Ninety-Two Dianna

The wind died in a swirling mass of littered trash as the portal closed behind us. Miska adjusted the straps of her bag around her shoulders, holding the small compass Orym had given her. My eyes darted toward Samkiel as he pulled the hood a bit tighter around his head. All of us had dressed to blend in amongst the citizens of the small industrial town.

Samkiel nodded toward me and gave me a ghost of a smile, once again reading the worry that fluttered across my mind.

“Would you even tell me the truth if you were not okay?” I asked through our bond.

“I’m fine. I swear.”

But I knew it was a half-lie. Now, I could not only hear Samkiel’s thoughts if I tried, but I could feel him, too. I felt the weight on his shoulders, the apprehension of us being here, and above all, the wave of exhaustion that swept through him as the portal closed. He had been using far too much power, pushing himself past his limits for weeks. With his power spread across the sky, he wasn’t as strong and burned out quickly.

He fell into a deep sleep every night, exhaustion pulling him under. He didn’t even stir when I got up to use the bathroom, and I’d caught him nodding off during the day. My eyes dropped to his side, but he waved me off and clasped my hand in a firm grasp.

We walked out of the alley, blending in with the crowd as they shopped or looked for somewhere to eat. We rounded a corner and stopped, Samkiel nodding at a building up ahead, three guards chatting outside the door. Miska lingered behind us, pretending to find interest in a shop window. We started forward again, Reggie walking a few paces ahead of us as we passed the small cottage-style home.

Reggie pretended not to be able to hold his liquor. “You’ll pay your due!” he yelled, drawing attention. The crowd parted around him, not stopping, but giving him a wide berth. Samkiel and I stepped to the side and stopped. Two of the guards glanced at him, one elbowing the third. While all eyes were on the drunken man walking toward them, we moved in behind them.

Samkiel towered over the man as he wrapped his hand around his throat. He pulled the guard back against him and applied pressure, the man going limp in his arms. His friend spun and opened his mouth to yell, but my fist shot out. I heard bones crunch, and the whites of his eyes flew upward as he fell backward. Samkiel looked at me, still holding the limp guard in his arms, and I shrugged. His eyes widened a fraction as the third guard charged at me from behind, but I spun and raised my foot, the kick catching him in the chest. His body sailed through the front door.

“I said quietly!” Samkiel hissed at me.

“This is quiet to me,” I hissed back.

Someone roared behind us. Several guards within the small room saw us and turned to run. Samkiel tossed his unconscious guard inside, knocking a few of them off their feet. I followed him inside, closing the half-broken door behind me.

REGGIE MOVED THE LAST GUARD INTO THE SMALL CLOSET, AND I tried and failed to shut the door twice. A stupid boot was in the way. I leaned down, moving it inside before finally shutting it with a click.

I stood, wiping my hands on my pants. Miska headed down a small hall, and we followed after her. Samkiel stood by a desk covered in sheets of parchment and scrolls. A heavy, odd-shaped paperweight held a thick, worn page down on one side, and Samkiel’s hand held the other edge. He ran his index finger over it, his head jerking up as we entered.

“Orym was right,” Samkiel said. “This was a small meeting, but this is just a diagram of the water supply system here and in the neighboring town. There are also a few scrolls listing places they grow crops and some information about a shipping company. It’s a lot.”

“That’s good, right?”

“Yes.” He nodded. “It would be if I had more manpower to spread. I’d never make it to all of these in time. She seems intent on cutting off supply chains. These places nearby are ones that hang in between long treks. The Eye may depend on them to feed their soldiers.”

“If,” I interjected, “if she still keeps at it. If we have them, she may change plans.”

His eyes searched mine. “That does not make me feel any better.”

“No, but this map.” I came around the desk to stand beside him, gazing down at it. “This gives you an advantage and gives us a peek at how her brain works. It also tells us what posts she is interested in.”

He smiled and swept his hand across my hair. I felt that warm feeling spread across my skin as he looked at me with pride, or maybe it was just pure, unbridled affection. Regardless, I didn’t care.

“See.” I smiled up at him. “I’m more than just a pretty face.”

Samkiel chuckled, but it was short-lived as the small device in his pocket vibrated. He pulled it out, the round, dark circle beeping. He placed it on the table, and two lightly shimmering images appeared.

“Samkiel,” Orym greeted. “Did you find it?”

Samkiel reached back and grabbed the nearby chair, pulling it close as he sat.

