When they surfaced, they were immediately blasted with snow and ice. Their clothes were soaking wet and it was below freezing. Kendra reflexively curled up into a tiny ball to conserve warmth, shivering and teeth chattering.
Gavin looked around and recognized where they were, "Chicago," He stood and looked down at Kendra, "Can you walk?" She nodded her head shakily and tried to stand, but her body had frozen up quite literally. Gavin knelt down in the snow and sand, and picked her up.
The sun began to rise as he transformed into a dragon, carrying her in his talons. As he flew through the air, the wind numbed Kendra's face and chilled her even more. The sun's rays gleamed and refracted off the ice, forming a golden path of light that led into the city, to Kendra's magic sensing eyes, the light glimmered and stretched out even farther.
"F-foll-o-ow that l-light!" She chattered, pointing a shaking finger to the trail.
Gavin soared after the trail of light above the skyscrapers, until that came to a building where the light stopped, Gavin dropped Kendra off next to the back entrance and transformed back into human form. They tried the back door, but it was locked. Kendra and Gavin ran around to the front and found the door locked as well.
She peered through the windows for any sign of Bracken or Seth, but there was none, she could see into even the shadowy corners of the lobby, save the shadow on the bench a little away from the door. The magic light seeped through the glass of the door and hit the shadow.
Suddenly Seth appeared, sitting on the bench, bent over something on his lap. The light met his eye, and he winced, looking up at the light quickly, then he saw Kendra.
She and her brother locked eyes for a moment and she saw that his irises were a deep, blood red; his pupils were twin slits of black. But ringing his eyes were rub-marks, as if he had been crying. Despair clouded his vision and dark clots of shadow floated around him like a halo of gloom.
Then hope flared up in his eyes again, he got up carefully from the bench and stumbled to the door unlocking the door with a key card he stole off of a security guard.
Kendra yanked open the door and she hugged Seth tightly, "Where's Bracken?" She asked quickly, pulling away.
Seth wordlessly led her to the bench and cast off the shadow blanket. Bracken became visible, his skin color now a deep grey, his arms shaking visibly, his breathing raspy and heard from far away.
Kendra choked on her words as she fell beside the bench and grasped his hand, it was cold. "Gavin!" She cried, tears falling to the wood floor "Help him!"
Navarog stood in the doorway, blocking the light of the sun, his eyes never blinking, never leaving Kendra and the body she was holding. He stood still, all in shadow, not making a move to help.
"Navarog?! He's alive?" Seth stumbled backwards, but then pulled Vasilis out of his backpack, ready to unsheathe it at any time.
Navarog stepped forward, then stopped hesitating, seeing the sword.
"Please!" Kendra screamed, turning to him.
He didn't hesitate any more when he heard her voice call out to him in desperation. He calmly walked over and sat down next to her. "You love him?" He asked in a quiet voice, not looking at her, but rather Bracken.
She nodded, swallowing bitter salt water, "Yes,"
Gavin looked up at the ceiling and sighed in defeat, looking back down and putting his hands to Bracken's chest. He closed his eyes and concentrated, the sickly grey began to fade from Bracken's skin, his tremors became less obvious, his breathing evened, and soon he looked just as if her were asleep.
Kendra saw this and cried out in relief and joy, clinging to Bracken's chest and listening to his heart beats.
Seth still held Vasilis at the ready, gaze unwavering even as relief washed over him as Bracken breathed easy again.
Gavin turned and looked Seth dead in the eye; in each other's gaze they saw something. Something they recognized in themselves. Gavin made a step towards Seth and held out a hand, "We are kindred spirits, you and I." He said, offering his hand.
Seth backed away, partly disgusted that Navarog would suggest something like that, partly aware and afraid that he was right. After last night, he wasn't sure that he was safe to be around anymore. If he could inspire such fear in people…
Gavin lowered his hand and turned around, but then looked away from Bracken and Kendra. Seth too, looked down, but at Vasilis.
Bracken's hand moved, and Kendra gasped, grasping it and breathlessly asking, "Bracken?" He twitched at his name and forced his eyes open. His gaze met Kendra's teary eyes, "Bracken!" She hugged him fiercely and buried her face in his chest.
Bracken sat up slowly and smiled softly down at Kendra, "I'm fine, no need to worry. It's alright," He reassured her, but she still felt scared.
He looked up and saw Seth standing a little farther away. Bracken felt troubled as he saw the state Seth was in. The young Shadow Charmer looked as if he hadn't gotten a week of sleep, his eyes bearing dark circles and darkly glowing red. His slouched back was a image of defeat and despair, though he also looked on edge about something.
Bracken's gaze shifted to the figure stating a little bit farther behind Seth.
Navarog