From the Ashes

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The cave Luci found is more like a small den in the cliff face. It keeps out the wind and snow, but the winter air remains crisp. Seth's fire keeps us from freezing to death, but it doesn't stop the cold from coming in. The smoke exits out a large hole in the ceiling, and we can only hope the other teams aren't close enough to spot us. It's crowded in the small space, but it'll have to do.

I'm still confused about what happened between Dragon and me earlier. He touched me. He cut off my circulation a little bit, but he touched me. I'm not hurt that badly; I could have gone without a bandage, and yet he wanted to help me. And he blushed!

I smile, stifling a giggle. Since when does Dragon blush?

"What's so funny?" Kavi asks. She's been sitting next to me on the cold stone floor for the past ten minutes. She pretends to be observing the entire time, but I know she's had her eye on Seth.

"Nothing," I say secretively.

"Liam, why do you care?" Xana exclaims.

I look up at the two of them, sitting across from each other near the fire. Liam holds his plasma rifle across his lap as he cleans it with a cloth. Xana leans forward aggressively, and Liam angrily scooches away from her.

"I can't concentrate when you're humming like that!" he snaps.

Xana moves closer to him. "I can sing whatever I want!"

"By the stars, you're so annoying! Get away from me!" he cries.

Kavi turns to me and raises her right eyebrow.

Rather than stop them myself, I'd like to see if they ever stop on their own. I don't get up.

"How do you like the cave?" Kavi asks sarcastically, rubbing her hands together to keep warm.

"It's better than nothing, but I might freeze to death, anyway."

Kavi glances at my injured arm. "Hey, who gave you the bandage? I thought we didn't have any."

Shaav, I knew she was going to ask. It surprises me she didn't notice before, and I was hoping her interest in whatever Seth was doing would make her forget. Guess I was wrong.

"Dragon," I breathe.

A wry smile grows on her lips. "Oh really? How sweet of him." She nudges me in my injured shoulder.

"Ouch," I murmur, pretending not to be embarrassed.

"Oh stop it." She rolls her eyes, grinning. "Maybe if you snuggle up to him by the fire, you'll be all nice and cozy."

"Kavi!" I cry, putting my hands on her shoulder and pushing her over. My eyes frantically scan the room to make sure no one was close enough to hear that.

Kavi shakes her head, laughing. "Sorry. Is Liam jealous yet?"

He's still arguing with Xana about her singing.

I sigh. "Not that I know of."

She waves her hand in annoyance. "You can never be sure with him."

Avan and Luci try desperately to end Liam and Xana's little fiasco, but the two are inseparable. Luci grabs Liam's shirt and pushes him backward to prevent him from throwing a punch at Xana, who's shouting so loud I'm afraid it might attract attention from another team.

Dragon sits placidly nearby, leaning against the cave wall, watching them but not bothering to move. What the shaav?

I turn to Kavi. "Looks like I've got to intervene."