Page 65 of Orange Lake
“I’ll go see to the quarters where we’ll be staying,” Coone said to me. I just nodded and he went back to Jigen. I think he meant to see to it there are no traps or bugs in that place. He was the spy so he knows about these things. He trusts Jigen, Crix and Volks but I see that he doesn’t trust anyone beyond them.
One thing I realized. All those times Coone was grumpy at him, it was because he was jealous of me. With Zirc. I think they kept telling me I’m his mate but I have yet to hear it from Zirc. Then again, isn’t action speaks louder than words?
I sighed and went out of the room. I found Jigen and Coone. Jigen is showing him a map. If action speaks louder than words, how come Roqs is not Zirc’s mate? I am not dumb. I knew there’s history there. They’d been friends since childhood. Most likely first lovers though I have yet to hear how they tried to be mates. Yet they are not mated.
I looked at Jigen. There is no outward sign he is mated to Crix and Volks. Something to ponder later. If Zirc is my mate, how come he and I do not have our own exclusive marking? Or maybe it’s a different mark?
“We’ll go now,” Coone said to Jigen. Coone looked at me with manic on his eyes.
I actually stepped back. He just grin. What is he up to?
“Our quarters will be above,” he simply said. ‘Our’ meaning with Zirc. And probably with Roqs.
Grinning, he said, “That means we’ll go through the caves. Ever wondered how we go up?”
I paled. I felt faint. If going down felt like I’m falling, how hard it could be going up? I gulped. “Surely there are rooms here and might be more secure?” I hedged.
Laughing Coone said, “No. There are hiscats here. Zirc will go ballistic once he hears about that. On top of,” he paused dramatically, “the stunt you pulled here.”
I thought I was forgiven!
He gently urged me forward by placing a hand on my elbow. Such a complete 360 degree when we first arrived here. Was it just yesterday?
And guess what, going up is actually fun. Coone turned grumpy again when we reached above. Going up felt fun because I can fly! I felt weightless and swam upward. And I laughed to my heart’s content when I saw the old grumpy Coone. But this time, though he is grumpy, his eyes are warmer.
Chapter 18
PEACE
Zirc
“Open those eyes lover,” I heard Roqs voice as if he is at the end of a tunnel. My mind is soft like cotton. What is going on? Did we end up in a fight? But I can’t feel anything. My body is heavy. More like I drank too much wine. I feel drunk. I haven’t had a hangover since my first year on my job as a mercenary. Roqs dragged me out to celebrate with the twins. It was a night to remember.
I moaned. I felt someone slipping something between my lips. Ah, water. It feels so good.
I coughed.
“Easy,” Roqs said. His voice now much nearer to me. I tried to pry my eyes open. It’s like someone soldered them shut. I blinked away. And the first face I saw is Roqs. Where are we? Are we in a safe environment? Probably not if Roqs is showing a worried face.
“What happened?” I can now move and I tried to rub my chest with my right hand. My left arm felt itchy.
There is something more important though. My internal ears are ringing and I can’t hear what Roqs is saying. My beast is shouting, wanting to get out. I shivered as I tried to control my beast from coming out.
“Crix, something’s wrong,” Roqs looked towards the end of the bed. I pulled myself up. When Roqs noticed, he helped me out.
Crix. Crix is here. Meaning Jigen and Volks are probably here. Why can’t I remember? Then I remembered Coone’s face.
Roqs shoved his hand in my face, shielding my vision of my hands. My beast is shouting again. Trying to make me remember something important.
Someone very important.
“Brin!” I shouted. Me and my beast struggled against Roqs hold. Then I felt more hands trying to shove me back against the bed.
“You will not undo the healing I did to your body Zirc. So help me, I will break you again myself if you don’t settle down!” Crix roared to my ear.
“I thought you said he is healed now?”
I stilled. That voice.
