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It never occurred to me that I had other relatives on Acklemar. I stared at her hoping I might see a similarity between us or recognize her face. I tilted my head and tapped my fist against my lips in thought. It was something about her eyes that seemed familiar. They were aquamarine blue, like in my dream—the same color as my mothers. I gasped, and the water flowing around my hand splashed over the ground.
"Something tells me we're related?" I said, not wanting to give away more information than I needed to.
Her mouth fell open, and she touched her throat. "You don't remember, do you?" she said in a soothing tone. "Celeste said you wouldn't, so I don't know why I should be surprised."
"Who?"
She raised her eyebrows and took a deep breath. "Celeste is your mother and as you've already figured out, my sister. So, yes, I guess that means we're related."
"She's your aunt? I know you haven't seen each other in a while. But kidnapping us?" Sage dusted herself off. "That's a new way to get your relatives to come for a visit."
My sentiments exactly, Kellan chimed in. Oh, crap— The Water Circle Sentinel has Robin. I should probably rescue him, or I might have to answer to Sage later.
And me—
Fine. I'm going. I'll check in soon.
"You must be Sage." Astra's eyes flickered a vibrant hue. "A healer and you have skills too," she commented.
Sage gave her a questioning look. "You wouldn't happen to be related to Nebula?"
The corners of Astra's mouth turned up, and she rested her hands in the pockets of her cloak. "Remind you of her do I?"
"Don't get me wrong. I like Nebula." Sage lifted her bag to her shoulder. "It's just that she has the same creepy ability to see into someone's talents. Thought maybe it ran in the family."
"Bluntness suits you little one." Astra smiled and took a step forward. "But it's wise to keep your Calept tiles close if you are going to out maneuver your opponent."
"What?" Sage leaned over and whispered, "Definitely related to Nebula. I'd bet my charms on it. She's freaky cryptic."
I smirked and withheld a chuckled. Astra's chestnut hair was a stark contrast to Nebula's ebony locks. But their fair skin, blue eyes, and mannerisms made me think Sage might be right. "As much as I'd like to stand around and reminisce, I assume there's a reason for our impromptu visit?"
"Of course, I have my reasons, but it didn't hurt I got to see my niece again."
She unwrapped her cloak, revealing the same gray and black uniform as the other three kidnappers were wearing. She motioned for Sage and me to join her. "Come on. I won't bite."
One of Astra's companions had picked up Sage's belongings and passed them back to her. "Thanks," Sage said placing them back into her bag.
The girl nodded and walked back to Astra. I couldn't help but watch her. Her image tugged at the corner of my mind like I knew her from somewhere but couldn't place where.
"Follow me, we'll take you to your quarters, where you can clean up and rest," Astra said breaking my concentration. "That will give me time to collect the box of things your mother asked me to hold until your arrival home."
Home. When I looked around at my unfamiliar surroundings, the word seemed foreign, like it didn't belong.
(Kellan's Speaking)
"Hey, boys," Robin said holding up his hands. "I've already told you it was an accident. I didn't mean to knock your friend out."
I leaned against a tree and watched the action unfolding in front of me.
"What? You accidentally fell out of the sky then?" the sentinel said in complete disbelief.
"No. I mean yeah. Look, I didn't do it on purpose. A Traveler sent me here."
"What do you think we are idiots? Why would a Traveler waste their time dumping you here? They don't do anything for free, that bunch."
I recognized Captain Rolf as he pushed his way through the group. His eyes went wide when they rested on Robin. "I've seen you before."
I smirked and rubbed my hands together. This was getting good. When I told Wren I'd rescue him I didn't say I wouldn't have a little fun first.
"You're the pet of the Fire Circle's Second."
"Hey, that's not nice. I'm not a pet," Robin said with a little more heat behind his words.
We were facing the northern outpost of the Water Circle's Citadel. The forest was dense here and ran for miles to the left of the outpost. One of the guards took a step forward. The protruding root he placed his foot next to, reached out and grabbed him by his ankle dragging him to the ground. The poor guy didn't know what hit him.
"A forest mage? I thought you said he was from the Fire Circle," the guard hollered at Rolf.
"I did." Rolf threw a water rope at Robin. An extended branch knocked the stream toward one of the other guards, entwining him momentarily in a shocking lock hold.
"Sorry, Daemar!" Rolf twisted the rope in his hand releasing the lock on him. Daemar crumpled to the ground.
I felt bad for him. Shocking locks, stung and drained an opponent of their energy. Not to mention, they hurt like a son of a— I hadn't been this entertained since I left Acklemar. It looked like Robin was holding his own too.
"Kellan, I know you're leaning against that tree," Robin hollered.
