The Exiles (Book 1 of the Exiles Series)

Twenty

Everyone hastily did as they were told. Soon, we were separated into the two groups: Team Nicole and Team Talia. We stood silently, side by side, awaiting orders as Nicole gazed back at us. I could tell by the look on her face that she was filled with pride. Finally, after silently surveying us for several moments, Nicole took her place beside Sasha and the rest of her team.

"You all know what time it is," Nicole repeated. "It's time to go. It's time to win this. Is everyone ready for this?" Everyone nodded yes. Those who had set their weapons on the ground, including me, bent over to retrieve them. "Then here we go. For peace." Everyone gathered in a tight circle, and stuck out their hands in the circle. "One, two, three!" someone shouted.

"For peace!" we all shouted, so loud that the walls of rock around us seemed to shake. And finally, though I felt like I was made of jelly, we divided again and set off--hopefully for the win.

"All...all right, team," I stammered, gathering my team. "I've never done this before."

Sammy made her way through the crowd and came up beside me. "It's okay," she assured in a whisper, so the others wouldn't hear. "You're fine." She squeezed my hand soothingly. The others couldn't see this. They stared at me impatiently, waiting to go.

Nicole's team hurried past us and exited the canyon, looking tough with their weapons drawn. Nicole shot me a wondering glance, as if to say, "What's going on?" with her eyes.

"Can we go now?" a girl shouted. I think her name was Danielle. Sammy shot Danielle a warning glance.

"Just give it a moment, will you?" Sammy told her loudly. "She just wants to make sure you know the plan." Several people, especially girls, rolled their eyes. I felt my face go white with nerves. The tip of my nose had begun to sweat. I wasn't cut out for this job.

"Yeah, that's it," I muttered. "I...just want to make sure you understand the plan. We're going to the house. If Magnus is there, we'll confront him and corner him until Nicole and her team arrive. If not, then, well...I guess we'll go to the Center to help Nicole. Does...everyone understand?" Sammy nodded at me. "We understand," she said, speaking for everyone.

"Does everyone have a weapon?" I asked. Those who had weapons, which was everybody, held them up. I held up my own bow, and quiver of arrows that I had in a bag over my back. Nicole had lent me a few arrows of her own, "just in case."

"Wonderful," I breathed, "off to Magnus's house, I guess." Everyone drew their weapons, and held them up farther than usual so they could run without chafing themselves.

On quiet feet we left the security of the canyon and broke into a run outside. My legs were itching to go. Finally, I could run! I took deep breathes as I ran, leading the rest of the pack by several strides. I could hear everyone panting behind me, struggling to keep up.

I turned towards the forest and ran as fast as I possibly could. The rest of the group followed. I couldn't help but notice how menacing the forest looked at night. The tall trees looked even taller and more sinister in the darkness. A few times my breath caught when the wind rustled the leaves, making it sound as though something lurked in the bushes. I knew the way by heart, but the thought of accidentally losing my way sent goosebumps up my spine.

"Talia, slow down, will you?" Sammy cried, sounding as if each breath ached. I barely glanced back at her. Her face looked a few shades pinker than usual, though it was hard to tell in the falling dusk.

"Not a chance," I shot back absentmindedly. My head was in another place. I didn't know what I felt for Magnus anymore. Something still made my heart flutter when I thought of him, as it did now. But I was also so angry with him. He had tried to kill my friend, or at least sent a hitman to do his bidding for him. And his whole, "I'm gonna dominate the world," thing was a little loony. Though I did admire his qualities of leadership. He had a way of directing others with ease.