Crashing Storm (The Unruly Book 2) by Aster North

Author:Aster North [North, Aster]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aster North
Published: 2021-09-17T16:00:00+00:00

21

Xi’an

I wandered around the modest house, poking through the things that had been left behind. Only some personal items were gone, and a good portion of the furniture still populated the residence. Dust blanketed every surface, but that didn’t bother me. I lived in a cave, after all.

After searching everywhere, I had a small collection piled up on the table downstairs. Since I had time to waste, I sat on the covered couch and picked through everything. An old paper picture showed a family of six. The two parents were obvious—they appeared older, and the kids looked just like them. The kids’ ages ranged widely, with the oldest close to adulthood and the youngest being a pair of infants, probably still unable to walk. They seemed happy, smiles on every face. Still, I knew that frozen moments couldn’t really represent anything other than that moment. Sometimes, it didn’t even do that. I stared at that old picture for a long while, wondering what happened to them and where they were now.

I shoved it in my bag and dug through the rest, studying each piece as though it would tell me something important. Nothing did. But I’d found a few shirts that fit and were blessedly out of fashion. If I had to cover up, I at least wanted to be comfortable. A few trinkets joined them. I’d never been one for decorations, but I tossed them in the bag, anyway. Perhaps I’d have use for them, eventually.

That left the jewelry. One bracelet interested me the most, and I paused my packing. This one I’d found under a dresser. When I pulled out the bottom drawer, a tiny flash caught my eye.

I studied it, turning it over in my hands. Made of silver, it was created in a simple, two-part style. Each half formed into a crescent shape and was held together with inlaid magnets. The engravings covering the surface were anything but simple, though. The band was no wider than two fingers, but detailed images of storm clouds covered one half while a sun-filled scene covered its mate.

I clapped the bracelet around my wrist and tied my bag tightly. Leaning back, I closed my eyes and reached out, searching the area. A faint ping alerted me to a storm in the north. It was a baby, just beginning its life cycle, but it was heading my way. I would expend less energy since I wouldn’t have to pull it very hard or direct it in a different direction. A slight tug to speed it up took practically no strength at all.

Leaving the connection open, I opened my eyes and stood. The porch had a fancy swing, so I grabbed my bag and went outside to wait. If I timed things correctly, the storm would arrive around nightfall. Then I’d have it pick me up, carry me to Stonefell, and drop in without anyone knowing.

That was the important part because I was already in Stonefell. At least, I was as far as the guards knew.

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