Stepping into the Sky: Jump When Ready, Book 3 Read Free Page B

dressed this way.”
    Lysrus took another step closer and appraised both Henry
and Nikki before briefly bowing his head and closing his eyes. The gesture,
which stuck Henry as both humble and respectful, surprised him a little. Henry
wasn’t quite sure what Lysrus was, but clearly he’d developed light years past
himself and Nikki on the evolutionary chain—if they even shared the same
evolutionary chain.
    Lysrus smiled. His smile also surprised Henry with its
warmth. He seemed so powerful, even magical, but at the same time gave the
impression of being completely approachable. “If you now find my appearance
less unsettling, I’ll manifest for you both this way from now on. Do you think
this will work?”
    Henry and Nikki both reacted identically, remaining
momentarily dumbstruck before realizing they’d been asked a direct question.
They both nodded simultaneously.
    Lysrus glanced back and forth between them, then smiled
again, more broadly this time as if restraining himself from laughing. “The
fact is, if you were to enter my actual realm, you’d find it entirely
overwhelming. You simply wouldn’t be able to process what you were
experiencing.” Then, as if he’d read Henry’s mind from before, he added, “However,
this place where we can meet”—Lysrus gestured to indicate their
surroundings—“causes a certain feeling of euphoria for those visiting from your
realm. It took Martha a bit of time to adjust too. Wouldn’t you say, Martha?”
    Henry had been so entirely focused on Lysrus that he’d
almost forgotten Martha being there. Now, he turned to see that, like Lysrus,
she too seemed slightly amused.
    “At first Lysrus kept asking me why I was smiling,”
Martha said. “He took his time explaining to me what he just explained to you.”
    Lysrus chuckled. “I enjoyed that, I have to admit.”
    “I’ll get you back some time,” Martha said.
    Lysrus shook his head. “The event you imagine does not
occur.”
    Martha rolled her eyes. “You might be bluffing about my
future.”
    Lysrus shrugged. “That’s possible.”
    Martha brought her attention back to Henry and Nikki. “I
explained a little before but, to help you understand further, the Mentors have
not existed in the physical realm for a very long time. Nor will they again.
Still, they remain very much involved on behalf of those who pass in and out of
that realm.”
    “Are you an angel?” Nikki said.
    For just a moment, Lysrus seemed to hesitate. “That word
has certainly been used to describe us. However, it depends on the perspectives
involved. There’s a reason why we limit our interactions with those still
embedded in physical lives. In that realm, we create a dissonance that’s
overwhelming and sometimes quite frightening. Not all who see us perceive us
positively.”
    “I realize it can be confusing,” Martha said. “Right now,
what’s important to remember is that one of the things the Mentors do is watch
for those who can’t find a way to successfully cross over.”
    “Which is why I asked Martha to introduce us,” Lysrus
said. “When someone doesn’t complete their Transition, quite often it’s due to
fear. Typically, we ask someone dear to them—most often a loved one that has
already crossed over—to help them realize there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
    “I’ve heard of that happening,” Nikki said. “People
seeing others they knew reaching out to them. That didn’t happen for me.”
    Lysrus nodded, watching her. “Some are more fearful then
others. On the other hand, there’s guilt. Guilt is the most powerful obstacle
of all. Through guilt, a person can become trapped in a delusion so compelling that
they may never escape. Which brings me to my point. I’d like you to assist such
a person, if possible.”
    “Assist?” Henry said. “Wouldn’t that be more like what
Martha does? I mean, in Service?”
    “Indeed. Martha has kept me informed regarding your
progress here. In particular, she’s