Of course, he did. But I already knew if he valued his life he wouldn't dare drag me into this little match. He needed an official invitation to spar with the inner circle or face the wrath of the throne. Our outpost guards were usually trainees learning their trade.
"Anytime you care to call off your dogs that would be great."
"Kellan?" Rolf repeated. "You must be delusional. He isn't here. He hasn't been here in years. So nice try. You can't distract me forest mage." He circled his hands and then tighten his grip.
"Oh shit," I muttered. I threw a frozen rope and latched on to the ice spear he was about to release and yanked it out of Rolf's hands. Robin swept his foot in front of him and knocked Rolf off his feet. The capitan landed on his butt next to his other guards.
The last remaining sentinel looked in my direction and dropped to one knee when he recognized me. "First. You've returned! The mage speaks the truth? He's with you?"
I raised my eyebrow and turned my gaze to Robin. How do I answer that? I knew Wren would be beyond angry if I arrived at the Traveler's Guild without Robin in tow. But that didn't mean I wanted him privy to Water Circle secrets either.
Robin walked over stand next to me. "So, First, what do you say?"
I grabbed him by his shirt and shoved him against the outpost's wall, then slid him up the rock face until his feet dangled in the air. "Give me one good reason I should trust you?"
"If you ever repeat this to anyone in the Fire Circle, I'll deny it," he said under his breath. Then he narrowed his eyes and looked directly at me. "Three years ago, I helped Wren escape the Fire Circle."
"You?" I could see why he didn't want that tidbit known. "Why would you help the Water circle? Wren didn't know Sage then."
He shook his head. "It's always about you, isn't it. I wasn't helping you or the Water Circle. I was helping Wren."
I lowered him, so his feet touched the ground. "Same thing."
"No, it's not, you dumb—" he stopped short, regaining his composure.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Three more guards came out of the post and the other guard motioned for them to kneel. "Play nice Robin. This isn't Earth and insulting someone in the inner circle with a rank higher than yours. That's a significant offense." I was milking this for everything it was worth. Robin and Jaxon had been a pain in my ass from the moment I arrived in Swallow Falls. A little payback was overdue.
"You can't just spill something like that and without saying more." I crossed my arms. "Care to elaborate?"
"No, not really." He pursed his lips. "Let's just say I owe Wren a rather large debt."
I raised an eyebrow. "You still owe her a debt, even after helping her escape?"
He licked his lips and nodded. "Yeah, I do."
I couldn't help but wonder what she did that would have made him risk his life to help her. He might not want to tell me, but I was going to find out.
(Wren Speaking)
"Sage put that down before you break it," I whispered.
She tossed the delicate figurine to her other hand. "It's just glass. I'm sure there is one of these things in everyone's dorm room."
The girl from earlier appeared in the doorway with a wooden box in her hands. Her eyes darted to the glass figure.
I tilted my head and still couldn't shake the feeling I knew her. "I take it there isn't one of these in all the rooms." I said to her.
She just stood there like a statue. Then after what seemed like forever she said, "No, there isn't."
Sage shrugged and mouthed the word, okay. Then placed the sculpture down on the nightstand. She circled her finger in the air next to her head as if to say the girl was crazy.
"Hey, are you all right?" I said looking at the girl.
"Hmm?" She blinked and put the box on top of the dresser. "Sorry, it's just that I've seen that figurine in her hands before."
"Crazy," Sage said coughing.
The girl put her hands on her hips and glared at Sage. "I'm not crazy. I'm one of the Seers here at the guild."
"Then you're definitely crazy. No one can see all the crap Seers do and not be."
"Hey, be nice." I grabbed the pillow off the bed and tossed it at Sage. The corner of it caught the figure, and it slid across the nightstand and tipped over the edge.
The girl snatched it out of the air like she knew it was going to fall. Then placed it back on the nightstand.
"I take it back." Sage's mouth gapped open. "That was cool. A little freaky, but cool."
"Sorry, I'm being rude." I got up off the bed and held out my hand. "This is Sage, and I'm—"
"Wren." She looked at my outstretched hand like she had never seen someone shake hands before. "I know. We grew up together." She sighed then bit her lip. "I'm Vega."
I sat back down. "Right. Sorry..."
"Don't worry. It's not your fault. I know you don't remember everything."
"Sooo...Unlike, Wren, I'm the one who's known for being rude. What exactly are you doing here, anyway?"
"Oh— I almost forgot. Astra sent me over with the box your mother wanted you to have." She lifted it off the dresser and placed on the bed next to me.
The three of us stared at the small wooden box, all wondering the same thing— What was in it?
What do you think's in the box? Do you think Robin is a traitor?
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