THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

here.”

CHAPTER 31
     
    Worry tightened the muscles in my shoulders. Where were Mathias and Callan going? Did this walk mean Mathias really intended to abandon his own people? How could he leave Callan alone to deal with that hateful witch Zilya and her annoying shadow Etoi plus a village full of small children?
    Something didn’t fit here.
    Callan followed Mathias with his head held high, but anxiety radiated off of Callan’s every move and tensed neck muscles.
    I fought the urge to put my arm around him, doubting he’d welcome my comfort right now. He still hadn’t decided if I was his enemy or not. 
    I couldn’t let this go any longer. “Are you really going to do this, Mathias?”
    Callan answered instead. “This is not your concern.”
    “Then why am I going with you?”
    Before Callan could say another word, Mathias cleared his throat as if he had something blocking his words. “Let me explain, Callan.”  Then he addressed Rayen. “The TecKnati scouts told us we would not stay here past turning eighteen, but Callan and I have figured out that this is only to demoralize our group when it doesn’t happen. So we’re pretending I am leaving, then I am to come back tomorrow, explaining that the TeKs gave me the choice to be locked up back home or to stay here.”
    Now I understood. What a nice thing to do for everyone considering how dangerous it was out in these woods. “Exactly how long are you going to be gone?”
    Callan had given Mathias a questioning look, then must have decided there was no point in keeping the rest secret. “Just twenty-four hours. Mathias will enjoy a much-deserved break.”
    I asked, “But why did you bring me instead of one of your people, Mathias?”
    “Callan has shared with me about how you battled two croggles and how you fought for, and then helped to heal, the little boy.” 
    That didn’t really explain why I was walking with them, but I let it go since it sounded as though Mathias had a more favorable opinion of me now.
    Mathias had entered the forest and stopped in a small clearing, evening twilight feathering through branches and leaves, slanting cold fingers of darkness and quieting all bird sounds. He turned to Callan with a look in his eyes that gave me chills.
    When Mathias spoke, his voice sounded raw. “It’s time for you to know everything.”
    So this is where all my bad feelings were coming from.
    Callan’s face fell at hearing that he didn’t know everything. “What do you mean?”
    Callan hadn’t shown even the slightest indication of fear while facing the croggle, but some worry shadowed his eyes now, and darkened his skin that started changing rapidly, a physical action that I’d decided was tied to emotions. What would cause such a severe emotional reaction in Callan?
    Mathias looked resigned as he glanced over his shoulder where I saw a glimpse of the red moon low in the purple sky, but no green stripes.
    Were the TecKnati really coming for him? Had one arrived during the ceremony and everyone missed the signs but Mathias?
    But Callan missed nothing, and should have seen, too.
    Mathias scrubbed his hands over his face then told Callan, “We don’t have much time.”
    “What have you kept from me?” Bitter disappointment seeped into Callan’s voice.
    I wished for some way to figure out exactly what had Mathias acting so spooky.
    Mathias drew a deep breath that shuddered through him, then he told Callan, “I had you bring Rayen for a reason. V’ru told me what he’d learned so far.”
    Callan’s stony silence weighed heavier than the humidity clinging to my arms.
    I couldn’t stand the tension between these two. “Do you believe what I’ve told you, Mathias?”
    “Yes.”
    Chill bumps raced up my arm at finally hearing the right answer. “So you’ll tell Callan to release us?”
    “He can release you, but only if you promise to help them find a way out of the Sphere.”
    That got a reaction out of Callan. “What can she do?”
    I had no idea, but I told Mathias, “You have my word.”
    For the first time since meeting Callan, I heard true worry enter his voice when he asked Mathias, “You’re still only going away for a day, right?”
    Mathias took another look up at the sky. “No, I’m disappearing. For good. There’ll be no coming back.”
    “What?”  Callan’s golden-brown hair turned bright blond and the splattered aqua shapes on his skin darkened into dark blue storm clouds. “You’ve been holding out