Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“He doesn’t speak English. I’ll translate for him.”
“You speak their language?” she asks, looking stung. “But how? You didn’t mention it.”
“It wasn’t relevant at the time. Let’s focus on the issue at hand, which is to make sure you’re all okay.”
The tense set of Sandy’s shoulders relaxes a little. “You said his mother can get us out of here.”
Having heard Aruan and his father arguing about that, I feel my stomach tighten with concern. What if the queen refuses to open a portal to Earth because the scrolls forbid it?
We’ll have to talk to her about it, but for now, I want to make sure everyone is fine.
“One thing at a time,” I say. “Have your needs been taken care of? Have you eaten?”
“They fed us well, don’t worry. A guy looking a lot like your companion here came to check our injuries.” She glances at Eucabeth, who stares into the distance with a dreamy look and glowing cheeks. “He cured Eucabeth.” She continues in a disbelieving tone. “She can hear again.” Lowering her voice, she stresses, “Her deafness is simply gone.”
I smile. “That would’ve been Vitai.”
“How is that even possible?” Sandy exclaims. “Irina’s scars have disappeared, and for once, Maeva is calm.”
“Vitai has healing powers.”
“He was very kind to us. I like him. I can’t say the same about the guy who brought the food. Now that one was scary. I swear he saw right into my mind. I had this weird notion he knew exactly what I was thinking, which was that he was a frightening son of a bitch, because he looked me straight in the eye and gave me a diabolical smile.”
“That sounds like Kian.”
“What is she saying?” Aruan asks.
I turn to him. “Sandy says Vitai healed them. Eucabeth was deaf, but now she can hear. Isn’t that amazing?” I’m all but jumping up and down from the elation. “Apparently, Kian was here as well. He brought them food.”
“Ask them if they need anything else,” Aruan instructs.
After I’ve done so and told him that they’re grateful for everything but eager to go home, Aruan tells me to explain to them that they have to be confined for safety reasons, and that we’ll be back when we’ve spoken to the queen.
When I’ve conveyed the message, I ask Aruan in his language, “Is confining them really necessary?” Because that’s just a nice way of saying he’s locking them up. “The Phaelix kept them in prison cells. Don’t you think they’ve been under lock and key for long enough?”
He addresses me in a stern tone. “You know why it’s necessary.” Turning on his heel, he orders, “Come. You can visit them again later.”
Not wanting to evoke his ire by arguing, I say to Sandy, “I’ll be back as soon as I can. You don’t have to worry. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Wait.” She grabs my arm, holding me back. “How long are they going to keep us here?”
“I really can’t say, but I’ll do my best to make sure you leave as quickly as possible.”
A flame of hope kindles in my heart when I think about going home with the humans and seeing my parents. At the dark look that comes over Aruan’s face, I suppress the thought. He can probably feel what I’m thinking.
“We can’t just sit here and do nothing,” Sandy says. “We’ll go out of our minds.”
“I’ll ask Aruan if we can bring you something to keep you occupied.”
“Let us help with the chores. At least that way, we’ll feel useful.” Sandy tilts her head toward the others, who’re watching us from a safe distance. “Keeping busy will prevent us from going crazy.”
“Time to go, Elsie,” Aruan says, glaring at the spot where Sandy’s fingers are locked around my wrist.
Blanching under his stare, she lets me go quickly.
Aruan heads toward the archway.
“Don’t worry,” I call over my shoulder. “I’ll be back soon.”
Sandy doesn’t look convinced as I leave hurriedly with Aruan.
He seals the archway and makes his way with long strides down the hallway.
“What now?” I ask, running to keep up with him.
The stone walls light up as we pass, illuminating our way.
Aruan stops next to an archway on the opposite side of the living quarters. It gives a view of the ocean below. Taking my hand, he intertwines our fingers. “Don’t fret about those humans. I’ll speak to my mother.”
I hold his gaze, trying to get a read on him. Even as he tells me not to worry, I feel his concern through the bond that exists between us, albeit weakly. “What if she refuses to help? Your father said creating portals to Earth was forbidden.”
He watches me quietly.
“Whoever brought us here broke the rules,” I continue. “Do you have any idea who was responsible?”
“No.” The set of his mouth hardens. “But I intend to find out.”