Fourth Earth: A YA Fantasy Adventure to the planet of Mythical Creatures (Arch Mage Series Book 4) by Cami Murdock Jensen

Author:Cami Murdock Jensen [Murdock Jensen, Cami]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781685642273
Publisher: Value Publishing LLC
Published: 2021-11-23T22:00:00+00:00

The sun had long set, and stars winked through the fluttering leaves when a burst of blue light lit the Noddy Tree. Startled, I sat up so fast, my hammock swung and nearly dumped me on the ground.

“Tem?” a familiar voice called.

“Rein?” Temnon swung his legs around and dropped from the tree branch. “What’s up?”

With a grin, Rein stepped from the safety platform of his transportation spell. “Just got word from the kelpies. They agreed to meet me tomorrow. In the meantime, Chief Rowan asked me to see how things are progressing with the tomte. He and your parents are kind of desperate for news.” Rein spotted me swinging from in the hammock and gave me a friendly salute. “Oh hey, Agnes. Kinza has been a huge benefit to me. Sorry to deprive you of her.”

A light stream of purple smoke filtered from his armored pouch and floated to my hammock, settling into the woven fabric next to me.

“Agnes hardly needs support,” Temnon joked. “She got the tomte working together and ready to compromise. It looks like supplies won’t be a problem anymore.”

Rein blurted out a relieved laugh. “That’s great news.”

Temnon and Rein sat in the sand and leaned against the trunk of the tree to exchange reports.

Darn that boyfriend of mine. Temnon didn’t give himself credit for our success with the tomte. He was never one to brag, but I knew from personal experience that negative self-talk fueled emotional responses like depression and anxiety.

Rein is pleased with your success, Kinza said, distracting me.

“Our success,” I clarified. “It was a team effort.”

I believe it.

Kinza sighed, and her smoke sunk deeper into the hammock.

“You sound tired,” I said. “Everything okay?”

There was a brief pause. I am tired. I’ve noticed a steady decline in my energy. It frightens me.

I tried to lay a supportive hand on her smoke, but my hand passed through her as easily as air. It surprised me. Even as smoke she’d always been at least partially solid. Shocked, I noticed I could see the weave of the hammock right through her. I’d never seen her so transparent. Then I realized why.

“Oh, Kinza,” I whispered, horrified. “You’re fading.”

Yes. Faster than I anticipated. I fail to see how Sharir avoided his end when my end looms with such overpowering finality. It is becoming difficult to hold myself together. I do it, so as not to worry Chief Rein, but it is exhausting.

“Then tell him you need a break. He’ll understand.”

The light-purple smoke swirled around my hand as I gripped the side of the hammock.

His kindness isn’t in question. He’s treated me with honor and respect. He must focus on his next task. The kelpies have endured prejudice from his mother for centuries. He is concerned he won’t be able to win them over. He needs me, so I will keep trying.

Fear rose in my throat, and I blurted loudly, “But if trying is making you fade faster...”

Shh, please. I don’t want Rein to know.

I glanced over at the boys. They carried on their conversation.

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