splayed.
“There’s something in the air here. Do you feel it? It was stronger outside this—” she glanced around their space, an expression of distaste on her face “—plastic bubble, but I can still pick up remnants here. It must be related to the power source Jormun is using to make his creatures. Have you learned anything yet?”
A band around Risk’s chest tightened. Though friendly, Jormun had refused his request to speak with Kara. But Risk had no choice; he had to move forward with his plan and just hope at some point he was able to communicate it to Kara.
Time to add to his nest of lies — to tighten the noose more closely around Lusse’s neck.
“I have. Jormun has been fairly free with information. He’s promised to show me how he makes the creatures, but not until we prove we’re trustworthy.”
“Trustworthy?” Lusse pursed her lips.
“He wants to make sure the twins aren’t hurt in the battle. If they’re harmed they’ll be of no use to him.”
“Of course.” Lusse shrugged. “Is that all?”
“Basically.” Risk tilted his head as if just remembering something. “Except, he asks that you wear a piece of equipment, just to assure a fair fight. If I can convince you to do that, he’ll trust me enough to share the source of his power with me.”
Lusse frowned. “How do I know his ‘equipment’ won’t tip the battle toward the twins?”
“I can try it on first, if you like.”
Lusse tilted her head in consideration. “I still don’t like it. You aren’t a witch. It might affect you differently.”
“True,” Risk agreed. “But it’s his one request.”
“And you think we can trust him? Will he really show you the power source?”
Risk pretended to consider her question. “He will. He seems to share the garm’s love of rules.”
Lusse shrugged. “Perhaps a side effect of living too near the portals.”
Risk fought to keep his face from twisting into a grimace. Trust and keeping a bargain were foreign ideas to Lusse.
Lusse straightened her arm, another ball of blue fire in her hand. “Tell him I agree.” She glanced at Risk. “Now leave, I need to practice. Not to beat them, you understand. I just want to make sure Jormun is left with no doubt as to who is the strongest.”
“I’m sure you will accomplish that,” Risk replied.
As Lusse whirled the fireball down the length of the tube, Risk slipped out the doorway.
“Why do you want to speak with the twins?” Jormun leaned back against a cushion, a live mouse dangling by its tail from his fingers.
“Curiosity, nothing more.” Risk hid a grimace as Jormun dropped the unfortunate animal into his mouth. It was one thing to kill a beast while in his hound form and something entirely different to devour a living creature whole while human.
“Curiosity killed the cat.” Jormun chuckled. “But that’s right — wrong species.”
Risk tapped his fingers against his thigh, the thin bracelet Jormun had given him for Lusse to wear during the battle clasped in his hand.
“Besides, I think we’re almost ready for your challenge. The twins have taken it upon themselves to hone their skills. Have you seen them working in the space next to yours?”
Risk clenched his jaw. He had, and the skill and determination with which the sisters worked worried him. There was every possibility they might defeat Lusse. Funny how that used to be his goal, and now it was his nightmare.
“You’re worried, aren’t you?” Jormun grinned. “Don’t fear, friend. Life here isn’t all bad.” He clapped his hand over a gray mouse as it attempted to scramble away.
“Now, I must ask you to leave. I’ve neglected other duties since you’ve arrived and some things just can’t be avoided.” He stood. “The skapt will escort you back to your tube.”
“That’s all right. I can find my way.” And stop by Kara’s again hoping to somehow get a message inside to her.
“No,” Jormun answered abruptly. Then with a smile he softened his reply. “Not now. No one wanders free during the ceremony.”
Ceremony? Risk cocked an eyebrow, but kept the question to himself. Perhaps he was about to learn the source of Jormun’s power.
A skapt arrived and Risk followed him out of the hall.
As they approached the section outside where Kara and her sister were housed, an idea occurred to Risk.
“Is it a lot of work for you, waiting on all these witches?”
The skapt turned, surprise at being addressed written on his face. “Work? It’s why we exist. We thank the Great One for the privilege every day.”
Risk studied the skapt, trying to decide if he was one of the two Risk had met the first day. “Have you met either of these witches?” He motioned to the doorway that separated him from Kara.
The skapt frowned, his short arms hanging loosely at his sides. “Why would I?”
“You aren’t curious about them? About the legends?”
“Legends?” The skapt shook his head. “Witches are nothing but tools. They don’t have the power you or the Great One share.”
This wasn’t going as Risk had hoped. He changed gears. “But they are useful, and fascinating.”
The skapt stared at him, the skapt’s face blank.
This was getting Risk nowhere. “Would you like to see me change?” he asked.
The skapt’s eyebrows rose. “Yes.” The word came out in a reverent hiss.
Closing his eyes, Risk concentrated on transforming. Within seconds he stared at the skapt through canine eyes.
“They spoke the truth.” The skapt looked as if he might fall on his knees.
Risk glanced back toward the doorway. “Do you think you could do me a small favor?” he asked telepathically.
Hands clasped in front of him, the skapt replied, “Without doubt.”
After quickly changing back to his human form, Risk relayed what he needed. While the skapt scurried off to get the few supplies, Risk leaned with his forehead pressed against the glass. How he wished he could see Kara and talk with her in person, but the glass blocked all efforts — even his telepathy. He would have to depend on the skapt to carry his message for him.
And pray Kara still trusted him enough to do what he asked.
Kelly leaped forward, flinging a pebble-sized ball of power directly at Kara’s head. Without thinking, Kara somersaulted out of the way and landed on her feet, her own golf ball of energy forming on her palm.
“Excellent.” Kelly grinned. “No way the ice queen over there can beat us.”
Kara glanced over her shoulder at Lusse, who had stopped her own practicing hours earlier. Now she lounged on a bed of pillows, her faced turned toward the door.
“What do you think she’s waiting for?” Kara asked.
“Your boyfriend.” Kelly shook her head. “I’d like to know how she rated those pillows.” She glanced at Kara. “More proof the two of them are here as guests.”
Kara stifled a sigh. She knew Kelly was right, but she wished her sister would quit mentioning it.
A click sounded from the wall.
“What’s that?” Kara asked, glad of the diversion.
“Sounds like the call for kibble.” Kelly sauntered to the open slot. As she had guessed, a bowl slid through the opening. “Well, this is new.” Kelly pulled a folded slip of paper from under the pellets. “It’s got your name on it.”
