He opened it carefully, reverently. He looked through the pages in fascination for a few minutes before looking up at me.
“I didn’t find this, Kat.”
My mouth went dry, despite the drink I’d just taken.
“What do you mean?”
“This is the first time I’ve ever seen this book.”
We stared at each other in shock for several minutes before finally moving on.
After that we began finding more parcels in our path. It felt almost like we were being stalked by some kind ofbenevolent predator. The packages contained small things: water, bread, a small knife. They were almost like offerings.
We decided it was better to head to the ground level after that. I felt far too trapped in the tunnels. I needed us to have another escape option.
I had thought it was safer in the tunnels, and I would rather V would stay below while I checked things out, but he wasn’t willing. Especially since the Calling, he deeply resented whenever I tried to protect him.
A few hours later we stood in thigh-deep water beneath a grate leading outside, the sun pouring through and dappling the water. Goddess, I hated wet feet! We both were cautiously sending our magic out to check for predators. I used my powers to put a silencing bubble around us as we searched our surroundings.
My Air magic skimmed over the water, through the grate and outside. The water was an unappetizing brownish green, and we’d agreed not to risk drinking it. From what we could see through the grate, we were beneath some kind of wooded area. Possibly a former city park?
I opened my eyes to look at Vlakas and saw his eyes still closed, his head tilted up toward the sun. Down here, surrounded by his element, his powers were at their height, while mine felt diminished.
With the light filtering down from above, he still looked so freaking young. His shoulders had broadened to the point they were wider than mine, but he still had the unfinished look of youth about him. I just hoped my brother had the chance to mature.
“Anything?” I asked.
“Just us,” he said, opening his eyes to look at me.
“Okay, here’s the plan,” I said. “I’ll head up and take a look. I’ll keep a sound shield around us, and we’ll see what we can see.”
“Sounds good,” he responded, “Except, I’ll go first.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but he cut me off.
“Kat, you have to stop trying to protect me. I can take care of myself,” he insisted.
“I know you can, V,” I sighed. “I just--some habits are hard to break.”
He grinned at me.
“It’ll be fine, Kat. You’ve taught me well,” he said.
I nodded. “Fine. But be careful, and keep a shield ready, just in case,” I huffed.
“Okay, Dad,” he teased.
I thumped his shoulder with my fist.
“Ow!” he whined, rubbing his shoulder in exaggerated pain. I grinned.
I felt like my heart was going to pound out of my chest as he managed to move the grate aside and peered out. After a few moments he said, “Looks clear,” and glanced back down.
I heard a hissing sound and saw his eyes go wide in alarm.
“Kat, look out!” he yelled, then jumped from the ladder, knocking me into the water.
The water closed over my head and my head hit something hard. I sucked in a lungful of water before surfacing, coughing, and spluttering as I scrambled to my feet.
