Page 15 of Killian
“I’m starting to wonder if I got sucked into a tornado, and I’ve gone over the rainbow,” said Moira, looking back and all around to make sure they weren’t being followed “At this point, I’m just hoping to wake up and have you tell me it was all a horrible dream.”
“Well, we haven’t met any witches,” said Killian. “So we’ve got that going for us. But I have to admit I could use a few munchkins to point us toward the exit.”
“I guess we’re stuck with following the red carpet,” said Moira.
“I guess so,” said Killian.
Still holding hands, they started back down the center aisle. Their blue glowsticks painted the carpet a deep purple and made the bookcases looming behemoths in the dark. They had walked on for some time when they came to a set of enormous gates. At least three stories high, the ornate metal grating blocked further access into the library.
Moira lifted her glowstick and approached the center where the gates had been padlocked with a thick looping set of chains.
“These aren’t iron,” she said, fingering the chains.
Killian inspected the chains and gate. “I think it’s bronze. That’s so weird. It can’t be very secure. Bronze is pretty soft compared to iron. Which could have been some of the appeal of bronze in weaponry making—blades could be bent back into shape.”
“Have you been watching too much History channel?” asked Moira, looking skeptical.
“I don’t know,” he said, scratching his head. “It did feel like I was quoting someone.”
“I can do battle axes,” said Hudson, his pale face serious. “Do you want double-headed or single? How do you feel about fir for the handle? Although, oak might be more traditional.”
“Hudson…” said Killian.
“Hudson, like the river?”
“I think it’s his name.” The memory retreated, leaving the impression of a tall man with blonde hair. “I miss him.” Killian put his hand over his chest where he felt the absence of the man he’d only just now remembered. “I think he’s my brother.” His brow furrowed as he remembered the blonde hair. “Maybe he’s adopted.”
“You do have a family! And you remembered his name!” said Moira excitedly. “That’s progress.”
“Yes,” agreed Killian. “I also remember that he’s usually right about weapons. If bronze is soft, maybe we can bend one of thesebars and get through.”
“Well, I’m wondering how the geckos got through. They were kind of fat for these gaps.”
She lifted the glowstick and began to inspect the metal bars. Killian watched as Moira moved along the gate with the intense expression of a hunter.
“Ha!” Moira pointed, and Killian stopped watching her and looked where she was pointing.
Above their heads, about mid-way up the gate, one of the bars had been bowed outward as if it had been hit with something hard. The resulting hole was more than wide enough for them to get through. Killian was willing to bet he could jump up and grab the bent strut. He looked back at the ground and then back up. It seemed kind of far. Did he really think he could make that jump?
Moira rattled the gate. Then she took off her backpack and shoved it through the bars. He loved her quick instinct to take action.
“OK, I think I can do this. But since I’m operating without any memories to back that up, you will kindly not laugh if I fail.”
That request made him laugh because, apparently, he wasn’t the only one questioning his instincts, and she glared at him.
“Sorry, I just really felt that. I will not laugh, I promise.”
Moira seized one of the bars and, bracing her feet against it, began to climb hand over hand. She reached the hole and swung herself through with a grace that made him sigh. He could not fathom how he’d gotten so lucky. Moira was amazing.
She dropped down to the other side and beamed at him, clearly pleased with herself. “Your turn,” she said, holding out her hand for his bag. He handed it through the bars but hesitated. He wasn’t sure about climbing, but he still thought he could make the jump.
He took a running start, bounced off the stone wall, and launched himself upward. He grabbed the bar and felt it bendfurther for a precarious moment. He scrambled through the hole and dropped down beside Moira.
“Show off,” she said, and he grinned.
She rolled her eyes but then leaned in to kiss him. Showing off was sometimes worth it.
They put their packs back on and followed the carpet into the darkness. Around them, the space narrowed until they were walking through an admittedly still massive stone tunnel.
