An Abyss of Light (The Light Trilogy) (75 page)

“Yes, I miss you terribly, Grandson.”

“Where are you?”

“Here. Inside the
Mea”

Mikael feebly pushed up on his elbows, staring down at the brilliantly glowing ball around his neck. A blue gleam spread like fire over the walls.

“Can you come out, Grandfather? I need you here with me.”

“I know, Mikael. But to be close to you, I have to stay here. This way, at least you can hear me.”

“Grandfather? Did you know the Magistrates killed Mama? A big ship came and shot into the cliffs. Rocks rolled down on her.” A sharp pain throbbed in his tiny chest. He wiped his nose.

“No. I—I didn’t know.”

There was a long pause and Mikael heard a sound like the roar of putting a seashell to his ear.

“… I love you, Mikael.”

“I love you, too. I wish I could hold you.”

“I do, too, Grandson. Maybe soon. It’s hard, I know, to go on and do what you have to, but I need you to listen. Can you?”

He pulled himself up in bed, exhaling tiredly as he shoved his pillow behind his back. “Yes.”

“A man named Jeremiel Baruch has just come aboard the ship with you. You have to tell him something.”

“What, Grandfather?”

“The Antirnashiah has come.”

Mikael’s heart pounded sickeningly. All his life, he’d heard stories of the wicked being who would try to destroy the universe. “Who is he, Grandpa?”

“Tell Jeremiel he’ll know the evil one by the initials AKT branded into her forehead.”