“That’s noble.”
Atu snorted. “Don’t let Taz catch you saying something like that. She’ll expect the rest of us to be beholden to her too.”
Iri giggled. “The way you three talk about her, one would think she was royalty.”
Atu chuckled. “Don’t give her any ideas, would you? Let’s get our things together.”
Iri and Atu glided back to the fire to collect their scattered items. Jaden released Kayla from his embrace but kept his hands on her shoulders as he appraised her. She lifted her chin and smiled at him. This time, the smile was more confident. “Time to leave, I suppose?”
“If you’re ready?” Jaden answered.
“I’d rather stay in your arms and not think about where we’re going or why. But that won’t change things, so why wait?”
Jaden gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze before pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Atta girl!”
They joined Atu and Iri, and the four of them packed up and made sure the area was clean.
“Kayla’s home?” Atu asked when they finished.
“Yes.” Jaden nodded.
Atu grinned. “We should tell the gliders. Taz is about to rock right off her feet, she’s so antsy.”
Worried as he was, Jaden couldn’t help but smile. When he turned and actually looked at Taz, the smile became a quiet chuckle. “Yes, let’s put her out of her misery.”
They strolled to where Taz waited and only grinned more when Taz hopped to meet them halfway.
“I assume we’re headed back?” Taz chirped.
“We are.”
“About time.” Jaden wasn’t sure how she did it or if she even communicated what they were doing to the other gliders, but when she took to the air, the others followed.
“Some communication system they have going there.” Iri’s voice behind them made him jump.
“Snuck up on us, did you?” Atu remarked.
“I wasn’t trying to. Sorry!”
“Sure you weren’t! Either I’m off my game, or you’re really quiet.”
“Considering I hunt to keep myself fed for the most part, I’d go with the second option.” A smile dimpled Iri’s cheeks.
“I think I will,” Atu grinned. “Are we all packed up?”
“We are,” Iri confirmed as Kayla joined them.
“Let’s get this show on the road, then,” Jaden said, watching their gliders approach.
Chapter Fourteen
As they flew, Kayla fretted. It was taking forever to get home. What would they find when they got there? She didn’t notice her own silence until it was suddenly oppressive. With that realization came the awareness of a tension between the group members that grew with every mile they covered. Kayla couldn’t get a handle on the reason until she overheard Iri and Atu.
“How can our gliders keep flying with so little rest?” Iri asked.
“These speeds are nothing to them,” Atu answered. “They’re accustomed to flying much faster. Think of it like taking an extended walk instead of sprinting. Same principle. It doesn’t require nearly as much effort, so we can go much further.”
Apparently, the analogy was helpful because Iri nodded. Then Kayla noticed the slight change in her demeanor. And when Iri sent a worried glance her way, Kayla understood. Iri was afraid they would blame her if something happened to either set of parents. After all, she was the one slowing them down.
Would I stoop to that level? It wasn’t Iri’s fault that she didn’t have a suit—or that they’d found her when they did. Kayla opened her mouth to assuage Iri’s fears, but the words stuck in her throat. The revelation was disconcerting. Kayla glanced at Jaden. He was doing his own brooding, oblivious to what was happening around him, even Kayla’s attention. She sighed, and the silence grew louder.
By the time they reached the outskirts of Daxsos, the tension was unbearable. It ratcheted up when they encountered gliders carting away the carcasses of Gaptors. Iri’s face drained of color as she got her first look at the monsters—or what was left of them.
“They’re not as invincible as they seem,” Kayla muttered, unsure how she was feeling. Worried, angry, resentful. She shouldn’t—couldn’t—blame Iri, yet Kayla wasn’t feeling particularly charitable towards her, either.
“How can things like that exist?” Iri whispered, her attention honed on the corpses. “They’re more than ugly. They’re somehow . . . evil.”
“You can see that?”
“No. Because they’re dead, there are no colors or smells to tell me more about them.” Iri sent her a sidelong glance, and Kayla remembered she should be aware of her emotions when Iri was around. Iri’s eyes telegraphed her doubt about whether she would still have Kayla as a friend after this.
