A Spark Against the Shadows (Book Two) Fully Released

Chapter II - Withdrawn

Kota leaned forward in the wooden chair as he rested his chin on his hands. He focused on the movement of the leaves in the trees outside Mel's cabin as it overlooked the backside of his land. Moving his chin off of his hands as he leaned back in the chair before glancing down at his torn black cloth shirt. Kota let out a quick breath while he reached up and tightened the leather shoulder strap as he focused out the window again.

He focused on the sound of the leaves rustling in the tree as Grace moved into the room, placing a small wooden cup in front of him with a trail of steam coming from the open top. He thanked her as he reached down with his uncovered left arm, seeing the curse on his arm. Holding the cup in his left hand, he did not feel the warmth of the drink, but saw the steam that rose from the liquid.

Kota hesitated as he moved the cup to his chin before blowing on the liquid. He took a sip before he winced at the taste. He placed it down and pushed it away from him. Looking up at Grace, he asked, "You know I have never liked tea. Don't they have anything else? Even water will be better than this."

Grace moved to the other side of the table before sitting down in the chair in front of him. She fixed her blonde curled hair against her back before shaking her head. "Aria may have stopped the visions and the spread of the curse for now, but we have to proactive in our approach. I have read a book about different herbs and the effect on the mind so..." pausing she reached over and pushed the tea back in front of him. "Drink up. There is no telling when they will return. We need you in a rational mind for what is ahead of us."

Kota stared at Grace for a second as she broke her calm face with a smile. He shook his head and grabbed the wooden cup and drank the tea. Grace wore her clothes from the time she was in Ruwan. A simple cloth shirt with grey fabric wrapped from her waist to her shoulders as it fanned out below the belt. She did not wear the black gloves as she had before, but her brown leather belt laid empty of a weapon because of their time in the prison. He could tell she crossed her legs as she repositioned herself. She fixed the black fabric of her pants before looking back at Kota before moving her attention to her bag.

She reached down into her bag strapped over her shoulder, bringing out her journal as she wrote or draw something. He looked over to the fireplace lit on the opposite side of the room, providing warmth for the group. The light sound of thunder came within the house as he jumped slightly, still gripping his cup tightly, before looking back out the window. Behind him, a small unfamiliar voice spoke out. "It's only thunder. Do you always jump so easily?"

Kota stopped as he felt the warmth of the steam on his face before turning around to see a small girl about the age of six, standing there holding a small stuffed bear. He smiled as he told her, "Before a certain event over a year ago, I used to love the sound of rain and thunder. It had a calming effect for me. Though, it is not the thunder that makes me jump. It is what comes before. A long story and would not want to bore you."

He turned his attention back to Grace as she smiled at him, slightly shaking her head. She refocused on her journal as she moved the writing utensil and without looking up at him. She tilted her head in reaction to her drawing as she reapplied pressure of her charcoal and asked him, "How do you think Sonya and the others are faring?"

"Sonya? What about naming our own sister?"

Kota did not look away from her green eyes that focused on the page before grimacing at the taste of the tea.

Grace sat silently for a few seconds as she continued to draw in her journal before looking up from the drawing. Meeting his gaze, she grinned and tapped the charcoal on the top of her journal twice. "You are the one who sent a letter to her by Arro a while back. You did not address it to our sister, so do you think the three of them have been faring well?"