by Jenn Nixon
Cyndra snickered and pointed to his hip. “Accessorizing?”
Zorin rolled his eyes and unclasped it from his shorts before tossing it to her. “I found it under an empty box. Maybe you can sell or trade it.”
“It’s ugly.”
“Yes, but it’s also silver,” Zorin added with a shrug. “Don’t take less than ten dollars’ worth of trade for it.”
“Ten? You’re crazy. I can get at least thirty for this if it’s real silver. Almost as good as a Zonecoin,” Cyndra said, grinning as she stared at the piece before slipping it into her pocket. “Boat’s ready?”
“Ready.” He nodded.
Mansion? Rune, already walking in its direction, took a deep breath and glanced back to a nodding Cyndra. I hope this works.
“There’s no reason it shouldn’t, according to the journal it’s only a matter of focus and intent with the right elements. Taking them down is the tough part.” She led the way through the field keeping some distance between them.
But what if ours can’t keep out the wraiths?
“Cyndra’s energy should block the wraiths if the barrier is strong enough.” Zorin paused near the tree line of the woods.
“It’s worth trying,” she added, holding back whatever else she wanted to say.
You’re right, it is, Rune added before disappearing into the trees with Cyndra at his side.
Zorin kept a step behind, sensing Rune’s earthcasting swell through the air and into the siphon. His gentle, yet tremendous power was a welcome distraction from Cyndra’s ever-present fire.
When they reached the decorative wall surrounding the mansion and marking the perimeter of the barrier, Zorin slowed his steps, flashing back to the pain it had caused. He craned his neck toward the tower room, seeing the large gaudy mirror through the broken doorway. The wall, staircase, and part of the hallway leading to the room, obliterated by Cyndra’s dual-evoking of her elements, remained rubble at the base of the mansion.
Rune, already beyond the barrier and heading toward the mess, evoked a tremendous amount of earth power. Cyndra, unnoticing, extended her left hand toward him without looking. Zorin clasped her fingers and stepped over the wall, not wasting the extra minute testing what he already knew and released her hand the moment his wing tips cleared the invisible barrier.
The ground rumbled beneath his feet.
“What’s he doing?” Cyndra asked aloud and jogged to her friend.
Zorin jumped up and glided behind her, keeping a sizeable distance before landing to see the first of three large roots sprout up from the ground. Rune, down on one knee, had his left palm on the ground and his eyes focused on the top of the remaining part of the tower.
The roots rose higher, grew thicker, merged, and twisted together.
“Wow,” Cyndra whispered and slowed to a halt to watch.
He moved beside her, in awe of the growing braided roots, lifting into the air, bending and twisting into the shape of a staircase leading straight to the hallway left behind.
The ground shook again as the thinner tips covered the exposed rafter and spread along the broken floor while the thicker roots locked in place.
Rune fell to his other knee and dropped his head, panting.
Cyndra rushed to his side. “You okay?”
The caster nodded and accepted her help getting to his feet. A little harder than I expected.
“You didn’t have to do that, I could have gotten us up there,” Zorin said, eyeing the marvelous staircase.
I wanted to try something different. Evie mentioned it in the journal. One of her friends had grown trees shaped like chairs. He squeezed Cyndra’s shoulder and walked toward his masterpiece, taking the first step up.
“So awesome, Rune, but you gotta be careful.” Cyndra followed him, smiling, and shaking her head with each step. “And you need to master your fire before you get to earth anyway so maybe we’ll work on that during the boat ride.”
Not sure how much else I can do. I think I hit my top level. Rune shrugged and glanced back to Zorin, only a step behind Cyndra. How do we know when we’ve mastered our element? Evie didn’t write it down.
“Because it depends on your strongest iteration. You’ll know when it happens, you’ll feel it. For Cyndra, when her fire reaches her feet, she’ll probably have mastered it. For you, I’m unsure, perhaps a different shielding will fulfill your fire. You use it best as a defense.”
