Orenda (8 page)

Rawlie began pulling out the ingredients from the fridge. With a slow drawl he said, “Yes, he's my cousin.”

“He doesn't have your accent,” Lil said.

“Smart one, aren't you?” Rawlie rolled his eyes with a faint smile. “I grew up down under and came to visit my aunt and cousin eight years ago. It happened to be the same time Eilith opened Pandora's box and gained power. There were no returning flights and no airports after she destroyed everything.”

“Do you think your family is still alive back home?” Lil was surprised there was an Australia in this parallel world. Orenda didn’t seem nearly as different geographically as she first thought.

“I don't usually have the opportunity to think such things. I spent the last eight years helping Willow raise Jamie; he was just two when his parents died.”

“They're dead?” She let out a soft breath, shocked by the news. “That's why the photographs in the house are different.” Her heart was heavy just thinking that her parents—Willow’s parents—had passed in this world. Even though Lil's parents were safe and well back home, the thought saddened her. She reached into her pocket, to find her phone. She wasn't getting a signal, not that she expected to find one here.

“What's that?” Rawlie asked, seeing the small device in her palm.

“My phone?” She glanced at him, amused. “I guess it doesn't work in Orenda—you must not have cell towers. Or cell phones, it seems. It's how we communicate with each other back home.”

“I've never seen anything like it. Give it to Hudson—he might be able to do something if your friend Bray has one as well.”

“He does. Everyone back home has one.” Lil's eyes lit up. At least there was a chance she could contact her best friend, even if it was slim. “If he brought it with him, would his phone need to be modified too?”

“Yes, but if he's with Willow, she could handle it,” Rawlie said.

“Good.” Lil let out an anxious breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. The kitchen door swung open hard as Hudson stalked into the room. “Hey,” Lil said, her face cheerful and smiling. “I need a favor.”

“Who doesn't?” Hudson asked. “What do you need?”

“Rawlie said you might be able to modify my phone.” Lil slid the phone across the countertop. Hudson stepped closer.

Hudson shot Rawlie a brief glance. “What is this?”

Lil answered, “It's how we communicate with one another, back in my world—you guys
really
don’t have phones? Bray should have his, too, and I was hoping we could contact him with this, though I don’t have a signal here.”

Hudson picked up the device and flipped it over, examining it. “It's not that simple. Did he tell you it would be?” He pointed at his cousin.

“Don't underestimate yourself.” Rawlie smiled. “I bet you can fix it.”

“Say I can . . . What do I get for my troubles?” Hudson asked. He glanced from Rawlie back to Lil, the question in her hands.

“I don't—I don't know. I don't have anything. I left my school bag back at the Porter's house. I
am
going to rescue Willow. Isn't that enough?” It was why they'd brought her to Orenda.

“Suppose I'll do it out of the goodness of my heart.” Hudson reached across the table and pocketed the phone. “I'll have it to you by the end of the night.”

Eilith escorted Bray and Willow from the apothecary to their sleeping quarters on the third floor. There were two cots and two cold meals waiting for them. A tiny square window offered a hint of moonlight into their room. Bray hoped the window would offer some form of escape, but it was far too small, and still much too high.

The sleeping arrangements were better than he expected. They both had been provided cots to sleep on, instead of the gray cobblestone floor that needed a good cleaning. The blanket was scratchy, but warm, and the pillows were surprisingly decent—soft, plush, and comfortable.

He sat at the edge of his cot. Hungrily, he ate every bite of his soup and bread. More than anything, he was grateful for the mug of water. Crushing bones had equated to hard labor.

Willow did the same, finishing just as Bray did. Swallowing the last of her water, the mug slipped out of her hands and fell onto the floor. “Bray?”

Bray’s eyelids grew heavy and the room began to spin. “I think we’ve been drugged.” He mumbled feeling his lips tingle. Was Eilith concerned they’d escape? He struggled to focus, collapsing onto the cot. He was out cold.

The Mission

Chapter 5

After dinner, Lil borrowed a change of clothes from Arianna before heading into the bedroom. She hated that she couldn't leave to find Bray tonight, but she was exhausted from spending most of the late afternoon and all of the evening training. Her arms and legs were sore, forcing her to wait one more day. She hoped Bray was still alive and that all of this training would help save him.

