From Shadows to Light | Chapter 1

Faith, Inspiration, Community, A Christian Fantasy Novel

From Shadows to Light

Book 1 | The Awakening Chronicles

Preface

Hypnotic Rhythm

If you want to destroy me, aim well,
For if you miss me, I won’t miss you,
I have never hated anyone,
I simply excluded them from my view.

In shadows deep, where whispers dwell,
A rhythm plays its mystic spell,
But I have learned to break the chain, And silence Hell’s repeating name

Trust, once spilled like reckless wine Now a vintage I dismiss.
For those who faltered in their hope,
No longer have a place like this.

he thrives on doubts, on fears unknown,
But I’ve faced my fears, I’ve grown alone,
Accepted what I will no more,
And closed the door on childish lore.

You talk to me when you want, that’s fine,
I’ll respond when time is mine,
but time is a river, and I’ve reached the shore
Where your voice echoes… nevermore.

And silence hell’s repeating name
Yet courage breaks that subtle flare,
I choose to walk from certain souls,
And claim my peace, my spirit whole.

No longer naïve, my perspective has changed,
From what I sought to what I’ve gained,
I wish them neither good nor ill,
But they are far from where I dwell.

And in this journey, I've come to see,
God’s plan unfolds so perfectly,
For every ‘no’ I’ve heard or faced,
Has led me to this sacred place.

For you are more than hypnotic rhythm,
When you choose peace and the Lord's-wisdom,
Awake, arise, let shadows dim,
Embrace the path set forth by Him.

Grateful for all the paths I've crossed,
For every gain and every loss,
I trace the spiral, curve by curve,
Trusting the journey that He has kept.

So dance no more to the devil’s song,
Break free from where you don’t belong,
With each new day, your strength renew, Your rhythm pulses- wild, unchained a heart no demon may restrain.

Chapter 1 | A New Beginning, because seasons change for the sole purpose of regrowth… not death

River Winterwolf jolted awake, her heart pounding in her chest. The remnants of another vivid dream lingered in her mind—a dream where she found herself in a wrestling match with a supernatural figure, which one she couldn’t quite tell. What annoyed her was not the wrestling part, because well, that was normal, but the part where the supernatural figure was masked and cloaked. Ugh, so annoying. It’s one thing to interrupt my dream, it’s another to mask yourself altogether (as if I’m not going to find out eventually who you are). But that just might be Father’s way of protecting and perfecting His divine purpose for me. As a neurodivergent, I tend to overthink and exercise the power of mental time travel and over-preparation. Besides, Dad knows what He’s doing way more than me- there’s a reason why He’s King of Kings and the Most High. The figure's eyes had been filled with a mixture of challenge and encouragement, urging me to confront something deep within myself. River wasn’t one to shy away from any challenges, especially when you’re invading my realm, dreams. Since I was a wee little one, not quite sure how the spiritual world worked and no one to teach me, I would dream travel. There was just about no one I was not able to reach, just a thought of them and then once we both layed down to sleep, there I would be- in their dreams. I often preferred the dream realm most times, it kept me on my toes and always alert. The realm often left me always feeling both unsettled and oddly invigorated.

River rolled over, pushing her unruly mixture of curls and braids away from her face, and glanced at the alarm clock. 5:38 a.m. “Great, just great. Always a pleasure waking up before the alarm goes off, just once can I have the restful pleasure of sleeping in on a Saturday.” Unlikely, she muttered. Another early wake-up call courtesy of the Most High or maybe just her overactive imagination, my money (all $177.00) was on the former. After giving gratitude and appreciation to Yahweh first, before hopping out of bed, she continued her morning prayers in bed as she did every morning. River sighed, hearing the familiar chime, grabbing her phone on the nightstand, she scrolled through her notifications—mostly comments and likes on her latest blog post. A small smile tugged at her lips. Her community was growing. Slowly, yes, but growing nonetheless. Remembering when she prayed for this moment where she would wake up to having at least 3 likes and comments and now look at her, a grand whomping total of 7. Whoever said prayer doesn’t work, was obviously praying to the wrong God.

River swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, stretching her long limbs. At 5'9", she had always been taller than most girls growing up, which only added to the mix of intimidation and admiration she received when walking the streets of Toronto. Her muscles ached slightly from the training session the night before with her uncle, who had insisted on teaching her how to defend herself. “You never know when you’ll need it, Riv,” he’d said with a wink, tossing her a knife. “Always be prepared.”

She padded quietly across the room to her desk, dropping her phone in its usual spot -careful not to wake Elijah, her seven-year-old "roommate" (because "my bed" was a loose concept), lay sprawled in a nest of blankets. I didn’t have the heart to force him into his own bed. Between the breakup with his other mother (yes, I used to be a lesbian, that lasted for 20 years or so), but that story is for another time and place, the move, the change of schools- yea the kid’s been through it. His latest sleepover innovation? A tent fortress that had metastasized across the very tiny living room. "First it was the bedroom, now it was the living room, everywhere, but the kid’s actual bedroom." she thought, grinning. Whatever, every smart parent knows, you have to pick and choose your battles

Glancing in the mirror at her long frame, she began brushing her teeth, quickly switching over to her left hand because elevating your life for a higher cause comes with improving your mental muscle "brain gains, baby"—then high-fived her reflection. Thanks, Mel Robbins. Returning back to her office, slash living room slash kitchen- she opened her laptop, the screen illuminating her face in the dim light as the luminescence from the moon rained down above her from the skylight directly above. She started typing, her fingers dancing across the keyboard with the ease of someone who had spent countless hours pouring her thoughts into words on a screen.

“From Witch to Witness: My Journey to Yahweh” was the title of her latest post. Her blog had always been her safe space—a place where she could express her evolving faith and share her unique story. She had spent years as a powerful gray witch, dabbling in spiritual practices that never quite fulfilled her. Deep down, she had always felt there was something more, something greater, something that she couldn’t connect with. That something had finally revealed itself to her as the one and only living God, Yahweh, the Creator of the Universe, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Most High and the title goes further than I could even imagine. She serves Him with unwavering loyalty and with a faith she sometimes doesn't even realise she possesses until after the facts. Because if you don’t have loyalty…then what’s the point in anything.

River's fingers hesitated over the keys as she tried to find the right words to express her transformation without sounding preachy. She tended to geek out a lot whenever talking about anything she’s passionate about. She wanted to reach out to women like herself—strong (even though they feel weak as a lamb) lost, searching, yearning for something more, but not quite knowing where or how to take that first step. But one thing she knew for sure was that she knew she had to kinda tread carefully-people these days were very sensitive. The spiritual world was a delicate balance of belief and scepticism, and her audience was diverse to say the least.

As she typed, River’s thoughts drifted back to the dream. She had always had vivid dreams—visions, really—that often showed her things she needed to see, either for herself or for someone she’s connected to. But on some rare occasions, she hasn’t even met the person the message is intended for yet. Imagine carrying around a sealed letter everywhere you went, not knowing who it was for until the moment Father says ‘perhaps you were created for a time such as this’ she chuckled, longer than the joke permitted, but then again she always over laughs at her own jokes. Premonitions of events yet to happen, glimpses of the past that were not her own. Her aunty used to say it was the blood of their ancestors speaking through her, a gift from their Métis (Mi'kmaq) heritage. Yea, now she knows better, her gifts are straight from the creator. Her lips curled into a wry smile. “Some gift,” she muttered. Typical- that the ones without the ‘gift’ are often the first ones attempting to guide those with it. “Like I needed more reasons for people to think I’m weird.”

Suddenly, a faint knock echoed through her apartment, startling her out of her thoughts. River frowned, glancing at the clock. It was too early for visitors. She walked cautiously toward the door, her senses on high alert—a habit ingrained from years of surviving in the rough neighbourhoods of Toronto. She grabbed the small throwing knife she kept by the door (in her bible), a silent nod to her uncle’s teachings.

