Eli was leaning against the bars, arms crossed, smiling at me. “Hello, daughter. It’s so nice to meet you again.”

Mouth gaping, I stared at him, then glanced around to see that Bobbie was gone.

“Was that real?” I stammered. “Did that really happen?”

“You tell me.”

But I already knew. Nothing had ever been so real.

Eli pushed himself off the bars and stepped up to me, reached for my shoulder, and took a knee so we were the same height. “Now you know who you are,” he said, searching my eyes.

I swallowed and let my experience fill me. “Yes.” My voice came out thin, choked by emotion.

“In this world you will have troubles,” he said. “It’s okay. They are all only opportunities to let go and see yourself as you truly are. Be glad, because the light has overcome and all those troubles are only shadows.”

I nodded.

“The first shadow you will face is Sylous.”

I had forgotten about Rose and Sylous and my terrible standing in Haven Valley.

My child! I placed my hand on my belly, and new questions filled my mind.

He gave me a nod. “Then ask.”

I hesitated. “The Fury . . . Who are they?”

“They’re the fear you and the whole world create in denial of the light, thinking that fear will protect you,” he said. “But whatever’s done in fear only creates more fear. Love creates more love. You see the Fury as monsters, but I see them as what they are. Shadows.”

His revelation stunned me.

“Then why didn’t you stand up to them?”

He smiled patiently. “Listen to what I said, Grace. They. Are. Shadows. There’s nothing to stand up to.”

“But they attacked us. You’re saying our own fears attacked us?”

“Because you don’t know who you are. Most of what you call the devil is actually your own fear manifesting. But they don’t exist in the light. I can’t force you to believe in the light, but now you know the truth.”

Was it really that simple?

“Language makes it hard to understand, but yes,” he said, eyes twinkling. “It really is that simple.”

“What about Sylous?”

“Sylous is different. A religious spirit not made by you, but still a shadow. The world is full of his kind, they just remain hidden behind the fear they feed on. You’ll understand much more soon, I promise.”

“Why didn’t you use your power to stop him?”

“But I am. Right now, through you.” He beamed like a proud teacher. “Just remember, he only has the power you give him through your fear.”

It really did sound simple. And yet . . .