Lil undressed. She regarded the pajamas Arianna had lent her, black and blue plaid flannel bottoms and a matching blue short-sleeved shirt. Lil didn't realize how much taller Arianna was until she wore Arianna's clothes. She was swimming in the pants and the drawstring barely helped. The t-shirt wasn't doing her any favors either. It didn't matter. She'd wear the outfit tonight, change tomorrow morning, and be on her way to rescue Bray before breakfast.

There was a soft knock at the door. Lil slipped beneath the covers, uncomfortable in her new attire. “Come in.”

Hudson stepped inside the bedroom. Lil sat up under the blankets as he walked over to her. “I took a look at your . . . ” He forgot the word and glanced up at Lil, hoping for a little help.

“My phone?” She drew closer once she saw it in his palm. Hudson took a seat at the edge of the mattress, handing it back to her.

“Yeah, that's right. Your phone,” he said. “We don't have anything like this here. I'm not familiar with the technology.”

Lil nodded her head weakly. “It's fine.” She shoved the phone to the bedside table. “I guess it was a long shot, hoping it would work here. I'm not even positive Bray has his with him.”

“Don't worry, Lil,” Hudson said resting a hand on her arm. “We'll find your friend. We'll find both of them.”

Lil glanced down at his hand on her arm. A sea of warmth coursed through her body when he touched her, making her want to never pull away. Hudson caught her stare and pulled his hand back.

“Can I ask you something?” Lil's voice sounded unsteady as she spoke. She cleared her throat as her eyes met his. Hudson waited for her to continue. “What's the deal with Rawlie?”

“What do you mean? He's worried about Willow. He knows what Eilith is capable of—we all do.”

Lil grimaced. That wasn't what she'd meant. “Yeah, I know that.” She emitted a soft sigh and ran her hand through her hair. “He's different.”

“How so? Because he's not from your world or because he's Australian?”

She smiled, laughing. “That's not it. There's something about him. He seems . . . ” She couldn't even voice what she was trying to say. It was frustrating.

Hudson grinned, nudging Lil's shoulder. “Are you asking because you like him?”

“God, no!” Lil's eyes widened in horror.

“Oh right, you have a boyfriend. Bray.”

“Bray isn't my boyfriend.” She glanced at Hudson, realizing him sitting on her bed was too intimate for her own liking, and motioned that it was time for him to get off her bed.

Hudson smiled as he climbed backwards off the mattress. “Okay. I'll take that at my cue to go.” He stopped just before he left, turning back to her seriously. “Rawlie is in love with Willow, you know. I always assumed it was because he had protected her and Jamie for so long. When you live with someone for eight years, you tend to develop feelings for them.” He continued backing up as he found the door handle at his back. “I guess the words you can't find to describe him are because he's hurting. The one person Rawlie cares deeply about was taken. He lost everything in the Scourge and right now, it's happening all over again.” He stepped out into the hallway, the door ajar. “Good night, Lil,” he said, closing the door behind him.

“Good night.” She doubted he heard her. She reached above her bed, glad there was a light switch. She flipped it off, masking the room in total darkness. Lil climbed farther beneath the covers. She rested her head back and shut her eyes. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.

Lil awoke to the sound of a soft rap against the bedroom door. “Come in,” she said, flipping on the light above her bed. Squinting as her eyes adjusted, Jamie walked into her room.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I know you were sleeping.” He paused for a long moment before adding. “I’m nervous about tomorrow.”

“Me too,” Lil patted the empty space on the mattress beside her. “Sit with me.”

Jamie closed the door behind him, before climbing onto her bed. “Do you think Eilith is hurting them?” His brow furrowed in concern.

“I know my friend Bray is strong, and if your sister is anything like I am, she’s not going to give up.”

“She’s a fighter.”

“Then, you have nothing to worry about. Tomorrow we’ll rescue your sister and my friend. We’ll all be able to go home and live happily ever after,” she joked.

Jamie stared at her, confused. “Happily ever what?”

Were there no fairytales in Orenda? “A happy ending to our story, that’s what I’m hoping we’ll have tomorrow night.”

Jamie’s eyes lit up. “Oh! Willow used to read to me when I was little, before bed. Now she shoves the book at me and tells me to read it myself.”

