The jungle thinned on a spit of land littered with caves and purple Kin guards. The very same I saw drag away that child from the mother back in the pig’s village. I turned to Jonah, who was watching, crouched low to the ground beside me. We were crouched behind a few boulders by the entrance to the Mines. This must have been the opposite direction of Noali’s caves.

  “Do you think those kids are here?” I whispered in his ear, smirking as I saw the slight shiver run through him. Could he like me too? I mean, he did almost kiss me.

  “It’s possible,” he whispered back into my ear. It sent a trill of electricity through me, feeding my rune array with energy. His touch was electric, as he ran a finger up my arm to get my attention. I smiled and nodded.

  Strength: He needs to keep his hands off!

  Mark: Sigh. Let 'em be ya oaf! Can’t ya see they–”

  Maryanne: Mark! Enough!

  Jack watched carefully and nodded. His eyes were on Maryanne, who had changed her usual scoop sweater for a belly shirt and tight jeans. Her change was here, and it looked like it would be nothing more than an adjustment in attitude for now.

  She could change completely and tip the scales still, but for now, she was safe. He was a more emotional voice. Strength was the same, but Mark? Mark worried him. Today, he showed up in a ripped bomber jacket of supple leather and oil-stained jeans.

  Like what the fudge was going on with him? Did he get bitten without anyone knowing? He was the brainiac! The boring guy, the librarian! Not a motorcycle, adrenaline junkie! He was acting like Roy! He eyed Lesley, who was calmly leafing through a book. He was another surprise. He was a normal, MALE voice now. Intelligent and NOT wearing a PINK sundress or bonnet.

  The sound of Mille made me focus on the present world, as the Kin Beasts came and Chamomille ran amok. Her thick trunk swinging and trumpeting as the guards tried to rein her in. I quickly realized she was trying to warn me, and I grabbed Jonah and dodged the onslaught of arrows that would have killed us. Jonah rolled to his feet, drawing Whirl Devil as I drew Dancer. We were back-to-back.

  There were strings of arrows pulled, and I closed my eyes before saying the activation phrase. “My power is my own. I call from within. Release and obey me by Oppolemei’s grace!”

  The runes lit up, then I felt it, power like never before.

  Inside, a bright light had blinded Maryanne as her clothes were changed to a white knee dress with a green ribbon. Strength wore a blue gi. Mark wore a brown business suit, and Jack was decked in all black, wearing his favorite black duster coat. Lesley wore a mesh shirt and grey jeans with grey tennis shoes.

  A shout from the subconscious, and slowly Jessica floated to the top, sputtering, then Roy, who was dragging Sympathy. Preacher was helping Siren and Benny floated up to the air, her wings fluttered weakly behind her.

  “Ugh, now I know what a nail feels like,” muttered Preacher.

  The others groaned.

  “I so didn’t miss his puns,” muttered Jessica as she lay on the floor spread-eagled.

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  “Ditto,” muttered Roy, glancing at Maryanne, who was running to greet each one.

  Looks like I’m up already!” said Benny as she sat up and glowed magenta, except she was littered with white as well.

  “What the-!”

  From the center command, the egg hatched, and out flew a white ball that stopped floating in front of Lesley. He touched the ball and shivered as small shocks of power left the ball and ran down his spine. He stretched his hand out to the glowing orb.

  “Hey Les, be careful! Ya don’t know what that is!” warned Strength.

  Lesley grinned and grabbed the ball. “But I do know, Strength. It’s my missing half.” A glow encompassed him, making the others look away.

  Benny swore and grabbed his hand. “Amplify!”

  Her power grew, and they watched as the funniest thing happened.

  I pulled on something just as the arrows fired, and Ether came bright and magenta around us in a domed shield. Jonah smirked.

  “You’re back?” He said, watching as the guards tried to break our shield.

  “For now,” I muttered, feeling something else eke out and join the Ether, except it was invisible, but as it joined the Ether, the guards began to disappear the minute they touched the barrier. They reappeared panting and sweaty, mouthing about blue Kin eating giants.

