Crais

by Jaymin Eve

He sighed. Why? What’s happened?

  Just check, please. I’ll explain everything in a moment.

  When his presence left, I focused back on the room. Nothing had changed in their melodrama, except Fury was now tapping her foot.

  I tuned out again when Josian returned.

  It wasn’t easy but I managed to sense Lucas. From what I deduce they are all fine. I heard mention of a meeting hall. Does that information mean anything? And why are you away from the group?

  His voice rose at the end. But at least I knew where they were now: back where we started. I needed Josian to teach me how to do that ‘sensing people’ thing.

  We got a little separated. And now I don’t want to leave Fury, the half-Walker, until I can figure out how to get her to come to First World.

  If she’s too stubborn, just knock her out and drag her back.

  I shook my head. Walkers were not very versed on the best way to ensure a woman’s assistance.

  That might have worked for the cavemen, but unfortunately, if we want her trust and co-operation on this whole Seventine thing, knocking her out is probably not the way to go.

  His laughter boomed out. Yes, things were so much easier in the old years.

  Wanting my mind-protection back, I wasted no time explaining to my father everything that had happened since we arrived. Josian listened intently, adding a few comments. Eventually he let me go, after making me promise ten times I would not wait very long to contact him again. I pulled my energy back around my mind at the same time Fury exploded.

  “Dune! I’ve waited long enough. Explain everything to me now.”

  At least this time she didn’t burst into flames.

  He turned to face her, finally done with his domestic duties. “Food will be ready in a little while. Let us sit.”

  Since I was already sitting, I assumed he wasn’t talking to me.

  Fury marched along behind him before stopping near my hammock. “I need to speak with Dune alone. Leave.”

  I stared up at her, not at all uncomfortable with her prickly personality. She was annoyed and scared, and I could understand that.

  “This is not her fault. Your fate has been written from the start. Your mother knew you could not outrun it forever, although I have tried my best to protect you.”

  And just like that I was forgotten again as she stomped over to sit next to the surprisingly astute Dune.

  “Tell me,” she snarled.

  I laughed out loud. This chick was hilarious. With people skills like that she must be popular here. Dune distracted her from the bitch-slap she was sending my way by starting his story.

  “Your mother and her Walker mate were very much a strong couple,” he said. “They lived in this cavern for many years, happy and secure in their love.”

  Fury’s expression didn’t soften despite the seemingly joyful tale he was weaving. I guess she knew there was no happily ever after at the end.

  “And then your mother got pregnant. The Walker said it was forbidden and that no one could ever find out about your half nature, that there would be wars and more death than any could handle. He said the only way to assure this secrecy was for him to leave and never return.”

  Dune stared at his hands. His stilted way of speaking eased as he got into the story.

  “Your mother swore me to secrecy and together we spread rumors that you were the chosen child to save all nomads. That way we explained the birth of a nomad and assured that no one would come looking for a half-Walker. Your mother died of a broken heart. She mourned away her days waiting for the Walker to return, but he never did.”

  “Yeah, good of her to forget about the child she had.” Fury’s eyes flashed.

  “She loved you, but it was as if she had lost half her soul when he left her. She fought it but was never the same strong woman again.”

  I spoke up. “How has Fury escaped the nomads until this point?”

  Dune turned his dark eyes toward me.

  “At first, when she was a baby they never worried about her. She was too young to be of use. And she seemed so vulnerable. She could not be in the sun or garner energy the way we do. But once Gena, her mother, died, she was up for grabs by anyone who wanted to influence the chosen one. I took her away, hid her with the tribes, hoping that she would stay safe until she was of an age that she could make her own choices.” He sighed. “I never counted on the desperation of the nomads. They have tried everything to propagate our race and, after a time, they decided it all rested with Fury.” He captured her gaze. “And then she used her power.”

  “At the last tribe gathering,” she whispered.

  He nodded. “Yes, and it drew every single one of us like a dragoona to the sun. They’ve been desperate to find you ever since.”

