Read Ice Runner for Free Online

ice.
    Sighing and rubbing her hands to disperse the heat, she left the small chamber and waved him in.
    “As you requested.”
    “Thank you. Don’t you need to use one as well?”
    She shook her head. “I went before we left and am good for another ten hours or so. It is a side effect of using my talent.”
    He disappeared for a moment, and she wandered back to the rider. Another four hours and they would be at Yola Base, another five after that and they would be in Corial. Kes drank some water and pulled out a ration bar. Smiling, she watched a consternated Lorvik emerge.
    “Is there somewhere I can wash my hands?”
    “Rub the walls, scrub your hands, rub the walls again and then come here, and I will dry them.” He was awkward as he did as she said. “You must think I am an idiot.”
    “You are not the first visitor that I have taken through the tunnels nor the first to forget that we are surrounded by water.”
    He walked over to her and extended his cold, shivering hands.
    Kescu reached out and took those hands with hers and used the heat from her skin to dry him.
    She watched the colour return to his gold-green skin, and she smiled up at him. “Is that better?” He leaned in and kissed her in answer. The kiss was light and exploratory, but when he pulled back, she went up on her toes to keep the contact.
    A strange shiver ran through her from head to toe, and it was that unfamiliar feeling that made her pull back.
    He had a slight smile on his face, and his lips had a shine that made her want to check her own.
    Kes cleared her throat. “I have half a ration bar for you.”
    He smiled. “Thank you. How long until we reach Yola?”
    “Four hours. Let me know if you need a rest stop.”
    “I promise I will. Shall we?”
    She smiled and got back onto the rider with a ration bar clutched in her hand. She had her water pack with her, so she pulled the tube up and held it between her teeth while the engine roared into life once again.
    Off they went into the endless glitter of ice with nothing but the ticking of distance to guide them.

Chapter Seven
    K escu refuelled at Yola. Lor and Dr. Senzer were busy chatting about the project, and Lor accelerated the next batch while she was swapping out propulsion crystals.
    Senzer’s assistant was a pleasant man who handed her some ration bars and showed her where to refill her water packs with filtered water.
    Kes had a light nap by the time Lor returned and shook her awake. She stood up and nodded to Dr. Senzer. “Have a good evening, Doc.”
    “Enjoy your trip, Courier Washley. I had no idea you knew the tunnels that well.” She gave him a look through narrowed eyes. “I know you know better than that. I was with the drill team who opened the tunnel to Yola.” He shrugged. “It has been so long, who remembers?”
    She snorted and got back on the rider. Lorvik came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her once again. With a roar of the engine, they were off and streaking through the tunnels.
    “How old were you when the tunnel was run?” Lor’s voice sounded in her earpiece.
    “Nine. My father was running the drill team that made the hole that we are cruising through.” She accelerated again.
    “You went with him when he worked?”
    “Of course. When I wasn’t in school, I was with my dad in the tunnels. It was an educational experience, and I enjoyed working with him.”
    “What could a child do?”
    She laughed brightly, “I could heat up the lunches.”
    He snorted and hung on as they continued on their way to Corial.
    Two stops later and they pulled into the tunnel junction, the parking area for all tunnel riders. Kes groaned as she stood up and stretched. Lorvik was flexing his hands.
    “Where are you staying?”
    He grinned. “The Three Fountains.” She whistled softly. “Fancy.” He laughed and pulled her pack out before claiming his own. “I may not look it, but I am a king after all. It is important that I stay comfortably when I am