Wings of Fire: A Ruined Dream (Book 4)

Chapter 2

Stratus's heart lurched at Shiver's words. Whole mess? Are we in trouble?

Stratus was so caught up in his thoughts that he missed the chance to be the one to go get Jellyfish and watched Jasmine pop up and run back to their shack. It's fine, Stratus. Stop being so dramatic.

"What is there to talk about?" Iodine asked, rising to her feet.

"Your friend Bermuda, Aconi's attacks, and where to go next," Shiver said

"Where to go next? Are we leaving again?" Iodine asked.

"Not what I meant. I meant, what should we do from here on out."

"Oh."

The small hut that Stratus and his friends had been using wasn't all that far from the main clearing that they were in now, but Jasmine and Jellyfish still showed back up at an unreasonably fast time. They probably flew.

Are your bags crooked? Do you smell weird? Do you look presentable? Chorused Stratus's thoughts as his heartbeat quickened at the sight of Jellyfish.

It was definitely NOT that I think I'm so scraggly next to someone as perfect as she.

NOT that my breath and heart skip every time she makes eye contact with me.

NOT that electricity sweeps my veins at every accidental- or intentional- touch.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, STUPID, MUSHY BRAIN.

Stratus felt eyes on him and turned to see Jeweldreamer, with an eyebrow raised and a fat smirk on his face.

"You didn't hear that," Stratus whispered to him, suddenly very conscious.

"Oh, okay, Romeo." Jeweldreamer hissed back with a small chuckle.

Stratus was quite thankful that his scales were already pretty red, instead of lighting up like a torch.

I mean, my scales are way more orange than red so I probably...

This was answered by Jeweldreamer casting him another goofy look and a nod.

Ugh.

"Are you guys coming?" Cloudy called, several feet away from them.

The reality, once again, slammed Stratus upside the head. Jeweldreamer laughed at him and dashed away to their friends, leaving Stratus frantically trailing behind.

"Okay," Shiver said, sitting down across from the seven of them. They were under a big willow tree, the tendril-like branches swaying gently in the wind. They were yellow and dry, but just alive enough to stay attached to the tree.

"I think we need to discuss some things. All of which surround your friend Aconi." Saline said.

"She's far from our friend." Jasmine snapped.

"Care to explain why Bermuda didn't leave with you then? Why did she lead Aconi to our camp and attacked us? Attack you?" Saline said, lashing her tail.

"She was under a spell! She couldn't control herself!" Cloudy roared.

"Spell shmell," Saline said venomously.

"Saline!" Carmine gasped. "Enough!"

"What? It's pretty obvious that they're working with her!" Saline snapped back.

"Is it? She manipulated them! She put a spell on them! She-" Carmine snarled.

"Enough!" Worldkeeper snapped. "This is not the point of the conversation."