Doors of Destiny

by Bronwyn Leroux

  Jaden rounded on Atu. “Well, what are you waiting for?”

  Grumbling, Atu apprehensively lined the holes in the disc up with their matching stars. When light flared through the holes again, Kayla chuckled. Atu got more of a scare the second time—probably because he’d been expecting it. She smiled apologetically when Atu honed his glare on her.

  “Where’s the light coming from?” Intrigued, Jaden peered behind the upheld disc.

  Kayla focused on the light, then squealed. “Who cares! Look where it’s pointing!” As one, the others followed her gaze.

  “My backpack?” Jaden ventured.

  Kayla bounded over and upended it.

  “Hey,” Jaden whined, “that took a long time to pack.”

  Any further complaints died as the beams of light realigned themselves. When they settled, something on the ground began glowing—the book Awena gave them. In one leap, Jaden was beside Kayla, flopping down and opening the book. Instantly, the light went from white to golden as the rays were absorbed. The light faded, and darkness returned.

  “Okay, what just happened?” Kayla asked.

  Jaded scratched his head. “I think the book sucked the light in.”

  Iri and Atu joined Kayla, and the three of them peeked over Jaden’s shoulder as he flipped through the pages. When the glowing page appeared, the four of them gasped as one. Giving their eyes a moment to adjust, they took a second look. The page as a whole wasn’t glowing. Rather, certain letters on the page burned brightly.

  “B-u-r-i-e-d-f-o-r-,” Jaden spelled out.

  “The Buried Forest? Oh man!” Atu whistled, his eyes widening as he took a step back.

  “What’s that? Or where’s that?” Kayla demanded.

  On top of her words came Jaden’s. “You know this place?”

  “I do.” Atu nodded. “But only by legend. I don’t think anyone has spoken of it for centuries.”

  “And why’s that?” Iri probed. At Kayla’s inquiring glance, she raised a hand in the air before she explained. “Atu smells . . . cautious, and the orange hues around him denote uncertainty.”

  “Let’s just say it’s not a place you want to visit.” Atu grimaced. “And it has that name for a reason.”

  “It’s buried?” Jaden blinked.

  “It is.”

  “How do the trees grow then?” Iri asked.

  “Only one of the mysteries of that forest.”

  Kayla studied Atu. “I’m sensing there’s a lot about the forest you aren’t saying?”

  “Yes, not the least of which is that I don’t know exactly where it is.” Atu spat the words.

  “But I thought you said you knew the place.” When Atu’s glare resurfaced, Jaden backed down. “Sorry, dude. Why don’t you tell us what you do know?”

  “Everything I’ve been told about that place boils down to the same thing: don’t go near, stay away, don’t look for it, if you accidentally find it, run. Clear enough?”

  “Crystal,” Jaden acknowledged. “Unfortunately, we still have to go there. Do you have any idea why it’s so dangerous?”

  Atu shook his head. “No. When it did come up in stories, which was rarely, it was glossed over. And it never came up in casual conversation.”

  “So, it’s a place that we know little to nothing about, other than that it’s dangerous—and Atu only has a vague idea of where it is. Fantastic!” Jaden clenched his fists. “This is Zareh again! Next time I see that critter, I’ll hang him by his cute little ears until he gives us all the answers.”

  Kayla sighed. She would have to stop Jaden before his rampage got out of hand. Leaning closer, she kissed him on the cheek. He blinked, pausing mid-tirade and focusing questioning eyes on her. She knew the moment it clicked. “Oh, you want me to stop?”

  Kayla smiled. “Can you think of a more effective way to tell you that?”

  He returned the smile, the anger draining from him. “No.”

  Jaden took Kayla’s hand, gazing at her. He would never understand how Kayla always seemed to know the right thing to do when it came to him, but he was glad she did. His smile widened before he noticed how the others were all looking at him. Had he made that much of a fool of himself? But no, it was something else. They were waiting for him to give them direction. He sighed. Of course they were. “Let’s saddle up, then,” Jaden said, reluctantly releasing Kayla’s hand.

  As if on cue, the gliders appeared.

