“Alora transported somewhere w
ith Kaevin and Jireo. Alleraen must not have let go in time. I pray they all survive.” Graely couldn’t rid himself of a gnawing fear he would never see his son again.
“It’s a pity Arista doesn’t have her brother’s gift of farsight. Jireo can communicate with Darielle, but we’ll have to wait until we reach Laegenshire before we learn whether the healers were able to save them.” Morvaen’s comment was innocuous enough, but Arista’s face turned as red as a glowing ember.
“Why does everyone always speak as if my brother is more gifted than I am?” Arista stomped her foot for emphasis. “I’m the one who closed the portal in Vindrake’s cavern. Jireo could never have accomplished that feat.”
Morvaen took a step back, holding up his hand. “I meant no offense, Arista. Of course your gift was invaluable.”
“Actually, Jireo re-opened the portal when his blood-brother-thing made him jump through the door.” Charles twisted his head, as if he were looking for someone in the shadows nearby.
“I hadn’t considered that the portal was unsealed.” Arista rubbed her forehead. “So all our work and sacrifice was fruitless?”
An iron weight settled in Graely’s gut. I sacrificed my son and Alora for no purpose.
“No, the portal has been resealed,” said Charles.
“By whom?” Graely asked. “Who else has the gift of gresses? Is it you, Charles? Have you discovered a gift of your own?”
“Ha! Not me, that’s for sure. I’ve got no gifts, and I don’t want them, either. Although I wouldn’t have minded it so much when I was trying to defend myself inside the caverns.”
“Then who closed the portal? Has Jireo discovered yet another gift?” Morvaen seemed quite pleased by this prospect.
“No, the person who sealed the portal after Jireo and I passed through was a boy from Water Clan. If I’m not mistaken, he and his brother are hiding behind those trees.”
Graely’s gaze followed the line of Charles’ extended arm to a dense thicket on the side of the clearing. “I don’t see anyone.”
Charles walked to the bushes. “You boys can come out. No one here is going to harm you.”
“What about that really huge warrior?” A small voice came from behind the foliage, which began to shake. “He never stops moving, and he always looks like he’s itching to kill someone.”
Charles grinned over his shoulder. “Morvaen won’t hurt you. I promise.”
“We’ve been following you from Portshire, but no one knew. So how did you find us? We didn’t make any noise.”
“While I was sitting across the way, I saw a rat amble over here. I thought it was odd he was out in the daytime. When he returned the way he’d come with a piece of cheese, I put two and two together. It’s okay; you’ll be safe with us.” Charles smiled as two boys emerged from their hiding place.
The shorter one punched the taller on his arm. “You see, Haegen… I told you not to feed that rat.”
*****
Jireo tried to cushion Kaevin’s head as they landed. Alora did it; she transported us. Where are we? She didn’t move us to the healing house in Montana. His heart raced, declaring Kaevin was still on the verge of death. He heard someone groan.
“Alleraen, what are you doing here? You were supposed to release Alora’s hand before she transported.”
Alleraen lifted his head, but if flopped back to the floor. “I tried, but her hold was like iron. I couldn’t pull my hand free until we landed here and she fell asleep again. Where are we? Is this the healing…” His voice trailed off.
“Alleraen? Alleraen? Are you awake?”
“Jireo? What are you doing here?” Wesley entered the room.
“Alora was supposed to transport us to the healing house. I suppose she accidentally moved us to your home instead.” Jireo placed his hand on Kaevin’s chest, willing his heart to continue beating.
Staring at the two soulmates, Wesley looked as if he’d eaten spoiled meat. “Are they… are Alora and Kaevin dead?”
“They aren’t dead, but death could come at any moment. Alora’s badly injured, and Kaevin is dying with her.”
“What about that other dude? Is he dead?”