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  Cyndra snapped upright, shaking the fright from her body, and calming when she sensed Zorin’s energy, then Rune’s fire, and even Jack’s faint watercasting power. She seemed back to normal. Better even, she had more control of her fire. Perhaps she did master the element.

  Rune, still sleeping beside her, didn’t move when she got up from the bed and tiptoed into the dimly lit trade shop. With her clock already on the boat, she had no idea what time of night it was and didn’t dare go outside so late after curfew, even to get some fresh air.

  Another thing she missed about the island, the freedom to come and go as she pleased, explore when she wanted.

  Confined to the trailer until morning, and no longer tired, Cyndra packed the last of her belongings she was taking with her then sat in the corner of her shop reading one of the children’s adventure books about dragons. Since she was leaving it with the trailer and remembering how much she had loved it as a kid, she read it twice to pass the time. She only stopped reading when the latch on the back door creaked.

  She crept into the sleeping room. Rune, already sitting upright, glanced at the door as it opened. Dim light from the early morning peeked through the space the gargoyle didn’t cover. He entered holding two handfuls of black and blue berries.

  “Something for the ride, since you gave all your food away,” Zorin said, keeping his eyes down. “Good morning.”

  Same to you, Rune projected as he stood and stretched. I think I saw a wax wrapper on one of the shelves.

  Before Cyndra confirmed, he disappeared behind the curtain.

  Zorin placed the berries on the dresser and wiped his hands on his shorts. “Did you sleep well, Cyndra?”

  “For a couple hours, yeah,” she said, trying to think of something to say steer the conversation. Instead, she blurted, “I’m sorry about earlier, evoking my power in the woods without letting you know. I think I have better control of my fire now.”

  “Yes, you do.”

  “You feel the difference?” Cyndra dared to meet his eyes.

  He nodded, holding something back, again.

  “Do you want more?”

  “Yes,” he answered instantly, blinked, and locked his jaw. “But I won’t—”

  “If you need to siphon me, do it, Zorin.”

  Rune walked into the room, ending the conversation and solidifying his buffer status between her and Zorin when he smiled. Found it. I’d like to pick up some of those juice boxes in the market if we can.

  “Beginning of the month is a perfect time, the grocery should be stocked,” Cyndra said, walking over her bed to avoid getting too close to Zorin and picked up her dollars from the nightstand. “Have enough to get something for the trip. Council bank doesn’t open until eight.”

  And after lunch, we’re on the train.

  “I’d like to check on the boat and perhaps hunt before we leave.” Knowing what Zorin was trying to do, Cyndra simply nodded, allowing him to make a quick exit, adding to the confusion already moving across Rune’s face. She shrugged and collected the berries as he approached holding the wax wrap. After he molded it around the fruit and set it back on the dresser, he reached out with his right hand, taking hers, strengthening their bond, and warming her fingertips.

  I feel so much better knowing Jack’s around, even though I don’t remember him. Do you want to know why?

  “Why?”

  Because I trust you, Cyndra. I was very young, may not remember more than I already do.

  “I’m happy to tell you what I remember, Jack too, I’m sure.”

  He shook his head. Thanks, but not what I mean. We both felt odd around that other soulless, it’s not like that this time, and I know Zorin has doubts. I want you to know that I don’t.

  “Who knows how many years he lost, he was older than we are now when the flare hit,” Cyndra said, feeling her fire heating her cheeks. “I’m sure Jack can fill in some blanks. We’ll have plenty of time to talk on the train.”

  Aren’t you excited?

  “Yeah, a bit,” Cyndra said. “To be in a private car the first time on a train is like winning the monthly ration bonus. And there’s a saying…”

  Surprise! Rune made a goofy face.

  Cyndra snickered and continued, “Never looked a gift horse in the mouth.”

  Which means?

  “Don’t question a gift when given.”

  Smart. Rune glanced toward the door as the trailer brightened with sunlight. Anything open this early?

  “Usually enough to take a decent stroll and not be completely bored. Ready?”