  “We saw the light,” Han called. “Everything alright down there?”

  “It is,” Jaden replied, stepping away from the others to converse with Han. “Perfect timing on your part. It’s time to go.” Jaden thought he heard Taz muttering. Probably something about it being time they left. He smiled. She was so predictable.

  Han circled lower. “Shall we pick you up where we dropped you yesterday?”

  Jaden considered, then shook his head. “We need supplies. There’s a twenty-four-hour store just on the other side of the cabins, up there, past that ridge. Can you and the other gliders pass from range in about ten minutes or so? That should give us enough time to get there. Then we need about fifteen minutes to stock up, after which we can meet you in the berthing area south of the store. It’s empty most of the time, so it shouldn’t be a problem with the vanishing act we do. Does that work?”

  “It does, but we’ll give you thirty minutes in the store. You know what women are like when they shop. You’ll probably take longer than you think.”

  Jaden chuckled. “You’re undoubtedly right. See you in about forty minutes, then?”

  Han agreed and then flew back up to the others to relay the plan.

  Kayla wandered up to Jaden. “What was that about?”

  “Where and when the gliders will fetch us.” Beckoning for Iri and Atu to join them, Jaden explained what had been agreed. “Let’s get going.”

  The others waited while Jaden piled his scattered belongings into his pack. “You should be helping with this,” Jaden grumbled at Kayla.

  “You’re doing just fine without me.” Kayla smirked, watching him with folded arms.

  Jaden laughed. Seeing her in such high spirits was wonderful. He slid the last of his things into his bulging pack and stood. “Shall we?”

  Their stop at the store was efficient. As they waited for their gliders, they agreed Iri would fly with Atu. Minutes later, they were all airborne.

  “Where to?” Taz’s tone as imperious as ever.

  “Back the way we came.” Atu sounded glum, but he’d evidently resigned himself to the fact that he was going to the one place his family had repeatedly told him to avoid.

  “I thought you didn’t know where the Buried Forest was?” Jaden asked.

  “I don’t. I only have a general idea. This starts us in the right direction. How we find the forest after that, I have no clue.”

  Jaden nodded. That gave him an idea, but he would wait until lunch to discuss it with the others. Trying to talk to each other while flying was challenging at best.

  Hours later, when his stomach rumbled, Jaden said to Han, “I think it’s time for lunch.”

  Nodding, Han drifted closer to Aren and then Taz, passing along the message. As soon as they had settled on the ground and unpacked their lunch, Jaden made his proposal.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “How far north are we going?” Jaden began.

  Atu finished chewing before answering. “Pretty far.”

  “Anywhere close to Sven’s?”

  “Not quite, but close enough that we could get there with another day or two of traveling. Why?”

  “You’re thinking of getting Iri a smart suit?” Kayla guessed.

  “Yes, but not only that.” Jaden smiled. Kayla was quick on her feet. Would she figure out the rest? The frown creasing her face and her delayed response told him she hadn’t thought it through to the end. He waited.

  “Could you just tell us already?’ Atu complained. “Watching the two of you having this silent debate is tedious.”
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  Jaden frowned. Atu wasn’t usually testy, but ever since he’d heard where they were going, he’d been on edge. If Atu was worried, this place had to be all it was cracked up to be.

  “Well?” Atu hissed.

  The grumpy demand reminded Jaden he hadn’t replied, and Iri and Kayla were looking at him as though they’d like the answer too. “I thought we’d ask about comms for the smart suits.”

  “That was it!” Kayla snapped her fingers. “I’m glad you remembered.”

  “I just wish there was a way to get hold of Sven in advance.” Jaden sighed. “It would be nice if he could have something ready and waiting for us when we arrived. Last time, we spent way too long there.”

  “We did, but we learned so much,” Kayla said. “And it was tough to leave.”

  Jaden, Kayla, and Atu smiled at one another as fond memories resurfaced.

  “Perhaps we could split up?” Iri suggested.

  Jaden immediately shook his head. “No, we can’t be separated when we reach our next destination. Even if it isn’t as ominous as Atu’s made it out to be, we all need to be there. I can feel that.”

