Here's the latest instalment! Hope you enjoy. :)

When Stephen turned in my direction, his grey cloak swung around him. With his hand open, he held out his arm as if asking the guard to wait a moment. The dim light sparkled off the gold ring stuffed on his index finger.

"Send in my hounds," he instructed.

The guard nodded, stuck two fingers in his mouth, and let loose a high-pitched whistle.

The distant barking got louder as I held my tremoring hand to my chest. Their yowls sent chills through me, and with the sneer gracing Stephan's face, something told me they weren't like any dog I'd seen before.

A moment later, two massive creatures, panting and howling, rounded the corner. The bigger one had to be at least three-feet high at its shoulders. Neither of the ugly beasts had any fur and reminded me of a creepy hairless cat with its pink skin. The smaller dog sniffed the air, then snapped its attention to the exact spot where I stood. Its eyes glowed a soft purple, and through its growling lips, drool poured from its razor-sharp teeth.

Stephen sauntered over to the guard, taking both dog's leashes in his hand. "Excited to get some exercise, my pets?" He patted the head of the larger one, while the second tugged at the leash with its freaky eyes locked on me.

I pulled all the way onto the astral plane and edged over to the hallway leading to the treasury.

Through snarling teeth, Fido's gaze tracked me while I walked. Its drool pooled on the floor at Stephen's feet.

I shuttered. They shouldn't be able to see me on this plane—but clearly, they could. No way I was going to find out why while I hung out here and waited for Kellan.

I backed up down the hallway toward the treasury. Kellan?

Both dogs pulled at the leash growling, jerking Stephan's arm. On the astral plane, the creatures had horns like a bull and a blood-red aura surrounding them. Stephan chuckled while reaching for the clasp on the smaller one's collar.

My feet pressed into the stone floor, sprinting down the cavern.

He raised his voice and said, "Go get them, Mixie."

Skidding around the corner at the far end of the hall, I screamed when the first dog launched into the air in pursuit. I tore past the lit sconces bolted to the walls.

Their barking filled the space, getting louder with each step I took. They were close, but I didn't dare look back. With my breath ragged and my heart pounding, I dropped back on the physical plane in a full run. Ahead the ground turned into ice and formed a bridge, spanning a gorge.

I sucked in a deep breath and called to the flames within me. Heat cycled my leg and tore through my core until I tasted ash. A burst of fire shot from my fingertips. A dog yelped. Only ten more feet to the bridge, four, three, two. I pushed off the stone floor and leaped onto the ice. The heat continued to build in my muscles, and my feet slid over the crest of the bridge. When the flames felt like they would pierce my skin, I released a firebomb behind me. I jumped and spun around mid-air.

The larger beast thrust through the smoke, still charging. I scrambled over the slippery surface to the other side. The beast was already a quarter way across and closing fast.

I planted my feet and pulled all the heat I could from the ground. The stones quaked beneath me.

Wren? Jaxon's voice boomed in my head.

A white-hot flame coiled my core, and earthy minerals coursed through my veins. Now's not a good time.

The dog leaped, and lava shot from my palms striking the base of the bridge. Two massive paws landed in front of me.

It snapped its jaw shut, and a glob of salvia drenched my left leg as I hopped back.

The creature's hindquarters thumped down in the lava, and it let out a howl. A foul stench of burnt hair and flesh assaulted my nose. Crack! The middle chunk of the bridge gave way, and the beast disappeared over the edge with the rest of the structure hurtling after it.

A loud crash, followed by a yelp pierced the air, and I crumpled on the ground gasping for breath.

What the hell was that? Jaxon hollered.

I peered over the edge. Covered in rock and ice, the hound's body lay twisted among the rubble. I haven't a clue, but at least this one's dead.

The second creature stood on the other side of the gorge, pacing back and forth, howling a mournful cry.

I know you're not at the hotel.

I hung my head and pushed my palm into the ground, trying to stop the building tremors.

You're with him, aren't you?

A thread inside my chest pulled tight, and a soothing wave of energy washed over me.

Wren, are you okay? Kellan asked, joining the conversation. We heard a crash.

Kellan... Jaxon's voice was terse and full of anger. You will return Wren to the Fire Circle, immediately.

You know what they say, Jaxon? Kellan pulled from the cavern's shadows. All's fair in love—

Is that what you want, war? She's my promised and our Circle's second. You have no jurisdiction in our affairs.

Tell you what. Kellan held out a hand, helping me up. Why don't we let Wren choose who she wants to be with?

She already has Waterboy, or maybe you missed the announcement she made in front of the entire council. No, wait, you were there.

"We don't have time for this." I pointed to the entrance. "Stephan's coming."

Kellan narrowed his gaze to the beast pacing the cliff opposite us. "You faced his dogs?" He ran a hand through his hair. "I leave you alone for five minutes..."

"Tell her you're glad she's okay, so we can get out of here." Elena jogged over. "Cause, if Mixie is there"—she pointed at the beast—"Stephan is close behind."

Kellan gave his sister a half-smile and nodded. "It's probably safer for you not to stay at the Citadel."

Elena glanced up at Mixie as if still puzzling out what she should do.

I reached out my hand, and she interlaced her fingers with mine.

"Works for me," she replied. "Let's go."

Kellan stepped forward and tipped my chin up with a finger. His eyes focused on my lips. When he released his hold, a small part of me crumbled in disappointment, wanting him to kiss me.

He wrapped an arm around my waist, hauled me close, then tangled his hand in my hair behind my head. "Have I told you how much I love you?"

Wren, don't, Jaxon pleaded. I'm begging you.

