Tinaree- Trial by Inferno by Nic Plume

Author:Nic Plume [Plume, Nic]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781735153605
Published: 2020-06-21T16:00:00+00:00

15

Conflict

Kaydeen rummaged through the kitchen in search of breakfast when she noticed Taylor sliding out from under Tonee’s arm. He looked at Tonee’s sleeping form and then to the couch where Salayla slept and frowned. She started to speak, but then clamped her mouth shut. What could she say? ‘Hey, nice to see you fully awake. Are you aware that you have some underlying angst that caused a tussle last night?’ If he remembered, this wasn’t the time to delve into it. If he didn’t remember, it still wasn’t the time to open that box. She needed him as close to his top form as possible. Discussing psychological wounds or dragging them into the open wasn’t the way to get him there.

After a few moments, he stood and came into the kitchen. He stopped a few steps from her, started to speak, stopped, started again, and then looked around with his mouth working as if unable to put words to the puzzle in his head. She had never seen him so confused before, at least not in such a contemplative, serious manner.

Behind him, Salayla had woken as he had crossed the living area and now watched quietly from where she lay.

Tonee woke, looked around, and jumped up. Taylor reacted to the noise behind him but didn’t turn around. Tonee entered the living area, taking in the scene. His muscles tensed and his movements smoothed as he moved closer. He was readying to pounce. Kaydeen wanted to signal him to back off and let her handle it, but there was no way to do so without Taylor noticing.

"Taylor," Tonee called quietly. He was about ten paces away.

Taylor’s eyes refocused. "I’m fine."

Tonee continued to approach. "Then let Salayla read you."

"No." Taylor stiffened. "I said I’m fine."

"Bullshit." Tonee stopped a few paces behind him.

Salayla stood and approached, slowly and carefully, as if sudden movement might cause irreparable damage.

This was surreal. What was Tonee going to do? Physically force Taylor to submit to a Reading? Even if that worked, what if Taylor blocked it again like he did last night? Not that it should be possible for a human. But, what kind of damage would that do to the team? And why was Salayla so tentative? After all they had gone through over the last six months and last night, needing some time to process things was understandable, wasn’t it? Kaydeen wasn’t sure, but she did know one thing. They didn’t need a fight right now.

Before she could say anything, Tonee spoke again. "You need to let her Read you."

Taylor’s eyes locked on Kaydeen’s chest.

Kaydeen had never seen him like this before—backed into a corner, preparing to fight. The escalation was imminent and so obvious. Why was she the only one who saw it? But, despite all her insight, she had no idea how to stop it.

She didn’t have to. Tonee’s next words did.

"We are a team. We live as a team. We fight as a team. And we will die as a team, if we must.

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