Page 31 of A Door in the Dark

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The next day in the wild was particularly brutal.

A long parade of clouds warded off the sunlight and had the group shivering in their too-thin clothing. Theo offered Clyde’s extra sweater. It was too small for Avy, so Ren and Timmons took turns wearing the extra layer as they walked. She took little comfort in wearing a dead boy’s clothes, but out here they had no other options.

Avy became their anchor. His barreling voice picked them up every time they felt low. His strides were a goal for the rest of them to match. Sometimes he’d come back and jog alongside them as they walked, offering idle conversation to get their minds off the task of surviving. Partnered with his tapered haircut, it was as if they’d hired their own Brightsword drill commander.

At some point he ranged ahead, and Cora eased in beside Ren.

“He’s bonded, you know.”

Ren frowned. “Bonded?”

“To his mother,” Cora explained. “It’s not typical in Delvea. More common in Tusk, where communal magic is normalized. They performed the ceremony a few years ago. It’s the reason his ockley count is low. Not because he didn’t get his vessel refilled, he always does, but because his mother siphons magic from him to stay alive. She drains his count every month. I saw the face you made when he said his number. I didn’t want you to think less of him. His strength has been keeping her alive for a few years now. He doesn’t talk about it because some recruiters would consider the relationship a liability. And he’s… humble. Well, sometimes.”

There was so much to unpack that Ren walked on in silence for a moment. She remembered Pree mentioning that his mother’s health was delicate. Some kind of blood disease. A bond between mother and son was certainly atypical. Family members often linked a vessel—as she did with her mother—but it was very rare to bond directly with kin. That was an intimacy that was usually reserved for romantic partners. Her eyes found Avy up ahead. No wonder he kept himself in such great physical shape. A magical siphon would leave anyone else exhausted.

“Oh, and don’t tell him I said anything. He doesn’t like people to know.”

Ren nodded. “I promise I won’t.”

Her mind turned back to the other detail that Cora’s comment revealed. I saw the face you made. Ren had assumed her expressions and thoughts were well guarded, but Cora had seen right through her. What else had she noticed? Ren would need to be more cautious going forward.

Sunlight broke through during their lunch break. All of them unwound scarves or unbuttoned sweaters or jackets to allow the light to soak their skin. It was well-timed restoration.

“I’m starting to get hungry,” Avy said. “You said you hunt, Cora?”

She nodded. “I can set traps tonight.”

Theo stood. He looked up to the branch where Vega had settled, forgotten for most of the day as she winged above them. He snapped his fingers and the bird took flight. They all watched her sweep the sky in quick circles before darting down with true velocity. There were a few smaller birds unsettled by the swooping shadow. When Vega appeared again, she had a rabbit clutched in her stone talons. It all seemed so effortless.

“She rarely gets one on the first try,” Theo admitted. “Got lucky.”

Her wings spanned out as she fluttered to a near halt. Everyone laughed when she dumped the dead rabbit directly on Theo’s shoulder. He jumped, muttering under his breath.

“Looks like she didn’t appreciate the insult,” Ren said with a smile.

She knew they should keep moving, but the prospect of actual meat was too good to delay. Theo sent Vega winging up in search of more prey while Cora found a large rock nearby and set to work. Ren would normally have thought skinning a creature to be a bit brutal, but the girl was surgical and quick. An artist returning to a favorite craft. Ren saw the pleasure she took in extracting as much meat as possible. Avy built a quick fire and had the smaller chunks of meat spitted and roasting in no time. No one complained about the lack of seasoning or the small portions. Their hunger more than made up for that.

“I might marry you, Cora,” Avy said. “Even if you don’t find my anatomy sound.”

The girl finished swallowing a large bite. “You’re handsome in a roguish way.”

Avy grinned at that. Hearty food, however meager, turned out to be the restorative they’d needed. After washing their hands in the nearest creek, they picked up their satchels and pressed on.

Ren was still tracking their spells carefully, but as they settled in for the night, she allowed herself to believe they’d actually get home. Surely, they were capable enough to survive. Cora always fell asleep first. Her skin had taken on a deeper olive color. Maybe the slightest of burns from all the extra sunlight out here. Ren knew this was a far cry from the mortuary.

They’d been out here for only a few days, but that was enough time for Avy’s beard to come in. It was a dark brown that verged on black, with a random splotch of white near one dimple. It was hard not to think of his brother, Pree. He’d been growing a beard when the two of them dated. She still remembered the way it scraped and snagged during their first kiss. She felt a long way away from first kisses.

Ren was imagining being back in Kathor when Timmons nudged her. She’d assumed her friend was asleep. She turned so they were face-to-face.

“The night before the accident… at the party.”

Ren sighed, thinking her friend was going to apologize for abandoning her.

“It doesn’t matter now, Timmons.”

“I hooked up with Clyde.”

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