King Of The Skies

Chapter 21

Jasper, Underground, Inner City, 8:15 pm

The cuts from those knives had started to itch and sting, but Jasper bit down on his tongue to avoid hissing in pain. The makeshift bandages itched even more than the cuts, in the darkness Jasper was able to untie them, hoping Eva couldn't hear him.

The tunnels they were in were completely dark, Kage told them a pipe ran along the wall, so they all used that as a guide. The tunnel wasn't as flat as the one from the Root Roost, this one went up and down and turned so often Jasper thought they were walking the circles.

"It is so Dove damned freezing in here," Angelica said, her teeth clattering.

"Not so used to the cold then, King?" Jasper chirped back, smiling to himself in the darkness.

"Keep your beak to yourself, Feddel number 2," Angelica growled back.

I'm not second best, not to him, never to him, Jasper fumed silently. They faded back into silence, their steps falling into a practiced march that echoed in the stone tunnels. The unified marched reminded him painfully of the army parades.

"Hey, Jasper," Kai whispered.

"What do you want Princey?" Jasper replied, he had no idea if he was in front of him or behind him.

"Which one of you is older, you or Jackson?" Kai said.

"Me," Jackson said.

"Me," Jasper chorused.

"You mean you don't know?" Kai blurted.

"Why do you wanna know?" Jasper fired back.

"Cadets, quiet!" Kage snapped, silencing all of them.

If I'm honest, I really do have no idea which one of us is older. Jasper focused on the pipe next to him and where he placed his feet. Jaspers mind kept flickering to the snippets of conversations he had with the hummingbird assassins. He couldn't see their faces, but their demonic smiles and high voices flashed in his head.

He was impressed with their fighting ability, but they stood no chance against Jaspers pure spite and determination to prove his brother wrong. He fought them ruthlessly, he may have landed a few slices that would they wouldn't be able to fly away from, but he did anything to make sure his squad was safe.

"Someone you trust doesn't see you the same anymore." Be more descriptive, I've got a long list of the officers I've disappointed.

"You have an unseen rival waiting in the treetops. They'll swoop down and kill you soon." That could literally be anyone, you're gonna have to be more specific.

"One day, sparrow, you'll pick a fight you can't win, and no one will fly in to save you." You'd be surprised at how many fights I pick and win on a daily basis.

"How can you be sure of victory, you can't even be sure if your twin likes you or not." You know nothing about Jackson, and you know nothing about me.

Jasper clenched his fists and jaw, who ever was behind all this was going to pay. Jasper breathed in through his nose as he tried to rein in his anger, he was itching for another fight. And he was going to win no matter how bad it got.

I won't freeze this time Jackson, watch me, I'll never freeze again. Jasper was unsure of what to think of his twin at this point. With everything they've been through, Jasper was so sure that his own twin would understand him.

"Cadet's, it's going to get pretty tight and steep soon, call out if any problems," Kage's rough voice rolled over them.

Okay, sir, tight for you doesn't me tight for me, Jasper smiled as he thought about the size difference between him and his Commander. He was right, as Kage and the others had to fold in their large wings tighter, Jackson and Jasper easily moved through the tunnel.