“Did you know we had a cafe?”
Aelin sounded happy, agitated, and confused all in one.
We each shook our heads.
“I assumed that there was some central mealroom for people to eat, but it was possible that each wing was equipped with kitchens for their specific areas." Ether sat down next to me.
Rix just walked over to the boss crystal and threw it to Aelin, who had become our crystal holder now.
Aelin caught the crystal and put it in the very empty front pouch of the sling bag. Trent had promised to count out our crystals and tell us how much all it was worth, so our trusty bag now only had two boxes of rations and three bottles of water in it.
While Trent had said that we were just going to fight the boss and come back, none of us trusted that he might not decide to lock us in the dungeon again. While we all preferred fruit to the ration bars, they took up much less space, which made not having to worry about more meals offset the flavorless bars.
“What else did we get?” Ether walked over to where Rix was looking at a piece of paper.
“Siphon?” Ether looked at me. "I think we have another spell for you.”
“Do you think I should take it?” I looked at everyone. "This is worth a lot of crystal.”
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“Things that make one of us stronger, make all of us stronger.” Justia nodded. "Use it.”
I took the paper that Rix offered and tore it in half.
“What does it do?” Aelin was hopping from one foot to the other
“We probably should have looked that up before I used it.” I looked at Ether and RIx. "Do either of you know?”
They both shook their heads.
I looked at Justia.
“It’s not a healing spell.” Our brown-eyed Healer thought for a moment. "At least not one that I’ve seen used.”
“Try it out!” Aelin grabbed me by the shoulders and turned me away from everyone.
“Ok.” I pointed my finger at the wall.
“Siphon.”
Nothing happened.
I turned around and shrugged.
“Maybe it needs some help?” Aelin grinned. "I can cast…”
“I don’t need you to do that.” I interrupted her.
“Maybe it needs a target?” Ether offered.
“If that’s the case, then it’ll have to wait because I’m not walking out to the first floor to try it on a snake and I’m definitely not traipsing around the desert looking for whatever there is out there to fight.” I motioned at the gate back to the first floor. “We should head back. You know how fickle Trent can be. If we take too long he might dream up another ‘training exercise’ for us.”
“Someone can’t wait to get to Harror so he can get the next member of his harem.” Aelin teased as she skipped towards the gate.
“That’s not..!”
“Hey! Rix!” Aelin cut me off. "When are you going to join the harem? Atlas could fit three in his bed.”
“Aelin!” I charged after her as she danced through the gate.