The sky, if that’s what it was called, seemed to twinkle with life, with the brightest stars on the darkest of nights. I stared up at them and realised that they were not stars at all but the pointed tips of stalagmites that hung down from above. There were millions of them. My description is in adequate, but there are no words I know of which could describe the sheer wonder and beauty of The Hollows. But there was a feeling too; the whole place felt as if it was charged with electricity in some way. It tingled – it was alive – if that makes sense.

I could remember Potter telling me as we had lain in each other’s arms in the caves beneath the Fountain of Souls, how beautiful The Hollows were; but ‘beautiful’ seemed like such an insufficient word. I doubted there was a word that could describe The Hollows.

Why would anyone want to leave this place, I wondered. Why would the Vampyrus want to poke their head above ground for the briefest of seconds when they lived in such wonder? But more importantly, how could I ever make the decision to destroy it?

In the distance there was a large open area of that lime green moss and it was covered for as far as I could see with tall structures made of red rock. There were rows upon rows of them, and caves had been carved in each one. They were the strangest looking apartment blocks I had ever seen. Male and female Vampyrus soared between them, and they looked preoccupied and even sad as if they were all deeply troubled. How could such looks of sadness be possible? But as I watched them, I guessed that these were members of the resistance that Coanda had gathered and they were preparing to defend themselves against Munn. So, however beautiful their world was, a great shadow had been cast over it for them.

Some of them swooped up into the sky and spread their wings. They flew in formation as if practicing and practicing for the hour they would have to take to the skies and defend their lives, their homes, their Hollows. I watched breathless as they soared up amongst the stalagmites, then come sweeping down again. Their wings reflected the light from the stalagmites’ tips and they shimmered. They looked like angels – no gods – and that’s what they were. And in my heart, I suddenly realised Elias Munn’s desire to be above ground. These creatures were too beautiful, glorious, and wonderful to be hidden.

But weren’t humans just as beautiful in their own way? Weren’t they angels too? Sure, they couldn’t fly, but they were just as magical in their own right. Didn’t humans have an overwhelming desire to strive onwards, to better themselves? Weren’t they also capable of creating great works of beauty, art, music, writing, and so much more? Didn’t humans have a wonderful capacity for kindness, to love and find great joy in the world around them? Couldn’t the Earth look beautiful too? There was good and bad in every race, and with tears spilling onto my cheeks, I was dreading the hour when I was going to be asked to make a choice between the two of them.

Chapter Twelve

“Why are you crying?” someone asked, and I looked round to see Luke coming towards me. We were dressed identically, in black overalls and boots. His dark hair was swept back from his brow, and his green eyes shone as brightly as the moss beneath my feet. Thankfully, he had shaved his tatty beard off and he looked so much better.

Wiping the tears from my face with the backs of my hands, I said, “It’s just that this place is so beautiful, why would anyone want to bring war here?”

“I guess not everyone sees it with your eyes, Kiera,” he said, gently wrapping his arm about my shoulder and pulling me close.

“They see it differently then?” I asked him.

“They just don’t see its beauty anymore,” he said softly.

“That’s so sad,” I whispered.

“Do the humans still see their world as beautiful?” he asked me. “Do they not take their world for granted? Aren’t they destroying it day by day, hour by hour? Maybe that is both the Vampyrus’ and the humans’ failure.”

“What is?” I asked, looking at him.

“That both species are flawed,” he said. “We both destroy ourselves.”

“I can’t accept that,” I told him. “There is good in people – both human and Vampyrus.”

“Is there any good in this Elias Munn?” he asked me. “Aren’t we on the brink of war because of that man?”

“If there is good in him, I will see it,” I said.

“And how will you see it?” Luke asked his eyes wide as if not quite believing what I was saying.

“Because he could’ve killed me already and he hasn’t,” I told him.

“So why hasn’t he?”

“Because he’s in love with me,” I said thoughtfully.

“In love with you?” Luke asked, sounding shocked. “How can he be in love with you? He doesn’t even know you.”

“I think he does,” I said, staring back at him.

“Who is he then?” Luke said, sounding almost angry. “Tell me who Elias Munn is and I’ll rip his heart out right now!”

