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“Um, thanks. Stop staring at my spectral ass.”
He caught up to her, and they continued across the plain. “Is it just me, or does the mountain seem closer?”
“I have no idea. I haven’t ever gone camping, let alone hiking. I am just glad we are both dressed to sweat. This jewellery is heavy.”
He frowned. “It is?”
“Yeah. It feels like lead hanging from my limbs.”
“But it sparkles so prettily.”
“Uh-huh. Let’s just keep going.”
He nodded, and they began a light jog toward the horizon.
After hours, Haley was staggering. Jarol said, “Let’s take a break.”
“No, we need to keep going.”
He looked around and pointed. Haley looked over, and there was a stand of trees with glorious green grass.
“You are tired. The gear is heavy. Have a seat.”
“Fine.” She staggered over to the trees, and he helped her down.
She grunted. “This is unpleasant.”
“When can we go back?”
“When we finish the adventure. We have to seek the shadows and learn where we are from.”
He sat next to her and urged her to lean on him. “Relax. We have all the time in the world. We are trekking at the speed of thought.”
“Oh, hooray.”
He wrapped an arm around her. “When did you last see your family?”
“I think it was a decade or so. I travelled my way here and then got stuck. When did your parents pass?”
“Ten years ago. They were older and decided to leave together. They died in their sleep two days apart.”
“Oh. How old were they?”
“Seventy-five. I was a last-chance baby. Sarah did most of the raising, but the shadowborn are hardy stock.”
She felt his fingers slowly trailing down her arm. “We are, but why are you so comfortable with me?”
“I am unsure, but I think we might be suited to each other. My parents always looked at each other, smiled, and said when you know, you know.”
“That’s sweet.”
“Apparently, that’s what happens when a match is solid.”
She sighed. “That sounds nice.”
“It does, doesn’t it.”
* * * *
