Crais(30)

I shook it off. Now was not the time to fall apart again. Brace would be the one kicking my ass if I showed weakness to the enemy.

“Fury, I warned you not to use your powers. They’re coming now. We must escape.” His voice was deep and his English rough.

Was this man friend or foe?

I spun my head to catch Fury’s expression. Her eyes were locked on him. Although, she still looked a little shell-shocked, whether because of me or hunky-man over there I couldn’t tell. But if the way she was eye-devouring him was any indication, she definitely had him in the friend category – very, very good friends.

“Dune,” she breathed. “What are you doing here?”

He didn’t answer. Instead he strode forward and threw her over his shoulder. She looked too stunned to object. He was moving toward the door when his dark blue-gray eyes locked on me.

“If you don’t want to spend time in the company of a herd of nomads I suggest you keep up.”

And he took off.

I didn’t hesitate to follow.





Chapter 7





Dune moved swiftly through the caves, ducking along low and narrow arterials. Fury’s complaining echoed off the walls.

“Why did you tell her to follow?” she said. “She’s crazy. She told me this stupid story about end of worlds and that I’m half-Walker.”

At that moment I stumbled on a few loose stones, falling a few feet behind and missing the rest of their conversation. By the time I regained my footing and caught up Dune’s low voice was all I could hear.

“According to your mother, your father was from an ancient race of beings called Walkers.”

I bit back a smile. Fury wouldn’t be happy to hear that.

“She told me some of the story before she died. I was never supposed to reveal it to you unless there came a time your life was in danger.”

“Well, one might think now is that time, Dune.” Fury’s voice sounded tense.

He didn’t speak again and his pace was increasing. I took a moment to look behind us but as far as I could tell we weren’t being followed. Did he know something that I didn’t? While I always enjoyed a chance to run, my white outfit and the lack of oxygen on Crais didn’t exactly create a fun experience. I even used my shield a few times just to clear my lungs of the sooty air.

Finally, Dune started to slow. The stone surrounding us looked different. It was less red and a sheen of slime ran along it. I’d guess we were further underground.

Dune dropped Fury down. They both moved toward an overrun of water on the wall and let their bodies replenish themselves.

I didn’t wait for an invitation, diving under a shelf nearby, sighing as the coolness flowed over me, the thick and absorbing nature of Crais water leaving me refreshed. The moment one need was sated, another made itself known. My stomach growled; it had been a long time since we’d dined in the hall. And I’d been expending a lot of energy.

“Come.” Dune turned and strode around the corner.

We followed him; he pushed a rock wall aside to reveal a fully outfitted home. There were hammock chairs, padded sleeping surfaces, and an area that looked like a stone kitchen.

“This is where you live?” Fury said as she wandered further into the room. “Why are you underground?”

“I don’t live with the nomads. When I’m not keeping an eye on you I stay here. I like my own space.”

He walked into the kitchen and bent down in front of a small round pot. Within moments I could smell smoke and see the small fire that was beginning to heat the vessel. As I stepped closer, I peered inside to find it half-full of water. Dune continued to fuss around his area, opening weird boxes and throwing an assortment of things into the pot.

Fury hadn’t moved. She stood in the centre of the room, arms crossed across her front and a glare on her face. Her attention never wavered, and despite her clear annoyance she was far more patient than I’d have been.

Eventually my boredom kicked in and I sat down on one of the hammocks.

Leaning back, I thought about my parents. Damn, I’d forgotten to drop the energy around my mind and contact Josian. He was probably going crazy. Dune was still busy cooking and Fury was busy stalking him, so I figured I had time. With a thought I freed my mind and tentatively reached out to my father.

Aribella, how nice of you to relieve the worry of your parents. His booming voice echoed through my head, with just the slightest tone of annoyance.

Sorry, I forgot. Things have been a little strange here.

I heard his sigh. Well, don’t forget that I’ll be kicking your butt when you get home.

I laughed, even though he sounded serious.

So what has happened on Crais? Have you found the half? When are you returning?