Between Light and Dark by Elissa Wilds Read Free Book Online Page A

started to peek through the windows when she finally tumbled into a deep sleep.
    A stark, barren landscape stretched out before her; the
earth under her feet was red and claylike. No air moved in
this place, no wind stirred her hair or brushed across her
skin, and there was a faintly sulfurous odor.
    Scanning the area, she realized she stood alone, the only
living thing in sight. Not even a blade of green grass peeked
from beneath the dirt. The sun overhead shone unrelentingly; her face and neck burned from its heat.
    Dimly, Laurell realized she wore a long, white robe, its
cloth dirty and tattered. Her feet were bare. Twenty or so
feet ahead, a light suddenly appeared from out of nowhere
and spun clockwise, growing larger with every turn. Her
pulse sounded in her ears, and she held her breath. Then, a
woman stepped out of the light.
    Laurell sucked in a breath. Mother.
    The other woman studied her for a moment, familiar
brown eyes wide with concern, long, chestnut hair curling
over her shoulders. Her heart-shaped face and full lips were
twisted with worry. She wore a robe similar to Laurell's.
    "Am I dead then?" Laurell asked.
    "No, but I am," Elaine told her. "This is the Astral Plane.
You're asleep."

    "I've read about this place. People believe we travel here
when we sleep."
    Her mother smiled and nodded. "Yes. It's true."
    "Not how I pictured it." She'd thought the Astral Plane
would be a star-filled night, brimming with possibility.
    "Think it differently," Elaine instructed.
    "What?" Laurell blinked, confused.
    "Think it differently, and it changes. Your mind is all
that counts here."
    Laurell frowned, but did as Elaine suggested. Immediately,
a million diamonds surrounded them, scattering across the
violet sky, and the earth under their feet glowed like an
opalescent gem. A jasmine-scented breeze wafted by.
    Elaine smiled. "You always did have a wonderful imagination."
    Laurell scowled. "How would you know?"
    Elaine's lips curved. "I knew."
    Her mother's expression quickly turned serious. She
moved closer, her thin fingers reaching out to grasp Laurell's hands. Laurell backed up.
    Laurell's gaze narrowed. "Why are we here?"
    "I came to bring you a message."
    "From the grave?" The words held a sardonic ring Laurell
couldn't control.
    "Yes. From the grave. It's possible when you are traveling
here, on this plane. I've been watching you as you learn
your powers. There will be much more training to come.
It's vital you learn quickly and well. You have an important
duty to fulfill."
    "You're talking about Axiom. And the child."
    "Yes. And you."
    Laurell tilted her chin, waiting.
    "Perhaps I am a poor choice of messenger," Elaine con tinued, "since I was never there for you before. But I'm your
family, Laurell. Like it or not. I love you, and I want to
help."

    Tears blurred Laurell's vision. In her entire life, she could
recall only two occasions when her mother had said those
three words to her. Talk about lousy timing. She blinked the
moisture away.
    "How can you help me now? You're dead," Laurell
pointed out, not bothering to hide the anger in her voice.
    "I can help. You just have to trust me."
    Laurell's eyebrows flew up. "Trust you? I don't even know
you.
    "I want to make things right." Elaine's words rang with
sincerity, and her eyes pleaded. Laurell refused to be taken
in. The woman had been one of Hollywood's highest-paid
actresses, she reminded herself.
    "What do you want, Mother? I mean, what do you really
want?"
    "I have a message for you. You must pass it to Axiom. Alright?"
    Dubious, Laurell nodded.
    "The witch who cast the protection spell . . ." Her
mother's expression turned pained. "She's dead. The Divine
Council is trying to figure out how this happened, but-"
Elaine's head shot upward.
    An eerie screech filled the air. Elaine clenched Laurell's
hand so hard it hurt.
    "What's going on?" Laurell demanded. A slow hum had
begun to vibrate through the atmosphere, and