Page 127 of Inked in Bloom
“What’s a bear doing out here?”
There are no bears in Patagonia. At least there shouldn’t be. The closest would be the Andean bears, but they should be much farther north. I break, skidding to a stop on the side of the road. Our floracycles disappear and we shift into our earthside forms. Springing off my hind legs, I bound ahead, zipping around large rocks, bushes, and forest debris. In front of the bear, a bunny darts with long dark-brown ears whipping behind.
Skylar.
“We gotta help her,”I say to Dani, who huffs in agreement.
The lagoon at our backs, we follow, zigging and zagginguntil Skylar runs between the rocks beside the mouth of a deep cave set at the base of the far-reaching gray-marbled mountains. The bear heads inside it, and I hope Skylar’s safe. We speed through the small opening she disappeared into and run until we’re spat out in the middle of a darkened path. Shifting back into our harbinger forms, squiggles of neon-blue and a pair of matching eyes watch us from the darkness.
“Stop right there.” Branches of blue light race up and down the Storm’s arms and neck.
Snap.
Bolts crackle under a floating cloud, caught by the Storm’s waiting palm. The narrow tunnel illuminates.
“Kara,” Dani seethes.
“Nice to see you again, Radix Daneel.” Kara chuckles, amused. “Come for another ass kicking?”
Dani’s knees bend, but before they launch at Kara, I stick my hand in front of them, halting them in place. “Why is one of your fellow Storms chasing a Bloom that’s been missing for weeks?”
“If one of our Storms was chasing a Bloom with the intention of harming them…” She sighs, waving us to follow her like we’re an inconvenience. “Let me remind you, we are predators. You little furballs are prey.”
The tunnel opens up into a cavern with gray and creamy stone layered in waves. It marbles across the cave’s interior where slips of light filter in. At the center of it is Skylar.
No longer in her bunny form, she’s dressed in a cropped tank top and a pair of jean shorts, bits of her flourish mark showing along her thigh. There’s no alarm when she sees Kara, but the moment we step into the room, she stiffens.
Like we are the ones she’s wary of.
She’s chosen to be here.
“Radix Briar, Radix Daneel,” she says, giving us a small bow.
“Did they do something to you? Harm you in any way?” Dani asks, voice hard.
“Not at all.” She shakes her head. “I’ve honestly never been better.”
“Why did you run off?” I move closer in case she needs to whisper whatever truly is going on. “Everyone’s been worried.”
“We need to get you back.” Dani glances down at their watch, cursing under their breath. “The veil closes soon.”
“I’m not going back.” Skylar’s voice is firm, tugging me from my thoughts. “I’m staying.”
“What do you mean you’re staying?” Dani huffs. “You can’t.”
“Yes, she can,” Kara says. About a dozen Storms file in, forming a semicircle behind her and Skylar, who takes a few steps backward to join them.
I lift my hands, hoping they don’t assume I’ve come for a fight. We need to get her home. “I don’t know what they told you, Skylar, but if you stay, you’ll get sick.”
Chills, fatigue, pounding headaches. I wouldn’t wish seasonal sickness on my worst enemy.
“Don’t you notice anything different here?” She smiles, and I’ve never seen her look so happy. I hold my breath and scan the room, trying to see what stands out, but there’s nothing. “A peaceful quiet along the bond. No tension or pain.”
The bond isn’t just quiet.It’s silent.
“What is this place?” I try to remain calm despite how unsettling it is not feeling Monroe, knowing she can’t feel me.
“Somewhere beyond the influence of the seasons,” Skylar says dreamily.
