He shrugs. “Or feel something before we see it. Like Lichtenberg figures.”

“Huh?” My face crinkles in confusion.

He holds out both hands. With his right, his fingers brush his left palm and spider out. “Lichtenberg figures are the tattooed marks that appear on the skin after being struck …” His voice shifts mid-thought to something brighter. “By lightning.” He takes out his phone, pulls up the Notes app, and starts furiously typing away. I try to peer at the screen, but he tilts it out of view. When he’s done, Jack holds the phone to his chest. “Sorry, I was inspired.”

“Can I read it?”

“Really? You’d want to?”

“Of course I would.”

He nods slowly. “Okay. I … trust you. It’s short,” he says, almost apologizing. “Give me your number, and I’ll text it. But you have to wait until you’re in your dorm to read it.”

I do the “cross my heart and hope to die” sign across my chest as I give him my number. Immediately, my phone vibrates. It takes every ounce of strength not to look at it.

When I’m home, I don’t even peel off my wet clothes before pulling up Jack’s message.

JACK:

Everyone says it’s

lucky

to be struck by lightning

No one tells you how

to live

once you’ve been struck

All I know is that it is

impossible

to harness

The bright phone screen is a beacon in my hands. Jack’s message is the light that spreads through my body like …

Lightning.

I sit down at my desk, turn on my lamp—which causes Benny to stir but not wake up—and I draw until my muscles cramp.

The Prince Who Captured Lightning

PART I

The skies were once ruled by two titans, Thunder and Lightning, who also happened to be lovers. Together, they controlled the rains that gave life to the two Kingdoms Below the Skies, the clouds that allowed sunlight to nourish the trees, grasses, and flowers, and the winds that spread seeds and cooled the People Below the Skies on hot days. To maintain balance, Thunder and Lightning often created dangerous but beautiful electrical storms where light and sound would meet. Sometimes this caused chaos and destruction on the lands, but it was a fair price to pay for bountiful harvests and the steady change in seasons that kept the kingdoms in perfect balance.

For generations, the People Below the Skies respected and gave thanks to Thunder and Lightning, revered their love, and thought them to be gods. But there were a few who grew jealous and fearful of the titans’ love and combined power. Soon the few corrupted the minds of the many and sought to destroy the titans’ reign. A war broke out between the two kingdoms, and the people within each became divided, mistrusting all who seemed different, including an old, gnarled Witch who only ever minded her own business.

Scorned, the Witch took to the skies and cursed Thunder and Lightning, casting them apart. No longer would they rule the skies together. Lightning lost his charge and disappeared, leaving Thunder resigned to search for him alone until the Witch’s spell was broken. No one knew why the Witch did this; some say she was jealous of their love while others say she was angry at the kingdoms who hated her. All reviled her as darkness fell across the land.