Chapter 55
Chapter Fifty-Five
I hide under the wooden seats of the big arena. People shout all around me. Weapons clash and magic ripples through the air like a giant storm just out of reach. I know I should be brave like Lark or Uncle Agnar, but I’m so scared.
Tears stream down my cheeks as I squeeze Kin tight against my shoulder. My friend’s tiny fire warms me, but I still feel like I’m drowning in panic.
I should’ve stayed with Mama.
She said we had to meet up with everyone else in case we had to leave in a hurry. My mama won’t be happy when she realizes I’ve left her side. But I want to be near Lark in case she needs me.
Noise wraps around me like Uncle Agnar’s coat, too big and too heavy.
It’s hard to breathe. To get enough air.
All the people are talking about things I don’t understand.
I peek through the slats with wide eyes and watch the gods yell at Lark and Knox.
Uncle Agnar instructed me to stay behind in the city today. But I didn’t listen to him either.
Now I really wish I had.
Kin hovers near my head, the flame flickering in a crazy sort of dance. The warm glow contrasts with the cold running through my bones. As I cover my face with my hands, I can feel Kin’s heat growing.
“Not now.” I press my palms to my eyes. I can’t afford to cry. Tears won’t do me any good. Crying won’t help Lark or Knox or Uncle Agnar. It won’t help anyone.
But Kin keeps pulsing.
Three big flashes. Then three small. And then three more big ones.
Just when I think the flashing has stopped, it happens again.
Three big, three small, three big. A pause. Then again.
I know that pattern. It means something…something big.
“Save our souls,” I whisper.
That lesson is one I will never forget. Uncle Agnar’s told me lots of stories. Tales of bravery about my great grandfather, who used to travel the world and knew all kinds of things.
S-O-S was the signal people would send when they were stuck or needed aid.
“How do I signal, Kin?”
Kin cocoons me, and the hug chases away the cold, making me all warm and bright.
I’m not afraid anymore.
With a deep breath, I close my eyes, pushing past the last little bits of my fear. The flame offers me comfort.
And something else. Just a flutter at first, like Mama’s wings when I scare her.
Then it gets bigger.
And bigger.
My eyes pop open.
“Lark will be so happy!”
So happy, in fact, that surely she won’t be upset with me for sneaking in.