K. Marvin Bruce

  “Library!” Terah ejaculated as Calum showed him in.   “I’ve never seen so many books in a private collection.   And I was once invited to a book review editor’s house.” “Wait’ll you get a look at the titles,” Lindsey said.   “I think you’ll begin to see how it all fits.” Calum added, “You’re free to read anything while you’re here.   I wouldn’t presume to teach someone with a Ph.D. in religious studies, but you’re welcome to join Lindsey is the continuation of her training.   Now that she’s here, it’s time to advance her tutorials.   Especially since all my other seminars are on hiatus.” Terah was still in shock from the euphoria that books standing together brings, but he’d always been suspicious of those who didn’t hold advanced degrees who’d set themselves up as teachers.   He had known more than his share of inadequate professors too, however.   The process of earning a doctorate changed forever the way you thought, if it was done right.   Was it possible for an individual to do

  “My name is Calum Nymet.   All of this,” he motioned around him, “was made possible by the good luck of being in the correct place at a fortuitous time.   No, I was not to the manor born.   In fact, I was reared in humble circumstances and worked my way through an education.   Being a commodities trader was only a day job, although a very lucrative one.   I was able to retire by forty-five and begun following my real passion, which was truly tapping human potential.   Perhaps you’ve heard of Esalen? “No matter.   Human potential doesn’t dismiss science, but it does not accept scientism.   Science, you see, is a method of learning about the world.   It’s extremely effective.   The human brain, however, has evolved, like all animal brains, for survival, not for finding all the answers.   Think of it—our species has survived by reasoning based on our five senses.   Those senses pick up stimuli that help us avoid danger and find food, shelter, and the ability to procreate.   Sorry, I did

  Lindsey listened with sharp attention.   “She just left ya, without an explanation?” Terah nodded even though she was walking in front of him. “I had a boyfriend once, in high school.   It didn’t end well.   Some of us just aren’t cut out for relationships, I guess.”   She stopped walking. “Are you okay?” Terah wondered. “It’s Calum,” she said. Terah looked ahead.   Coming at them through the trees was a tall, balding man with white hair falling from his tonsure to his shoulders.   His beard was neatly trimmed like a man who had a mirror and a good pair of scissors.   He wore faded jeans and a plaid shirt under a jacket not dissimilar from Lindsey’s.   Terah realized they were very nearly identically dressed. “Lindsey!   I knew it was you.   God, you look awful.” “Thanks, Calum.   You know how to make a girl feel good.”   She was smiling. “And this must be Dr. Terah Economy.”   He didn’t offer his hand.   “I don’t mean to be rude, but with the current situation it’s best we keep a li

  His face was peering in the crevice of the cave.   Terah started, sitting upright and rising in defense of his friend.   Demons must sense human weakness.   They attack when you need recovery time.   He didn’t know how to fight, but he would.   Then the face was gone.   Terah added some fuel to the fire and tried to let sleep take him.   The fears that defined him, that stitched him together, had culminated in the threat to Lindsey.   Struck by lightning—his heart had stopped when he saw her on the forest floor.   She was younger, and she should survive longer, more easily than a guy his age.   He knew he had much to offer that they world had already rejected.   He just wanted to settle down with Lindsey, protect her.   But he knew this couldn’t be.   Still, he could be the best partner he could.   She’d shown herself to him without a speck of self-consciousness.   There were married couples who didn’t know each other as well. Sleep was what he needed, but it was the thing being kept

  Terah cursed his lack of agility as he struggled to get out.   His body felt as wedged as his heart was in his throat.   Panic and anger combined as he pushed and finally found himself stumbling in the rain.   “Lindsey!”   He had no idea where she’d been.   Another bolt and immediate explosion fell.   Ducking instinctively, he glanced all around, eyes dazzled by the brightness.   He had to find her. Momentary lightning within the cloud bank revealed the whiteness of a newly split tree.   Hunched over, he scrambled in that direction.   He found one of her shoes and scooped it up.   She’d been here.   Another flickering flash behind him revealed a body before the bang.   Unsure if she was alive or not, he gathered her up and ran toward the rock pile.   He couldn’t simply feed her in through the crevice—she might fall into the fire.   He’d have to get in first and pull her down.   His wet clothes snagged at him as more lightning struck.   Frantically wriggling, he finally managed to scr