“Who is it?” she called out, her voice steady and low, betraying none of the nerves she felt.

“It’s Jade, girl who else would it be at this time” came the familiar voice from the other side. “I brought coffee and those gluten-free muffins you love,” she said snickering to herself. I guess I’m not the only one who thought they were funny this morning. I can see it now, our standup gig crashing and burning before we can even get the jokes out.

Naturally, River relaxed. Sliding the knife now into its sheath on her belt. She opened the door to reveal Jade, her best friend and fellow single mom, holding a tray of coffees and a paper bag. “Why didn’t you just use your key,” I asked.

“For starters, um…Hello (she said raising her hands) and secondly, why when I can just get you to open it and avoid you charging at me with that knife you just holstered. “Fair enough,” she replied, “You know, normal people text before showing up at the crack of dawn,” River teased, stepping aside to let Jade in.

“Normal is overrated, and I’ve never claimed to be so (pausing for dramatic effect) ‘basic’ ” Jade quipped back, grinning. “Besides, I knew you’d be up and if you weren’t you would hear my light knock. God doesn’t let His chosen ones sleep in, unless they’re meant to be.”

River rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. Now that was a title worthy of claiming with a smile. Jade had been one of the first to support her when she decided to shift from her ‘spiritualistic’ past to a scripture-based faith. Not quite tying herself to any Christian religion, she studies her faith and beliefs firmly in scripture. Her unwavering belief in River’s journey had been a rock in the storm of criticism and scepticism she faced.

As Jade set the tray down on the small ‘everything’ end table, River’s thoughts were still on her latest blog post. “Hey, you ever feel like people are just waiting for you to mess up?” she asked, taking a sip of the steaming coffee.

Jade nodded, unwrapping a cardboard muffin. “All the time. Especially on social media. It’s like they’re vultures, just circling, waiting for any sign of weakness. But that’s why you’re doing what you’re doing, right? To show them that faith isn’t about being perfect and doing what the masses think you should. It’s about being real and accepting The highest and only True Power in the universe.”

River leaned back in her chair, contemplating Jade’s words. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. It’s just...sometimes I wonder if I’m doing enough. If I’m enough.”

Jade reached across the table, placing a reassuring hand on Sophia’s. “Riv, literally God bless your overthinking beautiful mind, are more than enough- that’s why Father God chose you. And unless you believe He’s a God of mistakes, which we both know he’s definitely not, then continue to trust Him, His grace and visions He has for you. And you’re doing more than most people ever will. You’re sharing your journey, your truth, and that’s powerful in itself. Plus, you’ve got a whole community of friends behind you.” Jade was really throwing around the pluralism in the word ‘friends,’ she knew that she was my only friend, the community though, was composed as a community strictly to online. In God’s timing, she’ll have her store up and running, running and spreading the Word of the Lord in all things.

River smiled, squeezing Jade’s hand. “Thanks, Jade. I needed that. Umm, but what I don’t quite understand is why you keep torturing us both with these cardboard excuses you bring in the misleading form of muffins?” Pretending to be deeply hurt, “hey, you promised to support me with my weight loss and unlike you, I can’t seem to drop 100 lbs just at a whim and prayer. You know, it’s okay, you can tell me the magic sauce to shed weight like grating cheese.” Jade was just teasing because almost no one seemed to believe that after trying countless diets from Keto to just drinking water, nothing except prayer worked. For 5 years, I struggled with weight issues. “Take a knee and proceed, the only thing I can tell you is prayer baby (making my voice go deep and husky at the end).” “Yea, yea I know. I just wished my prayer life was manifesting as quick as yours.” Before I could go into telling her everyone’s journey is different and she needs to stop comparing herself to every Jane and Susan, our conversation was interrupted by the soft patter of Elijah’s feet as he entered into the kitchen, rubbing sleep from his eyes. “Good morning Mahmmy,” “Auntie Jade,” he squealed, climbing onto my lap.