“Sounds feasible.” Cyndra nodded. “My fire goes to my calf now.”
Rune paused on the last root step, glancing around as if waiting for something to happen. No screeching wraiths appeared. The soulless didn’t return. Cyndra continued toward Mergan’s former prison room, filling the space with her fire, keeping it at the tip of her fingertips, ready to fight if needed. Zorin admired her courage and resolve, and remained a step behind to watch her back as he followed the casters into the glass-covered room.
Cyndra walked in first, swiped her hand to the side, sweeping most of the shattered glass into the corner with a gust of energy. Rune stayed along the opposite wall from where Mergan had been imprisoned and paused in the middle of the room.
Zorin blocked the doorway, standing guard since both seemed tense and focused.
When Cyndra stopped five feet from the mirror, Rune scrubbed his face and approached her flexing the fingers on his right hand.
“Ready?” she asked, reaching out with hers.
Rune nodded and clasped it.
Zorin felt their power grow and clenched his jaw when Cyndra’s energy overwhelmed the mixture. It seemed like days had passed since he felt her inside him like this. Drawing a ragged breath, he balled his hands and shut his eyes.
“Think of your fire and earth as a barrier, like the casterguard shield, I’ll do the rest,” she said softly.
All three elements saturated the air and his siphon, filling him with power he hadn’t felt since the war. His muscles tightened as his skin warmed and mind cleared. Zorin wanted more. He increased the strength of the siphon.
Cyndra gasped.
Zorin opened his eyes, watching the greenish-white light of her energy swirl around her fingers and twist up her arm. Still not satisfied, he absorbed both elements from her directly.
Cyndra lifted her trembling hand toward the mirror as the tendrils of energy reached her shoulder, more than strong enough to create the barrier she wanted.
Now, casters, Zorin directed. The vibrant colors of their elemental power filled the room, exploding from their fingertips and energizing every cell of his body. A barrier of green, red, and brown light materialized around the mirror. Once the formation completed, the colors faded and the barrier turned translucent. Cyndra’s power decreased rapidly, causing Zorin to quiver. Her fire was still there but her energy was gone.
Cyndra stepped backward, breaking from Rune’s grasp and palming her knees to catch her breath. “Whew.”
Did it work?
“It worked,” he and Cyndra responded together.
She turned her head and smiled over.
Clinging to the last of her energy, Zorin tried to smile genuinely but when hers faded, he knew he failed.
“I felt it, Rune. It’s up, whether it keeps them out, we’ll see. I hope the extra element helped. Gonna be honest, I don’t think I can do the second one.”
Me either. It’ll have to do.
“Unless one of us stays behind.” Cyndra attempted one last time to stall, which only made Zorin more curious. He thought she’d said her piece last night.
Rune tilted his head. Cyndra.
“You’re the ones who’re gonna feel like shit later. Don’t say I didn’t fucking warn you,” Cyndra said, huffing on her way out of the tower room.
Zorin lifted his brow to Rune.
The caster shrugged in response and followed Cyndra back the way they came, and to the boat dock, without another word between any of them. She was already sitting on the boat, looking out at the bay when he made his approach.
/> So much for practicing during the ride, Rune said as he got into the boat. You should drive, I’ll try to cheer Cyndra up.
You have your work cut out for you, my friend. I didn’t get very far.
You’re both used to being alone. I keep forgetting that. Rune stayed at his side as he started the boat. When I was younger, my guardians wouldn’t let me go to sleep if I was mad about something. They knew I had many different things to deal with and being mute was only one of them. Every day I had to tell them about something that made me happy, sad, mad, and glad. Every single day. Today, I’m happy we’re still searching for answers. I’m sad to leave the island and mad that Mergan trapped my father in the mirror I have to leave behind. But most of all I’m glad to have you and Cyndra as my friends.
Zorin smiled down at the caster. Your guardians sound like wonderful people, Rune. I, too, am grateful for you both in more ways than I can express. You should share that story with Cyndra.
