Alora: The Maladorn Scroll (Alora 3)

“Perhaps,” Jireo agreed. “If that’s true, we should be doubly alert, since Charles and Markaeus returned to Montana yesterday.”

“It kind of makes sense,” said Alora. “Aren’t all portals between one realm and another?”

Jireo reached for another cookie, but Alora frowned at him.

“Two is enough for now. I’m saving some for Kaevin.” She looked at Beth. “I’m glad your mom’s letting you come for a visit every night.”

“I’m good at begging, I guess. But if my progress report comes back with any incompletes, I’ll be stuck in Montana for the foreseeable future.”

“Better turn in those papers.” Alora winked, knowing Beth’s habit of losing her homework.

“At least you’re finally strong enough to transport again.” Beth poured herself a mug of water and took a long swallow. “Since your uncle and Markaeus are back at the ranch, why don’t you and Kaevin spend your days here and your nights in Montana?”

“We thought about it, but I’m still having a lot of trouble with my empathy, since I used it wrong for such a long time. We think I’m safer over here where Laethan can get to me if I have an accident.” And I seem to have a lot of accidents.

“I guess that makes sense, but it’s awkward sending messages through your uncle. We really need to work something out where we can talk, like you and your uncle do.”

“Uncle Charles wears a stainless steel belt all the time, so I can talk to him without transporting him anywhere. It might not be fashionable, but you could probably get one from Amazon, like he did. Better reception than a cell phone.”

“Only I have to wait until you call me. What if I need to talk to you?”

Beth’s eyes cut toward Jireo and back, so quickly Alora thought she might have imagined it. But she felt her friend’s anxiety.

I bet she wants to talk to me without Jireo or Kaevin around. Probably something about Daegreth.

“Maybe I could ask your mom if you can come and stay for the day this coming Saturday. We could have a little girl-time before we all leave on the expedition to Serenshire.”

Her eyes brightened. “That would be awesome! You can ask her about it when you take me back.”

Alora sighed out loud. “This would be so much easier with a cell phone. I think I miss having a phone more than any of the other modern conveniences.”

“Really?” Beth scrunched up her nose. “Even more than flushing toilets?”

“Ha! Okay, I miss cell phones the second most.”

“Will your mom still be okay with you coming every day? Even when we go on our expedition to Serenshire?”

Beth’s shoulders lifted and fell. “Mom doesn’t have to know when you go somewhere different. I just asked if I could visit you every night for thirty minutes or so in Tenavae. So as long as you stay in Tenavae, I’m technically not disobeying.”

The door creaked open and Kaevin appeared, his fatigue emphasized by dark circles under his eyes.

“Hey Kaevin,” Alora said. “Is Serenshire in Tenavae?”

“We don’t truly know the location of Serenshire.” Kaevin trudged over, collapsing onto a chair and closing his eyes as if he’d just completed a marathon. “Wesley didn’t come along tonight?”

“It’s his dad’s birthday, so they’re having a family dinner,” said Beth. “Actually, they invited my folks and Uncle Charles to dinner, too. So you can just take me there, and I’ll ride home with my parents. That way you can see Wesley and Daegreth, and Uncle Charles, too.”

“That sounds good to me,” said Alora.

“You know Wesley’s planning to go with you to Serenshire,” Beth added. “His parents are all about finding a solution to Daegreth’s bloodbond.”

“Why would they believe the answer to Daegreth’s bloodbond lies in Serenshire?” Kaevin opened one eye and glared at Alora like an angry pirate. “What promises have you made to Wesley’s family?”

“I didn’t promise them anything except that we would try to find a way to get rid of it,” she defended, with a nervous glance at Beth. Her friend crossed her arms over her chest, looking menacing despite the fact that Alora towered over her by eight inches. “But down deep, I believe any place where the citizens have learned to live in complete peace with one another is filled with really smart people. They have to know the answer.”

Jireo commented, “I’m not convinced there’s no conflict in Serenshire. That seems improbable as long as people are involved. If one simply desired a land of peace, one could move to Water Clan, where the citizens have lost the ability to fight against Vindrake’s wishes. No will. No fighting. Peace.”

Everyone gave a collective shudder at that thought.