With Kellan's body pressing mine, Jaxon's connection faded until he was no longer part of the conversation.

"Would you kiss her already?" Elena nudged her brother.

Kellan's lips hovered above mine, our bond thrumming in my chests. His fingertips ran down my back, making every inch of me tingle. I gasped, desire filling me until I couldn't take it anymore. I reached up on tip-toe and crushed my lips to his.

Elena squealed. "You two are so cute together!"

The dampness of the cavern dissipated, and darkness cloaked us once more. In between thoughts of wanting to tear the clothes from Kellan's body, a quick snapshot of the scene where we left Sage, Robin, and the rest of the crew, flashed in my mind. A moment later, the scent of pine, crisp morning air, and chirping birds surrounded us.

"What do you mean they're not here?" Sage hollered at Vega. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Vega sighed. "I told you. I can't hear Kellan's continuous banter about—" Her head jerked up, and she furrowed her brow when she spotted me. "And now they're back."

"Wren!" Sage ran over, tossed her arms around me, and squeezed me tight. "If you went for a morning coffee without me, you might have to find a new bestie."

"Without you?" I let out a laugh. "Never."

Sage released her grip and inhaled deep. "Why do you two smell soapy clean?" She held out my arms, looking me over. "And are wearing Water Circle clothes?"

Elena stepped out from behind us, wafting a hand in front of her face. "Wow. Wren, you were right to change." Elena grimaced and looked as if she held her breath. "No offense, Sage, but you smell terrible."

"We all did after that wagon ride." Kellan tossed his arm over my shoulder, and his short sleeve hiked up, exposing the clouds and stars of our commitment ring. "We weren't passing up a shower when one was available."

Sage's eyes widened. "Oh. My. God. Is that—?"

Vega gasped and covered her gaping mouth. "It certainly is."

Sage seized me in a vice-grip-tight hug, jumping up and down. No sooner than she let me go, Vega hugged me.

"What do you mean, we had a shower?" Elena crossed her arms. "I thought—"

"Relax." Kellan shook his head. "I didn't say we had one together."

"I wouldn't have minded," I blurted before I'd even realized the words had tumbled from my mouth.

Sage broke into a fit of laughter, breaking the jaw-dropping silence. "Since when did you become the bold one?"

"What can I say, you're rubbing off on me." My cheeks burned, and I gave her shoulder a shove.

"It's about time you appreciated my awesomeness." She held out an imaginary skirt and curtsied, first with her left foot and then with her right.

Amaress crashed through a section of the forest underbrush, cracking twigs and crushing the tiny yellow flowers beneath her feet. She circled, sniffing the ground where Kellan and I had been right before we disappeared. With her tail dragging, she looked like she'd lost her best friend.

"Amaress." I whistled, trying to catch her attention.

Her nose thrust up, and as soon as she caught sight of me, she bound in the air and pranced over, shoving past Sage. Amaress cocked her head at Kellan and balked loudly, then pushed between us.

Kellan pitched his arms skyward. "Seriously?" I should have made you into hamburger meat when I had the chance."

Amaress nuzzled her nose under my palm, swatting her tail back and forth like a puppy.

"Don't you worry. He'd never do such a thing." I patted her black, scaly head.

"I would too. She never listens and is always doing her own thing." Kellan stepped out of striking distance of Amaress's swooshing tail.

Rygar stepped out from behind the wagon and dumped an armful of tall grass in front of one of the prongmera. "What did Birdie do now?"

"He was talking about Amaress, not me." I stuck my tongue out at Rygar.

"Uh-huh." He glanced at Kellan and broke into a wide smile then laughed.

I looked over my shoulder, and there was Kellan with his sleeve yanked up, showing off his new ring, mouthing, it's all her fault.

"Now that, I believe." Rygar walked up, shook Kellan's hand, and slapped his back. "Congrats, man. You too, Birdie."

Robin crested the hill overlooking the valley and river, just in time to see Kellan push his sleeve down. "You two are crazy." He wiped his hands on his pants. "Jaxon is going to kill you." He pointed at Kellan. "And lock you up." His sight now rested on me.

"Well, I wish him luck with that." Elena leaned against a tree. "Wren just transported us out of the most secure place in the Water Circle, and made it look easy."

"That doesn't mean the Fire Circle won't find more inventive ways to force her to stay." Robin pinched the bridge of his nose. "Trust me, I've seen it."

"They have to catch me first." I yanked a blanket of darkness around me hard and pictured the spot behind Robin.

I reappeared beside him. "Boo."

Robin jumped, and the group broke in laughter.

"Laugh all you want, but when the Fire Circle finds out, you won't be laughing. You're their second." His eyes glowed a soft Kelly-green. "How far do you think they'll let you run?"

Worry etched his features, and after having helped Robin rescue his sister, I knew why.

"Stop worrying. We have a plan." Kellan unlatched a strap on the aqua pack.

We do? I asked, curious to hear what that might look like. This I've gotta hear.

Well, we have a start of one. He adjusted the bag's weight, and this time it didn't slosh as it had earlier, it sounded like gravel shifting.

"Speaking of a plan, any ideas on how to rescue my father?"

"Now, that's something we think we can help you with," Vega answered. "Right, Robin?"

"It should work if everyone's up for a little fun." His lips twisted up into a mischievous smile.

"Fun?" Sage leaned back on her heels and shoved her hands in her pockets. "Then I'm definitely in."

"Me too." I glanced around the group and one after another, they nodded. "Great, let's get started."

Thanks for reading! If you had to give the team a bit of advice what would you say, and which character would you tell? Looking forward to hearing what you say. :)

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