  I interrupted their intense stare-off. “Are you talking about that fire-encasing that she did before?”

  Dune nodded. “Yes, when she uses it, energy flows through our people. I’ve never felt a draw like it before.”

  “So what do I do? I can’t run from them anymore. They know I’m with the tribes and they’ll just keep taking the women until I give in.” Fury’s face flushed in anger, her eyes narrowed, fine lines spreading along her red forehead.

  “You leave with me,” I said.

  She sneered and actually rolled her eyes at me. “Uh, I don’t think so. You’re crazier than the nomads.”

  Dune stood then, moving to check on his food. “You should consider her offer, Fury.” He spoke over his shoulder. “I’m only one person and cannot protect you here.”

  She flew to her feet. “Oh right, you’re so ready to just throw me away. What? Are you already sick of the responsibility?”

  He took two large strides to stand a mere breath away from her. His hands gripped her upper biceps.

  “Fury.” His voice was laced with unrestrained anger. “You have been my sole focus from the moment you were born. Our life span is two hundred sun years and I have spent twenty of those keeping you safe.”

  It didn’t look like she was even breathing as she absorbed his every word.

  “You’re everything, and while I think you should leave Crais for a time, I will not let you go alone. You belong to me and I keep safe what is mine.”

  Fury sucked in deeply and then she kissed him. I could see the surprise on Dune’s face. He had not expected that from her, but of course that didn’t stop him responding with passion. My eyes widened as the intensity of their kiss increased. I was pretty sure they’d forgotten I was sitting here. Dune lifted her slightly and moved backwards until Fury was cradled against the rock wall.

  “You two just continue on your merry way ... don’t worry about me. I’ll just check on the food.” I shook my head.

  It was impossible to see that adoration and not think of Brace, not to mention it was a little weird and uncomfortable.

  “But if I see one scrap of your outfits removed, I will not be happy,” I finished.

  And considering they wore like two leaves and some string, it would not be hard for them to get naked.

  After ten minutes of studiously stirring the broth mixture and humming loudly, I noticed Dune standing at my side.

  “I’m sorry. That has been a long time coming for Fury and me.”

  I laughed. “I understand, but maybe next time you see it coming you can give a girl some warning. I’ll take a walk or something.”

  In reality my eyes were burning and my stomach churning. I needed to do some fighting, because this love stuff was killing me.

  A brief grin crossed his rugged features. “Agreed.”

  They spent the next few minutes with their heads down, shoveling in the food. It was delicious but I was no longer hungry, the ache in my stomach making it impossible to force any in. I sighed as they exchanged a few more light kisses.

  “If you guys want to take a breather from all the adoration, I need to explain to Fury what exactly is required if you both leave Crais with me.” I had reached the point where
I couldn’t take one more second of their love.

  Fury sneered at me, “I really don’t like you.”

  I smiled back. “I really don’t give a flying crap. All I ask is that you do your part to stop the Seventine from basically destroying all of our worlds, and all of the people on them. Including your precious Dune.” I flicked my eyes toward him. “No offence.”

  He gave me a good-natured nod.

  “So what is my part?” Fury asked, her brow wrinkled.

  About time she started to worry.

  “Look, I’ll be honest I don’t know a lot, our main focus now is to stop them from being released. If the seven happen to be freed, we half-Walkers are the only ones with the power to contain them. At this stage, my mission is to gather all the halflings just in case, and I think either way there will be some type of battle in the end.”

  “Wow, I feel so much better knowing that you’re on top of this. You have a really detailed plan going on there.”

  I sighed. “Keep in mind, Fury, that Walkers are almost impossible to kill, so I can beat you for a really long time.”

  “We don’t die?” She stuttered a little. “Does that mean my father is still out there somewhere?”

