Mage Chronicles: The Journey.

SUNSET ROUTE.

I step out of the elevator into the lobby, shaking my head at how absurd my current predicament was. My parents wouldn't believe me if I told them I had gotten out of bed at such ungodly hour and to go run no less, I didn't even believe me.

I move to an open area of the place; not that it was hard to find, facing the elevator and the door to the stairs, so I could see when Killian and Andrei arrived. I smile remembering how frustrated Killian had been when I refused to take the stairs like they were doing, I was certain he would have pulled out his hair if he didn't value it so.

                                                                          ****

"We are taking the stairs," the man declares as I'm stepping into the elevator.

"Good luck," I mutter, still half asleep as I turn around waiting for the doors to close.

He slams a hand out stopping the door and I glare at him as Andrei snickers behind him, "I said, we are taking the stairs," he barks again like the drill sergeant he was born to be.

"Don't let me keep you," I answer in the same firm tone.

"Mahina."

"Yes, Killian?" I counter his frustrated call sweetly, tilting my head for full effect.

"You need to stretch out your muscles before your run, or else you'll be sore."

"I like being sore," I croon fully awake now.

Andrei loses it leaning against the opposite wall trying and failing to hold in his guffaws.

Killian heaves a breath rubbing a hand down his face, I was pretty sure if I could see his ears, I'd find them flushed scarlet.

Taking advantage of his distraction push his hand out jabbing at the close buttons until the doors shut in his frustrated face.

Just because I agreed to go running doesn't mean I have to get tortured on the highway to hell, because that is what going down almost thirty floors on foot would be, torture.

                                                                                  ****

I go through basic leg stretches because though I'd deny it until I grew wings, Killian was right, I needed to stretch my muscles. I hear their footsteps coming as I'm finishing up and a crazy idea assaults me as I turn around sliding to the floor a smile on my face as I anticipate their reactions.

I move into a three-legged downward dog just as they come in and the sharp gasps that ring out are worth the effort.

Ignoring their presence through sheer will, I decide to kick things up a notch as I move into a plow pose. Praying to the powers that be not to let me embarrass myself by ripping out a new one with my butt in the air.

"Wow, can we let her take the elevator every day? Andrei asks sounding entranced.

I turn around feigning surprise, "Oh! Hi guys! Took you long enough." Eyes fixed on Killian's I move into a camel pose pushing the stretch until I felt the distinct sharp pain at the centre of my back.

I tilt my head back playing into it before I'm grabbed and pulled to my feet roughly. Andrei hisses at Killian at his handling but I'm smiling in victory.

He shoves me away just as abruptly as he had grabbed me, "We are taking the sunset route, Andrei lead the way."

"What? But you said that was too hard to begin with!" Andrei protests and my heart stutters, had I pushed the broody hottie too far?

"She clearly has plenty of energy," he mutters pushing me towards the door.

Andrei still looks conflicted but listens leading the way at a slight jog.

It couldn't be that bad, could it? I wonder joining him as we set out on the ostensibly arduous trail.

Twenty minutes later, with no sign of the turn that would have us heading back and I have cursed out Killian with every colourful word in my arsenal and invented new ones just for him; internally of course.

My feet felt like jelly, my ears were so hot, they were throbbing and my stomach had started cramping. I was tempted to just give up and throw in the towel but I refused to give the sadistic elf the satisfaction of seeing me break. He had held his position behind me, a silent but persistent shadow to my huffing and panting self. Andrei kept turning back to me and the poker face I had been straining my facial muscles to hold must have done the trick because he'd just nod and carry on.

The stabbing pain came again and I almost stopped to clutch at my stomach.

No Mahi! You pushed out a living being from your poor introverted yoni, this is nothing! I frantically think to myself fighting the urge to give in.

Andrei slows down a s he nears a weird looking tree that had split trunks leaning in multiple directions. He finally makes the turn and I almost sob in relief until he stops turning back to Killian undecidedly.

"Are you sure about this man?" he asks.

Killian huffs while jogging in place like I was, "We have made it this far, it's shorter this way,"

"I know it is," Andrei argues, "But the remaining trail is...he breaks off looking at me brokenly.

I tune out their argument to focus on not crying out or throwing up in front of them. Taking deep breaths and resuming my poor version of jogging in place, I look up just in time to see Killian shrug while moving to lead. I spare Andrei a concerned glance before joining him while the latter brings up the rear.

We make a turn and my feet glue themselves to the ground as I lurch forward using my hands to break my fall.

"Fuck no!" I mutter staring at the imposing hill that was clearly part of a trail and ...were those stairs?

The threatening tears finally fight their way out and two streaks make it down my cheeks before I regain control.

"I'm not running up that!" I declare from my kneeling position.

Killian turns to regard me a disappointed look on his face, and I curse at myself for the short-lived shame that fills me.

Andrei is silent beside me, waiting for Killian's verdict like I was.

"It didn't take you long to give up. How the hell are you going to achieve anything if this is how you are at your first attempt?" He asks scathingly.

I look up at him letting every single emotion burning through me show, "Your help---I huff fighting through another cramp that threatened to have me fold in half, "---has been greatly appreciated--- but from now on, you can keep---keep it. Train yourself some courtesy and compassion---before---" I hunch over swallowing a scream at the intense pain flashing through my abdomen.

"Shit!"

"Mahina!"

I shrug away their hands wishing there was a way I could magic myself back to my room. On the heels of that thought, everything goes dark and when it clears up, I'm half-standing in my room staring at a flummoxed Keon and a concerned Rhysand.

"Mahina!" Rhys calls out reaching out to help me with Keon mirroring his action, I dodge them stumbling to my bathroom before falling to my knees and emptying the meagre contents of my stomach into the toilet bowl.