Nothing but green plant life and mushy ground led the way to the small circular pond, its clear blue water a glow in the dark, with a misty pink hue floating above keeping the insects out.
‘We’ll leave you here, and best of luck and all that.’ Bear jerked his chin at the brambles close to the water’s edge. ‘There are your berries.’ He eyed them with his suspicion on show when they didn’t make haste to the food. ‘Thought you were starving.’
As though he thought he should make a point of eating, True swiped a handful of sun-yellow berries and passed some to his brother. ‘Thanks,’ he said, watching Bear as they ate.
Scarlen whispered to Bear. ‘We can’t leave them here.’
‘We can, and we are.’ His voice was filled with authority, but he didn’t care.
‘If that was my little sister injured over there, vulnerable and unarmed, I’d want someone to look after her.’
‘Go give them your blade then.’ He meant it sarcastically, not realising she would dart their way to offer its assistance, but just as he went to snatch her back, she’d bent to where Blue sat, and the boy’s arm shot up, his dagger in hand, the shine of the pond bringing a glint to the metal. ‘Smithson!’ Bear yelled, and she turned sharply just as Blue struck, missing his target but stabbing the top of her arm.
Scarlen screamed, and the lads jumped back, Blue still holding his weapon up, blood trickling down to the hilt.
Bear roared, and the ground shook, and the twins were stock-still for a moment.
‘Death to southerners,’ True yelled.
‘We will be Flames,’ said Blue, and with that they ran, Bear charging their way.
‘Bear,’ Scarlen cried, her wide eyes fixed on the wound in her arm.
He turned, lifting his sweatshirt to rip the bottom of his t-shirt to dip in the pond as he knelt to her side. ‘It’s all right, Scars. It’s not deep.’ It was a lie for all he knew, as he couldn’t see through the blood. Quickly wrapping the wound with the damp material, he checked over his shoulder in case the boys felt brave enough to return.
‘Are they back?’ Scarlen was trying to peer around him, her eyes pricked with tears, her face ashen.
‘They’ve got half hour before their stomachs cramp so badly they won’t be walking anywhere.’ At least that was two down in the Zone.
‘What do you mean?’
He tipped his head slightly. ‘Don’t eat the yellow berries.’
Scarlen’s mouth gaped for a second before the grimace returned. ‘How long will they be in pain?’
‘About two days.’
‘Good. Because I’ll be in pain a lot longer thanks to them.’ She huffed, snarling at the blood leaking down her arm.
‘A healer will fix you.’
‘When can I see one?’
‘As soon as someone dies.’
‘Death, death, it’s all around us,’ sang out Varklee, almost skipping into the opening.
Bear held Scarlen’s dagger out. ‘You’ll be fucking dead if you come near us.’
Varklee waggled a finger. ‘Now, now, Bear pear, I’m here to find the little scallywags wanting to become Flames.’ His laughter trilled. ‘They grow up so fast these days.’ He circled an arm at Scarlen. ‘Got you good, I see. I shall ruffle their hair for the effort.’
‘I’m going to rip their fucking throats out.’ Bear went to stand, but Scarlen groaned, and it kept him close.
Varklee waved off the threat as though it were nothing but a mere joke. ‘They’re just kids having fun. We’ve all been there.’ He thumbed over his shoulder. ‘Now, excuse me, mini Flames to find. Ooh, I’ll call them my Flickers.’ His warped laugh echoed as he pranced away, no cares to be given.
Heat was rising in Bear as he slouched to the ground, one eye on Scarlen, one on the trees. He had to get out of the clearing, but she looked ready to faint.
‘I feel tired, Bear.’
