Dark Rise (Dark Rise, #1)

by C.S. Pacat

“Outside, the world sleeps like an innocent who is not afraid of the dark,” said Justice. “But in here we remember. What has come before will come again. And when it does, the Stewards will be ready.”

“I think there is great power in you, Will,” she said. “And when you learn to wield it, you must make your own choices. Will you fight with strength, or compassion? Will you kill, or show mercy?”

“I think if you took the test you’d pass,” said Will. Her eyes flew to him. “You’d never let some belt defeat you.” She drew in a breath, then gave him a crooked grin and knocked his shoulder with her fist. He meant it. She seemed born to be a warrior of the Light, with her fierceness and her dedication.

“I thought my life was normal, but I know now that it wasn’t.” He looked up, his eyes very dark. “My mother was scared. Always on edge, always looking over her shoulder . . . She was trying to protect me from the truth. The truth about who I was and what was happening.”