  He nodded so Cyndra took one last look around her trailer, stuffing down all the mixed feelings, and led the way through the back. Seeing the joy on Rune’s face as they rounded the trailers, Cyndra smiled, happy to do a little shopping with her friend before leaving Turner’s Village behind.

  Knowing Zorin wouldn’t be far, she tried to relax and enjoy the morning, before reality came rushing back, setting her down a path with no instructions or directions.

  They were on their own now.

  Cyndra had to be certain of every step they made from here on out.

  Chapter 8

  Zorin watched the casters sitting on a small rock wall near the eatery enjoying breakfast and making sporadic small talk, still getting familiar with each other. He didn’t follow them when they resumed walking, heading for the goods shops on the far end of the main market. Instead, he ducked behind an old house converted to a shop and trailed a wide berth behind the village, moving toward Cyndra’s trailer.

  Halfway there, Rune reached out through the mental bond. We’re going to the train station now, got an earlier haul.

  I shall meet you there.

  Having surveyed the village and seeing the only rail station northwest of the market, Zorin leaped on top a trailer and lifted into the air, waiting for the wind to raise him higher before sweeping over the residential homes beside the market.

  The three-minute flight left him little time to prepare for the return of Cyndra’s powers. Even with her control, his siphon drew her fire into his skin the moment he landed behind the group.

  Rune and Jack smiled his way, each lifting a hand. Cyndra stared at the train car in front of her, unmoving, fists at her side.

  “Missed a great breakfast. Cheddar hash-browns and turkey bacon,” Jack said, swinging his satchel from his shoulder. “I may have a ration bar—”

  “No, thank you.”

  Zorin hates them. Rune laughed. Cyndra and I like a couple. Right?

  “Lemon is my fave,” she replied without missing a beat or turning around.

  Getting her alone to talk seemed pointless. Settling for the current siphon and taking his cue from Cyndra was all he had to do to keep his promise. He hoped he had the strength once confined to a small space.

  “Train leaves in five, we should get settled.” Jack moved toward the car entrance.

  “No one’s going to check for tickets, right?” Cyndra asked, glancing over her shoulder. Her cheeks flushed when their eyes locked.

  Jack shrugged. “Shouldn’t, why?”

  “There are no more casters here,” Zorin said, holding her gaze, feeling her fire grow stronger, allowing him to absorb it all.

  What about siphons, like Kyle? Rune asked, drawing his attention, distracting him from Cyndra’s power.

  “Not many people around. We’ll have to take our chances,” Jack said, entering the train car first and moving toward the middle of the cushioned bench seats lining both sides.

  Rune sat beside him while Cyndra took a seat across and untied a small cloth bag from her belt and set it on her lap. Zorin remained on his feet, near the exit and gazed out at the cargo section of the train station happy for the lack of humans.

  “This line has only two passenger cars, usually for workers, but being Friday, everyone’s coming back instead of going south,” Jack said, smiling over at Cyndra whose cheeks were still darker than normal. “I usually make the trip once a month
for work.”

  What do you do? Rune asked.

  “Well, I was a solarcar mechanic.”

  “Was?” Cyndra lifted her brow. “What happened?”

  “Not sure yet,” Jack answered with a half-smile. “All depends on this trip and the mirror prison I guess. It’s possible I know people in there, my aunt and uncle, maybe even cousins or friends of my parents. Hundreds of people were on the island before the flare.”

  “Once we find Tulli, we lay all the cards on the table and decide by majority. Do we unlocked the barriers and let everyone out or go in first, assess the situation?”

  “Barring any new information those are the only choices other than doing nothing and everything remains as it is,” Zorin added, gripping an overhead bar when the car jerked.

  Rune’s eyes widened when the train moved. A smile spread on his face and he turned to the windows. The new caster sitting beside him held a sadder smile, while Cyndra stared at them both expressionless by sheer willpower.

  Once the train picked up speed and moved beyond the station, Zorin sensed the gentle power Rune usually gave off sizzle with his excitement. When the scenery turned to the thick ghostwood trees prevalent throughout the Eastzone and not much else, Rune turned away, yet still happy to be on the train.

