The Hidden Deep

The Hidden Deep by Christa J. Kinde Page A

Book: The Hidden Deep by Christa J. Kinde Read Free Book Online
Authors: Christa J. Kinde
light of the little manna-maker. “I have a light,” she said stubbornly. “And I’m in a hurry.”
    “For what?”
    “None of your business,” she said, climbing over the chain.
    “You can get really lost in here if you’re not careful.”
    With a toss of her braids, she retorted, “I’m
always
careful.”
    As she turned away, Ransom caught her arm. “What’s
wrong
with you?” he asked sharply. She tugged, but he didn’t let go, meeting her glare evenly. “Stop being childish, Priss. It’s not safe.”
    “I know what I’m doing,” she stubbornly argued.
    “Show me your light.” When she couldn’t, Ransom muttered a curse under his breath, then fished in a pocket withhis free hand. “If you’re going to be a complete idiot, at least take this,” he said, pressing a small flashlight into her hand.
    “I don’t need it!” Prissie insisted, pushing it back at him, but Ransom stepped out of range, hands raised. She glanced anxiously down the passage again, but before she took off, she asked, “Are you going to tell on me?”
    “Sure am.” Walking backwards toward the entrance, he said, “I’ll go get your conscience. You mostly behave yourself when he’s around.”
    If he was talking about Koji, that would be a big help. Nodding briskly, she replied, “You do that.” Then Prissie plunged into darkness.
    She flicked on Ransom’s flashlight and hurried as fast as she dared after the tiny sprite. Luckily, yahavim didn’t seem to be built for speed, and she was able to catch up. “Hey, little one,” she called gently. “What are you doing in here?”
    He turned back to face her, and Prissie crooked her fingers just as Harken had taught her. When he hesitated, she asked, “Are you one of Abner’s flock, or do you belong to another Flight? Either way, you’re awfully far from home. Well,
probably.

    Small feet settled on her palm, and the tiny creature peered up at her in surprise. “I’m Prissie. I’m already friends with Omri, so maybe we could be friends, too. I wish you could tell me your name.”
    Faceted eyes blinked several times, and Prissie smiled. He was easily distinguishable from Omri, for unlike Taweel’s constant companion, this yahavim had short hair. Fine strands stood up around his head like a dandelion tuft, andits dusky shade of green reminded her of old copper. “Where are you going, little angel?”
    He pointed along the passage, indicating his desire to keep going. “Aren’t you afraid?”
    The yahavim’s expression grew solemn, and with a jolt, Prissie realized that she could see his face clearly because he wasn’t very bright. Omri’s happiness nearly blinded her when he was near, which meant that this little guy was sad, or possibly sick. “Maybe I should take you to Abner?” she asked worriedly. “He’s a Caretaker, and you look like you need someone to take care of you.”
    He shook his head and pointed even more insistently into the depths. “Right. Can I help, then?” she offered. “I have a flashlight. I know it’s not the same, but maybe it’s close enough?”
    When she showed it to him, he immediately launched off of her hand, twirled through the narrow beam of light, then hovered right in front of her. He smiled with such sweetness, she had to swallow the lump in her throat. “I guess you like it. Which way, then?”
    The yahavim sat upon her upraised palm and pointed in the direction he’d been flying, humming softly. They walked on together, and for a while, they remained on the well-trod path. Prissie had been on it twice before and mostly remembered the way. It was a beginner’s loop. In less than a mile, the trail would rejoin the main tunnel, where she hoped to catch up to her classmates before her absence was noticed. But then the green-haired angel pointed at a narrow opening in the wall Prissie had never noticed before. “Are you sure?” she asked, and he nodded grimly.
    Before long, she lost track of the twists and turns.

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