Page 36 of Abalim

Lisa smiled and hooked her arm through his. “There’s nothing I’d rather do.” Keeping close to him somehow grounded her. The harsh sense faded when they touched.

Since the village wasn’t that big, it didn’t take long to find the larger hut on the outskirts.

“Isn’t it odd the elders don’t join in on the celebration?” Lisa mused. “As open and happy as the Lumarians appear, you’d think they’d want the whole family together.”

“I agree. Something doesn’t feel right. Let’s go and find out, shall we?”

It wasn’t until they got close to the hut that Lisa noticed several young Lumarians standing around it, as if guarding the place. Humph. These weren’t happy campers. None of them smiled. The severe frowns on their faces were as far removed from the joyous celebratory villagers behind them as one could get. And each one carried a… sword?

Lisa stopped, letting go of Abalim’s arm. She swallowed the creeping feeling as it came back, threatening to take her emotions over. It took a couple of tries before she could speak without getting lost in the intense sensation threatening to overwhelm her. “Are those weapons?” She glanced at her companion. “Are they trying to keep someone out or someone in?”

Abalim closed his eyes.

For the first time she experienced a psyche tendril coming from him that was aimed toward the large hut.

“Let me see what I can find from here.” He opened his eyes and kept a steady gaze on the sturdy structure made of dry leaves and twigs. His dark eyes narrowed before he frowned.

She couldn’t pick up why he did that.

“As far as I can tell”—his deep voice was low—“those guards are there to do both. I believe the elders in the hut are the main attraction in the Ritual of Renewal tomorrow. And I don’t think all of them want to be a part of it.” He grasped her upper arm and pulled her around one of the huts close to them. “Wait, there’s somebody coming. Let’s watch what happens.”

It was a young Lumarian couple holding covered baskets.

“What are you doing here, Dravik?” One of the guards approached the couple with a scowl, gripping his weapon in a tight fist.

“I’d think it would be obvious, Xalun. My sister and I are bringing our mother her midday meal.” The young male made a twittering noise that was far from happy.

Xalun’s responding twitter wasn’t welcoming. “You know foodstuffs are forbidden to the elders before they take the journey home.”

“I don’t care!” The female Lumarian stomped to Xalun and shook the basket of food at him with both hands. “My mother was weak before you locked her in there. She’s not going to be much use to you if she dies before the ritual. And guess who the council will blame when that happens?”

“Maelani, please don’t do this.” Xalun lowered his head. The gesture made it look like his neck disappeared.

The anger surrounding the group now carried a wave of longing so strong, Lisa tried to block the sensation coming from the male. Ooh, that boy was in love with the girl. “You know I didn’t have a choice,” Xalun said. “The honor was given to me to guard the Receivers until the Ritual of Renewal tomorrow night.”

“You could have refused.” Maelani yanked the basket from away from the guard and thumped it on the ground. “How many times has my mother included you in our family since yours died when you were young? Is this how you repay her? Sending her to her death?”

The gasps from the other guards matched the one from her brother.

“Maelani, you go too far!” Dravik grabbed her arm and yanked her back. He leaned down and spoke in a stern, low voice. “You know better than to say such things out loud.”

She jerked her arm from him. “If not now, when? You know this is a farce, and I won’t stand for it.” She stomped a foot.

Xalun rushed to the siblings. “Maelani,” he whispered. Glancing over his shoulder, he motioned for the other guards to stay back. “Leave now and I’ll do my best to take care of your ma-mere.” He grabbed her by the back of her neck and rested his forehead against hers. “I would never betray you. You’ve got to trust me.”

Maelani stiffened, then her whole body drooped. Gazing at the male who leaned back, she nodded. “Would you please take her this?” She picked up the basket and shoved it at Xalun until he took it from her. “It’s her favorite.” There was a sob in her tone.

Xalun gave her a curt nod before glaring at her brother. “Dravik, take her away from here before one of the council finds her here.” He bared his teeth and snarled. “And don’t you dare put her in danger again or you’ll answer to me.”

Dravik snorted. “Yeah, easier said than done.” The two males shared a knowing stare before he turned to his sister. “Come on, Maelani. Let’s go.”

“Remember, I’m trusting you, Xalun.” Maelani gave him the parting shot with narrowed eyes. Without another word, she turned and followed her brother.

“What do you make of that?” Lisa asked Abalim as she watched the two disappear into a crowd.

“It seems all is not unified here at Aroonshire.” Abalim responded. “It looks like some of them aren’t happy about the Ritual of Renewal.”

“They’ve got to be the ones Rerqel told us would be sacrificed.” Lisa asked. “Looks like not everyone agrees with that, doesn’t it?”

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