CALYTRIX
Istood in front of his bars with a smirk on my face, waiting for his reaction. It didn’t disappoint. His mouth hung open, and he was speechless, which might be a first for him.
“I told you.”
“How did you—?” he gaped.
“There isn’t time to explain.”
“Come get me. Let’s get out of here,”he all but pleaded.
I shook my head. “I have to find the keys. I can’t take someone else with me.” Well, except Nova, but I was sure that was something to do with us being twins.
And for the first time, it hit me. I didn’t know where Nova was or how she was. The panic washed over me in a wave, and I almost screamed her name. What kind of sister was I not to be thinking of her above all else?
“What is it?” Faolan strained to be near the bars, concern on his face.
“I—I just realized I don’t know if Nova got away. I don’t know if she even lives.” I heard my breathlessness before the panic rose through the lack of air. I was having a breathing attack of some kind.
“Look at me,” he demanded, and my eyes went to him. “Breathe.” He demonstrated by drawing in a deep breath through his nose and holding it for a few beats before releasing it slowly.
I copied, shakily.
“Nyx and Zaria have Nova, so she is fine,” he soothed.
“You don’t know that.” I battled shallow breaths to get the words out.
“Don’t you, though?” he sounded so calm, soothing. In a way, I would not expect from a dragon.
I paused, unsure of his meaning.
“Think about it. She is your twin, your other half. If the worst had happened, wouldn’t you know?”
“But we aren’t bonded or anything, so how would I?”
“Close your eyes,” he instructed. “Concentrate and listen. Listen for the wind to tell you, or your God, or whoever whispers life’s certainties to you. You will know then.”
I did it, I closed my eyes and listened hard, feeling foolish but desperate for some kind of sign. And then I felt it. Nothing specific, just a…rightness in the air. She was safe. She had to be, or I was certain I would have felt unease.
“Who taught you to do that?” I asked in wonder.
“An elder healer where I’m from,” he said simply, not elaborating. “Do you feel better?”
I nodded.
“Good. Now hurry. We have no idea how long they’ll leave us,” he whispered.
Pulling myself together, I searched outside the cells and then down the hall. I doubted they’d be so naive as to leave them anywhere within reach of us, but how would they begin to guess I could use portal magic? I reached the end of the hall and listened at the closed door ahead. There were no sounds. I didn’twant to waste time, but I also didn’t want to come face-to-face with whoever was holding us.
Readying myself to jump straight back out if I did, I went for it. I found myself in an anteroom of sorts, and thank the Gods, it was empty. Just a chair and table and, praise the Light, the Keys! Hanging on a hook near the door.
I used the keys to return to the cells to conserve magic and came back around the corner into view of Faolan’s cell, carrying them.
“Where did you find them?” he asked as I started trying them in the lock.
“I had to go through another door—” I held up my hand before he could cut me off. “I was careful. No one saw me.”
He grunted but remained silent as I tried the keys. Finally, one worked, and we both exhaled.
