On the third day after the meeting of the council, I was lying on my bed reading a book from the library when Darion knocked on the door.I smiled as he entered and approached the bed.
He smiled back.“Are you up for an adventure?”
“Dust yes!”I said, practically jumping off the bed.“I feel like a caged beast!Is it dangerous?”
He lifted a mischievous eyebrow.“Would you expect anything less from me?”
“Perfect!”I said, planting a kiss on his cheek, which soon turned into a proper kiss.Before things got too out of hand, I shoved him away playfully.“Let’s go.”
Darion guided me through the halls of the Order and out the entrance.We nodded to the guards as we passed.
When we were out of earshot, Darion turned to me.“I thought it might be good for you to know your way topside.Especially since we destroyed the door we came through on the way in.If there were ever an emergency and you and Elena had to escape, I’d want you to know how.”
“I appreciate that.I’ve been feeling a little unmoored, not knowing how to get out,” I said.“But is that the only thing we’re doing?”
“You mean other than spending time together?”Darion asked.
“Yes, other than that.”
“Theremightbe one other thing.”
“I thought so.Is that the dangerous part?”I asked.
“A bit.Technically, this is your first assignment from the Order.”
“Is this how a person normally receives assignments?”
“Not exactly,” Darion said.“Actually, this is more for me.There’s something I want your take on, and I need your Veilsense.”
“Where are we going?What do you need me to do?”
“Stop asking so many questions,” Darion said with a laugh.“Come along and I’ll show you.”
He guided me through the maze of Underworld tunnels until we reached a ladder.As we ascended, beams of light streamed through cracks in the wall.Finally we reached a hatch at the top.Darion opened it, and a burst of sunlight flooded in, blinding me; my eyes had grown accustomed to the sunless Underworld over the last few days.I blinked several times as we climbed out onto a roof.
The first thing that struck me was the briny sea air of Analon Bay.Living in it day after day, I had grown nose-blind to that scent, but today it was like being in the middle of a fish market.The breeze buffeted my hair as I scanned the rooftops of Analon, which stretched out in every direction.To the north, the Citadel Clock Tower rose proudly above the city, and to the east, ship masts swayed in the ocean breeze.These things told me roughly where we had emerged.
“Never gets old, does it?”Darion asked, watching me admire the city—the city I both loved and despised.
“Quite a sight,” I said.“So, what is this dangerous assignment?”
“This way.”
We ran along rooftops, occasionally jumping over a narrow alley.We hadn’t gotten far when a shadow crossed over us and the familiar caw of a whisperhawk pierced the sky.Zephyra swooped down and landed on my shoulder.
Hello, little Cas.It has been many days since Zephyra saw you.
My stomach tightened.Being able to hear Zephyra was something I hadn’t mentioned to Darion…or toanyone.I almost ignored her.But Zephyra hopped impatiently, talons pricking through the fabric of my tunic, and Darion was watching me.Once again, I was on the brink of doing something I couldn’t take back.
I stroked Zephyra’s cheek.“It’s good to see you, Zephyra.How do you always find me so quickly?”
Darion’s eyes narrowed slightly as he watched us.
Zephyra has much better eyes than blind humans.Zephyra hunts from above, seeing little rats scurrying around the city.Cas is little, yes, but not as little as rats.Cas is easy to see.
“Fair enough,” I said with a smile.“Well, I’m sorry I haven’t been up here in a while.Next time I’ll bring you a treat.What would you like?”
Zephyra eats lots, but only disgusting rats.So dirty, and meat is tough.Zephyra would like something sweet.