  We can’t do nothing, Rune said, continuing the conversation. It’s one or the other and that’s where we’re stuck.

  “With good reason, both have consequences.” Cyndra shrugged, glancing over to Zorin for a moment, keeping her fire light and steady with her newfound control. “You’re going to be the tie breaker if we find Tulli.”

  “If I must choose, I will,” he said, looking toward Jack and Rune. “We are in this together.”

  Their newest addition smiled. “Yeah, so, they told me how they met, how did you find them?”

  Zorin’s shoulders tightened. “I sensed firecasting on the mainland, tracked it to Cyndra and came upon them and the wraiths.”

  So, we’re hoping he can do the same with Tulli in the Southzone if she’s not on a town registry.

  “And if we’re lucky, she’ll have the names of the other casters and maybe their locations,” Cyndra added, more for Rune’s sake than her own. Zorin knew the despair she carried in her heart.

  “Until then, tell me more about the island, does it look the same?” Jack asked.

  The trio settled in for small talk about everything from the island, to the crops growing in the garden, and the view from the top of the lighthouse. Zorin’s wings twitched as he gazed out the window letting the conversation slip from his mind. Only when he heard his name did he turn back and lift his brow.

  “Jack was saying how you took him flying,” Cyndra said, drawing his gaze.

  “I was the only kid who could see you since I was close to awakening,” Jack added, smiling at Zorin, spilling some of his growing power into the siphon. “Silvio tried to scare me away from you at first—”

  “He had many reasons to distrust me; it may be why I have trouble remembering you all.”

  “Well, he was dead wrong.” Cyndra huffed and shook her head. “We’re all trying to make it better, that’s what counts, right?”

  I completely agree, Rune projected, smiling at Jack.

  “I’m ready to help however I can—”

  Cyndra gasped and jumped up from her seat. “Where are we? This…”

  Zorin locked his eyes on her as Jack turned to the window and said, “Nothing to worry about, the cargo route passes through a small part of the—”

  “Darklands,” she whispered. The fear Zorin sensed, twisted through Cyndra’s fire, overpowering his siphon.

  Cyndra? Rune went to her, while Zorin was stuck in place, fighting the need to draw her elements into his body.

  She shook her head, began pacing. “I don’t want to go through the darklands. I can’t…”

  “We won’t be in it more than five minutes,” Jack said, frowning.

  “Five minutes too long,” Cyndra snapped, huffing and trembling when Rune approached and took her right hand in his. Zorin watched intently, wishing he was comforting her. She shook her head twice and then nodded to her friend. When she tugged her hand back, she returned to her seat and pulled the bag back onto her lap.

  “I’m sorry,” Jack whispered.

  Cyndra shrugged, without looking up.

  Rune shot a concerned look across the train. Anything Zorin tried to do aside from talking to her would only stir the rest of their emotions, regardless of how much they held back.

  Thinking more conversation would help, he focused on Jack, keeping his demeanor friendly. “How did you come to settle in Turner’s Village?”

  Jack smirked and traced the water brand on his palm. “I was going to ask Cyndra the same. I, well, didn’t like the Southzone, the weather mostly. Planned on trying my luck with the New Mountain City project up north, but on the way, Kyle and I stayed the night in Ricksburg to do some trading, found a couple quick jobs to pocket extra dollars, and before we knew it, a week went by. Anyway, the project fell through and while Kyle liked the town, I wanted something less hectic, and this village just felt right.”

  “I needed distance from my grandfather, he—” Cyndra froze and stared out the window, looking past Jack and Rune. This fear was different, almost tangible through their bond.

  “What is it, Cyndra?” Zorin asked, moving toward her as he turned away from the rotten black landscape of what she called the darklands.

  Her eyes widened. She reached out and gripped his left forearm. Do you see that?

