The Cloud Roost (Jekua Book 5) by Travis M. Riddle

Author:Travis M. Riddle [Riddle, Travis M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-03-12T00:00:00+00:00

26

Remisti Vana Time

The rest stop was not abundant with amenities. Besides the bathroom, which was merely a porta-potty that they could all smell even from this distance, there was nothing else of note. Not even a pretty view to look upon during their downtime.

Alani wasn’t sure what she expected there to be at these rest areas, considering the logistical nightmare it probably was to lug anything of value up the mountain and get it functioning. It wasn’t like Royal Ascension could plug a vending machine into the side of the mountain.

All of a sudden, she found herself craving a soda. She so rarely drank soda. The heart always wanted what it couldn’t have.

She glanced over at Aeiko, who was crouched next to Wasaaru. Balt was there too and noticed her watching. He stood and approached, grinning slyly.

“I see what you’re doin’,” he said cheekily.

“No you don’t.”

“They’re lookin’ cute, huh? Even after a day of hiking. You like ’em all sweaty and dirty, huh?”

“Oh, shut up,” Alani said, glaring at him before breaking into a laugh. She would never in a million years admit that he had hit it right on the money. She asked, “How’s he doing?”

Balt turned to look at his cousin. “He’s alright,” he replied. “He will be soon, anyway.”

“Is he soulsick?” If he was, it didn’t seem as intense as any of the times Balt had pushed himself too far and drained all of his mana reserves. All those times, there had been much more vomit and whining involved.

“Nah, it’s not that bad,” Balt said. “He got pretty damn close, though. Nah, the fight just took a lot out of him. I think his soulclay’s extra sensitive, kinda like mine. Not as extreme, but the same concept. I think the Yissoon crushing his Werewolf hurt his own body more than he’d care to admit.”

“Is that some sort of Vana family trait?” Alani asked him.

He shrugged. “Don’t know. Maybe. Our grandma never mentioned it, if she felt it too.”

“Maybe you can ask about it in a few weeks.”

Balt didn’t say anything to that. Alani imagined it was still hard for him to conceive of a reality in which his grandparents were still alive. He’d been grappling with that loss for eight years now, and he couldn’t let himself hope. If he lost himself to hope and it turned out to be false, she wasn’t sure how he’d recover. At least he had Wasaaru again, whichever way things went.

“Should we go back over there?” Alani suggested. She’d gone to the bathroom then stood apart from the group, looking over the edge of the small plateau. The view was only of more mountain trail, just lots of brown with random patches of greenery. Nothing extraordinary. Nothing noteworthy.

Balt nodded, and the two of them returned to the others. Aeiko had transitioned from crouching to sitting, and Niona was rummaging through her bag nearby. Brine, as ever, was standing stationary about ten or fifteen feet away, watching the trail to make sure no Jekuas were drawing near.

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