“You can’t take his heart, Luke,” I said.

“Why not?” and I could sense the frustration in his voice.

“Because if he does love me, then there is good in him,” I said. “No one can truly love another if their heart is solely full of hate.”

“Don’t tell me you are seriously going to try and reason with this guy?” Luke snapped.

“What choice do I have?” I asked, looking into his eyes. “There is no way I will choose between the Vampyrus and the humans. If this Elias Munn has love in his heart, then he can be saved and there will be no need for war, no need for him to -”

“Kiera!” Luke barked. “You can’t be serious? Firstly, you have to love this guy too, that’s how love works – true love.”

“And what’s the second reason?” I pushed him.

Breaking my stare and looking away, Luke said softly, “The second reason is that I love you, Kiera.”

“Please, Luke…” I started.

Then turning to look at me again, Luke said, “Why can’t you say it, Kiera?”

“Say what?”

“That you love me,” he replied, his eyes losing their glow.

I looked away.

“Is there someone else?” he pushed.

I couldn’t answer him.

“My God, you’re saving yourself for this Elias Munn, aren’t you?” Luke gasped. “You think that you can stop all of this and lift the burden you carry by giving yourself to him. But you have to love him back, Kiera and if you do, you’ll give him the power to make the decision for you!” Then taking my hand, he looked into my eyes and said, “Kiera, let’s run from this place together. We’ll hide, have a life together. Let them have their war – it doesn’t have to affect us. We could be happy together. You might not love me right now, but I know you have feelings for me, I’ve felt them. How can you possibly know your true feelings? You’ve been through so much. But away from here, from all of this, your feelings might become clearer. Please, Kiera, let’s run away together and get as far from here as possible.”

Slipping my hands from his, I looked into his sad eyes and said quietly, “Luke, I don’t run away from anyone or anything, it’s not my style.”

Stepping away from me, Luke gave me a half smile, but I could see fear beneath it. “You’ve already fallen in love with Elias Munn, haven’t you?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I sighed. “I don’t even know him.” Then turning away, I saw Potter leaning against one of those upturned trees and he was staring at me.

I went towards him, but on seeing me approach, he flicked the cigarette away that had been dangling between his fingers and walked away.

“Potter!” I called after him, but he didn’t stop, he didn’t even look back.

I turned back towards Luke, but he had gone too.

Chapter Thirteen

“Kiera!” someone shouted, and I looked over my shoulder to see Kayla running towards me. She was with Isidor and she had a look of wonder and excitement splashed across her pretty face.

“Isn’t this place amazing?” she cried. “Have you ever seen anything like it?”

“No,” I said shaking my head and smiling at her.

“Isidor has been telling me all about where he grew up,” she almost seemed to squeal with pleasure. “You’re going to take us there, aren’t you Isidor?”

“Sure,” he said, then he looked at me. I could see in his eyes that he didn’t look as happy about being back in The Hollows as Kayla did at discovering them.

“What’s wrong?” I asked him.

“Nothing,” he replied with a shake of his head. “It’s just weird being back, that’s all.”

“Aww, take no notice of him, Kiera,” Kayla beamed. “he just doesn’t want to share this amazing place with anyone.”

“It’s not that,” Isidor told her.

“What is it then, grumpy?” Kayla teased.

Looking about him, Isidor said thoughtfully, “The place just feels different than how I remembered it. It feels tense, like there is something bad coming.”

I didn’t know if Isidor could sense something different as this was my first time in The Hollows, but I knew he was right about something bad coming. Before he’d had the chance to explain further, we were joined by Coanda.

“Ready?” he asked us, but was staring at me.

“Sure,” I said.

“For what?” Kayla asked me.

Glancing at Coanda and remembering what he had told me, I said, “We are going to make our way to the Dust Palace. I’m going to meet with these Elders and see if we can’t figure a way out of this mess.”

“The Elders will never see you,” Isidor warned. “The Dust Place is sacred ground. No one is welcome there unless they are invited.

“She’s been invited alright,” Coanda said dryly. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t roll out the red carpet for her.”