Page 88 of Made

“Great,” Killian said. “When did you become as impulsive as Kagan?”

“I’m not as imthis pulsive as Kagan. But I’m also not dulled by drink. Shut it unless you have something constructive to posit.”

“I do.”

The lengthy pause that followed that declaration ratcheted Keir’s aggravation higher. “WELL? DO YOU WANT ME TO GUESS? OR ARE YOU GOING TO SHARE?”

Killian smiled. “Waiting for you to settle, brother.”

“SETTLE?!? OUR BROTHER HAS JUST BEEN SUCKED INTO HEL!”

“Aye. Since goin’ to hel is more or less what he came to do, I fail to see the panties-in-a-twist event. As to the next part of the challenge – gettin’ him back - we’ll be needin’ a pint of calm and a dash of reason. True?”

Keir closed his eyes, momentarily pondering how the partially drunk brother could also be the one with his head about him. He willed his fight response to recede so that he could help think through the problem at hand. When he opened his eyes, he said, “Suggestions?”

“I suggest we do no’ get off the boat until we know what we’re about to do.”

“Would you understand what I mean if I say ‘duh’?”

Killian looked blank. “No.”

“Alright then. Agreed.”

“By the way.”

“What?”

“Do we know why Kagan wanted to get silk cord?”

“I don’t. It would’ve been nice if you’d thought to ask when he was still here.”

“I can no’ control brilliance. Flashes in its own time, it does.”

Keir sneered, but decided they had more important things to think about than banter. “If neither of us has a better thought, we have no choice but to jump off and see what happens.”

“No’ precisely a scheme worthy of our intellect.”

“Perhaps not. Let’s hope it turns out to be risk-reward and not just risk.”

“After you.”

Keir took a step-sized jump to the shore then stood waiting to be sucked away. But nothing happened.

“Nothin’ happened,” said Killian.

“I see that,” said Keir.

“Come on then. Gettin’ lonely.”

Killian followed suit and, likewise, found himself standing on the rock beach. He took a tentative step, and the black pebbles crunched beneath his feet.

“Huh,” Keir said.

“What does that mean?”

“Stealth isn’t an option, the ground making so much noise underfoot.”

Killian glanced down at this feet. “Part of the security system?”

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