  Jonah laughed as the guards stopped touching our shield and waited us out. I was about to change elements when a cold and dark power wrapped around the shield. Inky green fingers spread into the cracks and seeped in. It swung lazy tendrils at me, and I ducked using Dancer to cut at the appendages. Jonah was using his Wind element to blow them back, and I glowed silver, directing my power to the tendrils.

  “Aww, looks like you’re going to have to drop your shield and let me in, or would you rather I–” came the saccharine voice I heard in my vision with Chamomille. Then pain inundated my every nerve, and not far off, Mille roared with pain. Jonah put his arms around my fallen form.

  “Myra,” he breathed, scared for me. I nodded and stood, grunting.

  High heels sounded as dainty footsteps could be heard. “All your power and–” I screamed again.

  “Show yourself, coward!” growled Jonah. The pressure around the shield became too much, and the shield broke like glass, shards sent every which way. Jonah grabbed me and sank into the shadows, ignoring the woman’s tinkling yet mocking laughter.

  In the dark, I panted and gestured to be set down. As soon as he let go, I sank to my knees in tears. All my work learning to fight, and when it counted? I was still outclassed!

  Maryanne: Outclassed? She’s using that freaking mirror of hers, she's cheating!

  Strength: Yeah, I’ll teach her a thing or two! Choose me!

  Mark: She can’t get wet, dufus. I’ll get her for you.

  Jessica: Since when do you have a backbone? I like! And I’ll take care of Babycakes.

  Roy: Careful, you don’t end up as Babycakes. Flames will do the deed!

  Benny shrugged: You’ve already used me, and she beat me.

  Preacher: I offer my powers as always in good service to Him.

  Sympathy: She doesn’t deserve cake!

  Lesley’s voice reverberated around the common room: No offense to any of you, but she’ll be using me.

  Then gold power filled me to the brim. I opened my eyes, and Jonah whistled. “Whichever power you are using reminds me of the Morgans. Ya got the freaky kaleidoscope eyes thing going on there,” he said, gesturing to my eyes.

  Lesley? What exactly can I do?

  No answer, then a small whispered word.

  Bonds.

  “What! But the woman uses them to harm me!” I cried, holding my head and feeling worse than before. Never trust a voice. How many times would I need to go through this before I learned it?

  Lesley: You, the Kin Beasts, Jonah. The woman can’t harm you anymore. Bonds are secure.

  “Are you sure, Lesley?” I asked, as I slowly rose to my feet and grabbed Dancer.

  Lesley: More than!

  Jonah gazed at me with an eyebrow raised. “I’m guessing that’s one of them?”

  I nodded, rubbing my still teary eyes and hiccuping.”He says that bonds can win the fight, but I don’t see how! I mean she’s using that to get at me right now and she’s–she’s”

  Jonah sighed and rubbed my back. “Hey, when playing with fire, you are bound to get burned. That goes both ways. You can’t fight without failure, and she’s about to earn hers.”

  “How? I mean I can’t do a thing!”

  He winked. “That’s why you have a sidekick. I’m going to get that mirror from her, while you figure out what to do with your power.”

  I hugged him, taking in his scent of Sapherine forests, spring breezes, and ozone. I felt his hand on my head, carding through my hair. I gazed up, and our eyes met. I gasped. His eyes weren’t just emerald and gray, but a mixture of hazel blue and violet sparks swam in each eye, too, offsetting the colors.

  He was so good-looking looking and I was just–His lips brushed my cheek, and I froze.

  “I’ll be back, My. Promise,” he whispered, kissing my ear, slowly breaking our embrace, and jumping out of the underpaths. I sat frozen, touching my cheek and smiling like a loon through my tears.

  Lesley: Uh, My? I need to teach you bout bonds and how to call on the Kin Beasts and use your burgeoning bonds with them to beat the woman. You can ruminate on Jonah liking you later.

  I smirked. “Then let's get to this. I want to help Jonah as soon as I can!”