Lil laughed. “Sounds like something I’d say to my sister.” The room grew silent. Her stomach knotted thinking about her younger sister and her parents. They’d worry about her being gone without calling. There wasn’t much she could do about it though. Her cell phone didn’t work in Orenda.

“Do you get along with your sister?” Jamie asked.

Lil’s eyes stared down at the quilt on the bed. “I’ve always found her to be annoying, but I do miss her.”

“Annoying, how?”

“She teases me all the time, especially about Bray. Do you bother your sister a lot?”

“Of course not!” Jamie beamed. “I love her. I’d never annoy her.”

Lil imagined that was what her sister would say too. It brought a faint smile to her face. “Are you feeling a little better?” She hoped having someone to talk with helped ease his fears.

“Thanks, Lil.” He climbed down from the mattress and walked to the door. Jamie turned around as his hand landed on the doorknob. “Your friend, Bray, he’ll be okay.”

When Lil rolled over, the bright pink morning light streamed through the sheer white curtains. It no longer seemed as strange as it had the first time she’d seen it, but still she buried her head beneath the pillows, wishing she was back in her own bed at home. She pushed the pillow aside and groaned in frustration. Too bad it wasn't all a nightmare. She sat up and changed back into her clothes from yesterday. At least they fit her. Later they would probably make her dress in the eternal suit, but until that time came, she'd enjoy her comfortable jeans and super soft t-shirt.

Lil stepped out from her bedroom and glanced down the hall. It was eerily silent. If what Hudson said was true and Rawlie was in love with Willow, then he wouldn't put off finding her any longer. He was in this as much as she was, though for different reasons.

Lil headed down the stairs to the main floor. She walked into the kitchen, hoping to fix herself cereal for breakfast. Pushing the door open, her eyes widened upon seeing everyone else already awake. “You guys are up early.”

Arianna sat at the counter along with Jamie. Hudson and Rawlie were attempting to make something, though Lil had no idea what it was. Flour littered the floor, the counter, and their faces.

Arianna grinned. “It was my idea to let you sleep in this morning. I thought you could use the rest before we venture off into the unknown.” She climbed off the stool at the counter. “Take my seat,” she said.

Lil didn't object. She grabbed Arianna's seat, knowing that whatever battle was fought here, it didn't look like either boy won. “What'd I miss this morning?” Lil asked.

Jamie poked Lil in the arm to get her attention. She shifted on the stool, looking at the young boy. “They were trying to make pancakes, but they can't remember the recipe,” Jamie explained.

“I know the recipe,” Rawlie countered. “Hudson is the one who's confused.”

“Not true!” Hudson rolled his eyes. “I wasn't the one who dumped the flour all over the kitchen instead of in the mixing bowl.” He glanced apologetically at Lil and mouthed a brief 'sorry'.

Rawlie huffed under his breath. “Whatever. That was your fault, anyway.” He pointed at Hudson. “You were blocking my way, insisting I was doing it wrong. Which I
wasn't
.”

“Hey!” Lil interrupted them. “We have someplace to be this morning. The pancakes don’t matter.”

Rawlie shot Hudson a glare, before he grabbed one last handful of flour and chucked it at him.

“That's enough!” Arianna got between them, keeping them an arm's length apart. Hudson tried to reach across and retaliate for what Rawlie had done. She eyed Hudson. “Go get cleaned up for breakfast.” She turned toward Rawlie. “You clean this mess up while Lil and I make breakfast.”

Cleaning up after breakfast, Arianna walked Lil over to the training arena and helped her don the eternal suit. It took less time putting it on than it had the previous day. Arianna strapped her own weapons to her body. “Don't forget your sword,” she called to Lil.

“Thanks.” Lil stepped back into the weapons closet, eyeing the sword. “Do I carry it the entire way there?”

“You can put the strap for the sheath across your body. Here let me help,” Arianna offered. She found the sheath and attached the leather material so it would wrap around Lil's body. “Let's see if this fits.” Arianna helped put it over her head and one arm through as she positioned the sheath at her back. “Perfect. Now you just need to put the sword into it.”

“I think I can handle it.” It took Lil one attempt to slide the sword into the sheath. She pulled it out and put it in again, repeating the motions until she was comfortable with them.