Light Speed by Arkadie, L. (accelerated reader books .TXT) 📕

of water drops fromabove. It’s another prison and I recognize the captured. The liquidsplashes over the ground, leaving Chex, the Selell, standing nottoo far away from me.

“The trees of this region will guide you toyour sister,” Ktkl says and again it appears as if he’s readyinghimself to leave.

“What about him?” I reach out to touch thecapsule that Lario is stuck in. It feels strange. It’s solid, likestone.

“He will stand trial.”

“Promise not to pronounce death upon himwithout my witness?” I venture to ask.

“I cannot make this promise,” he repliesfirmly.

“Then you must kill me too.”

“What the hell are you saying?!” Chexgrowls, now standing beside me. I take one distracted glance at himand then a second. Strange—he’s not drenched with water. Hisclothes and skin are dry. I’m also a little distracted by wonderingwhy he’s here in the first place. However, it appears as if mydeclaration is working. Ktkl is once again conferring with thetrees.

“Yes,” he finally grunts, glowering at me.“We will wait for your witness before putting the thief to death.But he is guilty and he will die.”

“All I ask is that you wait,” I say over atiny sigh of relief.

“Open your mouth,” Ktkl orders.

I hesitate but I know the trees will notallow any harm to come to me and Ktkl is not one whosurreptitiously seeks to do harm to others. I tilt my head back andopen my mouth.

Ktkl drops a morsel of water on my tongue. Iswallow it.

“If you die, I will know; and we willexecute him after he is sentenced.”

“If I die?” I ask, disturbed by thatinsinuation. “Do you know what sort of dangers we face?”

“The lifeblood is captive in Siffeo,” hegrumbles. “You will have to cross the Mashlands to enter Siffeo.That may be impossible. But, your sister was able to conquer thenight spirits.” I catch a cold shiver when he says that. “Andthen,” he continues. “You will have to conquer the guards ofSiffeo. That is where the first lifeblood failed.”

Before I can respond, the sound of crashingwater has already started. The Mtknv have collected their catch andChex and I watch as they disappear beyond the swinging branches,which happen to be my protectors. And the trees are not finished.Where I was once buried beneath their bushels that bore down overus, their long floppy arms are now bent backwards to carve a paththrough the forest. As Ktkl said, they are leading me to mysister.

I put on the tight red shoes and start upthe pathway with my scary companion.

Chapter5

Blowing Smoke

“Well this is a hell of a situation,” Chexcomplains.

Suddenly I’m reminded that I am notalone.

“Why are you here?” I ask, soundingdisappointed. I hoped he would find his way to Ze Feldis so thatCl’auta could eventually learn I was lost on the Earth. She wouldcome looking for me and not stop until she found me.

“With the little conscience I have, Icouldn’t leave you alone with Exgesis,” he admits withouthesitation. “You might not get it now, but that guy is certifiable.If those water monsters can kill him then let them, because wetried and it didn’t work.”

“They’re not monsters. They are creatures,”I say, appalled by the way he blatantly links the Mtknv to theevil.

“There’s a difference?” He’s flashing histeeth at me again.

“Yes, there is. One is made by the hand ofthe evil and the other by the hand of God.”

“I guess I’m a monster.” He’s stillgrinning, as if such a thing is something that merits greatpride.

I take a while to see past the face he’sshowing. Beyond the surface there is hopelessness anddisappointment.

“Why do you so easily claim the dark and notthe light?” I ask. “You were a human before you were a Selell?”

The unaffected smile fades into a curiousfrown. “What the hell is a Selell anyway?” he asks.

“Vampyre,” I say as if he will understandthat terminology.

“You mean vampire,” he corrects me,emphasizing the long i sound.

“Is there a difference?” My tone is slightlyharsh because that smile has returned to his face and I know he’scorrecting me.

“Didn’t you hear it?”

“In pronunciation, but not indefinition.”

“Ever heard of a homonym?”

“Are you a grammarian?” I ask sharply.

He sarcastically snorts and I tear my eyesoff that smug smile of his while all along wishing it would goaway. I feel as if this self-proclaimed monster wants to disturb myel’le’le’kek, my inner peace.

We stand tense, facing each other. He isobviously amused by what can be considered an argument between us.I’ve never engaged in a tiff of this magnitude with anyone otherthan my sister, Na’ta. And I am overwhelmed by the urge to sparwith this creature until I become victorious. However, I’m moreinfluenced by the urge to maintain the peace between us. After all,we will be companions until we find Na’ta, after which he willleave this universe since he has no other reason to be here. Mysister and I can handle Lario Exgesis and his misfortunes with theMtknv.

“Do you have your speed Selell?” I ask,changing the subject.

“Chex is the name, and if you’re asking if Ican move fast, then the answer is yes.” I can tell that he’sbothered by my taciturn tone of voice.

“I know your name,” I gruffly mumble but, assoon as I say it, I wish I hadn’t. Thankfully, Chex doesn’t reactnegatively to my tone. He seems to be pondering the fact that Iremember his name. I can’t help but wonder why it amazes himso.

“We’re off to find your sister, yeah?” heasks.

I drop my face to nod, still embarrassed bybeing so contentious.

“And does she look like you too?”

I lift my head and frown a little. “We favoreach other,” I answer pensively.

“I just want to say, out of all the onesI’ve seen, you’re my favorite.”

This time when he smiles it isn’t sooff-putting.

At first, I’m lost for words. Should I saythank you? Should I ask him to clarify what he means byfavorite? Instead I find myself unable to focus on his faceat the moment. I tear my eyes away from him to glance up the pathand then back at him.

“We should go,” I say.

His habitual smile fades, replaced by aferocious scowl. It makes me shudder. This Selell