Crimson Red, Cerulean Blue
Chapter 34

(Lucas)

“We’re lost.”

The wind howled outside the cave we were holed up in, theblizzard worsening every second. The fire we’d managed to somehow buildflickered dangerously, and I held my breath. Kari could easily start it againthe same way she’d done it the first time, but years of being taught thatlosing your fire was really, really bad were still kicking in.

Kari rubbed her fingers together to keep warm, and I saw thetelltale sparks jump from one hand to the other. She wasn’t even bothering tohide it anymore.

I frowned. “You haven’t explained to me yet. How did thathappen?”

She casually examined her nails. “How do you think?”

“Mask would never have given you magic. You’re aninconsistency, a outlier. You only work for him because of the money. There’sno way to tell who you’re truly loyal to.” My eyes narrowed. “So how did youget it?”

“First of all, Lucas, dear, I do happen to be loyal tosomeone, and that someone is myself. Second, the magic was something I managedto steal one day, when I was bored. It’s certainly come in handy.” She paused.“Any more questions?”

“You stole themagic,” I repeated, stunned. “How…”

She waved it off like it was nothing. “The professor wasn’tlooking, so I stepped into the experiment room and had a little fun. But let’snot look too much into that. I doubt you want to hear all about me being a badgirl.”

I did, actually, because stealing magic is no joke, but Karihad a dangerous look in her eyes. So, not wanting to end up like Fallon, Ichanged the subject.

“Why did you come back for me?”

“Ah, yes. The inevitable question.” She smiled. “Let’s justsay I have an interest in what you’re trying to do.”

“Why? It’s not like it concerns you.”

She replied calmly, “Like it or not, Lucas, it concernseveryone. We’re all going to have to pick sides soon. Which is why I’m takingan interest now, before it’s too late.”

I folded my arms, looking away from her, into the fire. “Ithought you only cared about yourself.”

“I do.” The reply was matter-of-fact, purely conversational.“I learned a long time ago that it’s too much effort to care about anyone else.Too much pressure, too much worry, too much hurt when they leave. And they will leave. There’s nothing you can doabout it, Lucas, dear. I’ve accepted that.”

Her voice was perfectly calm, as if everything she wassaying was absolute, reasonable fact. And suddenly, I was struck by how muchshe resembled me, the me that hadgiven up, the me that had refused to believe the world could still be saved,that there was still any hope at all. The person I’d been before Fallon,ironically, had saved me.

And I found myself saying the exact same thing I’d figuredout then, the same thing I’d forced myself to believe over and over again.

“That’s not true.”

“So you’re an idealist,” she sighed. “Well, I guess you’dhave to be, with your goals.”

“No, I’m not.” I shook my head. “I’m not even close to beingone. I know how crappy the world can be. I’ve seen some pretty awful sides topeople, and I watched the person I cared about more than anyone else in theentire world disappear. Yeah, I knowthis place is messed up. But that’s why I’ve gotta try to make it better.” Myvoice grew quiet. “I owe it to her, at least.”

“Her?” Kari questioned.

I managed a wry smile. “That’s for me to know.”

She didn’t look convinced, but it didn’t really matter. Kariwould figure it out the same way I had.

I changed the subject. “So. Any idea as to where Violetcould be?”

“Oh, that’s right. I almost forgot.” Kari stood up abruptly.“Well, hon, if you’re done warming up, I think we should go get her now.”

I looked up, suddenly alert. “You know where she is?”

“Well, it just so happens that when I was rescuing you, Ispotted another prison cell, one that I thought looked extremely suspicious.And then I saw someone go in there. Have you ever heard of a Sandelle?”

I shot to my feet. “What?”

“I take it you know her?”

My fingers clenched around the hilt of Fallon’s sword. “Weneed to go.”

“Right.”

Without another word, both of us sprinted out of the cave,leaving the fire to burn itself out.