Letting go

*POV* Clay Sparks

We left the city in a rush that evening, I had convinced Dixie to leave before sunset. It wasn't too hard to leave through gates; we just made it look like the twins were two separate babies and went in two groups.

Dixie had gone with the first group and I the second, as I thought the guys at the gate stopped us and searched us thoroughly. Coral's baby girl played her part well in getting the guards to finally give up the search because she wouldn't stop howling.

From what I could tell they hadn't been given names yet. After we were out of the city we headed for the forest. And met up with Dixie.

We travel through the night only stopping a couple times to take care of the twins. By morning we were past the village and well on our way back to the cliff's.

About an hour after sunrise we stopped to reset for a moment, when to my surprise Mink came falling from the sky landing on her feet and a gust of wind sent the twins screaming.

I got to my feet, "Mink!?" It was really surprising to see her here. "What's wrong?" She looked around us expecting to see something. "What are you looking for?"

Her tired eyes landed on me. "Is she not with you?" I am totally confused now. "Mink, explain now.!" I grabbed her arm. "Cassy?" was all she had to say.

My eyes widened as fear filled me. "Where is she?" I questioned, Mink looked around again. "I don't know. I haven't seen her all week." 'What!!'

"I haven't seen her since you left, so I figured she was with you. But then one of the scouts found her footprints leading away in a whole different direction." She took a deep breath as tears started to fall. "Then we found a newly abandoned Hilldren soldier camp. I fear…"

It clicked in my head immediately. "The water mage he had was Cassy.' My heart sank and I moved to take Mink into a hug as she began to cry. "What's happening.?" Kristine came walking up to us followed by everyone else.

"The king has his water mage," I said to them all. I knew some of them wouldn't know what I meant but those that mattered would. "Oh no he didn't?" Kanyon came forward. Mink lifted her head. "This is bad Clay, really really bad."

I knew she was right. "Think Clay THINK." I thought as fear started to take over. "We have to go get her back!" Kanyon yelled. "Who's back?" Dixie asked, holding her niece close. "Cassy." Kanyon told her as I tried to think up a plan.

"Damn it all!" I yelled, staring down at Mink. "How quickly can you get me there?" She thought for a second. "Two days." I knew it was a long time, I just hoped I would be fast enough.

"Where are you going?" Dixie asked even more confused. "To get Cassy." My mind was set, Dixie handed the baby to Kanyon and came to pull me away from the others.

"Clay, explain to me, I am not going to have you leave all of a sudden." I stared at her but then compiled. I explained to her all that she had missed. "And I think I am in love with her." Dixie listened intently. "So you are in love with her, but do you really think you should go try to get you and Coral killed because you can't keep up the end of the bargain that is the only thing keeping her alive."

I had forgotten about that small detail, my heart started beating even faster and my breaths came short.

"Then what am I going to do?" I squeaked out my voice cracking. She pulled me into a hug. "We can figure this out, but I need you to calm down."

She started patting my back lightly as the others stared at us. "Breathe Clay, breathe." I tried to take her advice but it still took awhile to calm down.

When I finally did I was exhausted, and I slumped to the ground. Mink came rushing over. "Clay, we have to go."

"NO! Absolutely not, he is not going anywhere!" Dixie yelled, Mink took a step back, surprised, then her brows furrowed. "Stop dictating his life! He isn't even your real brother. And he is definitely not a child!" She shouted back.

I closed my eyes and covered my face with my hands. "You have no right to tell me what to do! Even if Clay isn't my real brother he is still my family, so BACK OFF." Dixie yelled.

"NO! I WILL NOT BACK OFF, HE WANTS TO GO SAVE CASSY! SO WHY NOT LET HIM? ARE YOU SCARED HE IS LEAVING YOU FOR SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY CARES!" Dixie colored. That was enough, I was done hearing them scream. "NO, THAT'S NOT IT."

I stood cutting Dixie off. "Both of you STOP!" They did. I walked over to Dixie. "Take the twins to the cliffs." Then I turned back to Mink. "Come on, we are going." Mink smirked at Dixie as she grabbed my hand. We turned into wind and disappeared.

I had only done this form of traveling one other time, but this time it wasn't for fun. My mind was a working machine as we moved. I knew Mink would tire out soon, but we couldn't stop until she was about to pass out. Cassy was not in any way safe and I couldn't let him have her like he already had my sister.