I already did, Rune replied, smirking. Think about the rest, too, but don’t let what bothers you fester. Talk it out or let it go, those are your only choices.
“You are wise beyond your years, my friend,” Zorin said, putting the boat in gear and slightly tilting his head back. And thank you.
Rune signed your welcome before disappearing to the back of the boat. Zorin waited for him to pull the rope from the dock, and then guided them away from the island, toward the mainland. With Rune keeping Cyndra busy, Zorin had time to think about the rest, but decided to keep his mind clear and his eyes sharp, focusing on his most important task. Keep the casters safe.
Chapter 4
Cyndra picked the lightest duffle bag and carried it to the shore. Zorin had the backpack over his shoulder and a second bag in his hand as he walked off the boat. Although Rune seemed empty-handed, he carried the last two trading knives in his belt and had been first to offer to carry the bag.
A straight shot, five miles east, and they’d be smack in the middle of Turner’s Village. Hoping Zorin could keep them moving in the correct direction, she glanced back, catching his eyes, which was her first mistake. Those blue eyes stared hard as his brow dipped, setting off another fire inside. “I didn’t bring my compass, should be a direct line to the village…I’m not familiar with this part of the coast.”
“I’ll fly overhead, direct you if needed until you reach a familiar setting,” Zorin said, holding out his hand. Cyndra lifted her brow. “Do you want me to carry that one?”
“Nah, it’s okay. May run into a beggar, the woods are full of them when the weather gets warmer.
Nodding, Zorin smiled at Rune before finding a place to get some height for his flight, taking away his distracting stares and the subtle energy still slipping through their bond. Cyndra shuddered and turned toward the woods, heading back to her village to get this over with before she changed her mind.
Rune caught up with her, already frowning. I knew you were trying to get rid of him…but what did I do?
“Nothing,” Cyndra said, shaking her head. “Why’d you even think that?”
You’ve been stalling for days. I know you don’t like this place but you like the people. I’m sure it won’t be easy closing your shop, and that comment earlier…
“It’s not like I’m moving to the other side of the planet. I…can see them again if I want.” Cyndra sighed, masking everything else from her face, knowing how observant he was becoming of her tells. The only one who understood, who helped, was Zorin. “I will miss the kids.”
Grateful Rune made simple small talk for the majority of the walk, Cyndra happily chatted about items and seeds for the garden and the strange weather they noticed on this side of the mainland.
We get much more rain in the west. It’s terribly hot for May.
“Been getting warmer every year. Pristy always said it was because the trees weren’t growing back fast or big enough.”
She may be right.
“Yes, she may, and we can probably do something about it when all this is over,” Cyndra said, believing the journal when she read multiple casters living in one spot could make any land flourish. Their garden was proof.
She caught the slight grimace cross his face as he nodded. Normally, she’d offer her ear in return, but when the familiar creek appeared over the next ridge, pins and needles rode up her spine. She slowed her pace, trying to shake it off.
As they neared the ridge, Zorin landed in a clearing on the far side of the creek, keeping his back to them probably for the same reason she suggested he take to the skies. She had tempted him enough to strengthen the siphon back at the mansion. Once she realized her energy responded faster when he drew her fire, Cyndra had to shut it down as soon as the barrier formed, terrified he’d pick up all the greedy thoughts running through her mind.
At least she could relax for a while. She didn’t need her powers in the village and had her trusty sai back on her hip should she need to scare off a wacker or mut-wolf. She followed Rune over the ridge and across the tiny creek. Zorin had a smile on his face when they approached. Rune asked him why.
“I remember crossing this creek several miles south of here when first searching for you,” Zorin said, leading the way toward her village. “I was surprised at the number of new trees growing.”
You thought it was me.
“But it was me,” Cyndra said, remembering, thinking vegetables weren’t going to make up for her absence, filling her heart with more guilt.
Zorin glanced back.
