by Miles, Amy
“Enough.” I shove the map out of the way, hoist myself onto the altar stone in the center of the room, and swing my legs back and forth. “Bastien is staying. He saved my life and I owe him. Besides, we could use his help around here.”
Eamon starts to protest but I hold up my hand. “Things have changed. The aliens are moving into our area with some serious firepower. We need food, weapons and a really good plan.” I let my gaze soften as I linger on Eamon’s face. “Toren is needed here, Aminah and Zahra aren’t fit for combat and I’m not letting the two of you out of my sight. So, that means I’m going with Bastien to search out the Grounders. End of story.”
Eamon’s protest won’t be stopped this time. “No way. We know nothing about this guy. Does anyone else think it’s strange how he just magically appears when Illyria needs him the most?”
Bastien’s jaw tightens but, after a sharp glance from me, he remains silent. “If he hadn’t been there last night I would be dead. You should be thanking him, not accusing.”
Toren holds up his hands as he moves between us. “I hate to admit it, but Illyria’s right. Although,” he turns to shoot a warning glance in my direction, “I don’t like the idea of you and him going alone into the City. You need to take someone else with you.”
“Who? Mathias?” I can imagine the bumbling teen following us around. He turned fifteen about a week ago and has yet to figure out how to compensate for his enormous feet. “If we’re ambushed, he’ll either get us killed or captured. We all know he’s about a dense as a box of rocks. I mean the guy actually thinks Zahra’s hot.” I grin smugly over at her.
Zahra’s cry of indignation sounds dangerously close to a pig snort. Toren waves her off and focuses on his girlfriend. “Aminah?”
She purses her lips as she becomes the center of attention, a place she usually avoids at all costs. “Bastien seems fine to me. I haven’t found anything in his mind that makes me think he’s a danger to Illyria.”
Bastien clears his throat, shooting me a guarded glance that I interpret to be concern for me. Toren watches the interaction before shifting to look at Eamon. “What do you think?”
Eamon’s fingers pop as they clench into fists at his side. “Illyria’s right,” he grinds out. “Mathias will endanger them.”
“So you think she should go with Bastien?” Toren presses.
He won’t meet my gaze as he reluctantly nods. “He’s proven he can take care of himself. Let’s just hope Illyria’s right about him.”
I wonder if I’m wrong to push for Bastien’s inclusion to the group right now. For the first time in my life, I’ve knowingly hurt my best friend and shoved a wedge between us that I’m unsure I have the ability to remove.
Toren shakes his head. “Fine, I guess Bastien stays. You two need to rest up tonight and head out in the morning.”
Zahra squeals and rushes to Bastien’s side, fawning over him with nauseating excitement. I turn my back on them and meet Eamon’s piercing gaze. I hold it for a moment before excusing myself from the room. I’m desperate for sleep, but more than that, I need time to think.
Chapter 16
Icy water laps over my skin in waves. I shiver as I dip my shoulders beneath the frothy surface, clenching my jaw to keep my teeth from chattering. The Cascades are both numbing and invigorating this morning. I’m not sure which effect I was going for.
“Now that is a beautiful sight.”
I whip around, instantly covering myself with my arms. “What are you doing here?” I scream. “Get out!”
“Aw, don’t tell me you’re a shy one. I didn’t peg you for that.” Bastien grins as he throws his leg over a rock and settles in for what appears to be an annoyingly lengthy time.
Using one arm, I swim as quickly as I can away from the center of the pool and head straight for the rocks. Bastien seems completely unphased by my rising fury and he grins down at me. He does however reach out to retrieve my dagger from the pile of clothes he’s perched beside.
“Have you no decency?” I growl through chattering teeth. The water has definitely tilted dangerously toward the numb side now. If I don’t get out soon I’ll risk hypothermia, but there’s no way I’m going to give Bastien the satisfaction of seeing me naked.
Twirling the dagger in his hand, he appears to contemplate my question. I roll my eyes and cling precariously to the slippery rock face. The current of the crashing water jostles me as I fight to remain covered. I kick my legs, battling against the churning pool.
