Page 103 of A Court So Dark
“Go!” Kryn pressed the token into one of Kalyll’s hands. “Now!”
“Wait, no. Larina. Put me down.” I pushed against Kalyll’s chest.
Kalyll didn’t argue and set my feet on the ground. I stumbled in Larina’s direction and fell to my knees. Gently, I scooped her in my hands and cradled her close to my chest. Glancing at Kalyll, I nodded. A thousand questions brimmed in his eyes, but he only wrapped an arm around me and looked over at Kryn.
“I’ll be right back for you,” he said.
We dematerialized in an instant. That familiar feeling of nausea assaulted me, and as our surroundings washed away in bleeding colors, I nearly lost consciousness. We reappeared at the prearranged spot, a patch of forest outside of Imbermore.
“Where is Kryn?!” Arabis demanded.
“I’m going back for him.” Kalyll quickly deposited me on the ground and was gone.
“No.” I reached out, batting at the air.
“I got to go back. Give me the token.” Arabis reached out for Cylea’s hand.
“Kalyll has gone back for him.” Cylea pulled her hand away. “You don’t have to go.”
We waited, holding our breaths. Seconds ticked by, then a whole minute. Wobbling, I tried to get on my feet. Jeondar came to my side and helped me up the rest of the way as we stared at the empty air, waiting for Kalyll to reappear with his brother.
“Where are they?” Arabis demanded. “It’s taking too long. Give me that token.” She reached for Cylea once more.
“No use in risking your life too.” Cylea pushed Arabis, whose face turned bright red with anger.
Jeondar stepped forward. “I think we all need to go back.”
“Looks that way.” Silver took his spot next to Jeondar, looking ready for a fight. Blood covered one side of his head, turning his platinum hair crimson and smudging the front of his pointed ear and sharp jaw.
In fact, everyone seemed to have some sort of injury. How could they fight again?
“Don’t make me use my power on you,” Arabis growled.
Cylea shook her head. “They’ll be back any second. They know what they’re doing.” She didn’t sound so certain.
Arabis put her hand out, an intense glare in her blue eyes.
Cylea hesitated only for an instant, then tipped her hand over Arabis’s. The transfer token dropped, and the instant it hit her palm, two shapes materialized behind her.
I whimpered in relief. Arabis turned very slowly and took in Kryn and Kalyll standing there, the former slumping—one hand pressed to his stomach and the other holding on to Kalyll—who slowly eased him to the ground.
A trail of blood stained Kryn’s tunic and leggings. Arabis’s face crumpled and she fell to her knees next to Kryn. She took his free hand in hers, then looked at me.Can you heal him?her desperate eyes asked.
I inched closer on shaky legs, Jeondar helping me forward.
“Take energy from me.” Kalyll stepped forward.
“Are you strong enough?” I asked.
“I am. You just put me back together, remember?” He offered me both hands.
I pulled my cupped hand away from my chest and held Larina forward. Cylea gasped and blinking rapidly took the pixie from me and held her reverently and tenderly.
“Just hold on,” Arabis told Kryn.
“A-re you worried… about me?” Kryn coughed.
“Shut up!” Arabis snapped.
