The Hidden Crystal

Chapter 45

"I'm fine," Iris insisted. "I just tripped, that's all."

"You're tired and you're stumbling," Char corrected her. "We've made good progress. We can afford to stop and rest."

Rath frowned. "Except we're too exposed."

It was midday, and the bright sun shone from a clear blue sky. Iris could see far down the road before and behind them and far across the plains on either side of them, and she knew the dragons could see farther. They were too exposed. But even if they weren't, she didn't want to stop. She'd rather walk another twelve hours at high speed than risk encountering Micah again.

Rath slowed his pace, scanning the area with sharp blue eyes. "There. That shed looks abandoned. Let's go."

Iris couldn't even see the shed.

She followed the dragons with blind faith until a dilapidated wooden structure came into view up ahead, just off the side of the road. There was nobody in sight, but then again, they'd met nobody on the road all morning.

Rath pushed the decaying wooden door open, its rusty hinges creaking a complaint. The musty smell of disuse greeted them. Occasional streaks and spots of sunlight peeked through the rotting walls into the dark interior, where rodent droppings littered the floor and a few rusted tools cluttered one corner.

Char wrinkled his nose. He slung his pack off his shoulder, rummaged around in it while Rath leaned against the wall by the window, arms crossed over his chest, peering through grimy panes of broken glass. Closed off and unapproachable.

Iris still wasn't used to this serious side of him.

"How much longer until we reach the capital?"

"If we can keep this pace up, we'll make it by nightfall," Rath replied.

"Here." Char laid out a blanket for Iris. "We can only afford an hour, two at the most. Get some rest."

She shook her head. "I couldn't sleep right now."

The fairy emerged from the pack with a biscuit. It zipped toward her, nudging her hand until she took it, and then it flew back and forth, distributing food from their supplies to Char and Rath as well.

Iris sighed and sat on the blanket, forcing a smile. "Thanks."

The fairy settled on her knee when it finished its self-assigned duty. Char sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and giving her a gentle squeeze.

"We won't let him get you, Iris."

She leaned into Char's side, wishing the security she felt with him was real. "You can't promise that."

"Sure he can," Rath said, as confident as ever. "I just wish I could have throttled that jerk then and there."

"Agreed." Char hesitated, and then he asked Iris, "How did you know he was coming? I didn't feel his signature."

She shook her head. "He hides it most of the time. I think I can feel it because of our connection."

"But he couldn't find you," Rath mused. "Interesting."

"You made us invisible, didn't you?" Char continued. "Like in the cave."

She nodded. "Although I didn't do it consciously then."

And hadn't known she could do it this time. She'd only known she had to do it, because he would have killed them—Char, Rath, and the fairy. And then he would have—

Her stomach lurched. She couldn't even look at the biscuit, let alone eat it. She was trembling all over.

Char's embrace almost made her cry.