“I suppose this might seem a bit forward of me, but I thought you might like to know it’s time to go.”
“Fine. Message received. Leave now!”
He leans over the edge, peering down at me. “And miss all the fun? I think not.”
I grind my teeth in frustration and press my skin against the icy rocks. “If you don’t leave, I’m going to lose some fingers and a handful of toes while I’m at it.”
He cocks his head to the side. “You’d really risk life and limb just to save your pride? I’ve already seen it, ya know.”
“Don’t remind me,” I growl, readjusting my grip on the rock.
His smile is smooth and filled with sultry promise. “I like to remind myself quite often actually.”
“J-j-just you wait until I get out of here…” My teeth chatter so hard I struggle to finish my words.
Bastien grins. “Yes, well on that note I suppose I should go pack some supplies.”
He rises from the rock and starts to walk away. Turning back, he holds my dagger in the air. “I’m sure you won’t mind if I hold onto this beauty for a bit, hmm?”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got more where that came from.”
With a throaty chuckle, Bastien waves and struts away. I wait until I can’t bear the pain in my toes any longer before splashing to the edge of the pool. I struggle to pull myself from the icy water and my arms shake as I flop onto the damp stone. I gasp for breath, shivering from head to toe.
“Illyria!”
I glance up to see Aminah racing toward me with a large cloth, mostly like a sheet from her bed. “Oh, that boy is going to be the death of you!”
Helping me to my feet, she wraps me in the cloth and begins to rub me down. I’m not a prude, but even being seen naked by Aminah brings a flush to my cheeks.
Aminah seems to take no notice of my lack of dress, her concern solely focused on to getting me warm. Some days I take her mothering instincts for granted, but today is not one of them.
“Thanks,” I say through chattering teeth.
She nods tightly, her curls bouncing about her head as she dips low to rub my legs. I close my eyes, nearly moaning with delight as warmth returns to my extremities.
“What was he thinking?”
I shrug. “Bastien has an odd sense of humor.”
“He could have killed you.”
“He was trying to prove a point.”
Her hands pause against my calf. “And that was?”
“That he’s more stubborn than I am.”
Aminah rolls her eyes and finishes drying my feet. “Sounds like you two were made for each other. Both hard headed and crazy to boot!”
I suck in a breath. “Don’t say that.”
She rises to her feet, standing about three inches shorter than me. “What?”
“I could never stand to be with a guy like Bastien because he’s so…”
“Infuriating, challenging, sarcastic, dangerous, gorgeous…yes, I can see how there’s nothing to like.”
Her smile irks me. It seems so knowing. “I don’t like him.”
“Um-hmm.”
“Whatever.” I hobble over to my clothes, my toes lifted high to avoid touching any more of the glacial water that puddles on the floor. “Should I ask how you knew where I was? I didn’t exactly leave a note.”
Aminah taps her temple before lifting the sheet to give me privacy. I quickly pull on my clothes, grateful for the familiar scratchy feeling against my skin.
“I guess for once I should be grateful that you’ve been rummaging around in my brain.”
She shakes her head. “Not yours. His. He fascinates me.”
I arch an eyebrow as I sink to put on my socks. I try not to think about how the bottoms are nearly worn completely through; my big toe poked through the tattered material last week. “I didn’t take you for the nosy sort, Aminah.”
“I’m not. Well, not really. It’s just that his past is so different than ours. I’ve never even come close to seeing the City before. His thoughts seem to be consumed by it.” Aminah twirls one of her curls tightly around her finger. “He’s lonely, you know. I think that’s part of the reason he’s so defensive all the time. He’s trying to hide it, but you seem to be able to bring the best out in him.”
“Lucky me,” I grumble, lacing up my boots.
“It’s not a bad thing that he’s here, you know. Toren will come around.”
“And Eamon?” I rise and twist my damp hair into a bun at the back of my head. I shove a splintered stick through it, grateful I remembered to bring it with me earlier. I’m not in the mood to deal with my hair right now.