Kayla had to let go of this ridiculous notion that it was Iri’s fault if anything had happened to her parents—or Jaden’s, so she forced the words out. “Look, you don’t have to worry. It’s not your fault if something’s happened to . . .” Kayla swallowed. She couldn’t say the words. She could barely even form the thought.
She was spared further conversation when a large glider abruptly blocked their way.
“Pallaton,” Taz said.
“Tazanna,” Pallaton replied, dipping his head.
“What happened?” Taz demanded.
Pallaton’s reply was cut short by Kayla’s own demand. “Are my parents safe?”
“They are.” Kayla all but melted onto Taz’s back with relief. “But I regret to inform you that we were unable to do the same for Jaden’s parents.”
The words hung in the air. No one spoke. No one moved. It’s as though we’re in a time warp. Then sound and emotions came crashing back down.
“They took them?” Jaden croaked.
“They did,” Pallaton admitted. “We were outnumbered—and outmaneuvered. Almost unbelievable considering our enemies usually don’t have a brain to spare between them. But the fact remains that we were unable to keep your parents from being taken. I am sorry.”
Rigid, Kayla watched Jaden. She wished the gliders would land so she could go to him, comfort him. He looked stunned. Although, considering his mother had warned him this would happen, she couldn’t fathom why. Maybe he hadn’t believed it would actually happen. Or he hadn’t thought it would happen so soon. Then Jaden straightened, and his eyes didn’t seem so bleak anymore.
“Jaden? Do you want to go home?” she asked.
Her questions must’ve cut into his contemplations, because he looked at her, startled. “Sorry, what?”
“I asked if you wanted to go back to your home?” Kayla repeated.
“No, there’s no point. They’re gone. Nothing we can do about that now.”
Kayla felt like her eyes would pop out of her head. He was holding something back. After his initial reaction, he was now too calm. He should have been ranting and raging at everyone in sight. “Jaden, is there something you want to tell us?” His guilty expression confirmed her suspicions, but that haunted look lurking in the background told her it was also something he didn’t want to discuss. Not here. Not now.
Deciding to let it go, Kayla said, “Would you like to come and see my parents then?” That got his attention. He seemed to realize he had been so wrapped up in thoughts of his own parents that he hadn’t spared a thought for hers.
Chagrined, Jaden said, “Yes, thanks. I’m really glad they’re okay.”
Kayla nodded. “Me too.”
It didn’t take long for the four voyagers to disembark and enter the Melmique home. But it was only when they reached the living room and found it empty that Jaden put it together.
“The time freeze. It’s still in effect. We’ll have to wait until the gliders are gone before we can speak to your parents.”
It was a tedious wait. Jaden paced the living room floor until Kayla thought she would go insane. When she couldn’t take it anymore, she pulled him down onto the couch. Then Jaden’s leg bounced a mile a minute until Kayla put a hand on it. He gazed at
her hand, then up at her face. Kayla watched him, her concern growing.
Evidently, Jaden couldn’t face her questions right now because he sprang back up and began pacing again. This time, Kayla left him to work off the nervous energy. She felt like pacing too. It was as though they were trapped in an invisible cage.
She could see Jaden’s mind working. Then some fearsome thought must’ve caught him mid-stride because he stumbled. Not only that, he . . . deflated. Then Jaden wilted onto the couch. Kayla leaned toward him, but something else occurred to him right then because his shoulders drooped even further.
Alarmed, Kayla placed a hand on his shoulder. “Jaden, what’s wrong?”
His breathing was rapid, and sweat beaded his forehead. Was he going to throw up? Kayla lifted her hand toward his head. Jaden halfheartedly swatted her arm away. But Atu was unexpectedly next to him, looking as anxious as Kayla, and his hand reached Jaden’s forehead before Jaden could counter the move.
“Bro, what’s up?’ Atu felt the perspiration but shook his head to tell Kayla he didn’t sense a fever.
“He looks like someone who just got really bad news,” Iri observed from her place across the room.
“Jaden, talk to us.” Kayla didn’t need Iri’s abilities to tell her something was terribly wrong.
