him wrong. I’m going to graduate from high school and discredit his prophesy of me. For an instant she felt sovereign, liberated from the cruelty of her father’s harsh words and lack of faith in her.

In early February, Julia reflected on all of Cameron’s and her experiences together. Three years with one person was both short and forever in her teenage mind. Despite her necessity for independence, she didn’t want to lose him entirely. Considering all they had gone through, she was convinced her relationship could stand the strain of separation. After all, she justified, we spent ten months on the road in foreign countries. We were totally dependent on each other to make it through sickness, the possibility of jail, and the threat of being robbed. Cameron and I are solid. That is what she told herself. Yet, perversely, she badly wanted time alone without Cameron. Abiding every day with the same person in small hotel rooms, and traveling with him for a year, had made Julia thirsty to be by herself.

Tomorrow, I will broach the subject of me relocating and initiate the idea of a long-distance relationship. I know he will understand. That’s one thing about Cameron—he seems to love me no matter what. Sometimes that bugs me and I just want to get away. Julia sighed. Why did she always want what she didn’t have?

Awakening early Sunday morning Julia bounced out of bed. Cameron complained he wanted more snuggle time. She kissed his forehead and said, Go back to sleep, my love.

He promptly rolled over and placed a pillow over his head.

Inside the tiny casita, frosty watermarks had accumulated overnight on the interior of windows. As she expelled breaths out, it was misty. Brrr, she thought, it must be close to freezing in here. Hastily she prepared a fire in the wood stove and headed to bathe. After showering, she fluffed her blonde curly hair, put a dab of pink lipstick on her bow-shaped lips and a hint of mascara to enhance her hazel green eyes. She slipped on a sage green mohair sweater, a pair of blue jeans and grey wool socks.

In the kitchen she assembled all the ingredients to make a vegetable soup and homemade bread. By ten o’clock the soup was simmering on the stovetop. The entire house had filled with savory smells.

Julia called out, Cameron, food is ready.

Rubbing his eyes, he moseyed from the bedroom into the other room of their tiny adobe house.

Did you have a nice sleep? She asked, pecking him lightly on his cheek.

Yes, I did. He glanced at the clock on the wall. I slept till ten thirty?

You obviously needed the rest. I know it’s weird, but I wanted soup for breakfast.

Julia served both of them a bowl of soup and a plate of steaming bread with ample butter.

I love soup. I can’t believe the feast you’ve made. He sat down at the circular wrought iron café table and placed his bowl on the bold yellow and magenta flowered tablecloth.

Delicious. You’re a great cook, Cameron said, as he dunked a piece of brown bread into the hot broth.

Julia took a few bites of food and swallowed. She felt nervous. It all came out in a rush.

I love you so much, Cameron. Really, I do. Uh…during the past couple of weeks, I have been mulling over many possibilities. When I visited my high school, I saw friends I’ve known since the third grade. I really want to graduate with them! I realize that it’s important for me to get a diploma. Although I’m not sure it does much in life. And, Cameron, I also have to prove to myself and my dad that I can finish school.

Cameron focused into Julia’s eyes. I had a feeling that this was going to happen. I could read it in your body language. You’ve felt remote for days. He toyed with his spoon and sighed. I know you have to do this for yourself.

Julia nudged her chair closer and squeezed his hand tightly. We’ve done a long distance relationship before. It’s only for four months.

Damn, I’m really going to miss your daily company. I’ve gotten used to you, Julia McNeil.

She noticed moisture in his eyes and felt a tinge of sadness. Taking another bite of her soup, she gulped hard, feeling a lump in the rear of her throat.

Cameron, we’re the kind of people who will be connected our whole lives. Soul mates. I’ll miss you.

You say that now. Soon you’ll be up to your armpits in finishing homework assignments and writing endless papers. You won’t have time to be thinking of me.

Staring into his green eyes she encouraged, Not true. Then swiftly she thought, Will I really be so busy that I won’t miss Cameron? It is certainly possible. He’ll be okay. She considered the amount of schoolwork that was ahead and knew it would take her full mental focus to graduate on time with all her friends.

As the days wore on she silently contemplated how it would feel to be on her own after living with Cameron around the clock for the past year. The energy inside pushed her. You have to leave Cameron behind now. It is the next step. Towards what, Julia didn’t have a clue. Nevertheless, she followed the call.

