Regali (A Walker Saga) by Jaymin Eve

across.”
    “I guess that means we have to go to this dance ,” Fury said with a sigh, but I could see gleams of hidden excitement in her eyes.
    I doubted this was something she’d had a chance to do before . Her planet, Crais, was burning hot, and she had mostly lived underground in the rocks. That harsh life was mainly about survival. Dances fell pretty low on their list of priorities.
    Talina took her hand. “Come on, let’s go find some dresses . Lalli has outfitted our rooms upstairs with like a million choices.”
    They moved closer to me and Lucy.
    “You two stay safe.” Talina hugged us.
    “And remember to get us if you need help. We’re a team ,” Fury added.
    She didn’t hug ; that wasn’t her style. But I knew she had my back. She was big on the half-Walker girl-power.
    “We’ll be back before you know it. And you have to be careful in the mountains ,” Lucy said, her eyes glazing over a bit. “I can’t see it. Somehow it’s staying just out of sight, but there’s something really bad under there.”
    “And on that uplifting note, we’re off.” Talina winked at me. “I keep hoping Lucy is just being overdramatic.”
    We all laughed, and I waved as my friends moved away to take those curving stairs up to the next level where they had a room. Not many people had been able to stay in the castle for this ceremony. Mostly they were set up in the castle grounds. An exception had been made for us.
    “Look after my girl ,” Josian said to Brace. “And get back here soon.”
    Josian was still acting strange, his tone gruffer than usual.
    “I don’t need anyone to look after me, Dad. I’m kick-ass all on my own.”
    He usually laughed at my false arrogance . I had nothing on most Walkers. But this time he just smiled before pulling me in for a hard yet brief hug.
    “I love you ,” he said simply as he pulled away.
    M y mother’s arms replaced his, and then they were gone.
    It was the same every time I moved to another planet. Worry, concern and finally resignation from my parents. There was nothing they could do to stop this : it was my quest. This time felt a little worse, though, and it was something to do with Josian. I didn’t have time right now, but I would figure it out when I got back.
    “Is Josian alright?” Lucy asked. She must have noticed it as well.
    I shook my head. “I don’t know. Something’s bothering him, but he didn’t seem ready to share it.”
    “He’s worried ,” Brace said, his warm hand finding mine.
    I felt myself relax.
    “The countdown is on, and we aren’t getting any closer to stopping the Seventine. He knows that if we don’t succeed you’ll be facing them in the final battle.” His voice hardened. “It’s something that has us all a little concerned.”
    I sucked in a breath and exchanged a glance with Lucy. Imagine if they knew about the vision.
    “Alright, let’s head to Artwon. I want to check out this jungle. For some reasons Mags says I’ll love it there.” Colton stretched to his full height. He was about an inch shorter than Brace, which was still giant.
    “Has she been many places? ” I asked.
    “She’s been everywhere ,” he replied.
    Lucy opened her mouth.
    I shook my head. “No, Lucy.”
    Her lips started doing that pouting thing she’d perfected. “Come on, he left that so wide open.”
    Colton narrowed his eyes at her, but I was pretty sure the Walkers had missed the angle Lucy had taken on those words.
    We moved out of the main entrance to a small unused alcove. Brace opened a doorway back to the white meeting room at the Angelisian house. It was still a mess from my collision with it earlier, although the window was now covered with a temporary board.
    We split up to grab our bags. I don’t know why we bothered . We seemed to lose the packs as soon as we got to the planet, and we could open a doorway if things ever got serious. But it was a silly comfort to know you had spare clothes and food.
    I was dressed in dark