Read Storm of Arranon Fire and Ice for Free Online

part.
    Pushing into a sitting position, Erynn yawned
and stretched stiff arms over her head. She considered another
protein bar but decided to wait until she was back at the base to
eat something tastier, and warmer. Perhaps the bloody, raw smell of
the pile of ravaged bones was another factor in her lack of
appetite. She pulled on gloves, crawled to the opening, dragging
the helmet with her, and poked her head out into the fresh morning
air.
    Snow-burdened trees lay beyond deep drifts.
With eyes closed, she sent her senses flying. Like the aleun, her
awareness soared, out and away. After a careful search, she
reversed her probing consciousness. There was nothing threatening
in the forest this morning. She crawled the rest of the way out but
stayed tight against the opening, scanning the spaces around and
under the trees.
    A nose pushed gently against her back.
    Erynn side-crawled to the right.
    A massive white head popped out of the
entry.
    “Morning.” She watched the alpha. His intense
gold eyes searched the woods. Her gaze tracked where the maejen’s
had. Nothing.
    He snorted snow from his twitching nose and
glanced at her. Showing his teeth, he trotted into a deep drift
outside the den.
    “Yeah, I don’t sense any danger either.
Whatever was out there is gone now. Thanks again. I gotta get back
before they send out a search party.” She sighed. “If they haven’t
already.”
    The alpha dipped his head, staring at her. He
chuffed, showing more teeth.
    Erynn returned the smile. “At least you’re
finding humor in this.”
    His head swung in the direction they’d come
from yesterday.
    She frowned. “Yes. I’m going back for the
speeder. There has to be a reason the power source is reading a
complete failure.” She shook her head. “Strange.” She stood up,
brushed snow off her pants, and set out through the forest.
     
     
    The speeder was a lump among others in the
snow. Erynn stood a moment, catching her breath. Walking through
the deep drifts was a workout. When the ache in her chest eased,
she began brushing the powdery blanket off the speeder.
    She crouched, took the protective cover off
the small engine, and examined the wiring. She could find no reason
for the failure. Replacing the cover, she worked her way around the
vehicle, checking each connection. On the other side of the
speeder, she found the problem. The main power cable appeared to
have been chewed through.
    “When—” Erynn bolted upright. The watchers
had returned. Every muscle in her body coiled to react as she
peered into the falling snow. Icy fingers crawled from the base of
her spine to her neck, and her skin prickled with the chill. “Okay,
time to go.” She opened the repair kit from a case affixed to the
rear of the seat. Electric blue and purple tendrils wound around
her gloved hands. She knelt next to the damaged wiring and began to
fuse the separation.
    Movement in the distance to her right
screamed for her attention, but she ignored the cry.
    “Get this fixed. Get out of here,” Erynn
whispered with urgency. When she had the heavy wires twisted
together, she wrapped the spot in strong tape. “That should get me
home. I hope.” She stood up and returned the tools to the box, her
gaze drawn to the right. Several dark, human-shaped forms darted
between the trees, edging closer. Her lungs hitched, and she jumped
onto the speeder, throwing her hood off and her helmet on. Hot,
fetid breath brushed at her neck. The stench of putrid flesh filled
her nostrils.
    Imagination ? Yes . No. Maybe.
Go !
    Bright purple static popped off her hands as
she reached down to the starter. The snapping currents enfolded the
chassis. The speeder started without punching the button. Erynn
twisted the throttle full open and sped away, up the mountain.
     
     
    Jaer stormed into the transport bay. Cale was
already there. A young man appeared to shrink at Cale’s menacing
posture, intense gaze, and barrage of questions.
    I will not be so kind