41125.png

Josh Hamilton and Julia had met at Living Open High School on her first day, when she was eleven and Josh was ten. They became instant friends. He was a blue eyed, snow blonde boy back then, and now at sixteen, he had grown to a tall young man. Josh’s mom, Sally, had introduced Julia to Guru Maharaj Ji when she was fourteen.

When searching for a place to reside in order to complete her education, Josh’s mom agreed that Julia could stay with them for the four months left in the semester. It was an ideal situation. The two could meditate together, share vegetarian meals, and carpool to school. Although she would be away from Cameron, she would not be alone. Julia had saved some money from her job and with the child support money from her mom, she calculated that she would be able to cover her basics until graduation in June.

School life was a well-worn habit. It was simple for Julia to be a scholar, and she stayed busy researching for term papers, creating proposals and inventing hypotheses for her cumulative senior project. Overall, she adjusted smoothly to the rhythm. Diligently she tackled each requirement for graduation.

A month before graduating, Julia’s mom announced that her daughter’s graduation gift would be a plane ticket to Maui. Julia screamed with happiness, thanking her mother profusely. I’ve missed Hawaii so much. I can’t believe I get to go back so soon! In her mind’s eye she was already dancing naked on the sand. This image was cut short when she remembered that Cameron would be up to visit her soon. She would have to let him know in person about her mother’s gift. Furthermore, she’d have to tell him that she really wanted to stay and live in Maui. Julia was unsure how he would respond to her news. She felt confused about the relationship and inwardly she worried about their future.

41127.png

Cameron drove to Colorado and pulled up to Josh’s house in Golden Heights. Josh was a dear friend to both Cameron and Julia. Cameron had expressed his relief when Julia said she was moving into Josh’s house. In the end, he told Julia he was pleased that she chose to graduate—even if it meant months of separation.

Julia gave Cameron a warm, yet somewhat distant, greeting. He dropped his bag in her room. He greeted Josh briefly and walked into the living room. Julia lounged on one of the two tan velvet couches facing the view. The ceiling was vaulted twenty feet high. Two ceiling-to-floor glass windows brightened the massive interior. On the other side of the glass was a picturesque scene of a forest of towering aspens and blue spruces. A year-round creek ran through the length of the yard. Often deer could be seen grazing in the meadow.

Cameron sat as close as he could and cuddled her. It feels good to have you near me.

Yeah. I’m excited you’re here. I’ve missed you. She paused, enfolding his hand in hers. I…I have news.

I bet you do. I talk to you almost every day and you have a captivating report every time. Okay, Miss Sprite, what is it?

Julia felt squeamish. He’s not going to react well to my announcement. But I have to tell him now.

Cameron, my mom called me this week. Andie said she’s buying me a plane ticket to Maui for my graduation gift. I told my mom I wanted to go right away, at the end of June. We both detest the cold winters. I want to be in the tropical warmth of the islands. I love it there. Plus, I’ve never been to Maui! she bubbled.

He drew away from her. "What? Hawaii? It’s on the other side of the planet, thousands of miles away. I’m not sure about a long distance relationship again, Julia."

As predicted, Cameron was upset. Damn, she thought. I knew he would freak out. It doesn’t fit into the plans he has been making about us. Cameron had recently been hired at a high-end resort in Santa Fe and was making a great income. He thought Santa Fe would be a perfect location for the two of them to put down some roots for a couple years. Land and housing were relatively inexpensive. In recent phone conversations he had even told her about a couple of houses he could afford to purchase. Naturally, he wanted her input before signing the purchase agreement. And now she was throwing him a curve ball.

Julia continued earnestly, I know that it’s far…uh, definitely further away than Colorado. It’s not going to last forever, though. I’ll make a bunch of money cleaning ganja. I’ve got all the connections now. Then we’ll arrange to travel to the South Pacific, Australia and Indonesia! What do you say, my sweet? she insisted, pressing towards him, coaxing him to agree.

Cameron looked apprehensive and contrary. He resisted her display of affection and twisted sideways. Whoa. I suddenly feel so worried. It feels like this might be the last time I see you.

What are you talking about? Shaking her head side to side, Julia said, nonsense. We’ll be back together before you know it.

Julia, I don’t know if I’m ready to travel again this soon. It’s important for me to ground myself and stay put. Create something for our… He cleared his throat and took the plunge. For our future. Cameron stood up and paced in front of the windows. This girl he loved was so hard to pin down.

I’m only seventeen, Cameron. I’m not ready to set up house. I want to see more countries. Hey, I know! Let’s hook up and live in Hawaii. My mom’s already buying the ticket and I can’t pass it up. I can go for now and then we can keep talking about what’s next.