“Yes,” Samkiel said. “I found a map and a few pieces of information regarding Havrok Bay and shipments. I can look at the rest tomorrow once we are home.”

“Perfect, but you’re going to love this,” Veruka piped in, taking up more of the shadowy image. “We’re at a bar off the coast of Ravinne. Two commanders just landed on the outskirts with a crate. We think they are carrying weapons and taking a quick break before returning to her.”

Samkiel sat up a bit straighter, casting me a look. I nodded, and he turned back to them.

“Okay, perfect. You two stay there to make sure they don’t leave. Dianna and I will be there shortly.”

Orym and Veruka agreed to stay put before disappearing back into that device. Samkiel gathered the pages he’d found before turning to me.

“I have an idea,” I said.

“No,” he responded before moving around the desk.

“You didn’t let me finish.”

“I already know what you are going to say, and it’s a no.”

I tossed my hands up and followed him from the room. He made it to Miska and Reggie before I caught up with him.

“Listen, it will take me less time to get the weapons. You won’t be seen, and I can bring them back here. Besides, if they are so concerned about the water, maybe we need to make sure they haven’t already tried to poison it or interrupt the supply.”

Samkiel and Reggie looked at me, the muscles in Samkiel’s jaw working.

“Listen, if the bond works off a strong emotional connection, we will be fine. I’m just a thought away.” The line in Samkiel’s jaw flexed again, and I raised my hand. “I can handle a crate of weapons, and besides, Veruka and Orym will be there.”

Samkiel’s eyes bore into mine. “I don’t like the idea of us splitting up. It never works in our favor.”

Reggie tipped his head toward Samkiel in agreement.

“Hey, stay out of this,” I snapped at Reggie, but the fate feigned innocence.

Samkiel shook his head once more. “I don’t approve, akrai. I know you’re strong, but Nismera has been on a rampage. We have already witnessed her setting traps for you at the war camp. This is just another. We will figure something else out.”

“These are weapons we are talking about. We already saw what she did in the East. What if what she is shipping back is something far larger and worse?” I said. “What if we don’t have another chance?”

“Who is to say we will not?” Samkiel asked, growing a tad agitated.

“Think of it as an aalxat’s nest.”

His brow flicked up.

I waved my hand. “Okay, or some other stingy insect from your world. Regardless, she has a nest, and we have kicked it. Now, all her guards are spilling out to find out where that kick came from. We need to act while they are out and before they go back, regroup, and make an even stronger nest.”

The room went silent, and I feared my analogy had gone over all their heads.

Samkiel sighed, his fingers gripping the bridge of his nose. He dropped his hand and glared at me. I bit my lower lip, knowing I’d won.

“If,” he paused as if the words were difficult to get out, “if you do this, you leave before the sun sets tonight. I doubt they will stay at the station for long. You go in, take them, and leave. If it even looks like a trap, come back immediately. Do you understand?”

“Yes.” I smiled, hope beaming in my chest. If these crates had even the smallest form of weapons or parts, it would give us some insight into what she was truly making. The East was floating rocks now, and the nets that had managed to capture me had freaked both Samkiel and me out. If she had the power to make something that large and powerful, enough to cut an Ig’Morruthen into ribbons, I was growing more concerned about what else she had.

He held up a single finger. “No unnecessary fighting and no unnecessary risks.”

I raised my hand, extending my pinkie. “I promise. Besides, I’m meeting Orym and Veruka there. I’m not going alone.”

His nostrils flared. “I mean it, Dianna.”

“Stop clenching your jaw before you break a tooth,”I whispered in his head.

“It will just grow back.”

“I’ll be fine. The first sign of danger, and I’m running straight to you. Promise.” I wiggled my pinkie finger at him, speaking that part out loud.

His eyes softened, and he raised his hand, his pinkie finger wrapping around mine briefly. Still, I felt his apprehension and worry slide into my mind. “I just hate being away from you.”

My heart fluttered, and I watched as he squared his shoulders, finally giving up the fight.

“No aerial flight.” He pointed again, and my smile grew a tad bit more. “I do not trust her not to use those nets at every location. Only fly when I am with you.”

“Okay.” I smiled, knowing how protective he was. It had only increased tenfold since he had gotten me back, and I wasn’t complaining in the slightest. It was nice to be loved, after all.

“And you will keep in contact with me the entire time.” He nodded toward my hand, and my gaze dropped to my ring.

I twisted the precious piece around my finger. “Will it work that far away?”

“It should, as long as you don’t remove it. It is bound to both of us.”