Crais(24)

Channa led us through a barrage of chambers, halls and rock landings. The decor never changed. Rock was definitely prevalent on Crais. Eventually she started to slow.

“Do not touch anything in this room,” were her short words before she stepped inside.

We followed close behind.

A gasp escaped before I could even acknowledge what I was seeing. And I wasn’t the only one.

“Shut the freaking door,” Lucy said as she clutched my arm. “They have a damn oasis hidden here.”

We were standing in a forest. The light was almost blinding after the darkness of the caves. I glanced up, expecting the roof to be open, but instead the rock stretched high for miles. The brightness seemed to come from a series of reflective surfaces scattered up the walls, beaming light from above and then all the way down into the forest. Channa picked her way gently through the foliage. There was a single stone path, and she never wavered or stepped onto any of the greenery.

“I get the feeling that this place is important to the Crais people,” Lucas said drily.

“I see why they’re so excited about you being the next Emperor. Your deduction skills know no bounds.” I threw him a cheeky grin.

According to Brace, no one seemed to think Lucas was up to the job, and I felt it was my bitchy duty to point that out.

“Guess it’s lucky I’ll have your wise council, you know, as the future Empress.” He flashed me his shiny whites.

“She said she wasn’t interested. Might be time to take the hint; your desperation is starting to seep out.” Lucy gave him hard eyes, interrupting my reply.

“Abby can fight the inevitable all she wants. But fate is decided and you can only run for so long before you’re caught.”

I stepped forward, my plan to punch him in his perfect nose, since words didn’t seem to do him any harm. But Talina spoke, halting me in my tracks.

“Walkers are bound by no one’s decision of fate. We make our own path and travel where we want. It might be time for you to step the hell back and let Abby decide. Pushing her will do nothing but increase your chances of being kicked in the face.”

I laughed. “Well, I was going to punch him, but I could probably kick him in the face if I tried.”

Lucy grimaced. “Not me. You’re all too tall. You take his face and I’ll take his jewels.”

I snorted as Lucas’ hands moved to shield himself. He caught the movement though, halting it halfway.

“Why did I decide to journey with three women?” he muttered, taking the lead as we continued to follow Channa through their secret green grotto.

Our small talk was over so I took the time to study the land as we walked. I had never seen any of these trees or plants before. They were not overly tall, but very thick and bushy. There seemed to be a variety of bulbous root-type vegetation and small berries, but I didn’t see many other fruits.

My mind started to wander as we continued across the large space. I’d been studiously ignoring the golden thread in my head, but at this moment I realized it was tugging at me. That hadn’t happened before. My heartbeat accelerated. Was the Seventine trying to contact me?

I had to work hard to ignore the strand, because there was this constant temptation to grab hold and see Brace again. I ached every moment. And I just plain missed him more than anything. But until someone figured out how to separate them, seeing him was only going to create far bigger problems. Like tempting me into making a deal. I hadn’t forgotten his offer. For some reason I couldn’t automatically dismiss it.

I shut my mind off again.

It was time to bring my focus back to the situation we were in. We were still moving across the huge forest area and at this pace we’d made a good distance. The other side was coming up fast. I could see the group of men gathered at the junction, blocking our exit. I recognized Jordan standing with a dozen or so others, all garbed similarly, and I figured we were looking at the tribe leaders.

“Channa.” Jordan stepped out of the circle to greet his partner.

Both hands encircled her biceps as he lifted her off the ground and touched his forehead to hers.

“You heard of the nomads’ attack?” he continued, lowering her back to stand on her own feet.

“Yes.” She frowned. “I figured if we moved quickly enough you would have time to show these travelers where to follow. The eclipse has only just begun?” she questioned.

He nodded. “We must wait two more sunbeams. Make sure you keep up.”

I realized he was now addressing us.

A thumping noise had everyone spinning back to face the forest area. A black-skinned man dashed into view.

“Luiz, what are you doing? You cannot rush through the sacred grotto. You might damage the plants.” Channa’s voice was tight and cold.