Julia, all I can say is, I don’t want you to go. And…I know you’ve already made up your mind. Once you do that, it’s set into motion. My heart is sad and my hands are tied. It feels like there’s nothing I can do to persuade you otherwise. Briny tears glistened in his eyes.

Please don’t be mad with me. I love you. We’ll be together soon. She stood up and walked over to him for emphasis. You have my word.

Cameron looked tense. I knew something was coming. I could predict it by the way I’ve been feeling inside. A sweeping doom is gripping my heart. Julia, what if you meet another man?

Again, this is paranoia, not reality, my love, she said, smoothing his furrowed brow with her finger.

He dropped his head and then he looked up. I know you’re only seventeen and you have to explore. For whatever reason, it feels ominous. Like this is the end.

I wish you wouldn’t go down that rabbit hole! I didn’t say we’re breaking up. Far from it. I said, let’s go travel again.

Within Julia, a fierce alarm sounded as she was pulled in different directions. She had to leave. At the same time, she was terribly afraid to be apart from Cameron again. Her thoughts skittered around, justifying it all. I have to act like this is exactly what I want and not let the fear show. On one level I know I have to go to Hawaii. It’s part of the larger sketch of my destiny. It’s weirdly compelling. I can’t say no. I’m going to act like this is a normal thing. We can have time apart so we can grow as individuals. Yes, that’s it. At any rate, that’s what I’m telling my self. This is the next chapter of my journey. I just don’t have a choice this time.

41129.png

In a phone conversation right before Cameron came north to see Julia off on the plane to Hawai’i, he relayed his feelings.

Julia, you’ve gotten under my skin and you’re anchored in my heart. I love every ounce of you, like I’ve loved no other. Our intimacy defies all previous encounters with other women. He paused, gathering courage. I want you to consider marrying me. In a dejected tone, he added, You’ll probably say no.

She was downright stunned and touched by his proposal. It means a lot to me that you asked me. Your intuition was right. My answer for now is no. Maybe in the future it will be yes.

I want you by my side all the days of my life. Yet, if I clip your wings and try to convince you to stay… You’ll end up resenting me. You’re a baby eagle getting ready to fly solo. I know it in my bones.

Julia tried to lull his panic. After you get here, let’s take a hike. The forest is our sanctuary and it will calm our spirits.

Cameron took a big audible breath. Julia could hear him sniffling. Her stomach was in knots. Because of her father, she knew how it felt to be rejected. I wish I wasn’t the cause of his pain.

You’re right. I’m probably making this more difficult. Everything is going to work out. One day you’ll be ready for that kind of commitment.

Please don’t be upset. We’re still together. Kisses, I’ll see you in six hours.

The call ended.

By the time Cameron arrived at Josh’s house, he told Julia he was drained from weeping most of the way. The rest of that afternoon they held each other quietly, savoring the physical closeness.

The next day, as she was in the final stages of packing, Julia felt Cameron withdraw ever so slightly. Her heart sank. I never wanted our relationship to feel this weird, she thought anxiously. Cameron is so removed from me. I feel him pulling back. I don’t know what to do. I didn’t want to feel this lonely. Especially since I’m leaving in the morning. Then she rationalized, Calm down Julia, it’s all going to turn out perfectly, exactly as you planned. She wavered. The trouble is, you can’t remember what’s supposed to happen next. Your destiny is calling—you have to leave him. She moaned as she stuffed her flip-flops into the suitcase. Look, she told herself, for now, you’ll have to act like you’ll see Cameron in a couple months.

She put on a happy face and galvanized her joyful personality into action. Her underlying worry about the future status of their relationship remained classified information. The whole charade made Julia ill. Yet every fiber of her being said, I have no other option. I have to go back to Hawaii! I’m pulled in a way I’ve never experienced.

That night Julia and Cameron snuggled in bed and then attempted to make love. An overwhelming angst consumed them both. Their mutual passion was swallowed by the impending morning departure.

I don’t think I can make love tonight, Cameron. I’m really sad.

His voice trembled, I feel the same way. I’m at a loss.

Oh Cameron, I wanted our last night to be romantic and memorable.

It’s okay, Julia. When we see each other in a couple months, our passion will be explosive. I can wait till our reunion. I just can’t stop my mind from conjuring up all kinds of pictures.

Like what?

Images where you fall in love with someone else.

Are you kidding? She moved her body away and sat up. I’m clear about what I’ve said in the past. It’s a possibility that there will be other men in my life. When I’m older. Not now."