  “Is that one of those feelings of yours?” Kayla asked, more attuned to Jaden than the others.

  “It is. I’m not sure why, but we need to stay together.” He caught Iri studying him. Her gaze made him feel like an insect under a microscope. “What?”

  “I’ve seen those colors on you before. I wasn’t sure what they meant. Now I do.”

  “That I’m sensing something?” Jaden asked, incredulous.

  Iri nodded, but hesitantly. Had she been nervous about how they’d react to this confession?

  “Anything else?” Jaden asked, hoping she would share.

  Iri waited a moment before answering. “Yes, I can smell your ability too.”

  “That’s amazing!” Atu’s enthusiastic endorsement made Iri smile, but she still glanced furtively at him and Kayla, as though expecting revulsion. When she didn’t find any, the hunted look left her eyes. But Jaden sensed she was still holding back, as though she didn’t want to get too attached.

  Iri nodded at Atu. “Thank you. I have to say, I can’t remember anyone ever being excited about what I can do.”

  Atu shrugged. “I guess they’re the ones who’ve been missing out, then.”

  Jaden glimpsed hope fluttering its battered wings ever so briefly in Iri’s eyes. Then the emotion was gone. “Thank you again,” Iri said.

  Wondering what Kayla was making of this, Jaden glanced her way in time to glimpse the speculative gaze she leveled at Iri. What has her attention this time? When Kayla swung her gaze toward him, he raised an eyebrow. Inclining her head to one side, she shook it slightly.

  The line of Kayla’s neck and throat was far more interesting to Jaden than her reply; he wanted to run his finger along that appealing curve. It reminded him of the graceful lines of the gliders when they were in flight. The gliders!

  “Oh yes,” Jaden spewed, “I meant to say we should take a detour via our homes if we’re going back the same way. We can connect with Pallaton and hook Iri up with a ride of her own.”

  Kayla regarded him. “Someone’s been doing some thinking this morning.”

  “Someone has to—and not just daydream while they’re flying!”

  Kayla laughed. “Point taken.”

  “I get my own glider?” Iri squealed.

  Jaden grinned. “You do.”

  Over lunch, they agreed to detour via Daxsos to get Iri’s glider and then go to Sven’s before searching for their destination. Hopefully, this route would give them more time to figure out exactly where they were headed. Their gliders returned, and Kayla waved them down.

  Clearly, they hadn’t planned on landing, as evidenced by Taz’s annoyed glare. Despite this, the gliders dropped to the ground, perching on the stubby grasses of the prairie.

  “What?” Taz demanded.

  Kayla looked to Jaden, expecting him to lay out their plans. He waved a hand at her.

  “We think it would be best if we return home first, then . . .” Kayla began.

  Taz interrupted. “We need to reach the next destination. That is our priority.”

  “No,” Jaden corrected, stepping in, “we need to work as a team. And to do that, Iri needs a suit and a glider. Both will make her a more effective team member.”

  Taz cocked her head. “Getting Iri her own glider will increase our chances of survival. And adding the suit means we won’t be hindered by these prehistoric speeds.”

  “Now you’re getting the picture.”

  “Your home it is, then,” Taz accepted.

  As Jaden connected with Han, he wondered whether Taz agreed so quickly because she really did see the value of their plan, or because she just needed them to be on their way again. She had been increasingly restless. What wasn’t she saying?

  He had to wait three days for his answer. Even then, it was indirect: their gliders began commenting on the fact that they hadn’t encountered any Gaptors. Repeatedly. They belabored the point all day, then that evening, they disappeared for their meal as usual after depositing their voyagers. However, unlike previous evenings, they returned earlier than was their norm, assuming protective positions around their voyagers who were enjoying the cozy campfire.

  As Taz settled next to Kayla, she worried. “It’s most unusual for Gaptors to stay away, especially when they have prey.”

  “It’s as though you want them to attack us!” Kayla exclaimed, sitting up from her spot resting against Jaden’s chest.

  “No,” Taz snapped, “it’s because there’s something wrong with this picture.”

