Sheltered Light: The Light Chronicles, #2

By VR Janis

Finally free of her kidnappers, Wakangli finds herself trapped on an ice island with her only ally, Wi. She wants nothing more than to find her way home but it seems impossible. Braving many obstacles, including being hunted by Hanyetuwi and even imprisonment, the hardest trial she has to endure is finding out her allies are not what she thought. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Inked Scroll Creatives
• Release date: Apr 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9780991134267

Book preview

For the sisters of my heart who have helped me through my writing journey,

Sarah and JC.

Other books BY V R Janis

Hidden Magic Trilogy

Hidden Powers – Book 1

Hidden Memories – Book 2

Hidden Conflicts – Book 3

The Light Chronicles

Stolen Light – Book 1

Sheltered Light – Book 2

CHAPTER 1

Istopped for a second to look over the edge of the cliff of ice. It was forty feet to the rocks below. Wi pulled me back as a strong gust of wind made me stumble and lose my footing on the icy surface.

Wankangli, are you all right?

Yeah, just the ice.

Besides the rocks, all I could see were the crashing waves of the ocean until the sea met the sky. It was a depressing sight.

We were walking along the cliff, talking about plans for escape. I had a habit of talking with my hands when I got excited and the thought of getting off the island truly excited me. Wi listened to my constant optimism with a slight smile. There was not much of a plan unless a boat magically appeared. Busy listing ways we could obtain a boat, I stopped paying attention to where we were headed.

I suddenly lost traction on the ice and felt my feet slip out from under me. I gasped as I pitched over the cliff and felt only air beneath me.

I grabbed the jagged ice as I flew over the edge. I jerked to a stop and felt my shoulder pop out of place. Warm blood dripped from my sliced hand and I screamed. The pain made my eyes water. Grasping the edge was making the ice tear further into my hand, but I knew no matter how bad the pain got, I could not let go.

It was hard to stay soundless when I felt so much anguish. I knew the scream that had escaped me could lead our tormentors to us, but I couldn’t worry about that. Right now I had to find a way to climb the cliff with a dislocated shoulder and injured hands.

Then I felt hands grip my arms and pull. I looked up at Wi, probably the only other person on this block of ice that I was trapped on. The pain made my vision waver as he pulled again. His hands slipped to my wrists and I gripped his wrists in mine. The slick blood was making it hard for both of us to hold on.

Don't you dare let go, he screamed at me.

I don't know how long I can hold on. My shoulder is on fire. And I’m slipping, I said with a calmness in my voice I didn’t know I possessed.

I don't care if it falls off, you don't let go. You could hit the rocks instead of the water.

I tried to find some holes in the ice to wedge my feet into. If I could just use my legs, with Wi's help I could get up. He was sweating and grunting as he tried to keep his grip on my wrists.

We were both tired, hungry and losing our hold. I could feel my fingers going numb and his hands slipping as we continued to struggle.

I saw the fear in his eyes and my body reacted with an adrenaline surge. Strength I didn’t know I had began to fuel me for the fight to climb.

Wi, we are going to do this together. You are going to pull and I am going to push with my feet and try to climb up. Are you ready?

He nodded his head, his concentration fully on holding me.

Now!

He pulled and shifted his weight. The pain made my vision go black. I heard his grunt as I slipped further out of his grasp.

Hiya! You have to hang on! he ordered. You have to fight! Hurry, climb.

I tried to fight the pain that was sucking me into the black abyss. I looked up and focused and then, suddenly, there was nothing. My arms and hands continued to reach out for Wi as I fell.

I gasped as I hit the ice cold water seconds later and felt my leg slam into the rocks. The cold shocked me back to reality. I used it, but knew if I did not get out of the water quickly I would die from hypothermia.

I struggled to bring my head above the water. As soon as I felt the air against my face I gasped a breath and my teeth started to chatter. I could feel the coldness settling in my chest as I tried to breathe. A wave slammed into my head, pushing me under the water and making me dizzy.

My torn clothes kept catching on the rocks as the waves bashed me into them. My clothes were dragging me down again.

I tried to kick my feet and, with fresh pain, knew that my leg might possibly be broken. I kicked it anyway and moved my arms. My dislocated arm did not have a good range of motion. I ignored the pain, but was pikicila it kept me conscious.

I was nearly exhausted and having a hard time. I could see the blackness closing in. I was making some progress toward the shore, but I was slowing down. Apparently, my strong will could only get me so far.