  “Yes, there’s a chance that you could meet your father.” I raised a hand to smooth the near permanent wrinkle on my forehead. “And back to your previous confidence in our plan. Yes, it’s true that we don’t know everything. In fact, I have only known for a few months that any of these worlds even existed. But we have no choice. Billions of lives are at risk of permanent extinction.” Would that melt the fire queen’s heart? “At the moment we spend our time training and learning our powers, except for me, of course, who has to waste my time trying to convince whiny brats that they need to pull their heads out of their own butts.”

  She looked shocked. “My head is nowhere near there. That’s not even possible.”

  I blinked a few times. Right, she would take that comment literally.

  “Let us leave now. We need to go to the tribes before everyone disperses back to their territories.” Dune interrupted us.

  I stood and handed him my half-full bowl. “Thanks for the food, it was really good. I just couldn’t fit it all in.” I placed my hands on hips. “So how are we getting back to the tribes?”

  “I can lead us through the caverns, which would take half a sun cycle. Or we could ride Cleo.”

  I was just opening my mouth to inform them that I could trace us there in seconds, but Fury spoke first.

  “Who is Cleo?” she asked.

  “My dragoona,” was his reply.

  My jaw clamped shut as mixed emotions flowed through me. I really wanted to ride one of those dragon creatures. Come on, that was up there with going to the city under the sea, but the last dragoona had tried to rip me limb from limb.

  “I cannot go into the sun,” Fury said quietly, shame crossing her features.

  Dune smiled at me. “Abby can shield you two. Her abilities are amazing.”

  Fury took a deep breath. “Oh, yeah. I forgot about super Abby.” She faced me. “Tell me, Abby, with all your amazingness, is there anything you cannot do?”

  I paused for a moment. “No, I don’t think so.”

  She closed her eyes briefly before re-opening them and smiling tightly.

  “Let’s go then. I’d hate to miss out on the Abby experience.”

  I laughed. “That’s what they all say.”

  Dune led us back through the tunnels into a large hall. I had the shield around myself again. We were close to the surface, and the bright suns were shining in through a far opening. Dune was almost at the sunlit entrance when a shadow flooded the door. Fury and I came to a halt as the bulky body of a shimmery green dragon moved into view.

  “Come.” Dune stood next to the barbaric beauty of the creature. “She will not harm you.”

  “Nervous,” Fury said. “Keep in mind dragoonas often eat people as a snack.”

  I smirked. I wasn’t scared of a big lizard.

  Then, as if Cleo had heard my thoughts, she snorted a large hot breath. It hit me in the face hard, followed by a small flame.

  I swallowed. Okay, maybe she was a little scary. Fury and I stopped next to Dune and I took a moment to really study the majesty of Cleo. She looked pretty darn close to the descriptions of dragons from many stories on Earth. Knowing Walkers, they had probably used the doorways to bring a dragoona to Earth at some point in history. Starting the myth of dragons.

  Resting on four powerful and scaled legs, her razor-sharp talons, which were the size of my forearm, dug into the rock. Her body was massive, round and heavily armored, with wings protruding from either side. And they were not wispy; they looked strong enough to be able to carry a hefty weight, not to mention the sharp protrusions along each of the outer wing spans. Cleo had a long armored tail, which she was whisking back and forth across the ground. It thumped loudly every few sweeps. Finally I focused on her head. Her large eyes were yellow and they shone with intelligence. And she finished with a long snout full of sharp teeth. She was the scariest, most incredible creature I’d ever imagined seeing.

  “Is a unicorn going to stroll in next?” I said, amazement bleeding into my tone.

  Cleo snorted.

  “Yeah,” I said to her, “that was a pretty stupid thing to say. I mean, you’re a dragon. How crazy to think a unicorn would exist.”

  “She’s a dragoona,” Fury corrected me snidely.

  Dune stared straight at her. “I don’t like this side of you, Fury. You were always a happy child. Why are you so filled with anger now?”

  Her eyes widened as she took a small step back. His disapproval upset her, although she covered her awkward motion quickly.

  “I guess I grew up, Dune. Sometimes there isn’t much to be happy about.”

