Revolutions by Carissa Andrews

Author:Carissa Andrews [Andrews, Carissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Author Revolution, LLC

14

Runa

LIGHT REFRACTS FROM THE TREE, sending cascades of iridescence in all directions. The low sun makes everything seem magical, as I take in the Caudex hidden in the Tree’s upper branches. It’s amazing none of the AirGliders spotted the book—surely they’ve been on the lookout for the Tree of Burden since my talk with Videus.

“Maybe if you get close enough, the Tree will give the Caudex back?” Trae suggests.

“Maybe,” I say, walking closer.

From here, I can see it’s pages glittering brightly, but it’s masked well within the light from the Tree.

“Was this your idea?” I ask, turning to Trae.

He makes a face, “Not exactly.”

His right hand runs along the back of his neck, as he squints his eyes.

I watch him, waiting for more.

After a moment, he finally says, “The AirGlider—the one in my head, he’s not so bad. He’s actually helped a couple of times.”

My eyes widen, and I turn to square up with him. “You’re not seriously saying you’ve been talking with him, are you? You know they can’t be trusted until their connection to Videus has been severed.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know that. But I think his already has.”

“Why do you think that?” I ask, watching his every micro expression as they flit through his face in rapid succession.

“Look, Runa, you’re gonna have to trust me a little bit.”

“You, I do trust. But I don’t trust the AirGliders who have free reign and are tied directly to Videus. Here—let me help, maybe I can,” I begin.

Trae steps back, his hands up as he shields himself from me.

I stop moving toward him, throwing my hands up in defeat.

“Look, if you’re happier with the AirGlider in there—”

“It’s not that, I just don’t think it’s a wise idea to remove him just yet. There’s a lot we don’t know and he’s been very helpful so far.”

“This is ludicrous. After the conversation we just had—and now you want to defend one of Videus’ programs being in your head? Do you not understand how crazy that sounds? We should be working to get it out, not hang on to him for further exploitation. He has his own body, Trae. He’s disembodied,” I say, emphasizing the last word.

“Technically, what we should really be doing is getting that damn book down from the top of the tree,” Trae says, jamming his finger up into the air.

“Fine,” I say through gritted teeth.

Turning on my heel, I reach for the Tree’s trunk. It’s cold and smooth to the touch. As soon as my hand comes into contact, the aquamarine crystal at my neck glows brightly. The branches of the Tree twist in a dance all their own, as they work to gently carry the Caudex back down to me.

I reach up, taking the glowing book from its embrace, and step back in awe. This Tree has been through so much, but it’s still a wonder all its own.

Taking a cleansing breath, I tug the aquamarine crystal from behind my top. It glows and hums at a frequency only I can hear, I think, as it prepares to unlock the Caudex.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.