Open World by Casey Moss Page B

int… m… ar…” Wind seemed to rush in to the receiver on Alden’s end and
battered the comm-de for several moments. Soon a door slammed in the background
and silence ensued. “You still there, Tavis?”
    “Yeah,
I’m here.” Tavis propped his back against the thick support pole of the
marquee. “Where are you that it’s so windy?”
    “Down
in Green Valley. There’s a doozy of a storm coming in so I wanted to call you
before it hits and throws me into communication silence. I just left a meeting
with Lorne.”
    “Lorne?” The name exploded out of Tavis’s
mouth in shock. He pushed off the pole and walked toward some shops a couple
blocks from the theater. “I still can’t believe you trust that guy.”
    “Why not? He’s an Aliachapel clan member
same as me.”
    “He
and his family are Caesachapel clan immigrants.”
    There
was a loud expulsion of air. “You know as well as I that he was a babe when he
and his parents escaped to Aliachapel. You with the girls?”
    “About to be. I’ve left the theater and need
to pick up a few things before I go back to the house.”
    “You
left them alone?” Alden’s incredulous voice boomed over the speaker.
    “They’re
fine, Alden. I’ve only been out a couple of hours. I told them not to answer
the door regardless of who was on the other side or use any kind of
communications.”
    “Mmm,
I don’t know.”
    “Listen,
they’re smart. They understand—”
    “I
don’t doubt all that,” Alden interrupted. “And I’m sure they’re on their best
behavior, but according to Lorne’s sources, Buzz has learned a few new tricks. Must have found a backdoor in some code to level quicker. He’s more powerful than we originally suspected.”
    “Why
do I get the sense you’re about to tell me something I’m not going to like?”
    “Has
Faith or Cassandra been acting strange? Have they met anyone they think is
weird?”
    A
chill ran down Tavis’s spine as he remembered his thoughts on how Buzz might have
an accomplice. He shook off his apprehension. “Aside from
Buzz? I don’t believe so. Faith is opening up to me. Cassandra is still
her sweet self. I feel bad for her
protector. He’ll have his hands full with her this time.”
    “So
you’re telling me… what, exactly?”
    “No
they haven’t. Other than feeling run down and tired lately, Faith’s all right.
Cassandra hasn’t spoken or acted any different.”
    “Run down and tired as exhausted
from activities or lack of sleep?”
    “Good
question.   I’ll ask them when I get back
to the house.”
    “Either
way, one of them is vulnerable. Her lack of rest will make her more susceptible
to attack. I have a feeling Faith is Buzz’s next target. Cassandra was pretty
open with her animosity toward him. He’ll go after who he considers to be
easier prey. Sorry, buddy, but you’ll have to brush up on your mystic skills
along with your warrior skills. You need to Hyzendro ,
practice your telepathic reception, and ascertain what Buzz is doing. We’ll
probably need to fight Buzz in his manner and on his turf.”
    “Why
can’t you Hyzendro ?” He glanced up
and down the street. No one was around. The deserted area just west of downtown
became much lonelier. He hated how the mere thought of being in water rattled
him.
    “Because
your energy is there and tied to the situation so you’d be a better receiver.”
    Tavis
shuddered. Blood rushed from his extremities and face creating icy swaths in
its wake. “You mean I need to get into a pool?” His heart leapt, skipped a
couple of beats.
    “Geez,
it’s weird that as a Statiochapel clan member you don’t like Hyzendro . I can’t believe you’re still
skittish about swimming and meditating under water…in character or not. Why’d
you even create your character in the Marine Class?”
    “Cause
they needed people to test it. Figured it was a game. I wasn’t the one who’d have to do the water activities. My character would. Who would have