“Morning, Handsome face,” River said, wrapping her arms around him and planting a kiss on his braided hair. “How did you sleep, did you have a good sleep?”

Elijah nodded, already reaching for the muffin Jade was handing him, covered with sprinkles and greatness. “Hey, why does he get a real muffin?” I asked. Jade responded by rolling her eyes and raising her eyebrow in disbelief. I shouldn’t be surprised, but still…would it kill her to share a little compassion if she’s going to bring goodies, it shouldn’t only be just for the kid, obviously not caring if the same kid was the one they ripped out of my stomach. Self-control and being a foodie walked a very slim line, especially when you were surrounded by some of the best pastry shops in Toronto. “Because, I won’t snatch the delicious muffin out of my nephew’s hands as I would yours (as she stuck her tongue out in defiance).

“I had a dream, Mahmmy,” he said between bites. “There was a big wolf in it, and he was protecting us.”

I exchanged a glance with Jade, her heart skipping a beat. Elijah’s dreams were just as vivid as mines, often mirroring my own. “A wolf, huh?” I asked casually, keeping my voice light. “What did he look like?” So many times when I was staying up late working, I would often hear Eli talking as clear as day and laughing in his sleep. If that wasn’t signs enough, like me he slept with both his eyes half open, a trait Mah always said was reserved for those who saw into the other realms.

Elijah scrunched up his face in thought. “He was really big, with grey fur and eyes that were like...like the moon. He said he was our friend.”

My pulse quickened, but I forced myself to remain calm. I try to give Elijah space while his body is resting in the human realm, I don’t want to be that overbearing helicopter mom. “Sounds like a good friend to have,” I said softly, brushing his hair strays from his forehead. “Did he say anything else?”

Elijah shook his head, already losing interest in the topic. “Nope, just that he’d keep us safe. Can I watch Youtube now?”

Chuckling and giving him a kiss on top of his head. “Sure, go ahead. Just keep the volume low please, okay?”

As Elijah scampered off to the living room, Jade raised an eyebrow. “A wolf, huh? Think it means something?”

Sophia shrugged, thinking maybe, maybe not, though she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to it. “Could be nothing. Or it could be something. You know how these things go. Dreams are weird.”

Jade nodded, but her expression was thoughtful. “Yeah, but with you, it’s never just nothing, is it?”

Not putting any more thoughts into it, I half-smile. “Guess we’ll find out.”

She turned back to her laptop, but her thoughts were now on the wolf from Elijah’s dream. She knew better than to ignore signs, especially when they came in the form of dreams. Her phone buzzed, pulling her attention back to the present. A new message from an unknown number.

“I’ve been watching you, Sophia. Your journey is just beginning. Stay vigilant.”

Sophia’s blood ran cold. Ugh, there was nothing worse than an unoriginal 80’s movie line. She showed the message to Jade, who frowned. “Creepy much? You think it’s Lydia or one of her followers?”

“Maybe,” River muttered, her mind racing. “Or maybe it’s something else entirely.”

Just then, a flash of grey caught her eye through the window. She turned, but it was gone. Probably just a trick of the morning light. But as she resumed typing, the image of the wolf with eyes like the moon lingered in her mind, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that her path was about to take a turn she never expected. Just once, I would love to have an uneventful morning where I can enjoy my coffee and cardboard muffin Jade keeps forcing me to eat.

Little did she know, an admirer—watchful and mysterious—was closer than she realised, watching over her from the shadows, waiting for the right moment to reveal himself. He couldn’t come on too strong, especially with a woman with a kid. And this woman was no ordinary woman, she was a hound, rather if she knew it or not.

River’s journey was indeed just beginning, and the road ahead was full of unexpected twists, ancient secrets, and a presence that would challenge everything she thought she knew about herself and her faith.

Thanks for reading Chapter 1, Stay Tuned- Next Week I'll drop Chapter 2.

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Be blessed and stay loyal and faithful sis... What can I say, I love to be motivated that there's a sister out there waiting for my next chapter.

Love Always,

Val