The Veilkeeper of Hollowstar Bridge

The fog was thicker than usual the night Rowan Vale walked across Hollowstar Bridge. The river below churned with restless water its dark surface reflecting the pale glow of the moon. Rowan tightened her coat pulling it close as cold air brushed her neck like invisible fingertips. Hollowstar Bridge had been abandoned for decades after the incident after the whispers after the night the veil was torn apart. People never crossed it anymore. Except Rowan.

She had no choice.

Her younger brother Evan had disappeared two days earlier and the only clue left behind was a strange silver mark burned into the wooden railing of the bridge. The same mark Rowan had seen in her nightmares for years. A symbol shaped like two crescent moons crossing each other.

Rowan stepped forward heart pounding. Every instinct told her to turn back but desperation forced her onward. She held a flashlight in one hand though its beam could barely cut through the swirling fog.

Evan she whispered voice trembling. If you can hear me please answer.

Silence.

Then the fog rippled.

Rowan stopped breathing as a tall figure emerged from the swirling white mist. A man stepped onto the bridge with movements fluid and silent like someone born of shadows. His hair was dark and tousled as if shaped by the wind itself. His eyes glowed faintly silver casting a soft light on his sharp features.

He was both terrifying and captivating at the same time.

Rowan stumbled back. Who are you

The man paused as if deciding whether to speak. His voice when it came was deep calm and full of something ancient. My name is Lysander. I am the Veilkeeper.

Rowan frowned gripping the flashlight tightly. The what

The Veilkeeper Lysander repeated. Guardian of the passage between your world and the one beyond.

Rowan shook her head. I do not care what you are. My brother is missing. I think he was taken across this bridge. I need to find him.

Lysander studied her with unsettling intensity. His silver eyes seemed to pull emotions from her unraveling the fear she tried to hide. You should not be here Rowan Vale. The veil is thin tonight. It hungers.

Rowan froze. How do you know my name

He looked away as if pained. I have watched over you since the mark first appeared on your dreams.

Rowan blinked startled. My dreams How do you know about that

Because the veil touched you once he said quietly. A long time ago. You were meant to be taken but something intervened.

Rowan felt cold crawl down her spine. Something like a memory stirred inside her but slipped away before she could grasp it.

Why would the veil want me she whispered.

Because you are a key Lysander murmured. A rare soul who can open or close the passage. A soul with the power to decide which world survives.

Rowan stepped closer her fear melting into anger. I do not care about any veil. I want my brother back. Tell me where he is.

Lysander hesitated. Your brother is not lost. He is trapped. Between worlds.

Rowan felt her legs weaken. But he is alive

Yes. For now.

Take me to him she demanded.

Lysander shook his head. If you cross the veil without guidance it will take more than your life. It will take your soul.

Then guide me

Lysander met her gaze again. His expression softened. Why would you risk everything for him

Because he is my family Rowan said her voice breaking. He is all I have left.

Lysander reached out slowly brushing his fingertips across her wrist. His touch was strangely warm sending shivers through her entire body. The veil stirs when you speak he whispered. It recognizes you.

Tell me how to get him back Rowan whispered.

Lysander closed his fingers gently around her hand. Then I will take you. But you must promise to stay close. If the veil senses hesitation it will devour you.

Rowan swallowed hard. I promise.

The fog around them thickened swirling like smoke drawn by an invisible force. Lysander stepped backward guiding her toward the center of the bridge. His eyes glowed brighter illuminating the air.

The veil opens he said.

The world shifted.

The air crackled with energy. Colors dissolved into a wash of silver and violet. Rowan felt the ground tilt as if gravity itself was twisting. She clutched Lysander tightly as a tear in reality opened before them shimmering like liquid glass.

Step through he whispered.

She took a breath and followed him.

The world beyond was breathtaking.

A vast landscape stretched beneath a sky of swirling twilight. Trees glowed with bioluminescent light their branches weaving like threads of starlight. Strange flowers pulsed with faint glimmers of energy. The air hummed softly like a distant melody.

But not everything was beautiful.

Shadows slithered between the trees moving like serpents made of smoke. Their glowing eyes tracked Rowan with hungry interest.

Stay close Lysander murmured. They smell your warmth.

Rowan stepped protectively behind him. What are they

Lost souls he said. Those who crossed the veil without guidance. They feed on living light.

Rowan shivered. And Evan

Lysander pointed toward a distant cliff glowing with a soft blue radiance. He is there at the Pillar of Echoes. The veil is trying to bind him to itself. Once it finishes the process he will never return.

Rowan felt her heart clench. Then what are we waiting for

They walked through the forest Lysander constantly scanning the shadows. Rowan studied him while they moved. He moved with the grace of someone who had walked this world for centuries. His hand always hovered close to hers as if he anticipated danger.

