Path of Deceit by Tessa Gratton

Author:Tessa Gratton [Gratton, Tessa]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Disney Book Group
Published: 2022-10-04T05:00:00+00:00

Marda and Kevmo surveyed their immediate problem. “What’s caught you?” she asked Er Dal.

The Kessarine, still shaking, said, “My hip and foot were caught by the break in the chamber wall. Water pushed us and the rocks here, and the water pressure is too much. I am trapped, but you can come here, both of you, and take the babies. It’s all right.”

“No,” Marda said. “We’ll get you free, too.” She bit her lip. “I can swim down and try to free—”

“I’ve got this, Marda,” Kevmo said. He moved closer. “I can move all the rocks, but you have to be ready to catch the babies, all right?”

Marda frowned. “You can…”

Kevmo nodded. “The Force.”

Her breath caught. She couldn’t make herself begin again as she stared at him, fear and hope a spiky twist in her throat.

“Be ready,” he said. “I should be able to keep the lightsaber on, but if not, it will get dark.”

“Hurry,” gasped Er Dal.

Marda nodded, but Kevmo had already moved; she had no idea if he’d seen her permission.

He closed his eyes and reached his free hand for the air. Kevmo cupped his hand and slowly turned it palm up— gifts freely given—

and furrowed his brow. Then—

The rocks shifted. Water splashed.

Er Dal grunted. He bared his teeth.

“Right…now,” Kevmo said with a grunt, and the rocks spilled away, vanishing under the suddenly tumultuous floodwaters.

Er Dal cried out, one of the babies falling. Er Dal clutched at him, and Marda dove forward to grasp him.

She fell half into the water, spluttering. She touched a baby and tucked him into her arm as she reached for the other, but found only rushing water and Er Dal’s arm. She grasped it. “Come on!” she yelled over the roaring water. The golden light suddenly vanished.

They were alone in darkness.

Water slammed into them.

Marda fell, let herself go under but held the baby up in both hands, desperate to keep him in the air. She choked but got her feet back under her, and when she stood again, she pressed the baby to

her face, wiping her eyes on her forearm. The golden light was back, but Kevmo had thrown himself into the corner because Er Dal was screaming, hands empty—the last baby was gone.

“Come on,” Marda said, clawing at him. “Here, take this baby. Go.

We’ll get the last one. You’re injured. You can’t help us, and they need you!”

Her voice was raw, she was near blind with water, and the floodwater had reached her breasts, dragging at her robes, making them so heavy.

“Fe Isle!” Er Dal bellowed.

Marda dug her nails in, puncturing his thick skin. “Er Dal, take Fe Remine and go, now!”

The Kessarine winced but took the baby, tucking him against his neck. He hesitated.

They were plunged into darkness again, both of them frozen.

Then the lightsaber hissed to life, and steam surrounded it from vaporized water. Marda wiped water from her eyes and saw Kevmo had Fe Isle in his arm! She exhaled harshly in relief, holding out both arms.

Then another rumble was their only warning before more water rushed in from the back exit.

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