Earth(76)

He didn't respond. I think he was still too tired to argue. One Less headquarters had set up shop in what used to be a deli on the ground floor of a thirty-floor building. It was inconspicuous, other than the large blankets covering the windows, but it made me wonder if Shawn stayed in one of the offices above it. I would have if I were running the show.

Micah and I knelt behind a planter, surveying those coming and going. Every time the door opened, we scanned the inside.

"I think it's clear…" I said, standing up from my crouch.

"Wait – we need to be sure."

"We don't have all day; we've already lost enough time," I snapped back at him.

He turned his gaze to me and my cheeks heated.

"Sorry," I mumbled. He was right, I couldn't go charging in there and chance Shawn. There had to be another way.

It hit me. "Duh." I smacked my palm into my forehead. I closed my eyes, tapping into the atmosphere and the electrical signals around me. I waded through the information, eliminating the plants we hid behind, then the stray cats stalking the gardens. I ignored the low, steady buzz the earth beneath us gave off and focused in on the Elementals walking around.

"What are you doing?" asked Micah.

"Shh," I barely responded. This had been so much easier without him next to me, giving off his own, distinct signal.

Inside, I counted them out. Plenty of Fires, Shawn was always big on the Fires. No Earths; they would all be in the gardens. Three Waters, two Airs…

"And a partridge in a pear tree." I opened my eyes to find Micah looking at me, one eyebrow raised.

"He's in there," I said. "Three floors up and moving."

"How do you know?"

"New trick. He gives off a signal similar to yours."

Micah didn't ask any more questions.

"Look – why don't you find Clay? I might need his help," I told him.

Micah shook his head. "I'm staying with you."

I sighed. "I'll blend in with that work group until I see Shawn leave. I'll be fine."

He continued to stare me down. His eye tricks had little effect on me anymore. I turned and walked toward a group chopping up furniture for the fires. I picked up an axe, glancing at the sweaty men and women swinging their sharp blades at a large couch.

I turned toward a lone armchair. Sunlight glinted off my axe, and at an angle, I could see Micah's reflection. He still stood where I left him.

I grimaced, readjusted my grip on the handle, and raised the axe. I pulled, using my hips to drive it down. It went straight through the seat, hitting the cold asphalt below. I smiled. This was going to be therapeutic. I pulled my blade out of the punctured fabric, metal, and wood, glancing behind my shoulder. Micah was no longer there.

Now I can concentrate.

I closed my eyes, reaching out for Shawn again. He was in between the second and third floors, descending. I swung the axe again, aiming at an arm. The axe didn't go all the way through this time, but the footrest popped out, startling me. I jumped back, laughing.

Shawn was on the second floor.

I swung again, blade swiveling on a level, horizontal plane. The top half of the backrest toppled to the ground. I bounced it off the top of my toes, then kicked it away.

Shawn was close to the ground floor. Time to blend in.

The backrest landed at the feet of a group of people; all of whom were staring at me. Shawn was on the ground floor now, walking toward the door.

Shit.

I shrugged. "It's just…it's fun." I decided to go with the truth.

There were a few smiles and a few eye rolls but everyone turned back to their work.

I ducked behind what was left of my armchair, feigning an untied boot just as David walked out. I peered out from the faux-leather seat. Shawn walked into the sunlight, shielding his eyes. The hand he held up was heavily bandaged. My eyes flit down to his other bandaged hand, then over to the sheathed Athame hanging from his belt.

He stopped to monitor the plants growing from the beds in front of the building. Then he said something to David and walked off. David almost tripped trying to keep up, writing all along in that notebook.

Once they rounded the corner, I stood, tapping my lower lip.

I took in a deep breath, and let it out slow. I walked around the armchair and sat, propping my feet up on the extended footrest. People were looking at me again but I didn't care. I sank into the chair, head falling back with nothing to catch it. Today, the sun was spectacular.





* * *





"Clay," Micah hissed.

The shorter man didn’t turn.

Micah raised his voice, "Clay!"

Clay looked, his beard catching on the barbed wire he was unraveling. "Dag nabbit!"

Micah waited patiently for Clay to untangle himself. Micah squinted. Is that hair…coming out of his ears?