Fred was still babbling on about some diamond he found when Sam felt San-Li touch his elbow. She gestured for him to walk slower and they drifted towards the back of the group.
"Okay, so I know I sound like a jealous girlfriend, but hear me out." San-Li whispered. "There is something definitely off about Nicki and that brother of hers."
"San-Li, please. Not again." Sam sighed. "We just made up from our last fight."
"Exactly. A pretty big fight which started because she was deliberately flirting with you."
Sam gave her a weird look. "I'm not following."
San-Li glanced up and noticed Nicki was looking at them over her shoulder. She flashed them smile before turning back around. She whispered something to Thomas who turned to look at them as well before whispering something back.
San-Li lowered her voice even more. "Okay, not that I don't think you aren't amazing or cute enough to get attention from another girl, but don't you think its weird that she'd flirt with you directly in front of me?"
"Maybe." Sam shrugged. "Or maybe she wasn't flirting. Maybe she's just friendly."
"Or maybe she planned on us getting in a fight." San-Li nudged his arm. "Like you said before, when we first met I was super nice to you because I was manipulating you. What if she's manipulating us too?"
"She was awfully rude to you when we first met." Sam mused. "But what would be the point of us fighting? What does that get them?"
"Divide and conquer." San-Li muttered. "If we're too busy fighting each other-"
"-then we can't fight the Tenebrosi Sanction." Sam finished.
Fina cast a wary glance at Joleena as Jodie happily chattered on to her. Joleena was smiling at Jodie and nodded politely every so often, but she had her arms folded across her chest as if she was cold. And her eyes kept shifting everywhere as if she was afraid of something. Fina wanted to ask if she was okay, but thought better of it. She couldn't quite explain it, but something felt... off about her.
Fina, can you here me? Joe's voice said in her head.
One second sir.
"Hey guys," Fina turned to the others. "I'm going to fly up a little to hear Joe's voice more clearly. I'll be right back."
"Alright." Joleena said faintly. "We'll wait here for you."
Fina nodded and flew up into the high branches of a tree. Joe? Can you hear me, sir?
Yeah. Is Joleena okay? How close are you guys? Joe's voice was laced with worry.
You're voice is a bit faint but I think we're starting to get closer to each other and we can meet at the clearing I saw. Fina answered. Are you close to the mountains yet?
Climbing it now. But what about Joleena? Is she alright? Is she hurt?
Joleena is... Fina ruffled her feathers to clear her head. They weren't able to finish but they did something to her. Her magic is stronger and I think it might be hurting her. She's also going though mild shock.
I'll kill those sons of-
Joe please calm down. Joleena's going to need love and support not someone ready to take down an army.
Joe was silent for a moment before answering. Alright. Just... please get her to me as soon as you can and keep her safe. And thanks again Fina.
Yes sir.
Fina flew back down to where Joleena and Jodie were waiting. Jodie was still clamoring on to Joleena and Fina could feel the irritation coming off Joleena in waves.
"Miss Joleena," She said softly. "Would you like to take a break and rest?"
Joleena glanced at her and Fina could see a flash of rage in her eyes. "Non, why would you ask?"
"No reason." Fina lifted her hands in defense. "I was just making sure that you were alright."
"Of course I am alright! Why would I not be alright!?" Joleena snapped.
"Whoa, take it easy." Jodie gently laid a hand on her shoulder. "She's just trying to make sure you're okay-"
Joleena's glare shifted towards her. A purple glow came over Jodie's hand and jerk it off of Joleena's shoulder, hoisting her into the air. Jodie and Fina stared at Joleena in terror until her glare softened. Joleena dropped her eyes and slowly lowered Jodie back down to the ground.
"Sorry." Joleena muttered. "I'm a bit on edge."
"Understandable." Jodie gave her a shaky smile. "You've been through a lot."
"Yeah." Joleena pressed her lips together and started walking. "Let's just keep going. Joe will be worried sick over me."
Fina and Jodie exchanged a look and followed after her. Joleena walked with her head down and her nails were raking up and down her arms. Several stones shifted out of her path.