Swallowing, Jaden opened his mouth, struggling to squeeze the words out. “My parents—I can’t get to them.”
“We know,” Kayla answered, bemused. How did this suddenly make things worse? He already knew this. Or was that what he had been hiding earlier? “Jaden, what’s really going on?”
Jaden shook his head. He couldn’t look at her.
Gently, Kayla touched his chin and turned his head toward her. “Speak to me.”
“I thought I had a plan to save them. But it’s not going to work.”
“What plan?” If she heard the plan, she might be able to figure out the issue.
Swallowing, Jaden explained in halting sentences. “I gave my mother the key my gran gave us, since I’m pretty sure it’s an artifact. I thought I could use it with Han’s arcachoa to rescue my parents if . . . if my mom’s dreams came true. But I forgot that Han told us that the arcachoa doesn’t allow for any physical interaction. Therefore it’s impossible to bring them back because there’s no interaction across timelines.” Jaden swallowed again. “If that’s not enough of a blunder, I also just remembered something Taz said. That the arcachoa will only take us back in time if there’s an artifact in that exact place. And right now, I have no idea where my parents are. I can’t use the key to find them any more than I can lift a five-hundred pound weight!” He dropped his head into his hands, struggling for breath. “This can’t be happening. I planned it so carefully.”
Kayla gave him a hard stare. “So, without knowing where your parents are, the key can’t be used with the arcachoa to draw you to them. And even if you knew where they were, you can’t pull your parents back from there because it’s crossing timelines.”
Jaden nodded, looking sick. His head dropped lower, as though waiting for the recriminations he was sure would come. When none did, he looked up.
Kayla smiled. But it was the sort of smile a cat might give a mouse right before it pounced. “You thought you could do this all on your own.”
“I didn’t want to put anyone else at risk.”
“That kinda sucks, bro,” Atu said. “Aren’t we a team? Shouldn’t you at least have given us the option to choose for ourselves what we would like to do?”
Jaden sighed. “I guess I was too caught up in my emotions to be thinking clearly. You’re right. I should’ve told you. I’m sorry.”
After a moment, Kayla relented. A little. “Don’t do it again, or we might have to lop off an arm or something.”
Jaden almost smiled. But Kayla could tell he knew she was serious. “Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Do that. That said, I’m sorry your plan didn’t work. But perhaps if you include us next time, we can come up with a better strategy.”
Jaden snorted. “Next time? I don’t think this will happen twice.”
“Yes, poor choice of words. What I should’ve said, for those so obsessive about saying exactly what we mean, is that planning together will help mitigate issues like this in the future.” Her tone wasn’t friendly, and from the way Jaden angled his eyes, he understood how upset she was. Good. He might remember this lesson.
Their silent conflict ended when Atu spoke. “Bro, you need food. You haven’t eaten since breakfast, and you’ll feel better with something in that hollow stomach of yours.”
The mention of food had Jaden’s stomach growling. “I don’t really feel like eating, but I suppose my stomach can go with that.”
Kayla relaxed. His agreement was a good sign. Kayla steered them toward the kitchen.
They prepared their food, ate, and then sat around sipping tea for a while. It didn’t take long for that to get old. Jaden became restless again. His gaze settled on Atu. She wasn’t sure what to make of his expression.
“Sorry all this is taking so long,” Jaden said.
Atu started, looking surprised. “It’s not your fault. The Gaptors have to be cleared away.”
“No, I meant sorry it’s taking so long for us to find your parents.”
Understanding lit Atu’s eyes. “Yeah, thanks, I appreciate that. You’ll see. It gets easier to accept the waiting when you’re doing something.”
“I think I get that already.”
Iri cleared her throat. “Maybe we should do something then?”
When Jaden didn’t respond, Kayla was the one who asked, “What do you have in mind?”
“For starters, you could get me hooked up with a glider.” Encouraged by their nods, she continued. “And then perhaps we can head to Sven’s so I can get a smart suit?” Jaden’s dark look silenced her suggestions. Iri looked worried, as if she was afraid of pushing too far.
