I took a step forward, moving through the clear waters of the moat to step up to the large front entrance. The water continued through the building, ankle height, and the floor still moved as it had when we’d stood on the pontoon. We weren’t anchored to the floor, but since under our feet was covered in sand I couldn’t see below.
“I think I’m dreaming. I’m pretty sure my theory long ago in the alley where we both died and were living in an alternate universe actually happened,” Lucy said, standing next to me. “Nothing has been the same since then.” She tore her gaze from the view to smile at me. “And I couldn’t be happier.”
“How amazing is it to see the ocean surrounding us.” We couldn’t be too deep; there were lots of Spurns swimming outside the protective tube.
How much water pressure could their bodies withstand?
I was suddenly thrown forward as something hit me from behind. I landed on my hands and knees in the shallow water. To my right, Talina sprawled next to me.
“Oh, damn, Abby. I’m so sorry. This place does it to me every time. I feel like I’m drunk on sea wine down here,” she said as Raror reached her side to assist her up.
He kept an arm tightly around her.
Lucy reached down to help me. She was surprisingly strong for such a small person.
“It’s probably from your water powers,” I said to Talina, who looked mortified. “If your affinity is water, possibly this much around you throws your energy out of whack.”
I reached down to rub the pain out of my knees. As I straightened, a firm hand landed on my back and gave it a gentle stroke. The warmth and leap of desire in my belly told me immediately that it was Brace. His magic hands stroked away the hurt where Talina had hit me.
Did he realize that he was creating an entirely different set of aches? This chemistry was going to drive me insane. I wondered for the first time what it would be like to hear Brace’s thoughts. I wasn’t too keen to have anyone in my head. It was the last security I had and I loathed letting it go. But to hear his thoughts ... I had a sudden craving to know what he was thinking.
So I dropped the energy around my mind.
I shivered at the feeling of exposure, almost as if I suddenly stood there naked. Ignoring this, I projected a tentative word toward Brace.
Hello.
Everyone around me, except Lucy, groaned and clutched their heads.
“Aribella, put your energy back around your mind,” Samuel wheezed next to me, holding his forehead with both hands.
I quickly yanked it back up.
“What ... what happened?” I said. “I was testing my telepathy.”
“Well, we heard you loud and clear,” Lucas said drily. “Your ‘hello’ echoed around my mind until I felt like my head would explode.”
Whoops.
“Maybe don’t try that again until Josian can tell us what just happened. It was like you projected energy along with the word. It was not pleasant,” Samuel said, looking dazed.
Lucy shrugged. “Sometimes being a little old Earthling has it benefits. I didn’t hear a thing.”
Samuel’s expression shifted. “Just because you’re from Earth doesn’t mean you aren’t affected by energy. It’s very odd that you seem to be immune to all this.”
It was at this moment that I had a horrifying thought. One I should have had long before. Lucy, being from Earth, would be bound by the evolution of that planet, which included a lifespan of at most a hundred years. I would outlive her and I couldn’t do that. That was not cool with me. There had to be something that Lallielle or Josian knew that could change Lucy’s fate. I pushed my sudden nausea and horror away for now. There was nothing I could do until I spoke with my parents.
“Ladre is waiting for us. We should move into the main hall,” Raror said from inside the front room.
He continued to help Talina.
We followed as they led us through room after room. They were all open plan, but still gave the impression of individual space. There were scattered tables and chairs throughout. I had the feeling of small dining rooms, or gathering places. But each room was empty. Eventually, the smaller rooms tapered off. We finished up in one huge cylindrical space. Along the back wall, sitting around a large coralline table, were five Baroons. The center one was Ladre, their leader.
“Hello, welcome to Silver City,” he said, waving us over. “Please have a seat. We have much to discuss.” He turned his head slightly to indicate his companions. “I have gathered some of the council to hear your story, and then we will vote on whether Talina is free to leave.”
Talina, who had been watching him longingly, suddenly frowned.
“I was unaware that I was owned,” she started. “Surely this is my decision. ”
Ladre’s eyes clashed with hers. “You are an important part of Spurn. As Raror reminded me, you are the daughter of the Earon leader and have duties. It is not as simple as you think.”
Talina glared at her brother, who shrugged apologetically. I knew then he would use any means to keep her on Spurn.
Ladre continued. “You are needed, Talina.”