Cameron repositioned to look into Julia’s eyes.

She declared with as much conviction as possible, I’m not looking for a new relationship.

Ok. I’ll strive to remove those images from my mind. But I want you when you’re older too.

She smiled bleakly. Why do I feel he wants to clip my wings suddenly? Then she shook her head, dispelling the ghosts of despair. C’mon, Cameron, remind your heart that soon we’ll be hiking to waterfalls in the jungle, swimming in the ocean and making love on the beach. Can you hold me?

Yes. I will cuddle you all night. He slid closer and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her neck ever so lightly.

In silence, they drifted into a restless state of slumber.

The next morning Julia departed. Cameron waved farewell to the jet that encapsulated Julia’s form. He stood mournfully in the departure lounge with his face pressed against the clammy glass. He watched the plane fade into the pale horizon. Cameron drew a lengthy breath and expelled heavily. It did not relieve the clamp in his chest or the ringing in his ears. His path and Julia’s seemed to be separating in opposite directions. The unity they had shared for so many years was fading. It was like paint flaking off of an ancient portrait of two once-ecstatic lovers. The depiction now hung on the wall of Cameron’s mind, isolated in a time that had passed.

Simultaneously, as the plane rose higher into the atmosphere, Julia felt a weight lift from her shoulders. Another Hawaiian escapade stretched out ahead of her. She had accomplished an enormous goal and was proud of herself. She left Colorado with a high school diploma! Her mother’s present of a ticket to paradise was icing on the cake.

Julia had never been to Maui, and she was fantastically excited. Cameron would save money and she would find another fall harvest job. By winter’s end they would be off traveling together again! Her mental paintings made perfect sense. Undoubtedly that’s what will happen, she comforted herself repeatedly throughout the flight.

41131.png

From inside one of the many enormous globes of habitation, Darius reviewed Jewels-the-soul’s human accomplishments over the past year. In the comfort of his private domicile, images of Julia-the-human were remotely displayed upon a floating transparent screen. This refuge was located scarcely beyond the perimeter of the synthetic matrix that surrounded the Earth. It was a place typically used by guides when their protégé was on assignment inside this sector of the Milky Way galaxy.

These energetically created geodesic dwellings were pleasant and spacious. Diffused multi-colored lighting, crystals and gem-laden causeways led to areas of exchange with other guides. Many of the newest initiates stayed congregated with colleagues they had befriended during in their years of training together.

As Darius matured over the epochs, he tended to keep to himself and stay dedicated to the task at hand. He utilized the external viewing device to track Jewels-the-soul, aka Julia McNeil, as she transported across the planet. All souls’ light frequency signatures were unique, and therefore they could be followed throughout their sojourn in the Earth realms.

Darius discovered early on that Jewels was a risk taker with an untamed energy imprinted into her fractal essence—not dissimilar from his own disposition. The moment the Council of Light ignited their sales pitch, Jewels had jumped at the opportunity to incarnate as a female human in a lifetime designed to conclude her human cycles. In some ways, Darius questioned the notion of Quick Soul Evolution—the idea that a soul could clean up lifetimes of karma in one intense go-round on Earth. The Council held out a guarantee for brave and adventurous souls. Enter the stratosphere of Earth, they entice, and expand beyond your imagination once you finish your last power-incarnation. Darius had impulsively said yes when he was extended the same glittering quest, and indeed it had been extremely difficult. So, at first he was concerned by Jewels’ choice. He reminded her of his own experience and telepathically alerted Jewels that she had chosen an exquisitely arduous route.

You still have time to reconsider, my dear. You could pick another assignment.

Jewels projected flippantly, I can’t believe that you’d keep me away from the biggest adventure in the Milky Way. You’re here to prepare me for my last birth into a human form.

And that was that. There had been no further discussions.

In the present now, loitering in his abode, Darius brought his concentration back to studying the scenes that cascaded vertically down his screen. One in particular affected him: an instant when Julia-the-human fell to her knees in India and pounded her fists on the floor, sobbing, asking why her human family was suffering in such degradation.

He confirmed inwardly, Your trip around the world with Cameron was stupendous. Well done. Darius was indeed gratified by Jewels’ initial outcomes. The seventeen-year-old human seemed emboldened. She had gained personal conviction. Her eyes had seen, and her heart had beheld the mistreatment of others. Compassion had increased. Darius understood it would take many rotations around the sun until India would call her home again. But the seed was planted.

At this juncture,