Dead Moons Rising, first in the Honest Scrolls series

Chapter Five

Draven left them to hunt for rabbit a few minutes later. Aydra sat with Dorian against the boulders, and neither could stop staring at the empty skin lying at the bottom of the hill.

"We should tell the Scribe of this when we get back," Aydra said, sipping on her water.

"I volunteered to help him rid of the others," Dorian said in an almost trance-like voice. "Tell me again why I volunteered for that."

Aydra almost laughed. "Because you're the bravest of us," she replied.

Dorian shook his head and then leaned back against the boulder. Aydra curled her knees into her chest, and movement caught her eye across the field. She squinted, and she could see Draven lying in the grass on his stomach. She couldn't see the weapon he had in his hand, but she felt the thud of the rabbit's life leave its body a moment later.

A grunt behind them made Aydra smirk. Lex was trying to get a fire started, but the wind kept putting it out. She heard her curse Duarb's winds, and then throw something forcefully into the open field.

Aydra exchanged a look with Dorian, and he laughed as he shook his head and stood. "Looks like your Second could use some help," he said as he offered a hand to Aydra.

"I believe this is your chance to show off," she said, taking his hand.

Dorian had grown in the last year, he was as tall as her now, but still as gangly as ever. His deep set widely rounded stark blue eyes tore through her beneath his bold brows. His fluffy black ear-length hair fell over his eye, and Aydra reached out to fluff it playfully as she usually did.

"I can't decide if you always look as though you're up to no good or if you're sad with those eyes," she said fondly.

He huffed amusedly under his breath and held his arm out to her. "Ah. Secrets, sister," he said with a wink.

The noise of Lex throwing something else frustratedly into the air diverted their attention. Dorian raised a brow and grinned at Aydra.

"Calm down, Second Sun," Dorian said as he quickly made his way down the hill. "I'll help."

Lex's hands sat haughtily on her hips. "You can't. This damned wind of the Venari is debilitating. I can't—"

Dorian put his hand beneath the pieces of wood she'd piled up, and a flame grew in his palm. Aydra saw the flash of fire in his pupils, and she crossed her arms over her chest, smiling proudly at her brother.

"Oh." Lex's gaze met Aydra's. "I forgot he could do that."

Dorian grinned as he stood. "You can thank me when I get back from the villages," he said with a wink.

Lex's brows raised amusedly. "Bold," she mused, exchanging a look with Aydra. "But you're not really my type."

"Didn't know you had a type, Second," came Draven's voice as he joined them. "It was my impression you merely took your Queen's leftovers."

Lex snorted and quickly clapped a hand over her mouth, and Dorian chortled aloud. Aydra felt her nostrils flare as she attempted to keep her amusement inwards at the snarky grin on Draven's face.

"Funny, Venari," she finally said, lips pursed. "Lex, I'll finish packing the horses if you want to get a move on with breakfast. We've a long journey back to Magnice."

The once over Draven gave her then made her shake her head. She returned it with a raised brow, and then turned on her heel to pack their things.

Damn Venari.