  I locked eyes with her then, and for once she didn’t scowl at me. Instead I gave her a nod to acknowledge the pain in her dark eyes. Then as Cleo snorted again our moment was over.

  “Let us leave before Cleo decides we are annoying enough to eat.” Dune held out a hand to Fury.

  She hesitated just briefly before moving forward and allowing Dune to boost her up. She stepped onto the bend of Cleo’s hind leg before leaping onto the broad back space, avoiding the sharp spikes running down the tail. I was next and found the task simple enough. My foot had plenty of space and traction on the leg bend to launch higher.

  I settled in behind Fury, having to squint my eyes to lessen the glare of her white hair. It was blinding this close and I’d lost my glasses at some point.

  Dune needed no assistance, springing up to sit in front of us. Realizing we were about to move, I gathered my energy and extended the shield over Fury.

  “Hold on,” was all Dune said before Cleo began to move.

  My stomach dropped as she slowly shuffled backwards. I reached out and gripped one of her spikes, avoiding the pointy top. She was a little awkward on the ground; it was not a smooth ride. I’d never even been on a horse, and I imagined a creature this size was much rougher.

  That was until she took to the sky.

  I gave an involuntary shriek as she lifted her wings and in a few powerful thrusts was airborne. I couldn’t open my eyes much to take in the view but the experience was beyond anything I could have imagined. She soared effortlessly once we were higher, gliding through the red expanse of sky. My hands were starting to ache from being clenched so firmly on the spike, and despite my joy at flying I couldn’t find the willpower to loosen my grip.

  Within minutes we were starting to descend and I recognized the huge cliff. I held my breath as Cleo hit the ground hard. The jolt would have knocked me off if my grasp hadn’t been so firm.

  Dune vaulted off Cleo, before reaching up to help Fury first and then me.

  “That was amazing,” she breathed. Her face was lit up, eye sparkling. “How did you ever make friends with her?”

  Dune reached up and rested his hand against Cleo’s n
eck. “Let’s just say we have saved each other a few times. Besides you, she is the only other thing I care for in this world.”

  I couldn’t stop from bouncing. I was itching to get below and make sure everyone was okay.

  Dune’s eyes flicked back and forward as he observed my jittering. Brow furrowed, he eventually waved us toward the hidden rock entrance. “I will wait here. You two gather the others and then we can leave.”

  “It’s pretty amazing to stand in the suns like this. I keep waiting for the burning pain.” Fury reached out a hand, as if to touch the edge of my shield.

  I extended the perimeter just before she reached it.

  “It’s not a physical barrier. Your hand will go through and be burnt,” I warned.

  She tucked her arm back into her side.

  “Stick close until we’re underground.”

  We left Dune there in the shadow of his amazing Cleo.

  “He isn’t planning on bringing the dragon with us, right?” I tried to picture her sleeping in Josian’s cave home.

  Fury cut me a sideways glance. “She could not survive without the energy from the Crais suns. She will have to stay.”

  That was the end of our conversation as we made the long journey to the gathering place. After a few hours I couldn’t stand the silence any longer.

  “How are you going to guarantee that the nomads see us leave? They’ll just keep hunting the tribes otherwise.”

  She didn’t even look back. She was marching along the stone tunnels.

  “I guess you will have to do your amazing, magic-travel tunnel in front of them all.”

  “Yeah, I got that part, but what are you going to do to get them all in the same spot?”

  She laughed. “Use my power, of course.”

  Of course.

  When we finally made it into the cavernous hall with the endless water girding one side, it was completely empty.

  “Where is everyone?” I didn’t like the eerie emptiness. Unease settled into the pit of my stomach.

  “Most would have started their journey back to their tribal lands. Any that are left will be in the dining hall,” Fury said, leading the way.

  I could hear loud voices before we even got close to the entrance. I hurried my pace. It sounded like a ferocious fight was going on in there. I practically bowled Fury over to burst into the room, pausing as I noticed the scene before me.