Storm of Arranon Fire and Ice by Robynn Sheahan Page B

dark
veins running through the gray stone floor. “Well, maybe a
little.”
    “Would it help if I talked to them? Asked
them both to—”
    “Don’t.” Erynn’s head jerked up, and she
watched his eyes. “Please. There’s more to my request than personal
issues. But thanks.” He was quiet, giving her time to gather her
thoughts, waiting for her to finish her request.
    She chuffed. “Based on what Cace said, I did
some research yesterday…and last night, and most of today. How can
the symbols in the lake represent air when they are under
water?”
    Cale shrugged. “What do you think?”
    She shook her head. “I don’t know. It doesn’t
make sense.”
    He crossed one booted foot over the other.
“Where do you want to go? The lake? I’ll go with you. We could
explore the area during the day and return to the base at
night.”
    Erynn was quiet. She took in a breath. “I
don’t believe the answer is there, at the lake.”
    “Then where, Erynn?”
    “Deanaim.”
    Cale considered her answer for a moment.
“Deanaim? There’s nothing there but ruins. The place is probably
overgrown beyond recognition.”
    “Deanaim is the oldest known archeological
site on Arranon. If the symbol at the lake is a marker to another
portal, I need to know. I just want to check out the fortress. What
if the locations of all the portals are recorded there, somewhere.
Cace will help me with the interpretation of what I find when I
return, if I find anything.”
    Cale continued to lean against the desk.
Graying red-brown hair fanned across one shoulder. “Have you had
any visions or dreams recently?”
    “None.” Erynn sighed. Her gaze shifted back
to the stone floor. “Not since the one telling me about Kira’s
attack.”
    “What if I say no?”
    She raised her head slowly. Her jaw
tightened. “I wish you wouldn’t.”
    He sucked in a noisy breath and narrowed his
blue eyes. “I’m beginning to understand a little of what Damon must
have gone through raising you.”
    Erynn opened her mouth to protest.
    He held up his hands, stopping her. “I don’t
want you to go alone.”
    She barked her held breath. “Who would go
with me? Jaer? Kind of defeats part of the purpose for this trip.”
Erynn stood up, stepping in front of Cale. “I want to go alone,”
she pleaded. “I’ll be all right.”
    He reached out, pulling her into a hug.
    She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him
back. “Thanks. I needed that.” Her voice was muted against his
chest.
    “Let me think about it. Give me until
tomorrow,” he said against the top of her head. “And anytime you
need a hug, I’m here.”
     
     
    Another dream, another tunnel of the base.
Section ten, the same alcove Erynn had found herself in after her
confrontation with Jaer. She recognized the marks on the wall, and
the short set of steps were just ahead.
    A woman glided toward a shadowy figure
moving ahead of her in the dim light. Quiet laughter that was
definitely male drifted from the shadows. The chuckle comforted,
enticed, promised. He descended the stairs and beckoned the woman
to follow. She stepped down onto the first rough tread. They both
disappeared, swallowed in darkness .
    A distant, high-pitched scream tore through
Erynn’s mind.
    “No, don’t go!” Erynn jerked upright, fully
awake. She untangled her arms and legs from the twisted covers
imprisoning her and jumped off the bed. Her feet hit the cold
stone, further bringing her to awareness. Her hair was a tangled
mess, and she raked it away from her face. “What?” She glanced
around the dark room. “Lights. Low.” A dim glow filled the space.
“I’m not in the tunnels. I’m in my quarters.” The dream had seemed
so real, like she was there, watching, participating.
    Jaer is in the next room. He would
come —
    “No.” She cut off the thought. Her voice was
soft, drawn out. She closed her eyes and shook her head, arms
hanging limp at her sides. The cry from the dream reverberated from
the depths