“Has she told you everything?” Kye asked Tatiana when they were alone. He had noticed that Grasiella would make pauses in her steps whenever something in the jungle made a noise. It was almost as if she were waiting for something.
Kana’i didn’t tell him much when they met up with him that morning. He gave a quick good bye. Kye wasn’t sure if Kana’i would be catching up with them.
They were waiting for Missy to return with news. It would be great if she came back with news of the Painite and better if she came back with the Painite.
Tatiana took a sip of water before saying, “She didn’t tell me much. Just that she hoped to be done by the time she saw me.”
“How are you doing?”
“Not good. G is gone. Where she’s gone, I don’t even know. Why would she leave now?”
He didn’t know what to say. G and Kana’i were off doing their own thing. Even Grasiella went off on her own. Did they all have a hero complex? The jungle had grown quiet. The animals had moved away. They knew what was coming. Kye was going to have to see Pele. He wasn’t looking forward to it.
Tatiana did not like feeling so helpless. She hated not knowing what was going on. Why would G not tell her where she was going? Didn’t she know that she would worry?
Kye felt Mauna Kea grow stronger; the volcano was expressing Pele’s anger. “Will you be alright if I leave you here for a bit?”
A concerned look crossed Tatiana’s face, “Why? Where are you going?”
He knelt down besides her resting his hand on her raised knee, “I have to see Pele.”
“Why?”
“The volcano, Mauna Kea, if Pele brings it to life, it will be very bad.”
“Oh.” She didn’t want him to leave.
He was gone moments later, Tatiana was alone with Grasiella. Grasiella saw Kye leave and wondered about it.
“He said he needs to see Pele about Mauna Kea.”
Grasiella nodded her head in understanding. She wasn’t concerned whether or not Mauna Kea erupted. She was more concerned about the Painite. Grasiella noticed the worried look on her sister’s face. “He will be fine, Tatiana. He’ll be back soon I’m sure.”
“I hope so.” Sadly, Grasiella’s words didn’t make her feel any better.