***
I opened my eyes and the cold of the morning bit at my cheeks. Seth was fast asleep next to me, his blue hair covering half his face. Emily was curled up a few feet away from me. Jason turned in his sleep, mumbling something unintelligent. I needed to talk to someone, but everyone was sleeping.
I pushed Seth over and his eyes flew open. His hand went to his sword but he saw me and he relaxed. “What was the point of pushing me over, Jazell?”
“Well, it seemed better than punching you in the side. Were you dreaming?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Just a bunch of nonsense I don't even remember. Why, did you get another vision?”
“Yes,” I said. “It was with the same voice that was in my last dream. Only this time, I talked to the ghost girl.”
“You did? What did she say?”
“She hinted that she knew who made us this way and who attacked us that day,” I said. “She also said that Kojas would use our emotions against us and try to get us to come to him.”
Something dark crossed Seth's face.
“She also said that we were chosen because of our strong bond, but she said, not to test it,” I continued. “She also told me not to go into the shadows.”
Seth stretched. “So the usual confusion?”
“I got more this time, Seth. Anyway, do you have any information to offer here?” I asked with an edge to my voice.
Seth put his arms in surrender. “Hey, don't start yelling at me. We were getting a long pretty well last night, let's keep it that way.”
I felt my face flush when I remembered last night. “Yes, you're right.” I was eager to change the subject so I said, “Are you going to tell them when they wake up?”
“Yes I will, Jazell. I promised.”
I sighed in relief. “Good...”
I heard a loud yawn and Emily stretched her arms in the air. She stood up and walked the couple of feet over to me and stopped. I pushed myself up and leaned against the tree. Emily gave me a light smile.
“Good morning!” she said and twirled around. “Hello bare ground that has no forest!”
“You seem to be in a good mood today,” I mused and watched her twirl.
She stopped and her face crinkled up in thought. “I think it's because I didn't wake up to be in a never-ending forest. Plus, last night Jason got so sick of arguing with me he just gave up. I think I won.”
“Great,” I said half-heartedly.
“That's only because I was too tired to keep arguing with you,” Jason said and he sat down next to Seth. “If it was morning, it would have been different.”
Emily sighed and shook her finger. “Excuses.”
“Listen guys,” Seth said, “I have something to tell you.” He looked at me and I nodded.
Emily twirled her hair. “Hm? What is it Seth?”
“I've been hiding this from you for a long time,” Seth began. “Only Jazell knew what it was because she found out that I was hiding something, and demanded to know what it was. So I told her, and ever since I did she's been bugging me to tell you too. But I didn't want to, I was afraid that I would get you worried about nothing. So far it hasn't turned out to be nothing. The incident with the faery guard showed that clearly.” I walked over to him and sat at his other side. I gave him a smile. He smiled back and continued. “The faery could have easily stabbed me through the heart but he didn't because he wanted me alive; to give to Kojas.”
Emily gasped and covered her face. “Why, what would he want with you?”
Seth closed his eyes. “He's saying that I'm going to be his key to success, in taking over Igneeria and Earth. He wants to use me, I don't know how yet. They're going to do whatever they can to bring me to him; I'm going to have to be extra careful. I don't know-”
“Seth,” Jason interrupted him. Seth looked up at his best friend. “Seth,” Jason repeated, “you aren't alone. Kojas isn't going to get a chance to use you because he's going to have to get through me first.”
“And me,” Emily added. “Don't count me out.”
I stood up and faced Seth with Emily and Jason. “And he's going to have to get through me too.”
Seth smiled and stood up. He sighed in relief. “Well, that's a load off.”
“I don't know whether I should be mad at you for not telling us or be happy that we're all on the same page,” Emily said thoughtfully. “But you better not keep anything else from us or Kojas won't be your problem.” She winked at him and set off with Jason on her heels. I think they were going to start arguing about the water war.
“Great job Seth!” I said and hugged him.
His eyes seemed to widen in surprise but he didn't tell me to get off. I pulled away, blushed, and started to follow Emily's tracks. Seth followed behind me and there seemed to be a new spring to his step. I couldn't even keep the smile off my face. Everything seemed a lot better to me. At the top of the hill, Emily and Jason were waiting for us. A shadow formed behind them and I screamed for them to turn around.
“What the heck?” Seth shouted and pointed.
Oh snap.
Chapter 10
Fall of Igneeria: The Half-ling Page 14