{"id":1303,"date":"2012-07-11T00:00:34","date_gmt":"2012-07-11T04:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1303"},"modified":"2012-07-10T19:08:45","modified_gmt":"2012-07-10T23:08:45","slug":"winter-chapter-16-02","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1303","title":{"rendered":"Winter – Chapter 16 – 02"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAre they still out there?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Ter\u00e9zia asked as she spooned lukewarm stew back into the pot by the fire.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Peering out the window, Kes nodded slightly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cStill there.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He\u2019s still holding her, but I don\u2019t think she\u2019s crying anymore.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She turned away from the window, back toward her friend.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIs there a lot left?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Ter\u00e9zia nodded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cPlenty.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They won\u2019t starve.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It might even still be hot.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She added another log to the fire.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s starting to get cold out there.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Think they\u2019ll come in soon?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cProbably,\u201d Kes said, settling cross-legged on one of the benches near the fire.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThey\u2019ll come in when it starts to get too cold to stay out there.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>All they\u2019ve got is that blanket, and the sky\u2019s clear as a bell.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It\u2019s not going to take long for the temperature to go through the floor.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She watched as Ter\u00e9zia glanced toward the room where she kept her mirror and her other scrying tools.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Kes smirked.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou want to go in there and try to look for people,\u201d she said, unable to wipe the smirk off her face.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The look Ter\u00e9zia tossed at her could have melted steel.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNo,\u201d she said gruffly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI don\u2019t want to look <\/span>for<\/span><\/em> anyone.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I want to look <\/span>at<\/span><\/em> Eva\u2019s brother.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI wasn\u2019t aware that you knew where he was,\u201d Kes said, tilting her head to one side.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHow\u2019d you find that out?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Ter\u00e9zia\u2019s face flamed.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTrial and error,\u201d she said quietly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI made sure Gray was busy and Eva was sleeping so no one would notice what I was doing.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I think I already found him.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Kes started to express disapproval, but Ter\u00e9zia rushed on, cutting her off.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI was careful, Kes.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Nothing tossed in my face or anything like that this time.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It took me all this time, since she came, but I think I found him.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Kes asked despite herself.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Ter\u00e9zia laughed weakly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019re not going to believe this.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNot going to believe what?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Gray asked as he and Aoife eased in from outside, bringing with them a gust of cold air that made the flames in the fireplace flicker and dance.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Aoife was tucked under his arm, eyes red-rimmed and puffy, a blanket still clutched around her shoulders.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Ter\u00e9zia blushed more, moving quickly to the fire to start spooning out two bowls of stew.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHow good this stew is.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kes choked on a laugh.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Aoife snorted quietly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Her voice was thin an reedy as Gray guided her to the benches.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019re a terrible liar, Teca,\u201d she murmured as she sank down onto the bench, wiping her eyes on a corner of her blanket.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Ter\u00e9zia\u2019s attempt to look innocent was a good effort, but doomed to failure.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Gray took one look at her and just shook his head.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat have you been doing that you don\u2019t want to tell me about?\u201d he rumbled.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kes shrugged as Ter\u00e9zia looked at her for help.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDon\u2019t look at me, Teca.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019m not taking sides.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She sighed, shoulders slumping.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ve been scrying again,\u201d she said, glancing at Aoife and Gray.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She set one of the bowls of stew down near her knee.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Kes got up and collected it and a spoon, then brought both to Aoife.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cScrying for what?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Aoife asked as she nodded her thanks to Kes.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Ter\u00e9zia flinched a little, looking pained as she said, \u201cYour brother.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Aoife went very still for a moment, body rigid.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Her hands trembled until she tightened them around the bowl and spoon.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cD-did you find him?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI think so,\u201d Ter\u00e9zia said quietly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m not sure, but I think so.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>In Michigan, near the lake.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Her cheeks went red and she glanced at Kes and Gray.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI think he\u2019s with that group that I first looked at when Eva sensed me scrying and came here.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The corner of Gray\u2019s mouth twitched slightly. He looked at Aoife and murmured into her hair.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSee?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Fate did have something to say about all of this.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Maybe more\u2019s meant to be than you suspected.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He ignored the strange looks that Kes and Ter\u00e9zia aimed in his direction and asked, \u201cHave you looked?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNot yet,\u201d Ter\u00e9zia said softly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI was about to, then you two came inside.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWell,\u201d he said quietly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cLet us eat, then let\u2019s get down to business.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAre they still out there?\u201d\u00a0 Ter\u00e9zia asked as she spooned lukewarm stew back into the pot by the fire. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Peering out the window, Kes nodded slightly.\u00a0 \u201cStill there.\u00a0 He\u2019s still holding her, but I don\u2019t think she\u2019s crying … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,55,14,52,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1303","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-2","category-chapter-16","category-story","category-winter","category-year-one"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-l1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1303","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1303"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1303\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1305,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1303\/revisions\/1305"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1303"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1303"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1303"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}