We kept moving through the tunnels for a long while, not meeting any creatures. The only question that kept creeping in my head was if the direction we were following was the right one. I started really questioning the plan just before we entered one of the abandoned temples. My eyes darted to the ceremonial wall. The picture of the sacred dragon was coated with a layer of paint and the whole area around it was arranged for a ceremony. I stood by the altar for a while. My eyes traveled from the dried flower arrangements to a stack of books placed nearby.
“Ty?” Frid called and I approached the door.
One look outside made my eyes painfully react to the unforgivingly bright daylight. It took me a good minute to adjust but when I did, I saw a herd of numerous crawlers gathered outside.
“We shift now. Except for you. You’re coming with me.” I turned to Alina.
It was the first time I looked at her in hours and the expression in her eyes made my heart beat faster. I hated the way my body reacted to her.
“Why?” she asked.
“I don’t want people in the city to see who you are,” I responded.
A strip of light landed on Alina’s face and I saw how tired she looked. This made me want to soothe the line between her eyebrows, to hold her while she slept in my arms. I turned away.
The others were already changing and I followed them. My transformation was uncomfortable since my body craved sleep and I barely gave it any. When I was done, I leaned forward, lowering my head and helped Alina get on my back. Meanwhile, Sol was opening the front door.
When we were safely in the air, I adjusted the position of my body, unintentionally focused on Alina’s torso being stretched out on top of me. I forced my eyes to follow the outlines of the abandoned temples that were sprawled below for miles.
It took another two days to get back to Riolle and when we finally landed by the familiar bridge, I could feel that all of us were at our limits. None of us had had any food for almost three days. We were in desperate need of rest and hot meals.
When the seer in a dark cape entered the bridge, I scowled. It was the same guy I threatened before leaving the city. The man walked by Sol and when his gaze landed on me he shuddered, but said nothing. As he passed Alina, he bowed and placed his hand to his heart and Alina’s gaze found mine.
After the interrogation part was over, we were allowed to enter the city. Contrary to our previous visit, I did not want to stay in the same place and we spent some time searching for room and board. At last, we found a weather-beaten house on the edge of the channel and walked in. The place was incredibly cramped and filled with boxes and extra sets of furniture.
“Don’t mind our look, we just moved in,” a skinny woman with heavily drawn black eyebrows greeted us.
“We need three rooms and a change of clothes,” I said.
“And food,” Frid added.
“Then you’ve come to the right place.” The woman’s face bloomed into a happy smile.
That made me think that we have been the only customers in a while.
“Tony!” the woman shouted.
A good minute later a boy of about fifteen entered the hall with a bored expression on his face.
“Show our guests three rooms,” she ordered and I watched the kid give her an eye roll.
The rooms turned out to be even smaller than the worst inn I have ever been to.
“Am I staying with Aly?” Frid asked and I shook my head. “Are you staying with her?” she continued, as I caught an almost panicked expression from the red haired girl.
“Yes, I can’t risk her taking off again,” I said.
“Are you sure you can handle it?” Victor snorted and I felt like punching his smug face.
“Who am I staying with?” Frid asked.
“You can pick between me and Sol,” Victor smirked.
“Can I have my own room?” she asked.
I sighed, and closed the door instead of answering.
Alina stood by the bed, visibly uncomfortable.