  She’d said something like this before, only Jaden hadn’t understood what she was hinting at. Now, it hit him like a cement truck. Trying to calm himself, he said, “What exactly are you saying Taz?”

  He must’ve let something slip in his tone, because Kayla’s head swiveled toward him, her eyes wide and alarmed. Jaden wanted to reassure her, but if he was right, he didn’t think he could. He took her hand in his, but he couldn’t relax. And sensing his tension, he felt Kayla’s hand tighten around his own in response.

  Chittering, Taz moved her head from side to side. “I don’t know. Something’s not right, but I can’t say what.”

  Jaden took a deep, steadying breath. It wouldn’t do to get angry with Taz. She was already upset. “Let’s start with what you do know. You said they don’t usually stay away when they have prey, right?”

  “Yes, yes, they live to attack. But we’ve been traveling for almost two weeks, and we haven’t seen a single Gaptor. We should’ve encountered at least one by now.”

  “You’re sure they can find us?” Jaden asked. “They have a way of tracking us?”

  “Your medallions,” Taz hissed.

  “Ah, yes.”

  Distressed, Taz rolled her shoulders. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be so short with you. What I should’ve explained, is that yes, while the Gaptors can find you, it will sometimes take them a while to do so. But this . . .” Helplessly, she waved a wing in the air. “It’s too long.”

  “Let’s list the possible reasons then,” Jaden said. “The first and most obvious explanation is that more Gaptors may not have come through yet. That lone Gaptor that appeared at my home could’ve been one that somehow escaped our last battle.”

  No one knew how much Jaden wished that were true. If it was, the Gaptor hadn’t been spying like they surmised. It had merely been trying to find someone with a medallion. And logically it had come to his house, since there was a stronger . . . signal, or whatever it was that attracted them because Atu was there too. Two medallions have to make for a stronger signal than one, right? Deep down, though, Jaden knew he was lying to himself.

  “Yes, that’s a distinct possibility,” Taz twittered.

  Her fervor for the idea was too pronounced for Jaden’s peace of mind. Looking around, he asked, “Any other ideas?”

  “I know this is unlikely,”
Kayla offered, “but is it possible Zareh’s found a way to turn off whatever it is that’s attracting the Gaptors to the medallions?”

  Atu shook his head. “Why would he suddenly do that? Besides, cantankerous as he is, wouldn’t he have found a way to tell us that he was planning to do that? Or that he had accomplished it?”

  The others nodded.

  “There is another reason,” Iri ventured.

  Jaden sighed. “What?”

  Her expression made him wonder whether Iri had used her gifts to know he already had an answer. Her next sentence proved him right. “When I’m hunting, there are only two reasons I stop. The first is that I’ve killed my prey. The second is that—”

  “Something better came along,” Atu finished for her.

  “Precisely. What I can’t fathom is what could be more interesting for them to hunt than us.”

  There. She said it. Jaden’s eyes flicked to Kayla. Her face drained of color.

  “Our parents!” Kayla cried, leaping to her feet.

  Bounding up after her, Jaden caught her in his arms. Kayla struggled, trying to free herself, but then she slumped against him. “They’ll be alright. Pallaton’s there,” Jaden whispered.

  Kayla burrowed into his shoulder, hiding her face. Tension radiated off her in waves. After a moment, she pulled herself together. Looking up, she smiled weakly, still clinging to him like her legs wouldn’t support her. Jaden cradled her closer as he returned her smile, although he wasn’t sure his attempt was much better than hers. Even though Pallaton was there, there was no guarantee that her parents—or his—were safe.

  “Wait!” Iri yelped. “Your parents have medallions too?”

  Jaden was grateful when Atu pulled Iri aside, giving him more time to comfort Kayla. Although, he had to admit, she was just as much of a comfort to him. In short, concise sentences, Atu explained what had happened before they left Daxsos. It was something they hadn’t thought to tell Iri when they shared their adventures.

  “Now it makes sense,” Iri said when Atu finished.

  “What does?”

  “That Jaden was worried about what I was going to say. It was as though he knew what the problem was before I spoke it.”