  One touch and the siphon took over, restarting the temptations once again. Zorin tried to follow her gaze, ignore her energy, and shook his head seeing nothing. Her fingers tightened around his wrist, filling him with her fire in a sharp jab he was unprepared to absorb. A light flickered in the distance.

  There!

  Something moved behind a large mound of burnt-black dirt and broken trees. The landscape slowly changed as the train curved down the track.

  Cyndra’s hand fell, muting all the power from his siphon.

  Jack and Rune were both on their feet surrounding them.

  “Are you okay?” Jack offered his hand to Cyndra.

  Rune tilted his head. Zorin?

  He nodded, glanced toward the window again, shaking her fire from his skin.

  “I saw something out there,” Cyndra said, taking Jack’s hand and falling into a hug.

  The eldest caster held Cyndra and met Zorin’s eyes, just as concerned. “Probably an animal, they’re not normal around here.”

  Unsure what he’d seen, he turned to Rune. “Did you see anything?”

  No, sorry.

  “I knew I’d hate the darklands.” Cyndra sighed and broke from Jack’s arm. “That’s the last of it, right?”

  “Yes, on my word,” Jack said, placing his hand on his chest. “About halfway through the ride now. Anyone thirsty?”

  “Nah, think I’m going to stretch out, nap, I didn’t get much sleep,” Cyndra said, patting Rune’s shoulder as she nodded. “Wake me when we get there.”

  Zorin watched her move far across the train, pulling all her power away, daring his siphon to open to draw her in, and bring her back, closer. Near. Unable to take his eyes off the frightened caster, he watched her lie down, tuck her arms under her head, and eventually felt her falling asleep.

  Pretending to listen to Rune and Jack talk about the information and instructions in the journal, Zorin kept his attention on Cyndra, hoping she only needed sleep to stave off the fear.

  As the train reached the bridge between the Eastzone and south, Jack and Rune got up from their seats to stretch and gathered their respective belongings.

  Cyndra didn’t stir.

  Zorin caught the amused look on Rune’s face as he crossed the train to wake her. He stopped a few steps from her. “Cyndra.”

  She murmured softly.

  “We are almost at the station,” he said, louder.

  C
yndra chuckled and lifted her head, displaying white eyes again. Jack gasped. Rune rushed to Zorin’s side.

  Cyndra!

  “No, not quite.”

  “Release her, Mergan.”

  “I told you what I wanted, pet, now I will force your hand,” Mergan said through Cyndra’s mouth.

  Leave her alone. Rune ordered, making the ground beneath the train shake.

  “Release me from this prison or I will kill everyone in this realm including those you love.”

  Praying he could knock Mergan out of the caster’s head again, Zorin dashed forward, clasped her hand, and pushed his thoughts through the bond. Cyndra, wake up!

  Chapter 9

  The fog cleared when Zorin called her name. All the terror from the nightmare faded. She forced her eyes open. Her head spun when his fingers tightened around her arm. Cyndra crashed against the cool, wide chest of her gargoyle, wrapped her free arm around his back, sharing her warmth with him, and shuddering as his arctic embrace shielded her body.

  Sensing him through their bond didn’t satisfy her, she wanted his energy, and absorbed it from his skin, pushing the last of the horrible thoughts from her mind.

  Zorin trembled and eased her back.

  “What was that?” Jack asked cautiously.

  Cyndra broke from Zorin’s hold and frowned as Rune approached and rubbed her back. She sighed. “I’m okay. Honest. Let’s get off the train.”

  Zorin grumbled on his way to the exit. “Mergan is using the crystal bond to invade Cyndra’s dreams.”

  “What did she say this time?” she asked, ignoring the pins pricking the back of her neck.

  She threatened to kill everyone inside.

  Jack frowned as he exited the train behind Zorin. “Can she do that?”

  “I thought the casters would be powerless without crystals, figured that’s why they didn’t go through the mirror, but it’s the opposite, we’re stronger if we don’t wear them, so technically, everyone should be stronger in the mirror-realm,” Cyndra said and motioned for Jack to lead the way out of the station. “I can’t imagine her fighting off all those casters on her own.”