A Glimmer in the Night by Keary Taylor

My life has been an endless march of survival and roadblocks. The gate closed, and we were trapped in the DarkVerse. We eventually made peace with the darklings, but for over a century, gatekeepers came and went, and still, we could not return home. Then I was taken against my will, and tortured for decades.

When I escape, all that is on my mind is vengeance and the drive to finally accomplish what I set out to do: open the gate.

But I wasn’t prepared for her. We plucked Jade out of a nightmare of a life. How she is even sane is a wonder to me, but the second she manifests, she is proving to be one of the best of her kind.

I shouldn’t keep watching her. My eyes shouldn’t linger. But I can’t stop. I’m astounded by this woman and everything she has overcome. And by her stolen glances, the way she doesn’t turn away from my scars of war and torture, I don’t think I’m alone in this.

She is a darkling, and I am an ultralight. We couldn’t be more different. We’re natural enemies.

But Jade has changed everything, and I’m not so sure going back to the LightVerse is where I belong anymore.