Elena held still as the bug crawled out of her ear and onto her cheek.
"No, no, this shouldn't be possible," Uncle Jin said as the bug moved back and forth restlessly.
"Evidence suggests otherwise, Uncle Jin."
Elena looked around, catching sight of a tank whose shape was different than the rest. A sphere. The top half transparent, the bottom covered in thick cylinders that looked like roots.
Elena moved closer to it. "What's that?"
Inside was a boy. A little younger than the rest. His skin a light brown. His hair floated around his head. Wires cradled him, attaching to his arms and back as he slept.
Elena set a hand on the tank. "Do you think he's one of them?"
"No."
Elena blinked at the abrupt reply.
"Leave now. He doesn't concern you."
Elena's mouth moved, the words getting stuck in her throat
There was rage in her uncle’s voice. A suppressed anger that felt all the more dangerous for it.
Whoever—whatever—this boy was, his presence had greatly disturbed her uncle.
"He's not your mother's," Uncle Jin said, sensing her reluctance.
"Who is he then?"
"Someone thought long gone."
Knowing her uncle was unlikely to expand any further, and deciding her time here had run its course, Elena shot the boy one last reluctant look before turning to leave.
She froze an instant later. "Kai."
The Sye stood between her and the stairs. An enigmatic smile on their face.
Elena looked around the room in search of an escape. "What are you doing here?"
The Sye's eyes glittered as they looked Elena over before tilting their head, the movement predatory. "I could ask you the same."
With her exit cut off, Elena backed toward the walkway that had led her into the rotunda. "I got lost and somehow wound up here."
Kai tracked Elena. Only the Sye's eyes shifted to follow her in an uber creepy move that left her on edge.
"Were you not listening when you were told to remain in the main cavern?"
Elena's laugh sounded awkward in the room. "Must not have been."
"You must also not have heard of the labyrinth's true nature."
Nope. Elena somehow missed that too.
"If you had, you would know the labyrinth has a mind of its own." Menace crouched in Kai's eyes. So at odds with the soft smile gracing the Sye's face. "For it to lead you here, it must believe the exalted one has a use for you."
Elena took that as her cue, whirling. Time to go.
"Uncle Jin, I think we're going to need to revisit my ship commandeering plan,” Elena said.
