An Odd Sort of Magic

Chapter Twenty-One

Kiya waved Jaya forward, and she sighed. Jayan placed one hand on Jasmine's arm, and felt her power turn on. It clearly hurt from the way Jasmine was gasping out in pain, but Beta seemed unaffected. When Jayan pulled back after a few seconds, Jasmine looked terrified.

"Now are you going to talk?" Kiya asked sweetly.

Jasmine gasped frantically, trying to speak. Finally, she forced out, "I told you. I don't know."

"Jayan, shock her again," Kiya said.

Jayan found the courage to stand up to the redhead, "no."

"What?" Kiya said, startled that her orders had been questioned.

"I said no," Jayan repeated, "I believe her. She gave answers willingly after Beta totally creamed her, without any incentive. And Ms. Shelling isn't exactly the sharing type. I really think she doesn't know."

"I believe her too," Beta said cheerfully.

"Then why haven't you let go of her?" Drew asked.

Beta looked at him like he was stupid, "um, have you met me?"

"Let her go," Kiya sighed, and she was the tired leader of the Underground again, "I think Jayan's right. But if she tries to run, stop her." At Beta's questioning look, she added, "yes, you can tackle her."

Beta released Jasmine, who, to her credit, did not even fall to the floor. She caught herself, leaning with her back against the wall, massaging her neck and shoulders, "ouch."

Beta looked disappointed, but Kiya had already focused back on the task at hand. She looked at the three other doors in the room, as if just by looking she could see what lay behind them. Finally, she spoke, "we're going to have to split up."

Jayan wasn't so sure, "is that the best idea?"

Kiya looked weary, "it's the best way to find the power generator. I don't like it either." She glanced around at the group, "okay. Drew, I want you and Vanessa. Beta, you'll go with Jayan. And Jasmine, you're coming with me, so I can keep an eye on you."

Rachel looked expectantly at Kiya, "what about me?"

Kiya just muttered, "you can come with me." Louder, she said, "everyone pick a door. The first one to find the power generator does their best to shut it off. If you can, send your partner to get another team for back up." She turned to face a door, and opened it. When nothing happened, she stepping into the hallway, Jasmine behind her, and Rachel bringing up the rear.

"Good luck," Vanessa called over to Jayan as she and Drew took the next door. It snapped shut behind them.

"What are we waiting for?" Beta asked impatiently. She lead the way into the hall, Jayan following nervously behind her. This bothered her. If they got to the power generator first, Jayan probably had a better chance of destroying it. But Beta wasn't one to run for backup, not at all. That could pose a problem. Assuming they found it.

Beta was practically bouncing, her hair flying up around her face with every movement. Jayan didn't know how she could be so happy. For all they knew, they could be walking into a trap. But the passageway just got longer and longer. It had to end sometime, right? Although, as Jayan reminded herself, if it was magic, it didn't ever need to end.

The farther they went, the darker it got, until Jayan could barely see Beta in front of her. She held up her hand experimentally, and let her powers loose. The sparks lit up the passageway, where, fortunately, there was nothing to catch on fire. "Cool," Beta commented.

Jayan took the lead now, since she had the light source. There looked to be no end, although that didn't bother Beta in the slightest. Jayan realized she couldn't hear anything, not the crackle of the sparks, not even their footsteps. She tried to speak, to call out to Beta, but her voice wasn't working either. Beta seemed to realize this as well, because she looked genuinely startled.