Broken (Disappeared #2)

Chapter Nine

The group trudged into the settlement after nightfall. The journey back had been long and difficult. None of them wanted to be chased again — a challenging proposition thanks to the number of half and fully-realized beings walking about. It didn't help that patches of safe forest were fewer than ever. Theodosia had never been so relieved to see the settlement.

The elm towered about them. Usually candles and lamps were lit among its massive branches, resulting in a cheerful, cozy glow, but now most of the lights were off or muted to avoid attracting half-beings. People climbed along the branches, sat in their beds, or walked on the platform above, but they were muted too.

It was also strangely silent on the ground. Normally there were children playing by the river and people bathing or washing dishes. Now there were only a few guards keeping watch, eyes fixed on the buildings visible from the perimeter. Their lights glittered greedily in the darkness.

Theodosia splashed her arms, legs, and neck in the river. She was covered in dirt and couldn't quite shake the sensation of being underwater with that creature. She scrubbed vigorously with the cold water, trying to erase the feeling. Ahuil did the same. His neck muscles were tense and tight until he was fully clean. He sat down heavily on the bank, dripping water.

"Is there another meeting tonight?" she asked. She was careful to place the glowing blue sphere beside her as she sat down.

He nodded, grimacing. "Everyone'll be anxious to know what the Ahtle said. I half wish they could've all gone into that pool with me. No one would think he was benevolent then." He shivered. "Horrible thing. Truth is, though, nature is just as ruthless. It acts without paying attention to our concepts of good or bad. Completes whatever cycle it's on, no more, no less." He sighed. "But enough of my random thoughts. What are we going to say about you?"

Theodosia carefully re-plaited her long hair. "I was afraid you were going to ask that. Could we at least eat first?"

He broke out in a weak smile. "Sure."

"You're still a bit wet." She sponged droplets off his shoulders with a towel.

He watched her out of the corner of his eye and when she was done he scooped her into his lap. She shrieked as he planted kisses all over her cheeks, nose, and forehead before kissing her tenderly on her mouth.

"At least I have you," he murmured. "It's all almost bearable as long as you're here."

They got in the hammock, Theodosia still blushing furiously, and were lifted up to a private dining room platform. The glowing sphere was impossible to hide and Ahuil didn't want to reveal it until the meeting.

Theodosia sighed heavily as she sat down on a long wooden bench. A single candle sat on the rough table. The elm leaves were thick around them, effectively shielding them from prying eyes. Ahuil brought up bowls of steaming fish stew and big hunks of bread from the kitchen. They had eaten only a quick lunch of apples and bread on the road, so even the unnerving light from the sphere could not keep her from enjoying her meal.

After a couple of minutes, she realized that Ahuil watching her closely from across the table. She pulled a face.

"My time is up, isn't it?"

"What do you want to do with that thing?" he asked, inclining his head at the ball.

"I have to go to the baobabs and do exactly as the Ahtle said." She took a deep breath. "If I can. I'm no wizard. Actually, I get most things wrong. You should hear me trying to do a scale on the piano. Or singing." She shuddered. "Now that's terrible. So I cannot promise any world-saving wizardry."