Page 98 of Guiding Reason

“Oh, fuck.” Orrey wiped his eyes.

“Kitten, you don’t have to cry. Nothing bad is going to happen. I know Taros doesn’t seem particularly responsible, but he actually is. He’ll make sure nothing happens, okay?”

“I know. I don’t know why I’m crying. Sorry.”

“Don’t be, little brother. But while I’m gone, you’re watching over the team. Boop-Beep will help you if you need it to, but don’t let it goad you into talking about healthy food. Senny, you’re going to watch out for Orrey, is that understood?”

“You’re telling me to do the one thing I’d do before anything else. Yeah, it’s understood.”

“Everyone’s brains are feeling too mushy out here. I’m going back to huddle in the vehicle with Yamara and Lapatea. Hyran, anything happens to Col, I’ll turn your brain into literal mush. Good luck.”

With that, Vin left.

Taros crossed his arms. “Everyone heard that right? He threatened Hyran about Col, but he didn’t mention me. You all heard it, right? He’s basically saying I’m the competent one.”

Karmine nodded, the scarred side of his face pulling tight when he grinned, no longer quite symmetrical. “Maybe he just trusts you to use something sharp for self-vengeance? You’re taking him first, right, Hyran?”

“Yes.” Hyran looked at Col. “Do you want to wait in the car?”

Col groaned and put a hand on his gun. “No. I’m good here.”

Karmine and Senlas spread out slightly while Taros put on his goggles and climbed on Hyran’s back. It was a lot more awkward than it had been for Col, due to the proportions.

“This is a Hound-fucking mess.”

Hyran glanced back. “You could walk at your own speed.”

“Please just run.”

Before he did, as Col knew his Guardian had to, Hyran locked eyes with him. It was a short moment. Col counted the seconds. At four, Hyran ran.

Orrey opened his mouth to ask, “How long—” when Hyran reappeared.

The kinetomancer breathed out his relief. “Left him to wait for us. Col?”

“Coming.” He squeezed Orrey’s shoulder. “Take care of our family while I’m gone.”

The younger Conduit bobbed his head. “I promise I will.”

Col looked back only once to wave before holding on to Hyran with both hands.

Then the green blurred and came to a stop, and they were in the woods again.

Taros was waiting for them, needle-fine blades standing out on his forehead when Hyran stopped and carefully lowered Col off his back.

“These goggles?” Taros waved them in his hand. “They’re not fucking enough. And here I thought Sen tossing me through the air without a care was bad. Your speed is something else, Hyran.”

“Well, I apologize for not being an upholstered auto-drive. Col? How’re you handling it? We have maybe a ten-minute walk from here. Would you like to rest first, have some water?”

Col shook his head. “It’s not that bad. Taros, you’re exaggerating.”

That had Hyran chuckle as he led the way into leaves and branches that brushed his uniform with clinging morning dew.

Taros rolled his eyes. “After you. Seriously, this guy.”

For the walk—the hike—Col was watching his step, remembering only too well how he’d nearly broken his ankle on their way to Thistletown.Maybe I didn’t exactly almost break it but…fuck, it feels like so long ago. It feels not quite real, but I know it happened.

The woods didn’t break apart like they had near Thistletown or even around the little house where Rose and Anandas had given them all succor. Instead, Col made out plants growing in lines and clusters around trees, either to hide these crops or because the trees were somehow beneficial to them.