“Eamon’s jealous. You know that. He’s never really had to fight for your attention before.”
“Why would he have to fight for it? We’re best friends, Aminah. We’re together every day.”
Aminah rolls her eyes, tucking a wild curl behind her ear. “You know it’s not the same. Eamon cares about you. He can see the way Bastien watches you. And the way you watch him back.”
“It’s nothing.” I try to shrug off her insinuations but fear there may be some merit to them.
She gives a knowing look. “Keep telling yourself that. Won’t make it the truth.”
I thrust my dirty clothes into a burlap sack and toss it over my shoulder. Aminah falls into step beside me. Tucking the sheet under her arm, we head back to the Temple. Although I can tell she wants to say more, she remains silent for the journey. I’m grateful for the silence. I can only imagine how my trip to the City with Bastien will fare now.
***
I hold out a beat up 12-gauge shotgun to Bastien but keep it just out of his reach. “My dagger, please.”
“Please? Wow, didn’t think you were capable of being so polite.”
“Fine.” I shove the shotgun into his gut and grab the dagger out of the waist of his pants. “That better?”
“Much,” he grunts, rubbing his abs. “What’s eating you? Don’t tell me you’re still sore about that whole waterfall incident?”
I roll my eyes scathingly at him. “Please. I’m hardly the type to hold a grudge.”
“Right.” He grabs a half-empty box of shells and loads the gun. “Is this all the ammo you’ve got?”
“Yep. You’re welcome to scour the woods for more if you like.” I tuck two serrated blades into my waistband and pull my shirt over to conceal them. I grab a .9mm pistol and eject the clip to reload. I barely have enough bullets for one magazine. That doesn’t instill a great deal of confidence about this trip.
“You know, it would be much easier if we just started stealing the Caldonian’s laser guns.”
I lift my head, eyes widening with surprise. “You think?”
“Well don’t look so surprised, Princess.”
“No, I’m not. It’s just that I’ve been trying to convince Toren of that for months now but he’s reluctant. He’s worried we won’t be able to handle them safely.”
Bastien scoffs. “Point and shoot. How hard can it be?”
A small smile tugs at my lips as I slam the magazine in place and chamber a round. “Aminah seems to think you are and I are alike. Perhaps she’s not that far off.”
Bastien leans back against the wall with a definitively smug smile. “Do I hear a compliment in there somewhere, Princess?”
“Hardly. I think she was just pointing out my faults.” I shoot him a contemptuous glance, toss my pack over my shoulder and head toward the Temple. Although I can hear him behind me in the narrow tunnel, I don’t look back.
“Illyria, over here.” Toren calls.
I weave my way through a mound of children, each scrambling over the next for the last handful of blackberries. My stomach growls at the sight of the sweet fruit, knowing it will be another year before I can taste them again. The thought crosses my mind to swoop in and steal a couple, but I’m already on most of the kids bad side. It would surely earn me the meanest person of the year award….three years running.
Aminah seems to read my mind, without actually digging through my devious thoughts, and loops her arm through mine to steer me toward Toren.
“Another ambush?” I eye Toren’s bowed head, deep in conversation with Eamon.
“You know Toren means well.”
The muffled snort behind me makes me grin. Apparently, Bastien doesn’t think so highly of Toren’s methods either.
When Bastien and I arrive, Toren pats Eamon on the shoulder and rises to meet our gaze. “Scouts reported back some activity last night off to the east.”
“What kind of activity?” I ask, leaning over his map. The area is one that I’m vaguely familiar with, but haven’t spent enough time exploring because it run’s right up to the City.
“They’ve been moving some heavy machinery,” Eamon answers.
“And you want us to take a look at it?” Bastien asks from over my shoulder.
Eamon bristles but Toren places a warning hand on his forearm. “That’s the plan. It shouldn’t be too far out of your way.” He points to a location less than a mile from where Bastien and I plan to infiltrate the City.
