Don't Stop Now [Finding My Path Sequel]

Chapter 26

Jaxon pulled out his sword carefully in the small space and grinned at me. "It'll be a piece of cake."

I was more than thankful to have them with me now, but I was afraid I was about to send them into some sort of trap. Was Luca smart enough to do that? It was obvious he was losing it. Maybe they were safe.

"Don't let your guard down," I advised.

They crept off, moving soundless behind piles of boxes. Luca didn't even glance their way. His eyes were glued to his daughter with a look that made me reasonably nervous.

"Why are you keeping her?" Lina growled. "What do you want with her?"

"Nothing," Luca said, sounding strangely honest. "This is all just an accident. I never meant to have to take her. I just wanted to talk to her."

"Right when I happen to leave for a week?" Lina shot back.

It took me a minute to realize exactly what she was implying. She thought her dad had been watching, for a while apparently, waiting for a chance to kidnap Jemma. Could this be true?

"We both know you wouldn't allow me to contact her," he said harshly. Not denying any of it.

"Because you're crazy!" Lina nearly yelled. "Look what you did, just trying to talk!"

"She attacked me!" Luca shouted. "This was for her own safety!"

"She's not safe here," Lina said, her voice quieting down again. "You're planning to kill her. Maybe not even planning it, but it will happen."

For a moment, I thought Luca looked truly bewildered. Like he really wasn't going to kill Jemma, or even hurt her. Like my mom got it wrong. Then he frowned at her. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"I know Mom doesn't want to be here," Lina said. Her voice was no longer panicked. It seemed like she knew what she was walking into now. Was it possible she knew Andi and Jaxon were going to get her mom? "I'm willing to fight for her. A classic waterbender duel. If you win, her fate is up to you. If I win, you go back to the watertribe or where ever else, and don't ever contact us again."

"Never wanted anyone to get hurt over this," he began. Lina responded with a scowl, but he kept going. "I see now, though, that it's too late. I'll battle you, and we'll end this once and for all."

Lina's gaze hardened over. I felt myself tense up, afraid to even watch what was about to happen. Did Lina really believe she was stronger than her dad, full moon or not?

Apparently, because she fell into a fighting stance, two fists pointing towards her dad. He mirrored his daughter.

It took a lot out of me to stay where I was. I wanted nothing more than to jump out and help Lina before this got bad, but I knew she would have none of it. Besides, coming out now could run the risk of exposing Andi and Jaxon, who still weren't back with Jemma.

Instead, I watched closely as Lina and Luca squared off, each daring the other to make the first move. I knew Lina had come in carrying water in her pouch, as I had, but I wasn't sure if Luca even had any water to bend. Even if he didn't, I didn't doubt his ability to find some. Rigorous bloodbender training taught you to find water literally anywhere. Luca was probably an expert.

Lina made the first move, throwing three strips of water over her dad's shoulder. It was a move he was meant to dodge and probably wouldn't cause any real damage even if it had hit him. He stepped to the side quickly anyway and took two steps closer to Lina.

He quickly retrieved water from the probably moldy walls and formed it into a ball of ice effortlessly. Lina caught the ice and transformed it into water once again. This time she aimed for Luca's feet, causing him to jump out of the way.

Another string of attacks were exchanged, but no real damage was done. I couldn't help but wonder if they were going easy on each other or if they really were this evenly matched.

Just as Lina managed to knock Luca down, there was a voice behind me.

I nearly knocked down the pile of boxes in front of me when I jumped. After a minute, I realized exactly who's voice it was, and that it was only in my head. I was more than a little annoyed when I turned around and saw nothing again.

"Enide," I growled, low enough that only she could hear me. "What do you think you're doing here?"

"I'm here to help you," the spirit, only now appearing, stated.

"Is Mom here? Did she send you?"

"For these purposes, I am alone," she explained. "I've come on my own merit." This made me feel at least a little better. After all, Enide had clearly proven she could be trusted, assuming she did send the last spirit. Except now we were here, so I didn't need her anymore. Plus she distracting me from the fight. Lina could be in danger... "Your friend is fine," Enide, more than likely reading my thoughts, said. "At least for now she is."

"What do you mean?" My voice turned into a panicked whisper. I made sure to keep it low. "Is something going to happen?"

Enide waited a moment before responding. "In the current future, yes. But there is a way to change it."

"I"m going out there," I said without thinking, about to rise to my feet.

"Not that," Enide snapped. "You need to listen to me first."

"But Lina--"

"I have the answers to the only future with a peaceful ending. Do you want that future, or not?" Enide already knew the answer. I must've been easier to read than I thought, because I sank back into the ground, looking defeated.