Cyndra lowered her eyes to the ground and walked until his bare gray legs appeared on the path in front of her. She stopped and sighed. “Later, okay? I’ll tell you everything you want to know, Zorin.”
“Cyndra,” he said her name so tenderly she had to glance up. “I can ease the siphon if it will help you.”
“Do you need to?”
“No, but I will, for you. Whatever—”
“Leave it open.” She stared into his eyes, trying not to shudder and rushed by him, catching up to Rune before he could stop her again. Maybe once she confessed it would be easier to deal with, together. Right now, she needed her wits if she was going to say goodbye to the only people she cared about the last ten years of her life.
Cyndra pushed back a chest high tree branch on the edge of the trail and rounded the last ghostwood tree, entering the field behind her trailer. As she neared, she noticed the outdoor icebox was wide open and empty. She paused at the bottom of the incline behind her door. Zorin walked by, brushing his wing against her shoulder, perhaps purposefully. Ignoring the ripple of energy along her spine, Cyndra approached the rusty padlock and set her code, tugging it open and tossing it on top of the icebox.
After swinging the latch up, she pulled the heavy door back allowing Rune and Zorin to go first. Cyndra stepped in and shut the door, taking all the light from the room.
“Uh, gimme a sec, don’t—”
The entire trailer lit up with her dim fluorescent lights.
“Shit,” Cyndra spat, running a hand down her face.
“I found the switch.” Zorin lifted a brow as he set the backpack down on the floor and glanced around her tiny sleeping room. Rune was already checking out the rocking chair.
“I didn’t want to turn that light on yet. There’s one at the front of the shop, outside, someone will be here soon to make sure it’s me in here and not wackers, so I should just open the doors.” Cyndra sighed. “Rune you can come pick through my stock.”
“I’ll stay here, anything I can gather for you?” Zorin asked from the corner.
“Important books in the nightstand, fantasy novels underneath, magazines next to the mattress and I think there are some more pants in the dresser. The bedding is decent, too,” Cyndra answered, grateful for the help. “Depending on what we can rent for transport, I’d like to bring the chair.”
“I can fly it back to the boat if need be.”
“I know we’ll figure it out,” she said, smirking at him trying to maneu
ver in the small space beside her bed. “Thanks, Zorin.”
He lifted his head, smiled. “Welcome.”
Cyndra ducked around the curtain parting the rooms before the hot flashes reached her neck and slid it closed then rounded the counter, meeting Rune in the middle of the shop. “Find anything interesting?”
Plenty, are you sure you don’t want to take it all with us for trading?
“The village council will give me extra for the stock, but take what you want.” Cyndra went to the front of the shop and unlocked the main doors, swinging the first one back. Rune helped with the second. “They’ll rent the shop, sell it for double profit, or rent the space for triple what I’m giving them. Unless Milo’s dad wants it, but I don’t think they can afford to give me anything for it and we need the dollars.”
This is what you want to do?
“My life isn’t here anymore, Rune, as hard as—”
“Cyndra?” a voice called from outside the shop doors.
“That didn’t take long,” she grumbled and pinched the bridge of her nose before unlocking and opening the main entrance. Without thought, Cyndra plastered a smile on her face and glanced down at the kids. “Hey there.”
“Cyndra, you’re back!” Milo threw his arms around her in a surprise hug as Mavi grabbed her hands, and beamed up. After Milo let go, Mavi got her hug in, but Rune caught her eye.
“Who’s that?” she asked.
“Mavi, don’t be nosy, remember what Mom said,” Milo chided with an eye roll.
“That’s my friend, Rune,” she replied.
Rune signed hello.
They waved in return.
“He said hello in sign language.”
“Oh,” Milo said, and then frowned. “You were supposed—”
“I know.” Cyndra ushered them into the store so she could close the door. “I found out my grandfather died last weekend and I had to go see my cousin.”
“We got your note, really sorry,” Milo said.
“Yeah. Our grandpa died too. But, you’re back now,” Mavi added. “Can you show us how to salt the meat?”