“Could be dangerous,” Bastien says, crossing his arms over his chest as he turns to look at me.
“I’m game if you are.”
Bastien nods. “You know I’m in.”
Chapter 17
I can hear Bastien panting heavily behind me as he leans into the steep incline that will lead us to ground level. I’m used to this blind trek, but today I find my pace a bit sluggish, my mind riddled with a whirlwind of thoughts.
“Are you always this intense when you leave home?”
“No,” I call back over my shoulder as I lead us around a bend and lean forward to dig into the sharp slope. We’re almost there. I can see the light up ahead. “I’m like this when I’m in the caves. I don’t like tight spaces.”
“Or bickering among friends?”
I readjust my pack, tugging on the straps so that they fall more evenly over my shoulders. “That too.”
“Can I ask you a question?” His boots slap against the stone as he rushes to keep pace with me.
I grit my teeth and prepare myself for the worst. “Do I have a choice?”
“No, not really.”
“Go on then.” The instant I step into the sunlight I feel as if a heavy weight has lifted from my shoulders. I lift my face and breathe deep the familiar scent of the forestdecaying leaves, dirt and pine.
Bastien waits until I stop soaking in my daily dose of vitamin D before speaking. “What’s with you and Eamon? You guys seem rather intense.”
I snort and turn my face into the wind. The air has a bite to it this morning, but the temperature has already begun to rise above freezing. Patches of blue sky peek through sagging gray clouds overhead, but there is a menacing storm system on the horizon. “Looks like we might catch a brief break in the weather. We should try to cover as much ground as we can while it’s nice.”
I turn before Bastien can protest and pound my steps into the mountain slope with a ferocity that slowly eases the burden in my mind. He keeps pace with me, never complaining or asking for a break. I plunge deeper into the woods, annoyed that Bastien’s watchful eye lands on me frequently over the next couple of hours. When he realizes that his stares aren’t getting the expected response, he releases an obnoxiously loud sigh. Annoyed, I whip around and slam into his broad chest.
Pushing off him to give myself some much needed personal space, I cross my arms o
ver my chest. “You might as well spill it. I know you’ve been dying to say something since we left the cave.”
I slip my pack off my back and sink down onto a fallen tree. The dampness of the bark seeps through my pants and onto my skin. I dig into my bag and pull out a small leather pouch. Tugging it open with my teeth, I close my eyes as the refreshing water flows down my parched throat. We’ve been going hard for well over two hours. Maybe it was a good idea to pause for a moment.
“It’s nothing.”
“Oh, come on. You’ve been giving me that look all morning.”
Bastien scratches his stubbled chin. “Just trying to figure you out is all.”
I toss him the leather pouch and settle back into the crook of the tree branches that rise toward the sky, like fingers bent with age. It’s not exactly comfortable but it will do for now. Comfort in the forest is relative.
I watch as Bastien drinks deep from the pouch. “I’m not that complicated, you know.”
“No?” He leans over to hand me the canteen back. “Then why is it you act like you’re running away from your friends?”
“It’s not them.” I drop my gaze and fumble with the edge of my frayed sweater. “It’s me. I don’t want them to find out that I’m the reason they’ve become freaks.”
Bastien steps up to a tree, slides down the trunk and then throws out his legs before him. “We aren’t freaks, Illyria, and it’s not your fault.”
I roll my eyes at him
“Ok, well maybe you did have something to do with it, but it’s not like you did it on purpose. You can’t control this…whatever it is.”
“Exactly.” I rip off a chunk of bark and hurl it into the underbrush, wishing I had something far more substantial to throw. “I’m dangerous. We’ve already established that, but what if I’ve endangered my friends too? I can’t bear the thought of them getting hurt.”
I lean my head back and close my eyes. I can hear him shift by the rustling of leaves, but I don’t open my eyes. It feels good to be consumed by darkness. “It’s more than that, isn’t it?”
A groan escapes from my lips and I dig my fists into my eyes, fighting to block out my thoughts. “Have you ever thought you were going crazy?”