The Key of Astrea

Second Test

Jenny treaded water in the middle of the ocean. Huge waves lifted her up and down in a rhythmic motion. The dark abyss tickled her feet and pulled at her legs. She screamed for help, and her eyes shot open to find that Kensei was carrying her on his shoulders. That explains the rhythmic movement, Jenny thought.

"Welcome back," Kensei said.

"Thanks, now can you put me down?"

"Sure." Kensei set her down and leaned against the wall. He fought the dizziness that came from using his ability.

Jenny felt the burstepi on her back and sighed internally. She glanced between Kensei and Adriana and saw their empty hands. "Where's the Locator?"

"We delivered it to Mazu," Adriana said. "While you were asleep."

"Thank goodness." Jenny sighed in relief. "What happened?"

"You saved us," Kensei said between deep breaths. "You were Sadi, or you controlled her body or something."

Jenny remembered the encounter with Sadi, and all the pain and raw emotions from it flooded into her mind. Sadi's life flashed before her eyes. I possessed her. Jenny shook her head and rocked on her heels.

"How did you do it?" Adriana asked.

"I don't know." Jenny looked away and saw a map that indicated that they were on the gym floor. "Where are we going?"

"To Lin's office," Adriana said. "To let her know that we delivered the Locator."

"And to tell her what Sadi did," Kensei added.

Jenny thought of the little girl and her abusive father. "No, just let it go."

"Why?" Adriana demanded.

"Because I know she won't try anything like that again," Jenny replied.

* * *

Lin sat behind her desk, a game consisting of cards and a collection of colored stones arranged in different numerical groupings pushed to one end. "Hi, friends, did you deliver the Locator to Mazu?"

They all talked over each other in reply.

"One at a time, please." Lin waited until they quieted down. "Okay, I believe you were first, Adriana."

"Yes, we delivered the Locator to Mazu."

"And Aindriu and Sadi were on the engineering level," Jenny said.

"But we snuck by them," Kensei said. "Thanks to Adriana's ability, and Jenny—"

Jenny kicked him.

Lin looked at Jenny and Kensei curiously, then Adriana spoke up. "I think they were looking for Mister LaGrange."

"Interesting." Lin looked distracted. "You know, I can't find him either."

"Did he leave?" Jenny asked.

"I don't know."

"Is his plane still here?" Kensei looked up at the ceiling as if he could see the cement platform floating above the spaceship.

"Yes," Lin said. "All the planes are still up there." She looked back at her young pupils. "But I don't want you three to get distracted," she warned. "The final test is tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow?" Adriana said. "I thought we had a week."

"We did"—Lin sighed—"but recent events have accelerated our timeline."

"Recent events?" Kensei asked.

"A large ship arrived through the Terminal. We believe it's a Tyr warship, come for the Selkans."