"I didn't mean to make her upset." Jodie whispered. "I was just trying to help."
Fina sighed and shook her head. "I think Joleena's just dealing with a lot right now. We should just give her some space until we find Joe."
They walked for a while and eventually the stones around Joleena's feet stopped moving. Fina felt her magic return to more normal levels and she breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe if Joleena saw Joe she would feel better.
Thinking of what happened to Joleena made Fina shudder. Even from that one glance Fina could still feel the magic of the dark residue. It felt horrible. A burning, sticky darkness in her mind. And Joleena had been blasted with it for who knows how long.
Joleena stopped suddenly and looked up. "Something's coming right for us."
Fina moved out in front of her. "Stay back. Best if handle this."
She transformed into a lioness and crouched low to the ground. She reached out her senses and found that Joe was getting closer but who ever it was in front of them wasn't him. There were now on the side of the mountain were there were less trees and more boulders. The path curved ahead of them, wrapping around a boulder that obscured their view around the corner.
Fina signaled for Jodie and Joleena to stay back with a look and crept forward. The hair on the back of her neck stood up as she heard the shuffling of feet. Human feet. And from the sound of it there was more than one. Just as a figure rounded around the corner Fina let loose a roar and pounced. The figure screamed as she tackled him to the ground but then when she saw who it was she blinked in surprise and changed back into her human form.
"Fina?" Fred broke out into a huge smile and wrapped his arms around her, crushing her to his chest. "Oh my gosh! I'm so glad I finally found you."
"Fred?" Fina pushed away from him and looked at him in confusion. "What are you doing here? How did you get here?"
"Well duh, I'm here to rescue you. We just got separated from Joe, that's all."
She looked behind him and saw Sam and San-Li as well as two teens she had never seen before. They all moved to a clearing off the path to wait for where Joe would meet them. Fred pulled her off to the side and hugged her tightly.
"I so worried about you." Fred whispered stroking her hair. "You scared me going off like that without telling me."
Fina cringed, full of guilt. "Sorry, I completely forgot to tell you. I didn't mean to make you worry."
"Fina..." Fred sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Don't you know how dangerous the Tenebrosi are? You could have gotten hurt."
"Fred, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself." She smiled and touched his cheek. "You didn't have to come all this way to save me."
"Take care of yourself ?" Fred looked at her like she was crazy. "Angel, you can't heal yourself anymore and you aren't immortal. You could get seriously hurt!"
Fina pressed to her lips together to suppress the irritation that was beginning to build. She looked over Fred's shoulder and spotted San-Li watching them. She raised an eyebrow and gestured over to the side, calling for a private conference. Fina gave Fred a quick kiss and went over to talk to her. San-Li whispered something to Sam and walked away from the others as well.
"So," San-Li said when they were out of earshot. "How mad is he?"
"He's more relieved than anything, but he's still kinda irritated." Fina sighed and gestured to the two teens. "Who are they?"
"The blond's Nicki and the boy is her brother Thomas." San-Li frowned at them. "I don't trust them. Too sneaky for my taste."
"Noted." Fina sighed and glanced at Joleena. "Just to give you a heads up. Don't aggravate Joleena. Something happened to her while she was at the Tenebrosi and her temper and her magic are... messed up."
"Duly noted." San-Li nodded. "So what now?"
"We wait for Joe." Fina shrugged. "He should be here any minute now."
There was the sound of rustling from the strip of woods behind them and they both tensed. Fina reached out with her senses though and smiled. Joe stepped out of the trees and smiled in relief when he saw them. Anna stepped out as well shaking leaves out of her hair followed by a tall, burly man who looked a lot like Joleena. But Fina's smile fell when another man stepped out behind them.
Fina instantly recognized his olive skin, golden honey hair, and the kind gleam in his eyes. Her heart rose into her throat and tears stung her eyes.
"Oh my God," Fina whispered. "Nathan."
"Hey Fina," The old Warp Wizard smiled at her warmly. "Long time no see."