Shadows Fall But My Light Will Rise Again

By Ary S. Jr.

But the trauma of her ordeal is only just beginning. Plagued by nightmares and panic attacks, Emma struggles to regain her sense of normalcy and security. When new evidence raises doubts about Lucas' guilt, her own grip on reality threatens to unravel. Just as she is starting to rebuild her life, cryptic threats emerge from Lucas' secret followers determined to ensure his freedom.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ary S. Jr
• Release date: Jan 17, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224984312

Ary S. Jr.

Ary S. Jr. is a Brazilian author who writes about various topics, such as psychology, spirituality, self-help, and technology. He has published several e-books, some of which are available on platforms like Everand, Scribd, and Goodreads. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and insights with his readers, and aims to inspire them to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

Book preview

Shadows Fall But

My Light Will Rise Again

Introduction

The small used bookshop was Emma’s sanctuary on rainy Saturday afternoons like this. She stepped inside, breathed in the familiar scent of old paper and glue, and began browsing the shelves. Most found the cluttered organization intimidating, but to Emma each crooked stack held discoveries waiting to be made.

A first edition of Pride and Prejudice caught her eye on a high shelf. She pulled over a step stool and reached up on her tiptoes, fingers barely brushing the leather spine. Lost in concentration, she didn’t notice someone approach until a soft voice asked, Need a hand?

Emma wheeled around, startled. A tall man with wavy brown hair stood smiling down at her, one arm extended in offer to retrieve the book. Sorry, I didn’t mean to sneak up on you, he said bashfully. His eyes twinkled with amusement.

N-no, that’s alright. Thank you, Emma stammered, lowering herself from the stool. She felt foolishly clumsy in comparison to his fluid grace.

He lifted the book easily in one hand and held it out to her. Their fingers brushed as she took it, sending an unexpected spark through her nerves. His touch lingered a moment longer than necessary before withdrawing. Let me know if you find anything else up too high. I’m Lucas.

Emma. And thank you, Lucas, I appreciate the help. She turned away to hide her sudden flush, cradling the book to her chest as if it could shield her thundering heartbeat. What was it about this man that had thrown her so off-kilter in an instant?

Pretending interest in the shelves, Emma covertly watched Lucas browse the stacks. He ran long fingers over spines in a gesture so gentle it seemed intimate. Everything about him exuded care and consideration, from his observant eyes to his restless energy contained within a lean, athletic form.

And yet...something nagged at the edges of her awareness, a subtle wariness she couldn’t quite place. Lucas seemed entirely at ease in every move he made, but his charm held a practiced sheen. Emma knew better than to trust easily what could be affect rather than essence.

When their paths crossed again by chance in another aisle, Lucas paused. Finding anything you like?

Just browsing for now. This place always yields surprises, Emma replied with a noncommittal shrug.

He smiled in a way that made her breath catch. As do people, I’ve found. Say, would you like to get coffee sometime and continue our discussion? I’d enjoy learning more about your literary interests.

A small voice inside cautioned Emma against reckless impulses, as it always did. But she found herself helpless against that smile, those eyes, that impression of hidden complexity just beneath the surface. Alright, I think I’d like that.

They exchanged numbers and planned to meet the next afternoon. Emma spent the rest of her day in a distracted haze, revisiting each detail of their brief encounter, wondering what secrets this man held behind his easy charm.

The coffee shop they chose sat nestled in a busy shopping plaza, a beacon of cozy mundanity amid commercial hustles. Emma checked her watch constantly, arriving a full hour early to stake out a seat by the window and watch customers come and go through steady rainfall.

When Lucas finally entered, giving her a smile and wave from the door, she didn’t miss how several female patrons tracked his movement with curious eyes. He truly cut a striking figure—tall and slender yet athletically built, elegant in a way that held courtly old-world polish without pretension.

Emma found herself smoothing her