Page 29 of Rebel
We share a smile, united against Tide for the first time in … well, forever. Tide and Lore, Lore and Tide. I have always been the extra, the third brother in our brotherhood, but Rogue will unite us and make us equal. I know it.
“What are you doing with the lamps?” Lore picks one up.
“There’s a star eclipse about to hit in a few hours. Help me out. Check the generator.”
He snorts. “I’m a medic, Xavier, not a mechanic.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine. Take the lamps up to the first floor, and tell Tide about the star eclipse.”
“How long is it due to last?”
“Twenty-four hours.”
He nods. “We don’t want to burn out the generator by using the lights for the full twenty-four hours. We use the lamps for the night and tap the generator for the daytime.”
“I thought you weren’t a mechanic.”
“Common sense.” He frowns. “This place is secure?” His gaze goes to the walls.
“Trust me, if those creatures couldn’t climb a rock face, they’re not getting over those walls.”
He nods and then heads off with the lamps.
Now to check the generator.
16
“We’ll keep to this part of the station,” Tide said.
I leaned against the counter, arms crossed, and watched. No mention of sending me to Athion, no clue as to the decision he’d made. But it would come after the star eclipse was over, and then I’d be ready to fight. I had Vex and Xavier on my side, and if the way Lore kept looking at me was any indication, then he was leaning toward helping me.
“It will be tempting to turn on all the lights,” Xavier said. “And even though the generator recharges using star power, we don’t want to put too much strain on it. It’s not exactly new.”
“The kitchens, this level, and our cabins?” Vex asked for clarification.
“Yes,” Tide said.
Lore glanced at his watch. “Twenty minutes and counting.”
“I’ll make some bata,” Xavier said.
I shot Lore a quizzical look.
“It’s the Athion version of what you humans call tea.”
Tea. Oh, God. How long had it been since I’d had a cup of tea? I parked my butt at the table; there was no way I was missing out on this.
Xavier put a pan of water on to boil; it came from an underground reservoir that the station tapped into. The water had a distinctly sweet flavor to it. Was Athion water similar? Was that why Xavier tasted sweet? Did Lore and Tide taste the same? What the heck was I even thinking?
Lore pulled out a chair and sat opposite me, and Vex took the seat beside me. Tide hovered for a moment, his silvery gaze sweeping over us, and then took the seat beside Lore with a sigh that sounded suspiciously like resignation.
Xavier glanced over his shoulder. “Oh, so you all want bata now, do you?”
“Shut it,” Tide said. “You know I always make it too weak.”
“What’s your excuse, Lore?” Xavier asked.
“Me?” Lore’s brows shot up. “Nothing. I’m just being lazy.”