“Those sound like excellent ideas.” Kayla smiled at Iri before casting an inquiring glance Jaden’s way.
Jaden didn’t miss her implied question. “We can’t leave yet. There are some things here that I need to get squared away.”
Kayla nodded. Yes, he would probably want to speak to her parents, and perhaps Pallaton and the other members of the Legion, to find out exactly what had happened before he went anywhere.
Noticing the silent exchange between Jaden and Kayla, Atu made his own proposal. “How about if Iri and I go to Sven’s then, while you and Kayla take care of that?”
Kayla waited for Jaden to object, but he said nothing. Kayla would have to step in. When she looked at Iri, Kayla almost giggled. Iri stared at Atu, wide-eyed, like she couldn’t quite believe he was willing to go with her. Interesting! How had Atu been able to surprise Iri? Kayla would have to ask him. She would love to have a way to keep from being such an open book where Iri was concerned.
Iri finally stuttered, “Thanks, I’d like that.”
Atu nodded, like it had all been settled. “Alright! Kayla, okay with you if Iri and I take some supplies to keep us going until we get there?”
Dazed by how quickly this decision had been reached, Kayla nodded. “Sure.” Then she came to her senses. “Here, let me show you where you can find everything.”
Chapter Fifteen
Kayla watched Iri hop from foot to foot on the rooftop landing deck. Her excitement was contagious. At least it gave Kayla something to think of besides Jaden. He had insisted up until now that they should all stay together, but he wasn’t stopping Iri and Atu from leaving. Had he meant to say nothing, or was he too absorbed in his thoughts to register what was happening? That was disconcerting. Kayla would need to find a way to help get him over this hurdle. Although she had no idea how she would do that.
Shoving those thoughts aside, Kayla focused on the issue at hand. Was it the right decision for Iri and Atu to leave? If not, it was up to her to stop them. She glanced at the sky, wondering what was taking Pallaton so long.
Right on cue, Pallaton appeared, followed by some of the Legion. He must wonder why they had called him again so soon, or he was expecting trouble. Either way, he had come prepared. “You called?” Pallaton asked.
“I did, Ancient One. Thank you for your prompt response,” Atu replied.
“I take it there is no danger?”
“Yes, no threats. We called to ask if you might assign a glider to Iri?”
“Of course.” Pallaton grinned. Studying the gliders he had brought with him, he signaled a lithe glider near the front. “Satinka.”
Eagerly, she came forward. “Yes, Ancient One?”
“I would like to pair you with our newest seeker. Do you accept?”
“With great pleasure.” Satinka faced Iri. “I’m Satinka, and it will be my honor to serve on this quest with you.”
From the way Iri grinned, Kayla didn’t need Iri’s gifts to know Iri planned to “help” Satinka lose some of that formality. “I’m excited and pleased to meet you too. My name is Iriyessa, but call me Iri.”
Satinka inclined her head. “Thank you, Iri. Are we planning on flying together soon?”
“Right now, in fact.” Then she reconsidered. “That is, if you’re okay with that?”
Light, chiming laughter pealed from Satinka. “I am. Shall I land so you can alight?”
“Well, I prefer aerial connections—how about you?”
“That would be my preference too,” Satinka smiled.
In seconds, Iri and Atu were gone, and Kayla hadn’t stopped them. Dazed, she stared at the empty sky. Well, for better or worse, the decision was out of her hands now. Kayla trudged back downstairs. Jaden was still on the couch where she had left him. He hadn’t even said goodbye. Irrationally, Kayla was irritated. “You know, you can’t sit there and mope forever.”
Jaden’s eyes blazed. “And I suppose if the situation were reversed, you would be all A-Okay and ready to go?
The anguish in his voice made Kayla back down. It was still all too raw. He wasn’t in a place yet where she could goad him into action. Kneeling on the floor in front of the couch, Kayla reached to take his hands into her own. When he pulled back, she gently but firmly extended her reach until she grasped his hands. Gazing into his dark blue eyes, stormy now with emotions he couldn’t or wouldn’t express, she said, “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”
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