“Ten?”I shout his name inside my head as loudly as I can, and no sooner than I think of him, a quiver along one of the streams of energy vibrates, as if singing a happy tune.
“Ever? What happened? Why is it night? Are you okay? Was that you?”
I can feel his relief at hearing from me, and that our connection is renewed and works like it once did, shimmering along the thread between us.“I’m fine. I promise. Just a little conversation with a Goddess.”
“Stars above.”
“You’re still safe? Calix’s dad didn’t put you in chains?”
“Well, he kinda did, but it’s all fine. We’ll come to you. Where are you?”
“Meet us at the training residence?”
“Why there?”
“Because… I can’t think of anywhere safer, at least for now. Kyra’s with her family, and you and Lyle can’t just be walking around. It’s too risky.”
“Rowan’s in charge.”
“Then we’ll have to remove him from his post.”
“Okay, Little Siren. Be safe.”
Walking through the forest at night is a very different prospect than when the sun is shining overhead, and while I might have been confident that nothing bad would happen in here, the further we crept, the more doubt clouded around me like the very air could smell the spike of fear in my blood and was excited by the prospect.
“Stay close. Both of you. And step where I step. Nowhere else,” Kalan instructs.
I nod, as if he can see me in the pitch, and will my eyes to adjust.
“Lyle?” I call.
“I’m fine. We’ll be through in no time.” Her voice is surprisingly optimistic despite the surroundings.
You return… she returns.
That eerie voice on the breeze rings like a chime, and a small part of me is glad I can hear it again. The majesty here is still present, still thrumming, and I choose to see that as a good sign. Not a bad one.
“Kalan?”
“I heard. Keep going. We’ve got a way to go.”
“Guess where I am?”I think about the words and pull on the strand of energy that connects me to Ten. The teasing brings a smile to my lips despite the darkness.
“Where?”
“The forest. I can’t believe you spent a night here.”
“Why are you in the forest? It’s not safe.”His worry only makes my smile grow wider.
“Kalan is with me. And at least it means we won’t meet anyone.”
“Ever, you know what lurks in the forest at night. Please, please be careful. I’ve only just got you back.”
“I promise.”
But as if tempting fate, a deep rumble, like a vibration, sounds around us.
The noise stops Kalan in his tracks, and I nearly stumble into him.
