So far, though, all she was doing was tagging along after the children while she tried not to die.
The only interesting thing that had happened was the fact they hadn't lost any of the children after the ranking battles. Everyone was still present and accounted for.
"I feel like you're taking all the risks and I'm reaping the rewards," Elena complained. "I want to help too."
"You are helping. You're the face. I'm the brawn."
Elena wandered over to another section of the cavern. "Is that how it works between you and Auntie?"
"Of course, it is. She's played decoy so many times by now that she's an old hand at it."
"Really?"
Elena was only half paying attention as movement across the cavern caught her attention.
"Now I know how Kira feels when I'm being difficult," Uncle Jin muttered under his breath.
"Rude," Elena said distractedly, her eyes on Fyr as he ducked down a shaft that branched off the main cave.
Strange. They'd already been warned about doing that. Something a teacher's pet like him couldn't have forgotten.
"What's wrong?" Uncle Jin asked.
"Nothing." Elena glanced at their instructor for the day to find him watching the yellows battle a slimy-looking creature that possessed a pair of stunted wings folded along its back.
"Then why is your beacon moving toward the area your instructors told you not to go?" Uncle Jin asked.
"I don't know. Must be an error."
"No, Elena. Do not do whatever it is you're thinking," Uncle Jin moaned.
"Too late," Elena said, ducking into the same shaft Fyr had used. "I'm already doing it."
A groan came from her uncle. "This is what I get for not listening to Kira about setting a good example for you."
Elena grinned. "Yup."
She quieted as she squeezed through a narrow passageway, looking around curiously. There were several intriguing rock formations lining the walls. The same luminescent moss outside was in here as well, providing enough light to see by.
"You're a pain in the ass," Uncle Jin griped.
"Of course, I am. Who do you think you raised?" Elena asked as she started down the passageway.
"I should never have taught you how to be so sassy," Uncle Jin grumbled.
No, he shouldn't have. Too late now.
"Just promise me you won't get hurt. Your aunts will murder me if you get so much as a scratch."
"I have faith you'll handle anything they throw your way, Uncle Jin."
Elena stopped to study the passageway, finding it intriguing. It was strange. She couldn't tell if this place was part of the same structure the crèche was housed in or naturally forming.
"Do you think these caves are real?" Elena asked, touching the wall and finding it slightly damp.
The flowstones—sheetlike deposits of minerals—stalagmites and stalactites all suggested as much. However, Elena's sense of direction insisted they weren't below the surface of the planet but simply a few levels down from the crèche. Not nearly deep enough to have entered a natural forming cave.
But why would someone create an illusion like this? It made no sense.
