The Elements

Chapter Eight

I couldn't believe it. My own parents, murdered.

Kai stood up, turning to us, shielding my eyes from the two heads.

"We need to get out of here. These weren't here when I went to bed last night, meaning that they are close by. I'm surprised that they didn't just kill me while I was asleep, but that probably means they want us alive."

"Why? Why alive? And this drop of red blood...that means that they know our blood isn't blue." Skipper was pacing, his hands behind his back.

I didn't say anything, still in the safety of Frost's arms. I was still in shock, and I knew it wouldn't sink in for a while. My own parents...

"That settles it," Brin said, crossing her arms.

"What?" I asked, wiping my nose.

"That settles it. Now we know why our blood is red, and why I had it in a dream."

"Yeah...explain?"

"This group of people...they know we have red blood, and because of that, they want us. I don't know why, I don't know how. But they do. I agree with Kai. I think we need to get out of here, find the last member of our group and find out exactly why we're here and what we need to do to stop these people."

"The Cross Hunters." Brin turned to Skipper, an annoyed look etched on her face.

"What? Skipper, we don't have time for stupid games-"

"No, Brin, look!" Skipper pointed at a tree across from where they were standing. The tall oak tree was carved, quite badly, but I could barely make out what it said. I walked closer, squinting my eyes against the still rising sun.

It did indeed say Cross Hunters. I wasn't sure how Skipper could read it from so far away, but he was right.

"Guys," I called out, turning towards them. "Skipper's right. It says Cross Hunters. I...I think that's their name." Kai walked closer as well, tracing his fingers along the ragged cuts.

"Is everyone ready to go?" We hesitated, but nodded.

"Good, because we need to leave, now."

"This isn't fair," Skipper noted, slinging his backpack over his shoulder.

"What isn't fair?" Jayde asked, petting her winged horse. Brin, Kai, Jayde, and Skipper had brought their own winged horses, since they couldn't fly.

"It isn't fair that the Cross Hunters get a cool team name, but we don't!" He paused, but Kai cut in.

"Is everyone ready? We really should get going."

Kai raised his hand to the sun, calculating something that I didn't understand.

"What are you doing?" Jayde asked, speaking the question we all were wondering.

"I'm calculating where the sun is in the sky so I can understand how long it will take to get around Bellaba to Seldou."

"You can do that? Cool!" Jayde bounced around, held her own hand up to the sun, squinted, and ran off to talk to Frost.

"She's such a happy little elf," I said, smiling.

"I know right. I wish I could be as carefree and happy as she is." I turned to Kai, surprised that he had said anything.

"Well...why can't you be carefree? We're still pretty young, able to fall in love and begin our future-"

"Not all of us get to fall in love like that. I'm royal, and you are too. You should know that." I shook my head before he even finished talking.