Why are you helping me Rowan asked quietly.

Lysander did not look at her. Because I owe you a debt.

Rowan furrowed her brow. What are you talking about

Lysander slowed his steps. You once saved me.

She blinked stunned. I never met you before tonight.

Not in this life he said softly. But our paths crossed once when you were very young. The veil tried to claim you but you resisted. In your resistance you kept it from consuming me. I have guarded you from afar ever since.

Rowan felt something tug inside her chest a sensation both familiar and foreign like remembering a forgotten dream. She stared at him. Why do I feel like I know you

Because your soul remembers me he murmured.

She looked away her cheeks warming unexpectedly.

They reached the cliff where the Pillar of Echoes pulsed with blue light. Evan was inside the pillar suspended in midair eyes closed as tendrils of energy wrapped around him slowly pulling him deeper.

Rowan gasped. Evan

She rushed forward but Lysander grabbed her arm.

Do not touch the pillar directly he warned. It will take you too.

Rowan trembled. Then how do we get him out

Lysander raised his hand placing his palm against the pillar. Light spread beneath his touch and cracks formed across the surface.

I can break it but it will weaken me he said. When the veil feels me weaken it will send its shadows. They will come for both of us.

Then do it Rowan said. I will protect you.

Lysander looked at her surprised. You would protect me You do not even know me.

Rowan met his gaze firmly. Yes I do. Maybe not with memory. But with something deeper.

Lysander inhaled sharply as if her words struck something inside him.

Then stand close he whispered.

He pressed both hands against the pillar.

The ground trembled.

Magic illuminated the clearing casting bright rays of blue and silver. Rowan shielded her eyes as cracks spread rapidly through the pillar. Evan stirred groaning faintly.

Rowan shouted his name but her voice was drowned by a screeching wail.

Shadows burst from the forest lunging at them.

Lysander winced clearly in pain. I cannot hold them back and break the pillar at the same time. Rowan run

No she shouted. I will not leave you.

She stepped in front of him gripping the flashlight like a weapon. But instinct told her the weak beam of light would do nothing against the swirling darkness.

The shadows moved quicker closing in.

Rowan held the lantern tight. Please work she whispered.

The light flickered.

Then blazed.

A burst of white radiance erupted from the flashlight like a miniature sun. The shadows recoiled screaming as the beam cut through their smoky bodies. Rowan swung the light toward them driving them back again and again but more shadows emerged encircling the clearing.

Lysander shouted over the chaos Rowan I need one more moment

You have it she screamed back her voice fierce.

With her heart pounding she pushed forward stepping between Lysander and the shadows shielding him with her body. The light in her hands glowed brighter with every heartbeat the warmth inside her chest burning like a rising star.

The shadows lunged.

Rowan unleashed everything she had.

A shockwave of blinding white light exploded from her body tearing through the creatures dissolving them into nothing. The clearing shook with the force of it silencing the forest.

Then the Pillar of Echoes shattered.

Evan collapsed into Lysander’s arms unconscious but alive. Rowan ran to them sobbing with relief.

He is breathing she cried. He is alive

Lysander smiled weakly. Thanks to you.

But his smile faded quickly. His glow dimmed. His legs trembled as he tried to stand.

Lysander Rowan whispered fear creeping back. What is wrong

The pillar held the veil together he said voice weak. By breaking it I have severed my bond to this world. I cannot stay.

Rowan shook her head tears filling her eyes. No. You cannot leave. Not now. Not when I just found you.

He reached out touching her cheek softly. His touch trembled like fading warmth. Rowan Vale you are the bravest soul I have ever known.

Then stay

I cannot he whispered. My strength is gone.

Rowan grabbed his hands pressing them against her chest. Then take mine.

Lysander looked shocked. Rowan that could kill you. You are human.

I do not care. Please. I cannot lose you.

He hesitated but the pull between them tightened like a bond older than lifetimes. Slowly he leaned forward resting his forehead against hers.

You do not understand what you mean to me he whispered. Across every age I have watched over you.

Then stay with me Rowan said voice breaking. Here. In this world.

Lysander closed his eyes as if absorbing her strength. His glow flickered then brightened slightly.

But before he could answer the veil roared behind them.

A final tear burst open pulling him backward.

Rowan screamed grabbing his arms. Lysander

His hands slipped from hers like smoke dissolving into silver particles.

I will find you again he whispered. Across worlds. Across lifetimes.

Then he vanished.

The veil sealed behind him leaving Rowan kneeling in the clearing holding Evan in her arms tears falling silently.

The forest fell quiet.

A single glowing feather drifted down from the sky landing in her palm warm and pulsing with faint silver light.

Lysander.

Rowan closed her hand around it pressing it to her heart.

One day she whispered I will find you too.