The familiar fishy scent of seafood chowder wrapped around her like a soft blanket. A large fire burned inside the cave. Teegan cracked open clam shells while Raiden stirred a tall pot bubbling on the coals.
Raiden beamed at Heli when he spotted her. All her fatigue was forgotten as she raced in for a hug. Heli had been dancing in the storms since she was twelve, and the forty-five-year-old camp manager was like a surrogate father. Although he tended to father all the Stormdancers whether they wanted it or not, and he was the voice of reason when arguments sprang up. Even Kade deferred to his experience most of the time.
“You’re early,” Raiden said when she stepped back.
“I missed your cooking.”
He huffed. “What happened to, ‘If I eat another fish, I’m gonna grow scales’?”
She waved her hand. “That was last year, when all the meat spoiled. You gotta admit that even you were sick of seafood after eating it for thirty days straight.”
“That’s a lot of clams,” Teegan said as he pried open another one and scooped out the insides.
Heli moved closer and inspected his pile of shells. “You’re already a pro. What else have you been doing?”
“We’ve been practicing our magic, learning our limits and abilities, getting ready for the big battle.” Teegan kept his tone casual, but she spotted the tension in his shoulders.
While only fourteen years old, he was well on his way to becoming a master-level magician, though he didn’t have as much experience wielding magic yet. When they’d rescued Valek and Yelena, Teegan had kept her safe from the enemies’ bolts and arrows that whizzed through the air, since she had to be close to the action to see where to focus the calm.
“Do you have any news?” Teegan asked.
“Not much.”
“Anything about my parents or family?”
“No, sorry.”
He wilted. It had to be hard not knowing what was going on. She squeezed his shoulder before helping him with the rest of the clams.
Soon everyone except Helen had assembled for supper. According to Raiden, she was at a critical point in the orb-making process. Zethan and Zohav had dried off and changed into plain gray tunics and pants. Their black hair dripped water. There was no doubt the two were siblings, and their resemblance to Valek, their older brother, was uncanny. Both had sapphire-blue eyes and angular faces, but Zethan smiled more, so he didn’t appear as...intense as his sister.
Zethan gave her a friendly hello, while Zohav’s expression darkened with worry. Once everyone settled around the fire with a bowl of chowder in hand, Kade asked Heli to repeat her message from Fisk.
“That’s it?” Teegan asked her. “No reason why we need to move?”
“For your safety.”
“We’re safe here,” Zethan said. “I’m not leaving unless they need us to help.”
“The only scenario that makes sense is that the Cartel is aware of your location,” Kade said.
“So what? I’d like to see them try to attack us,” Zethan said with enough enthusiasm to merit a scowl from his twin.
“I can go to the Citadel and gather more information,” Teegan said.
“And walk into an ambush?” Zohav asked. “If they know we’re here, then they’ll be watching for the perfect opportunity.”
“It’s not like I’m defenseless,” Teegan said, stabbing his spoon into the chowder. White drops splattered onto his tunic.
“Where else would we go?” Zohav asked.
No answer.
“I’m not leaving,” Zethan said again. “I’m learning so much about my magic here with Kade, and the storm season—”
“—is our concern,” Kade said. “The three of you are vital to Valek’s plans to stop the Cartel. They might not be able to get to you here, but like Zohav said, they can wait until you’re called to the fight and ambush you up on The Flats.”
“But we have magic,” Zethan said.
“And they have Curare and null shields,” Kade countered.
Now it was Zethan’s turn to frown. “But I can guide the storms here.”
Kade grinned. “You’ve brought so many already, Zee. We’ve reached our quota, and the season hasn’t even started yet.”
Heli glanced at Kade in surprise. “You shouldn’t be dancing on your own. It’s dangerous.”
“Not with Zethan,” Kade said. “He brings them just close enough for me to fill a few orbs with their energy, and then he sends them back out to sea.”
That was impressive.
“Which is why you need me,” Zethan said, sounding like a petulant child.
“Your brother needs you more right now. Sitia needs you,” Kade said.
“Then you should come with us,” Zethan said. “I need a dancer to keep the storm from hurting the people on our side.”
Heli held her breath. If Kade joined them, she’d be in charge of the other Stormdancers for the season—a big responsibility. But a part of her wished to go with them. They’d worked well as a team before. However, Kade was in charge.
As if he read her mind, Kade met her gaze. “I need to stay on the coast. Since we already have so many filled orbs, Heli can accompany you if she wants. If not—”
“I’ll go.” A mixture of fear and excitement twisted around her heart.