COF 2: The Soul Spells

17 | Trouble (III)

"What are you thinking?" June pulled her aside as they filed out of the soul door into a corridor teeming with Temple workers bustling about. Ezril had deposited them to the lower floors, telling them something about meeting the Rekshais. The High Priestess added that she would send for them once more. What was that about?

Xanthy crossed her arms as she and June tore against the current of priestesses carrying buckets with mops stuck into them. "I want to help."

June exhaled and massaged his temples as he caught up to her when she began walking faster. "Xanthy, you can't help everyone," he reached out and grasped her by the elbow. "This is a suicide mission."

Xanthy faced June, stopping their parade. Some priestesses muttered their excuses as they flitted past Xanthy. "Then what do you suppose we do? Curl in a room and die with the rest of the Serzhakis? Run away?" she shrugged off his hand off her arm and looked straight into his eyes. "We need them and they need us. It's only natural for us to help them first."

"Okay, fine," June held his hands up. He frowned. "But do you realize that we could actually die? I mean, it's nice of you to think about the Brownies and all by volunteering to go on this mission, but have you considered that everything could go wrong from here? Worse is you could die."

Xanthy scoffed while rolling her eyes. "Maybe I will if you keep saying it," she snapped. Why was June so protective of her? She narrowed her eyes. "I'm not so careless. I'll find ways to survive."

"What about us?" June gestured behind him even though their friends had long filtered out of the corridor. "What do you suppose we would do while you're out waging war?"

Xanthy stepped back and scratched at her temples. "You can all go home if you want," she shook her head. Why was June pinning the decision to fight all on Xanthy? These people could think for themselves! "I'm fighting in the lines. I volunteered myself, not all of you."

"You should just sit this one out," June drew closer, his voice was thick with worry it made Xanthy's heart skip a bit.

That didn't erase the fact that June was just trying to hold her back in helping people.

"What is wrong with you?" Xanthy backhanded June in the chest. "People needed my help. I didn't want to do this too but I can't sit still knowing I could have done something in my power."

Xanthy met June's eyes and held his gaze for the longest time she dared. "I'm the Virtakios," she said. "It's time I take the part."

She didn't wait for his reply. She turned around and headed to their given room after asking around if the priests had seen their friends. The door swung open easily and Xanthy stepped inside.

Reeca had claimed the window overlooking the mountains and the Carleon fog. It was still light out. Cyrdel and Ravalee had taken a corner and sat together on the floor beside the door. Xanthy smiled at their playful signs and how Cyrdel chuckled whenever Ravalee signed something that made him laugh.