Page 112 of Stealing Embers
“What exactly am I looking at here?”
“It’s a piece of a topographical map of this area.”
“Yes, I figured the map part out, but how do you know it’s of this area?” Turning my head, I watch Steel closely. His gaze sweeps back and forth over the piece of map that can’t have been bigger than the size of my spread hand. “There isn’t any writing.”
“I can read a map.”
“This could be any part of the Rockies. It could be a different mountain range all together. Are you planning on using this to get back to Seraph?”
“I flew over this area—I know it’s where we are. But even if I didn’t, look at this.”
I lean over to see the exact spot Steel points to. At the tip of his finger is a dot of red, not much larger than the head of a pin. Easy to miss.
“This is where we are,” he announces before sliding his finger over a couple of inches and indicating another spot on the map with another pinprick of red. “And this is where Blaze and Aurora were taken. And we’re going to go get them.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Steel’s hunched shoulders bob up and down with every step he takes. I stopped trying to figure out exactly where we’re going an hour ago. Steel is convinced the ripped piece of map he discovered crumpled on the floor is a message from Blaze or Aurora.
I’m not so sure.
It’s a stretch to believe that they found a map, ripped off the exact piece of it that showed where they were and where they were going to be, or even that they’d known the plans of the people who’d taken them. And that’s also assuming they were kidnapped at all—which we still aren’t sure about.
My only comfort is that since Steel and I have both been gone for a couple of days, the academy is probably searching for us now too.
My boredom leaves me counting snowflakes that dribble through the thick canopy above and land on Steel’s dark head. I’m on flake number forty-three when he breaks his silence.
“What made you think to bring the pack? Were you planning on getting lost?”
Steel has hardly spoken to me in the last two hours, which was also about the time we left the rustic comfort of the tiny cabin. When I’d pointed out there weren’t any footprints in the snow, he’d only grunted and mumbled something about the storm and fresh snowfall and set off without a backward glance.
The bag he asked about lies heavy against my back. I shift the straps before answering him. He’s going to find out sooner or later . . . or we’re going to freeze to death. Either way, there’s not a reason to keep my intentions hidden.
Paying special attention to placing my feet in the prints Steel leaves, I answer him.
“After we find Blaze and Aurora, I’m gonna take off. I was just getting a head start on the packing.”
The sound of crunching snow under Steel’s heavy footfalls ceases. Pulling up short, I lift my eyes in time to see him twist. A scowl covers his face.
“You’re leaving Seraph Academy?”
“Yes.”
“Where are you going?”
He takes a step closer, and I don’t like the proximity. His fists open and close, and I get the feeling he’s stopping himself from reaching out and shaking me.
“Emberly . . .” There’s a warning in his voice.
“I don’t know, Steel. I’ll figure it out. I always do.”
Uncomfortable with the conversation, as well as Steel’s intensity level, I brush past him, but only make it a few feet before he stops me. The straps of my bag dig into my shoulders when Steel pulls on it. He just as suddenly lets go again.
“Whoa!” I stagger a few steps before righting myself and then rounding on him. “Geez! What is your problem?”
“My problem?” He takes a menacing step forward, forcing me to back down. “My problem is that my sister and brother have most likely been kidnapped by Forsaken, or worse. Your problem is that you have a death wish.”
“Death wish? What are you talking about?” I throw my hands in the air.