THREE
Monster Realm Survival Tip #12:
The first compromise is the hardest.
ALISTAIR
Every muscle in my body thrums as we hike to the portal.
Luca’s knowledge of his home realm, and his ability to navigate it despite never having set foot here, is astounding. And worrisome.
Normal kids don’t remember detailed bunker coordinates all the way into adulthood.
I study the surrounding woods, trying to stay alert.
As the snow thins, so do the trees. The blue-tinged sun melts some of the ice pellets, but it’s still bloody cold. Add in the glares Casanell tosses my way every few minutes, and I’m at serious risk for developing frostbite.
His censure is uncomfortable. Even while trying to focus only on our escape, it makes me squirm. It’s not exactly guilt I’m feeling, but it’s too close for comfort.I made the best decision I couldwith the information I had.If Ciprian can’t accept that, is it even my fault?
My brain says no. My crawling skin says the opposite.
But that’s a problem for later.
We’re making as little noise as possible, but there’s no way for five people to march through ground up ice in silence. As a result, our progress sounds like a giant munching on granola. It’s basically Malach with his ridiculous sugary cereal, only amplified.
Ciprian steps on a stick, and it cracks.
I wince. Maybe it’s not that bad. I swivel to look behind us and shudder at the wide procession of tracks we’re leaving. I was wrong. It’s worse than I thought. Whatever the opposite ofleave no traceis, that’s us.
And then there’s Celine’s hair.
The monochromatic pallet of brown and white that makes up the frozen forest is dull and dingy. In comparison, Celine’s hair is living flame. Red strands whip her cheeks constantly, the wind making it impossible for her to maintain her sleek ponytail.
From the way she keeps tucking loose strands behind her ear only for them to fall out again, I can tell it’s driving her nuts.
Luca holds his hand to the side.
I reach out to stop Ciprian.
He leans away from me.
I drop my arm, and it’s all I can do not to roll my eyes. For someone who laughs as much as he does, he sure can hold a grudge. I wish that trait wasn’t familiar to me.
Luca motions for us to be quiet, then waves his hand. I frown, Celine blinks blankly, and Ciprian narrows his eyes. If Luca thinks we understand his cryptic sign language, he’s mistaken. Besides the obvious initial attempt to get everyone to shut the fuck up, I don’t have a clue what he’s trying to tell us.
Hazel eyes flicker to yellow. I don’t blame him forbeing frustrated, but I can’t read his mind. Thankfully, Malach can, because he nods vigorously and drops into a crouch.
I follow suit. Even if I don’t know what Luca wants, I’m not about to stay standing while Malach squats. Without him, I’m the tallest, and the perfect target for a bullet or magical blast. The rest of them join us on the icy ground.
Luca points at Ciprian, then jabs his temple twice.
Ciprian puffs out a breath and nods his head. A second later, his gaze loses focus. I’m not sure how much physical awareness he maintains when using his nightmare magic, but when he sways in his crouch, I don’t hesitate to grab the back of his sweatshirt and steady him.
He can thank me for saving him from eating ice later. I won’t wait around for it, though. Face pale and chapped, Ciprian holds up eight fingers. I tilt my head.So few? At a portal leaving a prison realm for monsters?
My skin tingles.
Ciprian’s mouth falls slightly open as he concentrates, and I tighten my grip on his shirt as he sways again. We aren’t aligned and perhaps we never will be, but I’ll tear out the throats of anyone who comes close enough to touch him.
