The Way Back (Champions of the Crystal Book 4)

Chapter 14.3

Marie was shaping up to be an excellent pathfinder, or possibly a guerrilla fighter, Sabrina thought as she followed the girl through little-used paths in gardens and deserted corridors in buildings. They crossed roughly half the complex without seeing anyone, reaching part of the outer wall that was still unrepaired. Marie didn't try to climb the unstable-looking structure, for which Sabrina was profoundly grateful; instead, she led the way to a small, half-collapsed doorway and ducked through it. Sabrina followed her, squeezing carefully through the opening and then picking her way down the staircase that appeared to lead down the side of the cliff. They ended up on a small, rocky beach, and Marie led Sabrina to a secluded spot under a rocky overhang.

"I like to sit here and listen to the sea when I'm sad," Marie said.

"That sounds nice," Sabrina said, tired after their journey.

"And I like to do it alone, so I'll go away for a while and look for shells and things," Marie offered. "I'm not sad right now anyway, except for you, and once you feel better that'll be okay."

"Don't go too far," Sabrina found the energy to caution.

"I won't!" Marie tossed a reassuring grin over her shoulder as she skipped off.

Sabrina had a twinge of guilt, watching her. She shouldn't be contributing to Marie's truancy like this, or letting her run off to play on a deserted beach that could well be dangerous. On the other hand, Marie sounded as if she came here often, and she did seem capable of looking after herself. She was a free spirit, Sabrina thought, and wondered again if Mara would have been the same, had her family's deaths not dropped such horrific burdens onto her shoulders.

The waves crashing on the rocks made a strangely soothing background noise, she found. It was easy to sit here and let her mind drift. She could stay here forever.

An uncounted length of time later, she heard someone calling out. As she listened, she realized it was a man's voice, calling Marie's name. Then she heard Marie call back cheerfully. It must not be one of her tutors, then, Sabrina thought. Or perhaps Marie expected to be caught when she played hooky, and this was just part of the game. She didn't seem the type to take much of anything seriously, or to hold grudges. Sabrina just hoped Marie would be a good sport and not mention her own presence.

No such luck. The voices were getting closer. She could distinctly hear Marie saying, "But how did you know it was me?"

"I recognized your special sugar-laden recipe, brat!" the other voice said, and Marie giggled. "Not to mention the mess. And let me tell you, Cousin Sabrina is not going to be the one who has to clean it up!"

Marie replied, "Okay, I'll clean it up. She's too sad anyway. Did you bring her a present?"

The voice, which Sabrina now recognized with a start as Ford's, answered, "Yes, as a matter of fact."

"Ooh! And what did you bring me?"

"Who says I brought you anything, brat?"

"Oh, come on, Ford!" Marie wheedled.

"Okay, I did. But you don't get it until you've cleaned up that disaster in Cousin Sabrina's kitchen. Now, go get her and take her back, and I'll meet you there."

"Why don't you come with us?"

"Because she doesn't want to see me right now," Ford replied.

"Yes she does."

"And what makes you say that?"

"Well, she almost cried when I said you were gone again."

"That wasn't for me," Ford said. "Now do as I tell you, or it's back to lessons again for you!"