Part 14 (2/2)

”This feeling you have right now. It's called being homesick. I know how different this world can be. I know you miss the sun and the greenery. I know you miss the simplicity and...and...” He paused for a second before continuing on, ”Leon.”

Annalise looked up at him. He watched as a small smile formed on her face. She was rea.s.sured by his words. At least that's what he thought. Sometimes he couldn't get a clear reading with the bond.

”Do you miss you home too?”

Ash chuckled and shook his head. Missing the keepers was definitely not on his mind. ”No, I don't miss the keepers. I suppose I may have missed them when I first left the surface. I kept thinking I would find my way back, but then I kept getting the feeling that they don't care about the citizens of Cabalin. Our Officials only want control.” He pulled out the keeper blade he had taken from Jaron from its spot on his side and rubbed his finger along the ancient symbol. The small symbol was practically meaningless to him now. After that confrontation in the conservatory, he knew he didn't belong there with those people. He was willing to take the punishment. If they came to take him away, there were things he needed to take care of. Killing the fallen took top priority. Who knew what could happen after that. The keepers may decide to take him back. They may decide to banish him to the ninth layer. They could even kill him, and from what Jaron had said it seemed like that was the final decision. Yet, he wouldn't draw conclusions from that traitor's actions. He had been working with the enemy for reasons Ash still couldn't figure out. Arie had mentioned earlier that Jaron was probably working alone. He had been too worried about Annalise earlier to seriously consider the possibility, but now it ringed very true in his ears. If the Officials wanted him dead they would have sent a bounty hunter not a fellow keeper. They wouldn't risk losing another of their kind to Ash. Ash could have easily taken him if they had met on a fair playing field. Anna had once again saved him.

”If the Officials offer to take you back after you kill the fallen; will you go back?”

Ash thought for a moment. ”No,” he simply said.

”I hope my Elders take me back.”

Ash nodded in agreement. ”This is my fault. I will make sure they do. Even if that means you have to kill me.”

Annalise gasped and pulled her hand from her his grip.

”I told you; I will not do that!” she cried.

Ash groaned at how stubborn she could be and grabbed her by the shoulders. He looked into her blue eyes so she could see the fierceness behind his face. She was seeing the warrior inside of him now, not the c.o.c.ky, fun Ash. She trembled slightly from fear.

”What are you going to do then? Do you want to be made into a fallen? You made the choice to save me, Anna. Now you must deal with the consequences. If it comes down to it; you will kill me. I let you come along on this journey because you want so badly to clear your name by killing an enemy. You have two choices. You give it all up and we can be together; or you do anything you can to get back home.” He released her suddenly. She wouldn't say anything to that. He knew her well enough now to know he had just rendered her speechless. In a perfect world, they would kill the fallen and go home and live happily ever after. In this dying world, one of them may not make it home from this journey alive. If they did make it home; there was no guarantee that their own kind wouldn't kill them anyways.

The sound of Arie's laughing make Ash groan. He laid back on the dirt floor and covered his ears.

”I need to get some rest.” He turned toward the direction the couple had walked off to and yelled. ”I hope you two get eaten! Could you get any louder?”

A low hissing noise from the corner of the cave knocked Annalise off her log and onto the floor with Ash. He put his arm around her protectively.

”If you do not be quiet human,” the unicorn growled, ”I will be the one to eat you all.”

Ash scrunched his eyebrows and laid his head back down. The stories of the ancient creatures that were banished to the ninth layer were all fresh in his mind. How many other nightmare creatures were lurking close by? Pulling Annalise's warm body closer, he let himself fall into a deep sleep. He had been so anxious for morning, but now morning would come all too soon.

A light kick in the ribs caused Ash to stir from his sleep.

”Get up, we need to get going,” said a male voice. Ash slowly opened his eyes, where was he? Why was he on the floor? He looked up to see Finlay grinning ear to ear. His head was killing him, and his body ached all over.

”What the moons are you so happy about?” Ash asked angrily. He sat up realizing where he was and rubbed the back of his neck. The floor had been so uncomfortable and now he had a cramp in his neck and shoulders.

”The unicorn says we have another day or so of walking. We should be at the entrance soon.”

Arie walked up to Finlay and placed a hand on his back.

”Did you tell him,” she whispered.

”Not yet. I'm getting to it.”

”Well...tell him.”

Finlay turned to glare at his red-haired companion; she was almost as tall as he was. ”I said I was getting to it woman.”

Ash, sick of the needless banter, stood up slowly and dusted himself off. ”Will you two just shut your mouths already and tell me whatever it is.” That ale they had drunk last night was strong. He was relieved there wasn't much light in the ninth layer.

The two of them looked at Finlay in antic.i.p.ation.

”Ash, I'm sorry for slamming you around the other day.”

”And?” Arie crossed her arms in front of her and c.o.c.ked her head to the side. She tapped her foot impatiently.

”I didn't break his hand. He did that all by himself!” Finlay argued. Her irritated expression didn't seem to agree.

”Okay, I am sorry my face was too hard for your mortal hand. Next time I decide to hook up with one of your friends I will ask you first.” Finlay gave him a wink before Arie pushed him forcefully.

”Thanks for kicking me in the ribs to tell me that,” Ash said, confused and still half asleep. Arie tossed a small red fruit in his direction, which he caught effortlessly. He was starving.

”Don't you guys feel so much better? Now Ash...” She gave a nod in Finlay's direction. Ash scowled. First he was woken up by a kick, now he was being forced to apologize to Finlay.

”No, I won't do it,” he replied. ”I don't have to do what you say Arie. I'm not trying to impress you.” He took a big bite of the fruit and smirked.

Ash turned his head to look at the other side of Finlay. It was then that he realized there was another person in the cave with them. He instantly recognized the tall man with brown hair and green eyes. Leon. ”What are you doing here?” he asked. Had he come to take Annalise back home?

Leon smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling in delight. ”I was just witnessing Finlay apologizing and groveling at a mortal.” Leon swiftly slapped Finlay on the back and smiled proudly. Finlay looked embarra.s.sed and he uncomfortably tried to shrug off all the attention. As Leon and Finlay caught up, Ash scanned the nearby area for Annalise.

Annalise. She stood near the unicorn, talking. Ash was seriously disturbed by the rainbow haired creature and he didn't want her alone with him. Walking over to where they stood, Ash put an arm around her shoulders.

”Morning Suns.h.i.+ne,” he teased, poking her in the ribs. Annalise looked around the cave confused.

”Suns.h.i.+ne? Where?”

Ash rolled his eyes and shook his head. ”Don't hurt yourself Anna, It's only a greeting.”

”Oh...” She nodded in agreement before bringing her attention back to the unicorn.

”The unicorn was sharing a few forgotten ancient legends. He is quite the storyteller.”

The unicorn smiled proudly, showing his razor sharp teeth.

Ash tried not to look so disgusted, but couldn't hold back the s.h.i.+ver of revolt that pulsed through his body. The unicorn noticed the negativity from the man and frowned in reply.

”What about the one Natara talked about?” Ash asked her. ”The one about how the fallen are killed.”

That story was pretty fascinating, the fact that there had been others like him and Annalise. Even though it was long ago, it helped to know he wasn't the only one.

”Ah,” the unicorn stated, ”I have never heard a story about the end of the fallen race, but there are so many stories it is hard to remember them all.”

Annalise nodded in agreement. Ash knew he should make Annalise aware of the newest member of the party.

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