The SkyHorse by H. L. Carpenter

Author:H. L. Carpenter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Published: 2012-03-30T00:00:00+00:00

Twelve

THE HAND ON MY FOREHEAD is cool as morning air, the murmuring voice above me soft as running water. The accompanying scent of trees and earth is comforting. I could sleep for hours.

Mom’s voice carries through the window as she calls goodbye to Dr. Webber and Chase. A slamming door, the roar of a car engine, and the blare of a horn make my eyes snap open. Where am I?

I’m sprawled on my bedroom floor beneath the open window, and the sun streaming through the panes halos the pale hair of the girl hovering over me.

Aire. Aire, from the land of Sor. Aire, who knows I have something that belongs to her.

Zephyr.

I scramble sideways and lurch to my feet. “You came to take him back.”

“This is so.” Looking up from where she kneels on the floor, Aire tips her head once in acknowledgement. A faint line creases the skin between her eyebrows. “I am pleased you are none the worse for your fainting spell. Does this happen often with you?”

“I did not faint. I’ve never fainted in my life.” Upright, but unsteady, I prop myself against the wall to keep my still-rubbery knees from betraying me again. “I just haven’t eaten much lately, and I didn’t get any sleep last night. I got dizzy.”

“Perhaps I have the wrong word. Your language is confusing, and I have yet another twelve mes—moons—to study.” She stands. “But we understand each other well enough. Where is he?”

“He’s—” I stop, unable to say the words out loud. In the garden shed. Dying.

Aire frowns. “I will discover him, whether you tell or not. I have tracked him this far. Your assistance would only shorten the search.”

“He’s—” Again I stop.

“Foolish human.” Aire moves to the bed and lifts a sleek, dark slouchsack from the floor. She slings it across her shoulder. “The egg, he is mine. Do not convince yourself you can hide him from me.”

“The egg?”

“I have no time to waste with you.” Aire strides to the window and pokes at the screen. “You know what you should not, yet you do not understand the importance.”

I do. “I need your help.”

Aire turns, one eyebrow lifted. She crosses her arms. “You are ready to take me to him?”

CLANG!

Aire springs into a fighting crouch, hands raised and extended in front of her. Her eyes are riveted on the door. “What is this noise?”

I press myself more firmly against the wall. “Just pots. My mother must be getting breakfast ready.”

“Tovi?” Mom’s voice, this time in the hallway. She knocks on the door. It creaks as it begins to open.

Aire vaults across the room in one silent, leaping bound and vanishes below the far edge of the bed.

She’s fast.

“Tovi?” Mom sticks her head inside. “Did you finish the milk?”

“Um…” I step away from the wall, try to focus. “Yeah. Last night.”

“You drank the whole gallon?”

“I—yes. Sorry.”

“Well.” Mom blinks twice, rapidly. “I was going to make pancakes for breakfast. I guess we’ll have eggs instead. Do you want some? Or I’ll make fried potatoes, if you like.

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